10 Massive WWE Babyface Pushes That Were Doomed To Failure
3. The Miz
Despite his robust reliability as a heel, WWE were not wrong to think there was mammoth babyface potential in the traditionally dislikable Miz.
Twice now in his astonishingly long tenure with the company, he's exhibited all the qualities that would make him a relatable hero to millions, but manages to mask the moments with such arrogance that he quickly reverts to type.
Ahead of his largely forgettable WrestleMania clash with John Cena and Nikki Bella, Miz and wife Maryse put forth the scathing parody with such vigour that it became impossible not to get on board. Behind the bile was a very real commitment, and it's one WWE allowed fans to see once before, again ahead of a WrestleMania match with 'The Champ'.
The 'Hate Me Now' video package ahead of their WrestleMania 27 highlighted how then-WWE Champion Miz had lived and loved the company more than any fans had ever given him credit for. In that, he admitted that he'd rather fans 'Hate me for what I am than love me for something I'm not'.
Which is precisely why his late 2012 turn struggled to resonate. Portraying a tough guy (which he wasn't) and a Ric Flair protégé (which he definitely wasn't), Miz was stripped of the cockiness that irritated babyfaces without simply transferring that to confidence against heels. His time as a hero may come again, but it has to be his time, and not the unwelcome friend that stunk up WWE TV for over a year.