Coming from reality television, The Miz has had to scratch and claw for opportunity he's received. Finally, after 12 years on the main roster, he feels like he's getting the respect he's earned.
Miz discussed getting that respect from the WWE locker room and Universe in an interview with Sporting News.
"I think that everyone gets that I work very hard. I think I'm starting to get the respect that I fought for since day one and it took a long, long time. But not only do I feel like the locker room is seeing it but also I'm seeing it from the WWE Universe," said Miz. "I can't actually believe it because I never thought they would actually respect me. One thing that I always thought was that I'd always be looked at as a reality star and, in my opinion, reality stars were viewed as the scum of the earth. They were they were the worst type of entertainer. All they did was live their life on TV. Me, myself, I loved it. I loved reality TV. I loved The Real World. I loved MTV. I loved everything it did for me but the thing about it is the perception of what people will look at it. But now, everything's reality TV."
Miz continued, "You look at social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. You know what everyone's doing at any given time and so now I look at it differently. And not only do I look at a different, I think people look at it differently. With "Miz and Mrs.," now I'm not only the star but I'm also the executive producer and it's one of those things where I look at our reality show and I call it a hybrid reality because you get an inside look of what it's like to be first-time parents in the entertainment industry. The number one thing I always got when I was on "The Real World" was whether or not it was real? The number one thing I got when I was in WWE was whether or not it was real? And the number one thing I'm getting right now on Miz and Mrs. is if it is real?"
Miz got his start in television in 2001 on the Real World. He appeared on MTV's The Challenge before transitioning to pro wrestling. Even his introduction to wrestling came via reality TV as he first appeared on WWE television through Tough Enough.
"What I've learned is that we're like magicians and we're not going to show you our hand," said Miz. "You just need to be entertained by it. Look at it like it's a movie, like a television show. Look at it like its Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm or any type of other show that you wouldn't necessarily go oh, is that real? You don't care if it's real because entertaining and that's what it's all about."
Miz did not take part in WWE TLC this past Sunday, but remains a focal point on SmackDown. He is currently trying to form a tag team with Shane McMahon.
