Does the term ‘Full Nelson Flapjack Facecrusher’ make you want to jump up, punch the air and yell ‘ooowwweeeeeee!’ Ever tested out a Diving Fist Drop, Running Powerslam or Tombstone Piledriver on your little brother when your parents weren’t looking? Have you still got a massive collection of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and The Bushwackers stickers tucked guiltily away in your attic? Well then boy have we got news for you. Wrestling mania is on its way to the capital, and Zayed Sports City is getting ready for a major showdown between World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest superstars as part of the WWE Raw World Tour. Abu Dhabi is soon to be filled with howls of pain as oiled up muscle men grapple, bellow and hurl each other onto the floor.
We couldn’t resist tracking down one of WWE’s biggest, brashest and most egotistical stars ahead of his trip to Abu Dhabi. Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin first hit TV screens as a contestant on US reality TV show The Real World, Back to New York but had always wanted to become a WWE superstar. Years on, he is now one of the show’s most popular stars, with a straight-to-the point catchphrase ‘I’m the Miz and I’m awesome’ as well as a string of titles under his belt. We grabbed him for a quick chat ahead of the Abu Dhabi leg of the Raw World Tour.
First of all, what do you like to be called? (It’s tricky with ‘The’ in your name)
You can call me Mr Good Looking if you like.
Right, ok! Are you excited about your trip to Abu Dhabi?
I am, absolutely, I’m really excited because I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi before. I’m not looking forward to the flight though, it’s going to be very long, but once I get there I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely incredible.
So where else have you been on the Raw World Tour then?
I’ve been so many places across the world: Qatar, China, everywhere in Europe and all over the US. It’s just one of those things you look at and think, I never thought I’d go there. But I stole the show in each one of those places.
What kind of show can the fans expect this time in Abu Dhabi?
The show is exactly the same show that the fans see on the television at night, but you know you can watch it on TV, but then you don’t really get to experience the whole intensity of the night. We’re one of those companies that really encourage our fans. We say cheer who you love, boo who you hate. We’ll be bringing our storylines and our larger than life characters to Abu Dhabi and it really will be an incredible, incredible experience. So I would say to everyone, get yourself to www.wwe.com and get your tickets right now, there are still some left!
Who was your wrestling idol when you were growing up?
Well I was definitely a huge wrestling fan when I was a kid, so growing up I loved the Ultimate Warrior. I just loved the way you never knew what he was going to do, he was just crazy! The warrior!
Would you say that he’s the best WWE superstar of all time?
Actually I’d say the best WWE superstar of all time is this really good looking guy, who’s really amazingly talented both in and outside the ring. And his name… is The Miz! Weird coincidence huh?
Yes, very. So how did you end up becoming a WWE superstar?
Noone would ever imagine they’d go from being a reality TV star to being a pro wrestler, but you know, when I was a kid growing up and I looked at those characters, larger than life on TV, they just seemed too good to be true. But after being on the show I realized I can do absolutely anything with my life.
Are there any downsides to being in WWE? Ever had any bad injuries?
Well you know your body is always hurting. Your body is always aching but you just keep going because you know I just love what I do.
What kind of training do you have to do to keep in shape for the ring?
We find gyms in every city we go to – every city has a gym whether it’s terrible or whether it’s good. I work out about four times a week, even when my body hurts, because when I take my shirt off and I’m half naked in the ring, you know you need to be in shape.
Do you prefer being in the ring alone or as part of a tag team?
I prefer being in the ring alone.
Why is that?
Because if I’m by myself then I know there won’t be anyone that can drag me down. When I have a tag team partner I have to bring them up to my level, but there aren’t many people that can get up to my level
Will you be able to drag Kane up to your level when you fight as a tag team with him in Abu Dhabi?
Well, Kane won’t be able to drag me down!
What has been your favourite match of all time?
Wrestlemania 27! There have only been a very few people that have done what I’ve done and retained the WWE championship, so that was incredible.
Any signature move you’re planning to bust out while you’re here?
Yeah, I’ll be bringing the moves to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is going to be amazed seeing my skullcrushing finale live and in person – it’ll be the most exciting thing they’ll ever see.
The Rumbles
Thursday February 9
WWE Championship Match
CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler
John Cena vs Kane
Special appearance by Chris Jericho
Friday February 10
WWE Championship Match
CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler
Raw Tag Team Match
John Cena and R Truth vs The Miz and Kane
Special appearance by Chris Jericho
Saturday February 11
Special Tag Team Match
John Cena and CM Punk vs Kane and Dolph Ziggler
10 Man Battle Royale, featuring R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Mason Ryan and more
Special appearance by Chris Jericho
WWE Raw World Tour Feb9-11 Zayed Sports City.
Tickets available at www.zsc.com Dhs300-1200
