WWE: Miz Proving All of His Detractors Wrong and Maybe on His Way To the Top

When it comes to Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, my opinion mimicked half of the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC).  

For almost two years, Miz teamed with John Morrison to form one of the most successful teams of the last decade. After numerous awards and tag title reigns, they were split up by the WWE Draft.

Miz stayed on RAW while John Morrison was swiftly moved to Smackdown.

While many predicted Miz would fade into obscurity and become a name on the future endeavored list, Miz proved he wasn’t done yet. The WWE placed Mr. Awesome in a feud with their top dog, John Cena.

When it finally came time for Miz to face Cena, the young gun went toe-to-toe with Cena, but epic-failed in the end.

A few more matches with Cena led to a stipulation that if Miz lost to Cena again, he would lose his job. Cena easily defeated Miz and off to the unemployment line or Smackdown is what most predicted.

At least that’s what we thought.

Next week’s RAW saw the return of Eugene and the debut of The Calgary Kid. The men fought for a RAW contract and Eugene fell to the Kid. As Eugene scrambled to his feet, the Calgary Kid dropped him with a full nelson face-buster.

Miz removed the mask and was officially reinstated on RAW.

The move was seemingly one to alter Miz’s character. The new attire, theme, and catchphrase are now regular aspects of Miz’s character and mannerisms.

After he won the U.S. Title, we questioned if he could become a major WWE Superstar? He has the microphone skills, catchphrase and heat, but he was lacking something.

Wrestling ability

Yes, Miz lacked the proverbial elephant in the room.

A lot of things can be said about Miz, but there’s no doubting that he has improved. Named most improved two years straight by Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Miz found himself in a tag team with Big Show.

ShowMiz went on a rocketship to the moon after defeating DeGeneration X.

Besting the likes of Morrison and R-Truth, MVP and Mark Henry, and DX, ShowMiz held the Unified Tag Team titles for several months. There comes a time where every fan questions WWE programming, and I did after numerous title defenses.

Why is Miz still teaming with Big Show?

How great would Miz be as a singles competitor?

Why isn’t he defending the U.S. Championship?

Why did he steal Edge’s trench coat?

As ShowMiz imploded and lost the tag titles, I got my answer. Having lost the U.S. Title to Bret Hart, I started to question Creative's plans for Miz. The WWE ruined my train of thought when Miz quickly reclaimed the U.S. Title

When the newly created Money in the Bank PPV was announced, Miz was a competitor for the RAW brand's ladder match.

Our money was on Randy Orton or Edge, but WWE tricked us once again.

Seconds away from victory, Orton attempted to clutch the briefcase only for Miz to tilt the ladder and claim it for himself. Quoting rapper Drake's song, “Show Me A Good Time,” Miz said "Call me overrated or created, but now I’ve made it.”

I wasn’t a MizFit, but I respected The Miz for his words.

My respect reached an all-time high when he teased cashing in his briefcase against Sheamus. For one, I wanted Sheamus to save face because his reign had become a farce. Secondly, I love to see a new guy almost becoming the top dog on RAW.

Yeah, I marked out for Miz.

As the months passed, Miz lost the U.S. Championship to Daniel Bryan and adopted Alex Riley as his apprentice. That’s when Miz renewed his interest in the WWE Championship. While teaming with WWE Champion Randy Orton, Miz attacked Orton with the Skull-Crushing Finale and cost his team the match.

Survivor Series was no different.

Miz teased cashing in his briefcase pretty soon because he was “tired of carrying this case around.”

This was also a rare occasion where I enjoyed a Miz promo. Mizanin roasted LeBron James and the Miami Heat, while alerting Orton and Wade Barrett of his intentions to cash in. The next night on RAW may go down as the most predictable ever, as Miz removed himself from the KOTR Tournament.

Citing health problems, Miz’s intentions were obvious.

After an injured Orton successfully defended his WWE Title again Wade Barrett, Miz cashed in the briefcase and ultimately defeated Orton. I can’t say I was surprised by the events, but anger filled my thoughts.

I wanted Miz to hold onto the briefcase longer.

Know why? We were approaching WrestleMania season and there was no way possible he would main event WrestleMania.

History lesson out the way, I’d become one of Miz’s biggest critics but his match with John Morrison lightened my anger towards Miz.  They put on a great match and I was impressed by the work of both men.

Obvious who impressed me more?

Still unable to call myself a MizFit, on Sunday night, Miz showed another promising trait. Despite being a heel, the PPV crowd said Miz’s catchphrase along with him. I’ve witnessed this happen twice before.

With Mr. Kennedy and The Rock.

The two were so popular among the fans that WWE had no choice but to turn them into faces.

I still questioned Miz’s wrestling ability, until the next night, that is. In a tag match with WM opponent John Cena, the WWE Champion dominated the Corre members and claimed the WWE Tag Team Championship.

While I may have been somewhat bipolar when it comes to The Miz, I noticed something.

I stared at the TV screen as a face Miz walked throughout the ring.

No promo’s, no Riley, no Michael Cole, Miz did it himself and looked comfortable as a face. Though he returned to his heel persona immediately afterwards, Miz proved he could kick ass and take names with the best of them.

For the first time since the dirt sheets announced it, I considered Miz a legitimate threat to John Cena at WrestleMania.

That’s what it’s all about at this point. WrestleMania being biggest event of the year and Miz’s time to prove his worth to the pro wrestling world.

If Miz defeats John Cena at WrestleMania, just maybe he’ll become Poster boy No. 2 or the No. 2 face behind Cena.

Don’t take my words as if I’m saying Miz will succeed Cena but he’ll definitely become a big deal with time.

I must say one thing. If Miz lands a SCF on John Cena and pins him cleanly at WrestleMania, the WWE has some serious intentions in order.

Soon enough, The Miz may be truly awesome.