Why He’s Interesting: Reality TV, movies, professional wrestling. You name it and The Miz has done it. You’d be hard-pressed to find another Clevelander who dominates the TV screen the way Mizanin does. From skydiving for MTV challenges, to diving off the top rope of a professional wrestling ring, The Miz lives a life brimming with adventure.
Character Creation: Mizanin conceived the character of The Miz in 2001 on the 10th season of The Real World. The reality TV spot gave him the confidence to pursue life outside the norm and, armed with a new persona, he took a stab at a long-time dream: pro-wrestling. “Once I got on The Real World, it made me realize I could do whatever I wanted,” says Mizanin. “From there I kind of was like, Wow, maybe The Miz can become a reality.”
Wrestling Success: Over the next three years he continued his reality TV career on shows like The Challenge while training to become the wrestler we know today. Since his debut on World Wrestling Entertainment’s main roster, The Miz has seen incredible success. “I am the only two-time grand slam champion in the history of the company,” says Mizanin, “which means I have held every title there is to hold in WWE multiple times.”
The Adventure of Parenting: Mizanin met his wife, Maryse, on WWE. They share two children and, when asked about the most adventurous thing he’s ever done, The Miz gives the title to parenthood. “My life has been one big adventure,” he says, “and honestly, being a parent is the biggest adventure because you have no idea what the day has in store.” Keep in mind, this is coming from a former Fear Factor contestant.
Interesting Fact: Mizanin suffered his first and only injury — damage to his MCL — in May. He still didn’t take a. break.
