The Miz has been part of WWE for nearly twenty years, first gaining attention as a competitor on the 2004 season of Tough Enough. Before fully diving into professional wrestling, he held a brief role on MTV, which eventually led to his hosting duties on the ECW program after some time. Over the years, The Miz has reached significant achievements, including becoming WWE Champion and securing his status as a two-time Grand Slam Champion.
Despite these accolades, his role has shifted in recent years, as he has mainly been presented in mid-card championship scenes and paired with R-Truth in the tag team division. In 2025, he surprised fans by forming a partnership with Carmelo Hayes, who was relatively new on SmackDown’s roster at the time.
The Miz Opens Up About Challenges Facing His Respect Within WWE
In a recent interview on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, The Miz discussed how he feels overlooked by his WWE peers despite his accomplishments. He recalled an exchange on Cody Rhodes’ podcast where he and fellow wrestler Kevin Owens talked about The Miz’s position as a WrestleMania main eventer opposite John Cena. Owens was reportedly stunned by The Miz’s career milestones and dominance.
“I watched a Cody and Kevin Owens podcast where Kevin was like ‘this guy?’. He was talking, they were talking, they were putting me over very well. And I was like ‘oh, that’s really, really nice’. But KO, I remember saying something like he couldn’t believe this guy (The Miz) was a main eventer for WrestleMania. And then he got in the ring with me, and he’s like ‘oh, now I get it’”. (00:00 – 00:25)
The Miz elaborated on the broader backstage perception he faces within WWE, highlighting that many competitors tend to underestimate him until they actually compete against him inside the ring.
“And I feel like I get that a lot. I get it where a lot of people will be like ‘ah yeah, it’s The Miz’ then they get in the ring and be like ‘oh, okay, now I know how good he is’. I’ve started to know this now. There’s a certain type of energy that I have, whether it’s a promo, pre-taped, or in a match, that sometimes it’s unmatched. And I work very hard, if I get one minute still to this day, if I get one minute on the show in a pre-tape, some people will be like ‘uh, okay’ but for me no. Every word matters, every segment matters.” (00:26 – 1:28)
The star’s words reveal a deep awareness of his reputation and the effort he puts into every aspect of his performance, from promos to matches. He insists that the respect he earns is often delayed until opponents experience his capabilities firsthand.
Recent WWE SmackDown Appearances and Ongoing Storylines
At the start of 2026, The Miz kicked off the first WWE SmackDown episode but was immediately confronted by Randy Orton, who returned to the ring with a powerful attack that left The Miz down. Showing resilience, The Miz retaliated the following week with a surprise strike against Orton, elevating their rivalry once again.
The Miz’s Underrated Status: Insights and What Lies Ahead
The Miz’s comments shed light on the ongoing struggle many wrestlers face to gain true respect despite proven success. His story illustrates a larger issue within WWE, where perceived credibility sometimes needs physical proof inside the ring to shift opinions. Given his extensive career and ability to adapt—from MTV star to Grand Slam Champion—the hope remains that The Miz’s contributions will receive greater acknowledgement.
As The Miz continues to compete and form new alliances, such as his recent connection with Carmelo Hayes, his determination to prove himself remains evident. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how his story unfolds in WWE throughout 2026 and beyond.
The Miz said once he heard Kevin Owens saying "I couldn't believe this guy (The Miz) main evented Wrestlemania" and then he got in the ring with me, and he was like, "Ohh, now I get it."
(@ChrisVanVliet) pic.twitter.com/sF5EZB0o4G
— J O H N (@RomanEra0) January 13, 2026
