Why did you want to become a wrestler?
When I was a kid, I was inspired by those larger-than-life characters such as Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. I did the reality show The Real World, which made me realise I could do anything I wanted to in life. I’m from Ohio and the expectation was you go to high school, then college, then come home and get a job and a family and that’s where you stay. The Real World showed me I don’t have to do that small city thing – I wanted to become a WWE Superstar and I did it.
Was starting your career in reality TV a help or hindrance in becoming a wrestler?
It got me comfortable with cameras and being in front of an audience. I was already a showman, I went to a wrestling school and learned the art of wrestling and I’m here today.
If wrestling hadn’t worked out, what were you going to fall back on?
I’d probably be in Cleveland, Ohio, running a business like my dad does. He runs a chain of sandwich shops. I’ll probably run a couple of those too.
What’s the worst job you’ve done?
Working for my dad. I flipped burgers for him when I was 14 at one of his stores in a terrible neighbourhood in inner-city Cleveland. I’d have grease all over me and smelled of fried food all day. I earned enough money to buy my own car, though – I was so proud. It was a 1988 Firebird that barely ran.
What’s the worst injury you’ve sustained?
The worst injuries are to your head. I got a concussion on WrestleMania 27. I took a tackle off a table and landed on my head on the concrete. It gave me a scare. WWE has an impact assessment and you aren’t allowed to work until you pass it. I had a week off, which is scary because you never know what’s going to happen.
Your gimmick was to be the most annoying person possible – how did you set about doing that?
Most people backstage will say I’m the most annoying person around – I don’t know why. I don’t consider myself egotistical or cocky but everyone else does. I’m a good guy. They might cheer for John Cena or CM Punk but they should be cheering for me. I don’t know why they don’t cheer for me but if they don’t like me, then tough.
What is it you do that annoys everyone?
People say I talk a lot about myself but I can’t help being the most must-see WWE champion of all time. Maybe the reason I’m the way I am is because the fans don’t give me the credit I deserve and I retaliate by letting them know what I’ve achieved.
How is The Miz persona different to your own personality?
The Miz is like if you turned my personality up to 100 and then ten more. Mike is more low-key. I just like chilling out with my dog. The Miz is the workhorse. He’s the one who gets me off my butt to fly to Europe for promotion then go to Australia for our tour.
What’s the worst advice you’ve been given?
I get bad advice all the time but I ignore it. I probably didn’t help myself when I first started because I didn’t want to wear trunks. I told myself I’d never be the guy wearing trunks in the ring. I didn’t want to wear Speedos and be like everyone else but then I realised that, if I wanted to establish myself, I needed to be taken seriously by the audience. So I ditched the gimmicks and went to trunks.
Are the feuds for real or are you one big happy family?
It’s a bit of everything. In a group of 100 people, not everyone is going to be your best friend. You have people who have tiffs with each other, then have people who are good friends. I’d say I get on best with Zack Ryder because he has such good stories. Dolph Ziggler is an incredible talent and Chris Jericho is one of the best in the ring today.
You recently did an action film – do you want to establish a career as an actor away from WWE?
I’m having fun in WWE. It’s not every day you can get into a ring and have 16,000 people boo you. I’m enjoying it. If I can do movies at the same time, I will.
What are people’s misconceptions of you?
That I’m awful, I suck, I should quit or get fired, that I don’t belong in WWE – I get all these on Twitter all the time, along with: ‘Please die, Miz.’ The way I look at it is: don’t be a bully, be a star. I meet people all the time who rant at me but they’ve made me who I am today. People always told me I wasn’t good enough or athletic enough and proving them wrong is what’s fuelled me to achieve what I have.
Have you ever been attacked by an animal?
My dog Flake tries to attack me all the time but he’s a miniature pinscher so it doesn’t work. I enjoy his courageousness.
1: