The Miz was given a golden goose of an opportunity when he was put into a program, a short lived one, but a program none the less, with the Doctor of Thuganomics. He didn’t disappoint.
Mick Foley has said that the greatest attribute that a heel can possess is the feeling in his heart that what he does is right. That for a heel to be believable, he must know that although the things he is doing are not popular, they serve the end to his being right.
The Miz was given the fire from Olympus that is John Cena, and he laid waste. I can just imagine him hunkered down over his computer like Liam Neeson in “Schindler’s List”, trekking deep into the dork forest that is our Internet Wrestling Community looking for anything that could be used as material. If fans themselves are saying it, it must be true…
Keep in mind that we the television audience have seen good portions of his microphone genius, but many of his tirades against every eight-year-old’s favorite wrestler have gone through entire live commercial breaks so only the live crowd gets to see this future master in training weave his promo tapestry. I’m convinced that were this the days before the acknowledged pre-determined outcomes of wrestling, the Miz would face heat normally reserved for the Midnight Express, The Million Dollar Man, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
I have talked before about the Steve Austin effect. The Miz is a prime candidate for taking that kind of control of his career.
Along with better skills on the stick comes a better show in the ring. The Miz has also stepped up his style to look much more physical. One more thing he does which isn’t done nearly enough is that he interrupts his opponents regular move sets. Both the Miz and MVP have been the first superstars to come along in a very long time that look like they actually scout their opponents. Are we so naive to think that if you’re bending forward and John Cena is running behind you that he’s not going to try the flipping head snap?
The United States Title seems to be the object of Miz’s affection these days. Unlike most title programs, Miz isn’t losing sight of the fact that he still needs to compete with other Superstars and prove that he has what it takes to take that title. Many of the most recent challengers for the World Titles have done little to earn the right for their Number One Contendership aside from saying they want it and perhaps winning some kind of gimmick match.
The Miz is being booked as though he really wants to work his way up the ladder to prove that he really is awesome. He’s done his homework, and he wants to make sure we know.
Were I booking this particular storyline, I would have the Miz come to the ring to address the United States Champion, Kofi Kingston, after already securing a title match at the Hell in a Cell Pay Per View.
“You all have borne witness to the greatest comeback in the history of wrestling. After…John Cena…ended my unprecedented winning streak against him, I refocused my career and now I am in complete control of my destiny.”
The crowd boos.
“Ah, that’s right, I keep forgetting how many eight year olds there are in the audience. I keep forgetting how you all like the over the top, cartoon character, ‘you can’t see me’, walking, talking commercial. You don’t want to see wrestlers, you want to see meatheads…
*lowers his voice to mock the top level talent*
…talk like this to each other about how they respect one another but still are going to beat the hell out of each other at whatever pay-per-view main event we’ve seen nine thousand times before.
The Miz doesn’t need to toss his ego in to the WWE Championship picture.
‘Why is that?’ you ask?
I don’t need to go there because the whole damn scene is a joke. The champion can’t win a match without his cronies, and the challengers are the time tired cast that we’ve seen day in and day out. The WWE Championship doesn’t make you the champion of the WWE, it makes you the champion out of Triple H, John Cena, and Randy Orton.
The Miz is more than a main event level ego. The Miz is a main event level SUPERSTAR.
Because of this, the Miz is going after the title that men still compete for. Because of this, the Miz WILL BE the next United States Champion. And because of this, the Miz will be YOUR only champion that matters.”
The crowd once again boos.
“You know, I don’t blame you for that. Who am I to say that I’m going to win?
Well I have an idea. How would you all like a little preview of our match at Hell in a Cell?”
The crowd boos.
“Kofi Kingston, if you’d be so kind as to come to the ring, I have a proposition for you.”
Kofi’s music hits and the Jamaican superstar enters the ring. The Miz stands back.
“Kofi, you’re a fun loving guy. You like to give the fans what they want.”
Kofi acknowledges the statement.
“Seeing as our match is about six days away, I’m sure there are a few people who aren’t quite sold on ordering the pay per view. Because of that, I have a proposition for you.
A simple non-title exhibition. A sparring match if you will. Just to give the fans an idea of what we have in store for them.”
The Miz extends his hand for a shake. Kofi responds.
“You are right, Kofi Kingston is a champion that likes to give his fans what they want. But I am more interested in giving them an idea of what I have in store for YOU.”
Kofi shakes the Miz’s hand and the match is set for later that night.
