WWE veteran The Miz has expressed that, despite his lengthy and successful run in the promotion, he does not feel he receives the same level of recognition as John Cena, whose appreciation from fans and peers is evident throughout WWE. The focus on John Cena WWE appreciation became a central topic during The Miz’s recent interview, where he discussed both his career and his feelings about how his contributions are perceived.
The Miz, who has been part of WWE since 2004 and joined the main roster in 2006, stands as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the company’s history. Boasting accolades such as the Triple Crown and multiple Intercontinental Championship reigns, he has maintained his relevance and star power for nearly two decades. Despite headlining WrestleMania and defeating John Cena in one of its main events, The Miz admitted feeling that the recognition he receives doesn’t match what Cena enjoys.
Now at 45, The Miz continues to play a key role in developing younger stars like Carmelo Hayes, and has recently been involved in notable tournaments which decide major career moments for other WWE stars. Yet, his history with John Cena, including their high-profile bouts, did not earn him a centerpiece run in the most recent tournament promising a match against the 17-time world champion in his final bout.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, The Miz addressed the question of respect in WWE, revealing his thoughts on how the locker room and fans view him, and how that contrasts with Cena’s reception.
“Yes, I feel the respect. I feel it in the locker room. I feel it in the crowd, but I’ll hear you say it. ‘Oh, Miz has gotten his flowers.’ You know what kind of flowers I get? I get the ones that are half dead, that you give to me and they’re gonna die the next day. You don’t give me a full bouquet of flowers that are like, here are your flowers.”
— The Miz, on Insight
The Miz, once criticized for his roots as a reality TV star, has since overcome early skepticism, securing his spot as a respected WWE veteran. His resume includes an eight-time Intercontinental Championship reign and consistent major event appearances. Despite this, The Miz conveyed that John Cena receives a level of recognition—what he calls “the full bouquet of flowers”—while he is often given symbolic gestures that feel less genuine.
“John Cena gets the flowers. I don’t get the flowers. I get the half-dead flowers that are like, Here you go, here’s your flowers. We’re giving you your flowers. It’s the half assed flowers.”
— The Miz
Throughout his career, The Miz has excelled as a heel, leveraging his strong promo abilities and arrogant persona to captivate audiences. However, he voiced the sentiment that his long-term contributions and achievements have not always been valued on the same level as other historic figures, such as John Cena.
The Miz Shares Thoughts on His Future Beyond Wrestling
Looking ahead, The Miz does not appear ready to retire soon, reaffirming his commitment and enjoyment of his current role on the WWE roster. In a recent discussion while teaming with R-Truth, he indicated that his family remains an important focus for his future plans outside the ring.
“I’m in it right now and I’m loving it. I’m loving every second of it. My body feels good, I feel like I’m in my prime. I feel more confident than I’ve ever felt in WWE, and so like as a talent, like when I go into the ring I know exactly what I’m doing, I know how to get the audience where I want them to be, and I know how to tell a story and a captivating story … where this goes after WWE, I don’t know. Like I want to be a great dad, I want to be a great husband. I want Monroe and Madison to grow up with a dad that’s there, that’s present.”
— The Miz
Currently, The Miz remains active on the SmackDown brand, continuing to elevate new talent and participate in prominent storylines. He recently shared the ring with stars like Randy Orton and maintains his influence as a locker room leader. As he contemplates his post-wrestling career, The Miz could be seen as a future authority figure or commentator, given his on-screen charisma and experience.
While The Miz continues to be an important figure in WWE, the conversation about appreciation and legacy, especially compared to stars like John Cena, is likely to persist. His longevity, adaptability, and willingness to help others shine ensure that his contributions to WWE and its fans will be noted, whether or not they are fully recognized in the present.
