Why It's Now or Never for The Miz to Get Over in WWE

The Miz recently returned to WWE, and his appearance on the June 30 edition of Monday Night Raw was met by Chris Jericho, who was also back from a hiatus.  Since then, Miz has been working with a new take on his character and doing everything he can to become a premier heel in the company.

And while Miz does have his critics, the fact is that he has a great opportunity to succeed this time around in the company.  It could even be said that it's now or never for The Miz to get over in WWE.

At first glance, it appears as though Miz has everything it takes to make a splash in Vince McMahon's company.  He's cocky, he's brash, and he's one of the most egotistical personalities that fans have seen in quite a while.

The current incarnation of his character is the most arrogant that he's ever used in WWE.  This time around, Miz is being portrayed as a Hollywood smash, as a guy who has conquered the world of sports entertainment and is now moving on to the bright lights of Tinseltown.

Add to that the fact that he seems more comfortable in his own skin now than he perhaps ever has during his 10-year WWE career, and you have a guy who should be a hit.

credit: wwe.com

But the jury is still out on The Miz.  And whether the reason for that is because of his reality TV background or his perceived inability to succeed at a high level, the truth is that Miz needs a chance.  This time around could be the best chance he's had.

Bad News Barrett is currently out with an injury.  Bray Wyatt and Cesaro are consistently getting a positive crowd reaction.  And all three of the men's championships are held by babyface Superstars; there seems to be no better time for a great heel to take the spotlight and run with it.

The Miz could be that heel.

It's the right time for him to capitalize, and he seems very aware of this.  He just looks the part, and he fits the role every time he's on camera.  However, the most important part of the equation is out of his hands.  It falls on WWE to put him on the right path.

It's all in the booking for The Miz.  If that booking isn't up to par, he will go nowhere very fast.

Feuding with Chris Jericho would have been a great way to start.  Jericho did interrupt Miz on Raw when both men returned, and for a very brief moment, it looked as though the feud was indeed going to happen.

But then The Wyatt Family showed up, and Miz was left in the cold.

credit: wwe.com

Since then, Miz has gone 1-3 in televised matches, and Jericho moved into a rivalry with Bray Wyatt.  But while many fans would consider this a horrible start for The Miz, the truth is that he's still attempting to get his feet under him.  Building a guy up to a respectable level is no easy task; these things take time.

Superstars lose matches.  That's part of the deal.  But the key is to slow down the slide and give a Superstar some quality wins before the crowd begins to lose interest.  Otherwise, no amount of braggadocio on Miz's part will make a difference with the fans.

If he can't back up his ego with his work in the ring, then nothing he says will matter.

Fans have to take him seriously.  They have to see Miz as a top-tier talent, or they will never believe he can be one.  Losing six out of his first seven matches (counting house shows) is not the best way to start, but Miz has plenty of time to pull it together.

And perhaps the best way to do that is to win the Intercontinental Championship at Battleground.

WWE's next big pay-per-view is coming up on Sunday, July 20.  On that night, a Battle Royal will be held to determine the new IC champion.  Miz is one of the 20 men who will be competing for the vacant title, and though it seems he does not have much of a chance, WWE could choose to give him the gold.

The fact is that a title run would go hand in hand with Miz's new character.  His gimmick as the Hollywood A-list star puts him on a level above everyone else, of course, and a championship would only enhance that gimmick.  Miz could present himself as a man who was desired by Hollywood but has to stay in WWE for the sake of defending the intercontinental title.

In other words, he would be doing the fans a favor.

It seems like a great move for him right now.  It puts him under the bright spotlight, and it keeps him relevant as each week he could defend the championship against another face.  The Miz could tout his superior ability each week and then go out and prove it in the middle of the ring.

And the truth is that it does not have to end there for him.  Miz has the kind of character that could mesh well with any protagonist he is booked against.  Despite who he faces or why, he would always be in full control of the situation.  In his mind, he's already won. 

Miz is an old-fashioned throwback heel.  There is nothing redeeming about him, he does not play to the crowd, and he is not trying to get over to the point that he becomes a distraction from the guy he's working.  Miz's job is to just make you hate him, and he does that very well indeed.

The Miz has the best chance now than he's ever had to get over as a top heel in WWE.  And considering that he's seen what seems like the full spectrum of character changes in WWE, it could be that this is his last, best chance to make it work.

It's now or never for The Miz.