Since cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase and winning the WWE Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber, The Miz has been the talk of the wrestling world.
Following Bobby Lashley’s destruction of the champion Drew McIntyre after he had already survived a gruelling Elimination Chamber Match, Miz hit the ring and then a Skull-Crushing Finale to claim the gold.
After celebrating his first World Championship victory in ten years, The Miz sat down with
Sports Illustrated to discuss the landmark achievement. During the course of the interview Miz, real name Mike Mizanin, spoke about earning the trust of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and learning what it takes to be a main event star.
“Vince trusted me when no one else did,” Mizanin says. “He trusted me to go up against John Cena at WrestleMania 27 and to be in that story with the Rock, who had just come back to WWE. I got lost in that story. They were made men by then, and I still needed to make myself. Working live shows with Cena and Randy Orton, that taught me what it takes to be a main-eventer. And I’ve never stopped listening or learning.”
Mizanin then went on to reveal that there has been one Superstar in particular who has forced him to elevate his game to a phenomenal new level in recent years.
“Over the last five years, I’ve found a new gear. I remember facing AJ Styles when he came to WWE, and his style was so different than anything I was used to. That’s when I knew I needed to elevate my work. And my wife deserves a lot of credit, too. Working with her, she gave me confidence that brought me to a new level.”
Miz has also declared his intention to not be just a transitional champion, commenting that such an idea “only fuels my fire.” However, best intentions often go awry, and Miz will have to back his words up as he defends his newly won championship against Bobby Lashley on the March 1st first edition of Monday Night Raw.