#1. Too Many Cookie Cutter Heels
Why do so many heels these days start wearing suits and ties so often when they're not wrestling? It's as if WWE feels that's the only way they can get over, draw heat or be taken serious. I'm not sure what the logic is exactly, but it irritates me.
Jericho did it. Ziggler does it. Del Rio. Miz. Even Roode in TNA, although he normally doesn't have a tie, has followed suit. Literally.
A lot of the times, the effect it has on their promo delivery seems to parallel one another as well. They end up with that serious, melodramatic overtone that just comes off dry most of the time. Jericho was different in the sense that his change in apparel and demeanor was done to make a statement. He was no longer going to be the funny Chris Jericho we all knew and loved. It worked. It doesn't for most.
Miz doesn't stand out among the GREAT heels on either show. He's very good, not great.
I put him over when he was WWE Champion. That was primarily due to the emphasis he put on actually being the Champion. He made it feel important and as a result, it was. Without the title and that level of spotlight that comes with it, I think he simply gets lost in the shuffle of "better" talent. It was hidden more while he was paired with Truth – they played off each other extremely well – but now that he's back on his own, I feel he needs to elevate his game further to truly make it. I think EVERYONE has to do that now just in order to keep up with CM Punk.
Right now, there are too many people in front of The Miz when it comes to the title picture. Sure, he's going to be involved, but has no chance to win again anytime soon. For that reason, I think turning him babyface will keep him relevant longer. Let him work some meaningful promos with the likes of a Dolph Ziggler, or Christian, or Cody Rhodes. Each of those guys need to continue their recent history of good, beneficial programs. Now, more than ever, Miz needs to start doing the same.
I don't think it needs to be immediate. Slowly start making him a likable figure and allow the fans to interact with him more. Make subtle attempts to begin the process and when the moment is right, there are a number of heels that can help make his transition complete.
He's been a heel forever. Try him out as a good guy and simply see how it goes. I honestly don't see how it could hurt. And we don't have historical evidence to know either way.
Chris Cash can be followed on Twitter @RealityofChris. Email him at wzchriscash@yahoo.com. He also hosts the Voice of Wrestling radio show with Nick Paglino every Monday from 7-8 EST, here on WrestleZone.com and VOWLive.com.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
