WWE champion drops by The Star’s office to meet fans

IT IS easy to misread WWE superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.

His chatty and jovial demeanour leads you to mistake his warmness as compensation for a lack of tenacity in the ring.

However, the truth from that, The Miz is a WWE Champion, Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, World Tag Team Champion, Unified Tag Team Champion, Money in the Bank Ladder match winner and a WWE Main Event Commentator.

The wrestler is primed for WWE Live in Malaysia on Oct 10 and 11 at the Putra Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, and he cannot wait to show what he can do in front of Malaysian spectators.

StarMetro had the opportunity to catch up with The Miz when he dropped in at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya recently as part of his WWE Live Promo Tour organised by WWE and Astro.

He received a warm welcome and was taken on a tour of The Star’s editorial department by StarMetro editor Vicky Ooi and StarMetro sports coordinator Randeep Singh.

The presence of the 100kg wrestler who stands at 1.88m drew curious glances and soon a trail of fans formed behind The Miz as he toured the office.

The Star employees described him as cheerful and warm as he happily obliged requests for photos and autographs.

But make no mistake, he is pumped for the upcoming event.

The Miz (fourth from left) flanked by the ladies of The Star's editorial department.

“The WWE superstars back home are really excited about the upcoming event because it has been 12 long years since WWE has been in Malaysia,” he said, adding that this was an opportunity for fans to see exactly what they do and not just what was presented on TV.

The Miz said fans can “expect the unexpected” when the show kicks off, but one thing is for sure, he will bring his “A-game” along with the rest of the WWE superstars like John Cena, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt and the Big Show.

The show will also feature Seth Rollins, AJ Lee, Paige as well as the Wyatt Family’s Luke Harper and Erik Rowan among others.

The Miz with more female fans from among The Star's staff.

“When you are in the arena and you get to witness and feel the aura and the energy that the crowd gives; and the energy that the WWE superstars give back, it is an incredible experience that people are really going to enjoy.

“Each crowd is so different compared to the United States where I know exactly what they cheer for and what they boo at, but I have no idea what to expect in Malaysia. However I do have a feeling it is going to be electric,” Miz claimed.

He wants the crowd to be as reactive as they can and said it would not matter to him because he would take any negativity directed towards him and unleash it on his opponent.

“Whoever they put me up against is up for something that they are not going to be ready for,” said the ever confident Miz.

His thirst for a challenge was reflected when he visited Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur and after finding out that durians were the King of Fruits, he quipped: “That is the fruit for me!”.

“I thought it was fantastic until about 10 minutes later when the aftertaste was still there and then I started asking for bubble gum.

Randeep, The Miz and Vicky at the Star's headquarters.

“My typical fitness regime includes a proper diet, but I will obviously cheat a little with the fine cuisine here in Malaysia,” he said referring to nasi lemak and other street food along Jalan Alor.

It is not always glamour and the good life for The Miz because when he returns home it is back to hard work and focusing on perfecting his moves and techniques.

Whatever the WWE superstars do on the job is obviously dangerous and behind all the theatrics, they are properly trained professionals.

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

“I have had concussions, a broken ankle, nose, bruised ribs, black eyes and there is so many more injuries that are involved so that’s why we tell kids not to try what we do at home.

Growing up, The Miz never believed he would actually be a WWE superstar but that did not stop him from dreaming.

“When I was a kid, I would get my comb (using it as a microphone) and start talking smack to my action hero figures and acting like my heroes.”

And growing up in the 90’s WWE “attitude era”, The Miz shared that top wrestlers like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin inspired him to be a WWE superstar.

He would then go on to star in the reality TV show, The Real World and later WWE’s Tough Enough, with the latter being most instrumental to his career.

“I had to live my life on television for The Real World and that gave me the confidence to say ‘I want to be a WWE superstar’.”

People laughed at his decision and told him “no way”, but he did not care what they said.

Instead he used their negativity as a driving force to prove them wrong.

“And I do not know if I would be here if it was not for Tough Enough.

“My performance was not only to show the WWE universe and the WWE execs how truly passionate I was and am.”

Although he placed second, his debut performance on Tough Enough impressed the executives so much they gave him a developmental contract.

He left the Hollywood life behind and pursued his dream through WWE’s developmental programme, honing his skills every day.

The Miz’s idols include the Ultimate Warrior who he admired for his energy and on-stage antics, and Shawn Michaels.

“He wasn’t the biggest guy but every wrestler wanted to go up against because he was so good at what he did.

“And Mr. Perfect, he really shined in the ring and he is the embodiment of what a WWE superstar really is and I think that is what I try to bring to table as well.” he said.

As much as he respects his idols, The Miz believes himself to be better than his idols in everything they have done.

“Whether it is commentary, hosting, in-ring talent or shooting a movie.

“Anything WWE throws at me, I do it better than every single superstar in WWE’s history.

“This Money Maker (referring to his face) is going to win it in Malaysia, untouched, still intact and walking out a winner.”

For tickets, visit www.ticketpro.com.my or call 7880 7999. (Tickets are subject to booking fees).