It is absolutely scary to wonder what it’s like to scale the staggering heights of WrestleMania superstardom, only to face the sobering reality of an unforgiving fall. Well, such was the intoxicating moment for The Miz in 2011 as he soared into the wrestling stratosphere, headlining WrestleMania XXVII against none other than John Cena.
The match was still able to end as planned because The Rock restarted it and attacked Cena, allowing Miz to win. However, it was evident right away that Miz required medical attention. This unforgettable saga is etched into the annals of WWE history and captured candidly in a WWE 24 documentary, which shed light on The Miz’s illustrious, albeit tumultuous, career.
The Miz Opened Up About His WrestleMania Concussion
In the world of professional wrestling, headlining WrestleMania is like reaching the Holy Grail—a rare and coveted achievement that only a select few get to experience. The Miz, known for his charisma & confidence, had the opportunity to headline WrestleMania 27 in 2011 against John Cena.
However, what should have been a career-defining moment turned into a nightmare when he suffered a devastating concussion during the match. The Miz even reflected on that fateful night in a WWE 24 documentary (via X), admitting that
I don’t even remember much of it, to be honest. I got knocked out cold when Cena tackled me off the bell keeper’s table onto the hard concrete floor. It’s a scary sight, seeing myself in that state.
Despite his concussion, The Miz managed to finish the match with the help of Cena and Dwayne Johnson, who orchestrated a dramatic ending that allowed Miz to retain his title.
However, the aftermath of the match was a blur for him, as he struggled to piece together what had happened. He expressed gratitude towards his fellow wrestlers for carrying him through the rest of the match, with The Rock praising his resilience and determination. To quote The Miz:
The People’s Champ can even be heard saying, ‘I will tell you what you did. I am so proud of you. You were knocked out and you f—ing pulled through.’
But because of the concussion he sustained near the end of the fight, he acknowledged in Unbreakable with Jay Glazer podcast that it is hard to rewatch that match.
WrestleMania Revisited: The Miz’s Unfiltered Comments
As The Miz reflected on that fateful match, he admitted that watching it back is not an easy task. The concussion he suffered left him with fragmented memories and a sense of unease. He said in the same Unbreakable with Jay Glazer podcast (via Wrestling Inc.):
The one moment you want to remember for the rest of your life is the one moment I have bits and pieces that I remember, but I don’t remember if that makes any sense at all.
Despite walking out of WrestleMania 27 as the WWE Champion, Miz’s post-match experience was clouded with apologies in the Gorilla Position. He felt like he had let everyone down, but in reality, only those in the ring truly understood the gravity of the situation.
I imagined I messed the whole main event of WrestleMania up. Luckily I didn’t, and it came off like perfectly, and not many people knew what was going on except for the professionals that were in there.
While many would revel in the glory of such a career-defining moment, Miz’s joy was short-lived as he was immediately taken for medical evaluation.
He recalled the foggy aftermath of WrestleMania, with his wife, Maryse Ouellet offering reassurance amid the uncertainty. Though marred by injury and uncertainty, the experience remains a bittersweet milestone in his illustrious career.
