After another successful title defence at Backlash, it's now day 161 of the Miz's Never Ending Intercontinental Championship World Tour. Yes I know, I know he won with the help of his beautiful wife but that's what heels do, yes HEELS.
In a wrestling era where the importance of heels and faces are diminishing it's so refreshing to see a mid-card heel go back the roots of wrestling. Heels are not meant to be cool like Kevin Owens, they're meant to be hateable like the Miz!
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to the Miz appreciation society. Today we will celebrate Michael Mizanin and shed light on how valuable he truly is to the WWE. In a career that has spanned well over 10 years, the Miz truly has done it all.
From WWE Championship reigns to lead acting roles and adverts, the Miz has represented the WWE professionally at all times. A man, an actor, performer, reality TV star and professional wrestler who excels at any role he's given whilst not receiving the respect he deserves from the WWE Universe.
For the past 161 days he has held the Intercontinental Championship and restored it to its rightful place on SmackDown, the centre of attention. Ever since the WWE Draft on the 19th of July, the Miz has made himself the most 'must-see' champion on Team Blue.
He has given all on comers a great rub whilst also maintaining his heelish persona. SmackDown was labelled as the WWE Champion's home but over the past few months, the Miz has overshadowed Ambrose's WWE title reign.
When was the last time a mid-card champion overshadowed the brand's top champion? But still nobody's singing his praises, people just want to label him as the 'reality TV guy' rather than appreciate the tremendous entertainment he provides on the TV week in week out.
Besides Cena's run with the US title, I can't think of any other time in the past 5 years that a mid-card title has been this interesting. It's not the title that makes the man, it's the man that makes the title and the Miz truly embodies this motto.
I personally have never really had any interest in the IC title but the Miz is restoring its relevance and prestige. He's now one of the main reasons I watch SmackDown, if he has a good segment (which he usually does), then I feel satisfied with the whole show.
His epic confrontation with Daniel Bryan a few weeks back is only one of the several great promos he's cut on television, and on his day, he's second only to Kevin Owens on the mic.
In a live entertainment world WWE needs more professionals like the Miz people who are well-spoken, articulate, charming, consistent and innovative on the spot, the bright lights don't phase him because he lights up the room.
Just because you see him as a mid-carder now, never forget that he has been at the forefront of the company many times, holding his own in the ring and on the mic with The Rock, John Cena and Randy Orton, even outshining them at times.
He's held his own amongst greats whilst also elevating them. Also let's never forget that this man has beaten John Cena in singles competition in a Wrestlemania main event, a feat him and only one other man have achieved, The Rock.
You never know what you've got until it's gone and the sad day when the Miz actually retires, the fans will understand the major role he's been playing for the company for over a decade. The SmackDown mid-card is literally soulless without him, he's doing triple duty every episode.
I personally would love for him to become the longest reigning IC champion in history, he deserves it for all his hard work.
It's hard to maintain relevance in the WWE, just ask the hundreds of wrestlers that have been released over the years but the Intercontinental Champion has managed to reinvent himself every year, subtly adding different layers to his character.
He evolves, stays current and stays interesting, a model example for all up and coming NXT talents on how not to get lost in the shuffle.
Sometimes we as fans only appreciate superstars in the main event due to the importance placed on them by the creative team but we must also value our mid-carders because they are the spine of the show.
The history books may not remember Mike as an Austin or Hogan but in 10 years time he will be able to retire knowing full well that he entertained millions as well as anybody. He'll go down as one of the most overlooked and underappreciated superstars of our generation. We will never see another like him.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
