WWE: The Miz Is This Generation's Version of the Honky Tonk Man

I like The Miz. I always have. Well, not always. Let's put it this way, I've at least always been curious. Like many others, Mike Mizanin and I go all the way back to the time that he spent on the reality show The Real World in 2001. During the course of the series he expressed how much of a wrestling fan he was, creating his Miz persona based on The Rock. It never occurred to me that he would ever amount to anything more than a reality television star after appearing on countless other shows based on The Real World and Road Rules Challenge series.

When he decided to pursue his dreams and go into professional wrestling, I was skeptical but decided to watch and follow, because you never know. Fast forward and now we have a superstar on our hands.

Like I said, I do like The Miz, but I am also realistic about why. What he lacks in actual wrestling skills he more than makes up for in charisma. He's a mediocre talent at best that has managed to hit the head on a successful gimmick. He knows how to captivate the fans, evoking passionate heat. You either want to punch him in the face for talking smack or full out beat the Hell out of him. He is one of the best in the business at what he does. Keeping that in mind, I can't help but think of another WWE superstar who unexpectedly became successful, The Honky Tonk Man.

Coincidentally, I happen to like Honky Tonk Man too.  

The Honky Tonk Man was one of the most hated WWE superstars during the late 80's. Seen as nothing more than a comedic Elvis impersonator in the beginning with mediocre wrestling skills, Honky immediately drew the ire of the fans. Instead of forcing him down our throats as a face, WWE made the right choice and made him a heel, which turned out to be a stroke of genius. Add Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, one of the best mangers in the business, the need to dance and wiggle like Elvis along with the Intercontinental Championship to the equation and you had the perfect formula for a mega hot run, which he had. Honky was on fire.

During his run as champion he faced the likes of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Billy Jack Haynes, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Randy "The Macho Man"  Savage and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, eventually losing the title to The Ultimate Warrior at the inaugural SummerSlam. Honky's career would never be the same after losing the Intercontinental Championship. He eventually faded away just like other stars of that era. He would come back from time to time but he never did repeat the success he had as champion.

So, why would I even compare The Miz with The Honky Tonk Man of all people? Why not another superstar from the past? After all, The Miz has accomplished more in a shorter period of time. He's also a former WWE Heavyweight Champion who is on his way to another title down the road. It's possible that he will  carry the company into the future. The same could never be said about Honky Tonk Man; he never came close to that level of success. Or did he?  

Honky Tonk Man and the Intercontinental title were a perfect match. Honky made the title work for him, giving him the credibility that he could never get on his own. The idea of him holding the prestigious Intercontinental title after winning it from the popular Ricky Steamboat was insulting to the fans. They came out in droves in hopes of someone finally taking the title off him. When he finally faced off against Randy Savage, the stakes became even higher. When he put his hands on Savage's manager, Miss Elizabeth, we wanted blood. Through it all, Honky kept doing what he always did, entertain.  

Although he has improved, Miz is still considered out of his league compared to the likes of CM Punk and Randy Orton. He's still looking for respect. Honky was considered out of his league when he faced Savage and Steamboat, yet held both at bay in order to retain the title as long as he did.

The only reason anyone talks about him is because he held the belt for so long. Miz handles the mic like few others can. Honky said all the right things to get the fans to hate him more and more with each passing week. Both are viewed as cartoonish, underrated and undeserving of their success. At the same time both are/were great ring psychologists. Despite the odds, both men have used the hatred of the fans to thrive.

What is the tie that binds them? Why is The Miz this generation's version of The Honky Tonk Man? Because, no matter what he does, he will always seem like he is in over his head, barely getting by and doesn't belong anywhere near the main event. The reality star who got lucky. That's why the fans can't buy into him and perhaps never will. Just ask The Honky Tonk Man.