News

The Miz Comments on Wanting to Be the Top Guy in WWE, Hosting TV Show “Cannonball” and More

By John Canton • Published 8th July 2020
The Miz

The Miz is one of the veterans in the current WWE landscape as a wrestler that has been in the company for the last 15 years and he’s also been one of the most durable wrestlers in the company during his career. The Miz is a former WWE Champion, an 8-time Intercontinental Champion and an 8-time Tag Team Champion among other things he’s accomplished in his career.

The Miz will turn 40 years old in October, he’s married to the lovely Maryse and the couple has two young daughters at home, which is documented very well on their “Miz & Mrs.” TV show on USA Network. In addition to his own reality show, The Miz also hosting a USA Network game show called Cannonball, which debuts on Thursday night.

The Miz was a guest on the Busted Open Radio Show today where he talked about his career in WWE, hosting a new TV show and more. Thanks to WrestlingNews.co for the transcript of the quotes below.

When asked what motivates him in his career, The Miz made it clear that he wants to be the “top dog” in WWE:

“People always ask me that question. I’m a person that wants it all. I want it all and what does all entail? When I am not the WWE Champion, I want to be the WWE Champion. When I am not on a poster for SmackDown or any PPV, if I’m not the front and center, even if I’m on the poster and I am on the side, that infuriates me. That aggravates me. That motivates me to want to be front and center and being the top dog to where WWE looks at me and goes, this is our guy. I don’t honestly feel like I have been that guy. I’ve always had to work very hard to become that guy, to be that guy. Right now, I don’t feel like I am that guy. So what do I have to do to be that guy? Do I have to get on 45 different shows and show WWE that I can be the main focus of a show? I control ratings. I can put butts in seats. People will pay to see me wrestle.”

“That’s where I’m looking at it and going, alright, what do I have to do to get to that level? Sometimes, it’s a roller coaster. Sometimes you’re up high and sometimes you have to wait and wait. I don’t like to wait. I like to do everything possible to make sure I’m giving the audience exactly what they deserve and that is being an entertainer and being a performer.”

When discussing his WWE Title run in 2011 that led to him main eventing WrestleMania 27 with John Cena, The Miz mentioned that there were some behind the scenes changes in WWE that ended up being a factor.

“Creative changed in the background. I’m talking about people. Whenever you hear about heads leaving and then another head coming in, obviously Vince runs the entire thing, but there are different creative people that are different writers. When you have a head leave and you have another one come in, he will have his guys. When I lost the WWE Championship to John Cena, there was a role shift in the writing process and I saw where I was going. I was going to be used to develop new talent because I was just utilized for the past, I don’t know, year, to get me to where I am. Now it’s time to make other people and I didn’t have the wherewithal to make sure I was being made as well.”

The Miz was asked about being on the cover of TV Guide:

“It only took me 20 years to get back on it. The last time I was on the cover of TV Guide was for the Real World back in 2000. To grace the cover once again of TV Guide. I’m the same. I grew up waiting for the Sunday paper to get my TV guide to circle the shows I want to watch for the week. Gracing the cover of TV Guide is awesome and it’s incredible. I’m very fortunate for all the things I’ve been able to do.”

Regarding the USA Network show “Cannonball,” The Miz was asked to explain what it’s all about:

“Cannonball is the biggest, wettest, wildest, water sport’s competition coming to the USA Network. They did a sneak peak on NBC to test the waters to see if people like it, and ratings were insane. People’s reactions were very positive which doesn’t happen very often with new shows. This is one of those shows that is an effortless watch. You can watch with your entire family, sit down, and escape the reality that is happening in your life right now. There is so much happening in this world, that if you are like me, escape it, and maybe lock into a show like Cannonball that can make you laugh. That can make you smile. You see these competitors and they are from all walks of life. They’re tall, they’re small, they are every single type of person you can imagine. We had NCAA collegiate athletes going against videographers or radio hosts and the radio host does amazing.”

Check out the full interview on Busted Open Radio now.