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Entertainment • Wrestling

The Miz

The Miz is the ring name of Michael Gregory Mizanin, an American professional wrestler, actor, and television personality.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Miz is the ring name of Michael Gregory Mizanin, an American professional wrestler, actor, and television personality. He is best known for his long career in WWE, where he has won multiple championships and became the first Superstar to complete the Grand Slam cycle twice. He first gained public attention through reality television before becoming a major WWE performer.

Early life and reality television

Michael Mizanin was born in Parma, Ohio, in 1980. He first became known to television audiences through MTV reality programming, including The Real World: Back to New York.

Professional wrestling career

The Miz entered WWE in the mid-2000s and became one of the company’s most prominent performers. WWE lists him as a former world champion and one of its most decorated active-era stars.

Championships and achievements

WWE credits The Miz with two WWE Championship reigns, eight Intercontinental Championship reigns, and two United States Championship reigns. He is also recognized as a two-time Grand Slam Champion and a Money in the Bank winner twice. He has also held tag team titles.

Other media work

Outside wrestling, Mizanin has appeared in films and television programs, building a career as a media personality. His work includes reality TV, acting roles, and hosting duties.

Key facts

  • First introduced to TV audiences on The Real World: Back to New York before joining professional wrestling.
  • Has won the WWE Championship twice and the Intercontinental Championship eight times.
  • Is recognized by WWE as a two-time Grand Slam Champion and the first Superstar to complete the Grand Slam cycle twice.
  • Uses signature moves including the Skull-Crushing Finale and the Figure-Four Leglock.
  • Has also worked as an actor and television personality outside wrestling.
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Canadian context

The Miz is relevant to Canadian readers through WWE’s long-running popularity in Canada and his appearances on internationally broadcast wrestling and reality television programming.

Frequently asked questions

Who is The Miz?
The Miz is the ring name of Michael Gregory Mizanin, an American professional wrestler, actor, and television personality.
What is The Miz known for in WWE?
He is known for being a multiple-time champion, including two WWE Championship reigns and eight Intercontinental Championship reigns.
Where was The Miz born?
He was born in Parma, Ohio, United States.
What is The Miz’s real name?
His real name is Michael Gregory Mizanin.
Has The Miz won the Money in the Bank ladder match?
Yes. WWE lists him as a two-time Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner.
What was The Miz’s first major TV exposure?
He first gained attention on The Real World: Back to New York before moving into wrestling.

References

  1. WWEhttps://www.wwe.com/superstars/the-miz
    Supports: Ring name, hometown, signature moves, WWE championships, Money in the Bank wins, Grand Slam status, and origin story from reality television.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1025616/bio/
    Supports: Birth name and date, and biographical information identifying him as Michael Mizanin.
  3. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17167441/wwe-profile-page-miz
    Supports: Birth date, billed hometown, signature moves, WWE debut, championships, and marriage to Maryse.