The Miz Talks Being Disliked When He First Came to WWE, How His Time on MTV and Reality TV Helped His Pro Wrestling Career and More

May 24, 2017

WWE star The Miz recently spoke to Bleacher Report and below are some interview highlights:

Using “The Miz” on MTV’s Real World:

“The Miz came in as a way to say exactly what I was feeling and not have any repercussions for it because it was a character I was playing. That character became very popular, not only with fans but with castmates.”

How Real World got him ready for pro wrestling:

“It got me comfortable in front of the cameras. Whenever I had an interview, it wasn’t a nervous situation. That was something I’d done for a long time. It showed me I could play up to the cameras. The camera was my friend.”

First joining the WWE main roster in 2006:

“I wasn’t liked. I think of WWE as a fraternity. You have the fans involved. You have the WWE Superstars involved. And you have me wanting to be a part of the fraternity and no one accepting me. …Every ounce of respect I have today, I had to earn. I guess I’m glad for it because it made me the person I am today and I like me.”

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.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.