12 WWE Failures Who Became World Champion
4. The Miz
The Miz is WWE's very own Mr. Reliable. Need somebody to go out there and stare at the lights without losing any credibility? He'll do it. Got a struggling young star who needs to associate with someone who has tenure on screen? He'll do it. Need a quick fix champion who won't grumble when he's asked to drop the belt? He'll do it. In short, Triple H could hand Miz a toilet brush and ask him to get to work on cleaning duty at company HQ, and he'd likely leave those bowls sparkling.
Wrestlers with the kind of self-determination spliced with 'know your role' approach The Miz has don't come along every day. That's why he's been able to last so long in WWE, because a lesser person would've said 'sod this' when they weren't even allowed to get dressed for matches in the locker room. That led to several embarrassing exchanges with fans for the would-be star.
Miz had the last laugh when he became WWE Champion for the first time in 2010. His rise must've come as a real shocker to those who'd written him off long before that point, both on the roster and in the stands. His jump over from reality TV for a Tough Enough spot proved shrewd, but it did inflict some agonising self-hype on fans.
People wanted to see The Miz fail. Some probably still do, but he's gone from failed Rock wannabe to one of the most tenured stars in the entire industry and a first ballot Hall Of Famer when he eventually hangs up the boots. You've got to admire the man's tenacity and ability to make the most of everything he's handed.