The Miz actually thinks that he’s a believable tough guy

The Miz is often involved in a lot of silly or comedy segments on WWE television, particularly during his current tag team run with John Morrison. Speaking with The Wrap, Miz said that even though he’s often playing for laughs in WWE, he’s a versatile enough performer to make you believe that he can kick anyone’s ass:

“I don’t want this to sound arrogant or egotistical but I’m one of a kind. We’re all one of a kind. And just because one person doesn’t do something or another person doesn’t do this or do this or do this - doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“I’m very versatile, where I can make you laugh, but I also can make you believe that I can whoop any single person that is in that ring at any given time. There’s a balance. I’m able to understand that balance, give that balance, and whenever I am in a serious type of situation, I’m able to make you understand that it’s serious to me. Just because I’m joking around, making you laugh, being a goof, does not mean I don’t have a serious side.”

I think I know what The Miz is talking about with his serious side. There is often a tone change (or angrier screaming, perhaps) in his promos where he’s trying to establish that the fun and games are over, and that he means business.

The problem, at least for this one wrestling fan, is that no matter what he does, I can’t take him seriously as a threat to the top stars in WWE. Miz against mid-carder Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title in 2016? Sure, that one delivered at a high level. But the Miz against top star John Cena at WrestleMania 33 in 2017? Nope. Miz vs. Drew McIntyre or Keith Lee in 2021? Absolutely not. I cannot believe that the Miz can whoop these men at any given time. WWE says so themselves by booking him and Morrison to struggle in handicap matches against a single top star.

It’s not about his size compared to those men. I don’t hesitate for a second to buy Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Adam Cole, or Rey Mysterio as worthy opponents for current top champions Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns. Their charisma, intensity, and performance in the ring draws me in to their abilities and makes me believe that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. The Miz simply cannot come close to doing anything like that.

WWE has been booking Miz in enough main event angles on Raw over the last few months that it has been a real drag on the product. He’s not believable in that role, no matter how much loud shouting he unleashes in his promos. That WWE actually put the Money in the Bank briefcase back on him after blowing it means that he will still be looming in the main event scene for a while longer. There’s even a chance that he could have a match against Bad Bunny at WrestleMania 37, in which case his presence on television will only increase.

Are you enjoying the way that The Miz is used on WWE television right now? If not, what changes would you like to see made?