The Miz

Michael Gregory Mizanin, known worldwide as the Miz, is an American professional wrestler, actor, and television personality. Since 2004, he has been signed to WWE, currently performing on the SmackDown brand. The Miz is a two-time WWE Champion, eight-time Intercontinental Champion, and the first wrestler to achieve Grand Slam status twice under the revised 2015 format. He headlined WrestleMania XXVII in 2011 and topped Pro Wrestling Illustrated's PWI 500 list that same year. He is also the 25th Triple Crown Champion and 14th Grand Slam Champion in WWE history. In 2010, he became the first wrestler to simultaneously hold three WWE championships: the United States Championship, WWE Tag Team Championship, and World Tag Team Championship. He won the Mixed Match Challenge Season 1. His longevity and adaptability have made him a cornerstone of WWE programming for nearly two decades. He stands 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) tall and weighs 221-231 lbs (100-105 kg). He is known by nicknames including the Awesome One, the Most Must-See WWE Superstar of All Time, the A-Lister, and the Cross-Platform Multi-Media Superstar. He continues to host Miz TV segments on WWE programming. [edit]

Michael Gregory Mizanin was born on October 8, 1980, in Parma, Ohio, to Barbara and George Mizanin. He is 45 years old as of 2026. His parents divorced when he was 11 years old; he has a step-father named Donnie and two half-siblings, Jimmy and Tonia. His father George Mizanin owns several Mr. Hero sandwich shops in the Cleveland area.

Mizanin attended Normandy High School in Ohio, where he was captain of the basketball and cross country teams, participated in swimming, served in student government, and edited the yearbook. He graduated with honors before attending Miami University, where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and studied business at the Richard T. Farmer School of Business.

While in college, he saw a casting call for MTV's The Real World and auditioned on a whim. He was selected as a cast member for The Real World: Back to New York in 2001, where he first debuted his wrestling alter ego, the Miz. He then competed on the spin-off Real World/Road Rules Challenge from 2002 to 2005, winning Battle of the Seasons and The Inferno II. He also won a Reality Stars-themed episode of Fear Factor in 2006. After finishing runner-up on the fourth season of Tough Enough, his performance impressed WWE executives enough to grant him a developmental contract in 2004. [edit]

The Miz made his professional wrestling debut on August 1, 2003, and signed with WWE in 2004. He debuted on the main roster on SmackDown on April 21, 2006, defeating Tatanka. His first championship came in 2008 when he won the WWE Tag Team Championship with John Morrison on ECW. In 2009, he captured the United States Championship, establishing himself as a singles competitor.

2010 was a breakout year. The Miz won the Money in the Bank ladder match in July and cashed in on November 22 to defeat Randy Orton and become WWE Champion for the first time. He headlined WrestleMania XXVII in 2011 as champion against John Cena and was ranked No. 1 on Pro Wrestling Illustrated's PWI 500 list that year. Over the next decade, he added eight Intercontinental Championship reigns and multiple tag team titles. In 2021, he won a second Money in the Bank contract and cashed in on Drew McIntyre to become a two-time WWE Champion and the first two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion.

In 2024, the Miz teamed with R-Truth as the Awesome Truth at WrestleMania XL, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship. He continued teaming with Carmelo Hayes in 2025 as Melo Don't Miz and with Kit Wilson in 2026. Outside WWE, he starred in films including The Marine 3: Homefront (as Sgt. Jake Carter), The Marine 4: Moving Target, and The Marine 5: Battleground, as well as Christmas Bounty (2013) and Santa's Little Helper (2015). He also hosted several seasons of MTV's The Challenge. [edit]

The Miz's public persona is that of the A-Lister: an arrogant, Hollywood-themed character who portrays himself as a mainstream celebrity in the wrestling world. He is known for his tailored suits, sunglasses, and dramatic entrance with pyro. His signature talk show segment, Miz TV, has been a recurring feature on WWE programming for years. Initially dismissed as a reality TV star who did not deserve a wrestling career, the Miz earned respect for his longevity, promo skills, and in-ring improvement over nearly two decades. Fans and peers acknowledge his consistent work ethic and ability to reinvent himself, making him one of WWE's most reliable performers. His signature moves include the Skull-Crushing Finale (finisher), Figure-Four Leglock, and It Kicks. [edit]

The Miz's fame extends well beyond the wrestling ring. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he is currently the 19th most famous person in Reality TV, a placement that has held steady from the previous cycle. This ranking reflects his enduring presence across media, from his reality TV origins to his current multi-platform career.

