10 Wrestlers Who Were Supposed To Get Other Wrestlers Over (But Got Over Themselves)
4. The Miz (Daniel Bryan)
Things worked the other way earlier in Bryan's WWE career too.
The brand new NXT concept relied on each company "Rookie" having an established "Pro" to represent them. Most of these were forgettable (does anyone remember Carlito with Michael Tarver or Matt Hardy with Justin Gabriel, for example?), but one stood out: The Miz leading DB.
WWE reasoned that Miz's obnoxious heel behaviour would contrast with Bryan's straightforward wrestling presentation. They were right, but they probs didn't bank on the heel taking a noticeable leap up the ladder as a character on what was effectively a 'C' show replacement for the abominable ECW.
NXT was where Miz honed his skills as a loudmouth villain who could cut Rock-style promos on any f*cker that crossed his path. He looked like a genuine star for the first time on that show, and clearly deserved better than the wonky "Pro" role.
Later that year, Miz won MITB then cashed in to become WWE Champ. That was not an accident.