New WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz recently spoke with ESPN before his big win over Roman Reigns on Monday’s RAW 25 special. Below are highlights:
The WWE Intercontinental Title:
“Ultimate Warrior, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude — you name it. Every superstar that was my hero growing up as a kid has held that title. It’s a title I always loved as a kid. When I got it for the first time, you’re ecstatic, you’re happy, but you watch the title become a second-place kind of title.
“The last time I got it, I literally said I [was] sick of people looking at this as just a placeholder, as like a whatever title. I want people to understand that when you hold that title, it is prestigious, it is relevant, it has a rich history and that’s what I set out to do. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of it, but I’m not done until I’m main-eventing WrestleMania with the Intercontinental championship.”
The WWE Intercontinental Title:
“Ultimate Warrior, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude — you name it. Every superstar that was my hero growing up as a kid has held that title. It’s a title I always loved as a kid. When I got it for the first time, you’re ecstatic, you’re happy, but you watch the title become a second-place kind of title.
“The last time I got it, I literally said I [was] sick of people looking at this as just a placeholder, as like a whatever title. I want people to understand that when you hold that title, it is prestigious, it is relevant, it has a rich history and that’s what I set out to do. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of it, but I’m not done until I’m main-eventing WrestleMania with the Intercontinental championship.”
Fans chanting “welcome back” for his recent return:
“When I came back two weeks ago to Monday Night Raw, I was gone for six episodes, six weeks. And literally I came back and there were ‘welcome back’ chants. I thought wait a second. Brock Lesnar was gone longer than I am and he doesn’t get welcome back chants, but I am? Usually you guys hate me and boo me and tell me I suck, but now you’re welcoming me back? It made me feel that I was a piece of this puzzle and the main piece was missing.”