His fanbase, while passionate and dedicated, has no formal name. Fans often refer to themselves informally as "Miz fans" or "Mizfits" on social media, but no single moniker has been officially adopted. The Miz engages with his audience through a robust digital presence, including Instagram, Twitter/X, and his own YouTube channel, where he shares content from his various ventures. His accessibility and willingness to interact with fans, whether through playful banter or mainstream appearances, have cultivated a loyal following that spans wrestling and pop culture enthusiasts alike.[edit]

The Miz passionately supports his hometown Cleveland teams: the Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers. On July 26, 2011, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by throwing out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game against the Los Angeles Angels. Before his wrestling career took off, the ring name was already in use during his appearance on The Real World. Over the years, he has been billed from Calgary, Alberta; Cleveland, Ohio; and Hollywood, California. Fans know him by various titles including the Awesome One, the Most Must-See WWE Superstar of All Time, the A-Lister, and the Cross-Platform Multi-Media Superstar. Standing 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) tall, he weighs between 221 and 231 lbs (100-105 kg).

A popular story fans still retell involves his viral confrontation with Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who shares the nickname "The Miz." This unexpected crossover moment, covered by major outlets like ESPN and CBS Sports, highlighted the ubiquity of his name in pop culture. Additionally, his journey from a reality star dismissed by critics to a two-time Grand Slam Champion is often cited as a masterclass in adaptability. In August 2026, interviews confirmed his ongoing efforts to break Guinness World Records while maintaining a strict fitness regimen that has sustained him for twenty years in the industry.[edit]

The Miz married former WWE Diva Maryse Ouellet on February 20, 2014, in the Bahamas. They have two daughters: Monroe Sky, born March 27, 2018, and Madison Jade, born September 20, 2019. The family resides in Los Angeles, California. The couple starred together in the reality series Miz & Mrs., which aired from 2017 to 2018 on USA Network. Mizanin's father, George, owns several Mr. Hero sandwich shops in the Cleveland area. He has a step-mother and two half-siblings, Jimmy and Tonia, from his father's second marriage. He also has a step-father named Donnie. [edit]

The Miz has formed notable partnerships throughout his career. He frequently teamed with John Morrison as the Dirt Sheet duo from 2007 to 2009, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship. He later partnered with R-Truth as the Awesome Truth, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship in 2024. Other tag partners include Damien Sandow (Mizdow), Shane McMahon, Carmelo Hayes, and current partner Kit Wilson. His wife, Maryse, has served as his on-screen manager. He also mentored Alex Riley as a protégé in 2010-2011. [edit]

The Miz began dating fellow WWE superstar Maryse Ouellet in 2008 after meeting while working together in WWE. Maryse is a former WWE Divas Champion. The couple became engaged in 2013 and married on February 20, 2014, in the Bahamas. They have two daughters: Monroe Sky, born March 27, 2018, and Madison Jade, born September 20, 2019. The family resides in Los Angeles, California. The Miz and Maryse starred together in the reality series Miz & Mrs., which aired on USA Network from 2017 to 2018. As of 2026, they remain married with no public reports of separation or divorce. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates The Miz's net worth at $14 Million. His primary income source remains his WWE salary, which includes a base contract estimated at $1-2 million per year, plus bonuses and pay-per-view shares. He also earns significantly from film roles, particularly the Marine franchise produced by WWE Studios, and from his reality television work, including Miz & Mrs. and hosting The Challenge. Merchandise sales, personal appearances, and endorsement deals contribute additional revenue streams. His financial growth has remained steady over the past decade, reflecting his longevity and cross-platform appeal.[edit]

The Miz's career has been defined by in-ring championship achievements rather than traditional entertainment awards. He was ranked No. 1 on Pro Wrestling Illustrated's PWI 500 list in 2011. He is a two-time WWE Champion, eight-time Intercontinental Champion, and the first two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion, as well as the 25th Triple Crown Champion. [edit]