Insight with Chris Van Vliet The Miz: 20+ Years Of AWESOME, Headlining WrestleMania, Tough Enough, Maryse, The Rock
26 snips
Jan 13, 2026 The Miz, also known as Mike Mizanin, shares his incredible journey from reality TV star to WWE champion. He discusses his entry into Tough Enough and the challenges of gaining respect in the locker room. The podcast highlights his main event at WrestleMania 27, his iconic rivalry with John Cena, and the emotional moments of winning the WWE Championship. The Miz also reminisces about meeting his wife Maryse and reflects on the joy and challenges of fatherhood, while revealing insights from his career longevity in WWE and unforgettable moments like his Talking Smack promo with Daniel Bryan.
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From College Talks To Back-Alley Bumps
- Mike Mizanin describes doing speeches for thousands of students while wrestling in back-alleys for little or no pay.
- He used those college talks to practice promos and prepare mentally for a pro-wrestling career.
Tough Enough: A Risky Foot In The Door
- Mike recounts auditioning for Tough Enough after already being on The Real World and fearing lack of respect.
- He explains choosing Tough Enough to get his foot in the door despite stigma and concerns about respect.
Deep South's Grind Built Resilience
- Mike describes brutal developmental training at Deep South and Bill DeMott's approach to prepare talent.
- He credits that grind with making him ready for WWE and resilient to in-ring pain.