10 Best WWE Storylines Of 2017

3. Totally Awesome

Maryse Nikki Bella
WWE

Nobody need cry for The Miz as he films the latest instalment of the company's 'Marine' franchise ahead the birth of his first child and a welcome return to the Monday Night Raw roster in 2018. But as per bloody usual when the two come together, the 'A-Lister' deserved a lot more from John Cena at WrestleMania 33.

In 2011, Miz was an afterthought in victory over 'The Champ' as he played third wheel to an impending programme between Cena and The Rock, but the mixed tag team match pitting him and wife Maryse against 'Big Match John' and partner Nikki Bella this year was a senselessly disposable spectacle.

The layout was particularly shameful considering the effort made by Mr and Mrs Mizanin to get the conflict over. A series of skits parodying John and Nikki's portrayal on 'Total Divas' were an absolute riot. Again proving himself as one of the best actual actors on the roster, The Miz getting into character as his WrestleMania rival was a sheer delight. As too was Maryse's p*ss-funny take on Bella's unhinged infatuation with her beau.

It made for palpable, uncooperative tension when the four took the ring on select editions of SmackDown Live! too. The promo battles were fierce and believable, even if their eventual contest was decidedly less so. In defeat, The Miz was worshipped by the WrestleMania audience unlike any crowd he'd ever worked in front of. It was a resounding acknowledgment of his graft, regardless of the outcome.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett