Getting Over 8.03.06: The Miz
Posted by Mike LaFave on 08.03.2006
Welcome to the column so anticipated that it makes Jericho’s millennium countdown look just plain silly! The new voice unleashed has finally arrived to make the world a more entertaining place!
Welcome everyone to the first ever addition of the critically acclaimed column, Getting Over. As soon as you clicked the link to read this column you left behind all of the bias, stereotyping and pigeon-holing of the IWC. You won't read about how I could run the WWE better than Vince, or how Triple H is ruining the business, because frankly, I don't believe either of those things are true. What you will find are the ideas and opinions of a true wrestling fan, a fan who's been watching wrestling for the last 17 years with out abandon. I've witnessed all the good, the bad and the ugly sports entertainment has to offer.
Don't think that I'm going to sit back and applaud management for ever decision either. The McMahon's are human, they make mistakes, and I will not hesitate to call them on it. But deep down I'm simply a dedicated and educated fan.
So, what exactly is getting over? Getting over is what every wrestler strives to do. It's when the fans have deep connection with what they are watching. For a face this means big pops, and for a heel it means thunderous boos. Getting over is when the fans care about your character and that is the ultimate goal. In this column I will share my ideas on how to get wrestlers, feuds, gimmicks, and events over. No time like the present, so let's start with our first subject, The Miz.
Getting Over The Miz:
As of right now, The Miz is hosting the Diva Search, and enjoying his new role as the butt of everyone's jokes, thanks to his inability to read his own cheat sheet (thank God I never had that problem with my Bio tests). Miz should play out his current role until we have a new diva under contract. The Diva Search is by no means a tool to get a guy over.
Skip ahead in time 3 weeks after the Diva Search finale. The Miz is back in his old gig as the host of SmackDown!. The program is ready to start and the Miz is getting the crowd in to a frenzy, "This is the true story…" He makes his way out from the crowd and into the ring while he's announcing what's in store for the audience this evening. He's about to share with us what we can expect for the main even when out of nowhere he stops. His hesitation isn't because he can't remember his line, but instead, he's taking time to reflect. After a moment he begins to tell his story, how his childhood dream was to wrestle in the same ring as such WWE Legends as Doink the Clown, Kamala and Hacksaw Jim Duggan (what, they signed WWE Legends contracts didn't they?), ok, not those legends, but guys like Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, Macho Man Randy Savage and Jake the Snake Roberts. He explains how he's been training for years to work his way to the grand stage. "It's time to find out what happens to SmackDown! when The Miz stops being polite and gets real!" The Miz is ready to leave the ring w/ his music playing when he is interrupted by JBL standing on top of the announce table with a microphone in hand. "You don't know about paying dues. I've wrestled on every continent. I've had more stitches in my head than you've had hangovers, and it was all worth it. Thanks to sacrifices I've made, I became a wrestling god and a true American hero! And I'll be damned if I'm going to let you come in here fresh off your latest reality show fiasco and dishonor the business I made famous. You say you're ready to show SmackDown! what you bring to the table, well boy, put your money where your mouth is, and next week be ready to fight, because JBL's got a surprise for you!"
The next weeks show open's without Miz doing his usual intro. The 10pm segment starts with the Miz making his way down to the ring. He grabs the mic away from Tony Chimel and starts in with his standard catch phrases, that's when JBL interrupts. "One of the biggest shames in the world today is wasted potential, and since my first day as the voice of the A show, I've been talking at great length about a SuperStar who has yet to live up to his. That changes today as the wrestling god has taken Matt Hardy under his wing!" Hardy's music hits and he and The Miz wrestle for 10-12 mins before MIz takes advantage and has Hardy in trouble. At this point JBL leaves Michael Cole behind at the announce table, slides a chair into the ring and distracts the ref. Hardy nails Miz with the chair and picks up the win.
The next SmackDown! opens with JBL and Matt Hardy in the ring bragging about putting the reality star in his place and how with JBL's tutelage Matt Hardy is going to the next level. Before they finish, Miz comes running through the crowd and clears the ring before we go to a commercial. Latter on Michael Cole explains to JBL that he has just received word from Teddy Long that the Miz gets a rematch w/ Matt Hardy the following week.
The rematch takes place the following week and it's a back and forth battle. The outcome is almost a mirror image of their previous match as JBL cheats and Hardy is the victor.
Before the main event of the following SmackDown! we hear, "It's the Mack-militant…" Teddy Long makes a match for next week with Matt Hardy taking on the Miz. Long has had enough of JBL's interference so to avoid that, he's pitting the two gladiators against each other in a steel cage!
The cage lowers for the main event the following week. This is where The Miz picks up his first SmackDown! win! JBL is furious on commentary and exclaims that he's far from finished with Mike Mizanin!
JBL comes down in his limo to kick off the next show. "Miz thinks he has one up on the longest reigning champ in SmackDown! History, well Miz, that's the reason you're not paid to think! I might have some ring rust, but it's time to dust off the wrestling boots, JBL is challenging you to a fight!" Miz appears on the ramp and accepts JBL's challenge while making his way down to the ring when Teddy Long's music fills the arena. Long stops The Miz, "hold on right there playa. Despite what JBL thinks, I'm the only one who makes matches around here, now can you feel that. So this match is not going down right now, but at the upcoming ppv it will be, JBL taking on, THE MIZ! Holla, Holla Holla!"
At the ppv JBL dominates the Miz to a bloody mess, but despite his best efforts, he can't put him away for the three count. The implanted New Yorker gets more frustrated by the minute and begins to argue with the ref. Miz takes notice of the situation and attacks to gain the advantage. In the middle of the comeback, Matt Hardy runs down to the ring. While attempting to get the momentum back in his mentor's favor, a miscommunication occurs, and The Miz hits his finisher for the W! Over the Top:
My main goal was to get The Miz over with the fans, but as always the law of unintended consequences rears its ugly head, but in this case, it's not so ugly, kind of handsome really. This program would not only get The Miz over but would also give something for Matt Hardy to do outside of job to a mid level heel at the 10 o'clock spot every week. Matt Hardy needs something to freshen up his stale act and JBL would be fantastic in the Bobby Heenan role of broadcast journalist/manager. Hardy could stick with JBL after the Miz program or he could feud against the self-made millionaire. Some of you would probably prefer to forget The Miz is on the roster altogether rather than pushing him, but I see potential. He has spent his whole life studying the business and the last several years training in it. He was the first ever Deep South Heavyweight Champion. He's bringing back catch phrases. He can think on his toes. We can make fun on him all day for screwing up on Raw, but the fact is; he made a great save after his slip up. He interacts well with the crowd. We haven't seen him wrestle yet, so instead of crucifying him, let's think of ways for Miz to get over!
JBL has a history of getting people over. He propelled John Cena to the championship level, he cemented Batista's run as top dog, and the JBL rub has gotten Rey Mysterio and Bobby Lashley over as well. Let us not forget that JBL managed to get more than anyone expected out of the Bashams and Orlando Jordan. His involvement in this program would do the same for The Miz and possibly Matt Hardy as an added bonus. Two talented men getting meaningful air time and using it to put over a youngster with a bright future, it's a win-win-win!!!
Over There:
-This is normally where I would write my opinions on each of the WWE's three shows. I don't care much for TNA, so needless to say I don't watch much of it and it would be unfair for me to comment on something I don't regularly follow. If something really spikes my interest I might address it, but otherwise, this section will be dedicated to my thoughts on Raw, SmackDown! and ECW. This being my first column, I thought it would be better to instead use this opportunity to share some of my personal wrestling opinions.
-I think RVD is far and away the most overrated wrestler in the WWE. In a distant second is Rey Mysterio. When I say overrated, I'm talking about the fans here on the internet, not necessarily by WWE management. I can just see the letters to Larry now,"did you read what he said about RVD and Rey Rey, he doesn't know what he's talking about, get him off this site immediately!" RVD is a glorified spot guy. In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that I saw very little of the original ECW so I can't speak on his performances there, only what I've seen in his WWE tenure. He has a few spots that are pretty cool, but those are all I've seen him offer. I think he was better off when they didn't let him cut promo's, because frankly, when he speaks it makes me lose interest in his matches, which is the opposite of the desired effect. I also have a huge moral problem with Van Dam. I'm against all drug use and yes that includes pot. RVD is an admitted pot addict, and he glorifies its usage. Its one thing to have a heel demonstrate questionable qualities, but to push a face that way sends a bad message.
Mysterio is the same way with the stick, incompetent. His matches are much better than RVD's, but his size, or lack thereof, just makes him unbelievable as a main event caliber SuperStar. Yes he is very skilled, but as Keven Nash says, size does matter. I'm a talented basket ball player, but I'm slow, can't jump and I'm 5'5", which means I'll never hear my name announced the night of the NBA draft. I'm not saying either of these men should be cut from the roster, because I do think there is a place for both of them. That place is putting on ten minute matches in the mid-card, far away from any World Championships.
-I think John Cena CAN wrestle!!! I've never understood that particular knock on the guy. He has a variety of suplexes that he is able to pull off, 2 credible finishers, sells like it's his job (well, I guess it is his job) and does an excellent job with adding basic wrestling psychology in his matches. He has had great matches with the likes of Angle, Jericho and Triple H. Some will argue that Cena was carried in those matches, but I don't buy that, I've seen all three of those men have lackluster performances with lesser opponents and believe that Cena deserves credit for his half of those matches. His "I Quit" Match with JBL was also very entertaining. His matches with Edge have been solid and that is coming from a guy who doesn't think Edge is that great of a wrestler. And after all I said about RVD, I think one of Rob's best matches in the WWE was against Cena at the second One Night Stand. Also, let's not forget how great of a work rate guy all the internet fans thought Cena was going to be when he first arrived on the scene. They weren't wrong; he does have that type of ability. People cry about Cena matches being full of striking, and yes, they are. I know I've seen others use excessive amounts of striking in their matches too, the names Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Hulk Hogan come to mind! Complaining about Cena's "five moves of doom" is also becoming a popular practice around here. The same can be said about Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart who are considered two of the finest in ring artist in the history of wrestling! I will concede that there are problems with Cena. He was more entertaining when he was cutting raps on his opponents and I do wish that they hadn't taken the edge (pardon the pun) out of his character. That being said, he still is one of the best in the business on the mic and knows how to interact with the crowd's reactions. It is possible that for the first time in sports entertainment history, that the most over face and the most over heel in one company is the same man…that's good for business folks!
-I enjoy the new ECW! As stated earlier, I wasn't a loyal viewer of the original ECW, so I'm not bent out of shape about the new product not being the same as the old. I see potential in the new breed unleashed. Right now the WWE's main focus is making sure the ratings for the show are as solid as possible. That's why we're seeing so much cross over between ECW and the other brands. They are slowly establishing new characters, such as CM Punk, Vampire, Mike Knock, and the revamped Shannon Moore and Test. Storylines are starting to develop as well, like the ECW originals vs. the new breed; a program that if done correctly could be much more compelling and entertaining than when WCW did a similar storyline years ago. At the same time, the new ECW is offering big time main events by crossing over SmackDown! and Raw SuperStars (even if they aren't traditional ECW wrestlers). Eventually ECW will need to be completely separate and it's slowly heading in that direction, but for the time being, the WWE is concerned with keeping the ratings high so their contract gets renewed and maybe a second hour added. When it's all said and done I'm enjoying the extra hour of wrestling every week!
-If you read the Three R's, and I'm sure you do, you may have noticed Geoff and I had a little disagreement in regards to the brand split. Not only am I in favor of keeping it alive, but I also feel that it is one of the best things that's happened to sports entertainment since the Attitude era. I believe that the brand split is responsible for creating many new stars since its inception (Cena, Batista, Orton, Edge est.). I also feel that the title reigns of such IWC favorites as Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Booker T, and even the two guys I'm not a fan of, Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam would have never taken place if not for the brand split. I enjoy watching separate SuperStars and storylines on each show, as opposed to the same feuds getting carried over to all shows. There are a ton of complaints about the amount of air time the tag team and cruiser weight divisions get now, if it weren't for the brand split we would see even less. Some argue we would see more, but I don't understand that line of thinking. If the rosters were combined there would be one immense, deep roster full of spectacular main eventers and upper mid carders. With the programs of those upper level singles stars featured on all the shows, there would be no time left for the cruisers and the tag teams.
-I'm a HUGE Carlito mark. I think he's the future of the company. His in-ring work is underrated, he has an impressive move set, he's gold on the mic, he sells his character to perfection and the audience cares about the outcome of his matches, whether he's a face or a heel. The future of the WWE is Coolness!!!
Over and Out:
OK, guys, thanks for reading, if you liked the column, if you hated the column, if you don't know how to read so you'd appreciate a book on tape version of the column write me and let me know, and if your views agree with mine I'll read it, if not straight to the trash can it goes! I'm just playing around, let me know who you guys want to get over and I'll get the job done. Next week Shelton Benjamin gets over, until then, over and out!
