The Miz and 5 WWE Talents Who Gained Respect Over Time

Miz was applauded in the comments by fans and peers alike, among them Nattie Neidhart who commended his "insane longevity, consistency and durability."

As one of the most consistent WWE talents of the past 20 years, Miz has earned the respect of many WWE fans. It has not always been like that, however. Earlier in his two-decade run, Miz encountered criticism from the audience and in the locker room. On Miz' Instagram post, former WWE Superstar Matt Cardona alluded to an incident where Miz ate chicken over another star's bag and was "banned" from the locker room.

Those days are long gone. At 44 years old, Miz's work ethic and commitment to the company have taken him from being a former MTV Real World star to a future WWE Hall of Famer.

Let's take a look at 5 other WWE talents who have gained respect over time.

5. Michael Cole

The "voice of WWE" used to live in the shadow of legendary 'Good Ol' JR' Jim Ross. Sean Coulthard, known on-screen as Michael Cole, did not come to WWE (then WWF) as a wrestling fan or announcer. He was a journalist working for CBS who covered three U.S. presidential campaigns.

In the late '90s, fans were not sold on Cole's commentary. His pairing with Tazz on SmackDown in the early 2000s established him as a credible play-by-play voice to narrate the blue brand's formative years. When he was abruptly drafted to Monday Night Raw in 2008 - a move that also saw JR drafted to SmackDown - Cole's reputation was taken back to 1998 in the eyes of fans. They simply were not ready for Cole to call WWE's flagship show.

Fast forward to 2025, and fans chant "Michael Cole" when "Cool Party" lights up an arena before the start of a show. Pat McAfee frequently hails him as the 'GOAT.' The New York Times has recognized him as one of the "most impactful sports TV play-by-play voices of the 21st century." The veteran announcer who has only missed three shows in 28 years is proof that consistency earns respect.

4. Naomi

Before she was warning the world to "proceed with caution," Naomi was lighting it up as one of Brutus Clay's funkadactyls — a background dancer and valet whose act provided comedic relief. We've come a long way since 2012.

Even working as a heel, fans cheer for the former Women's World Champion out of respect for her continuous development. She has given fans some of the biggest moments of 2025: her Money in the Bank cash-in, incredible Triple Threat against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley at SummerSlam, and recent emotional promo on Monday Night Raw. Naomi's up-and-down ride with WWE shows that fans appreciate reinvention and hard work.

3. Randy Orton

Fans sing along to "Voices" now, but back in 2002, the audience was quiet when the grandson of Bob Orton, Sr., and son of "Cowboy" Bob Orton walked down the aisle in navy blue trunks. Debuting at 22 years old, fans started to take the former Evolution star seriously as a main event-level talent after his unforgettable Hardcore Match against Mick Foley at Backlash 2004.

"The Viper," from St. Louis, Missouri, is now regarded by the likes of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as "The Undertaker" of today's locker room — a leader who sets the standard and helps younger talents develop in the business. In a vulnerable appearance on What's Your Story? with Steph McMahon in July, Orton shared about learning from past mistakes and growing not only as a wrestler, but person, husband, and father.

The owner of the RKO is one of the most beloved and respected stars of any era because of his longevity and ability to connect authentically with the audience.

2. Roman Reigns

When The Rock raised Roman Reigns' hand as the winner of the 2015 Royal Rumble, fans did not want to see it. "The Big Dog" was chosen by Vince McMahon to be the next face of WWE during an awkward transitional era in company history. The proverbial rocket was strapped to Reigns' back, but the 2015-2019 audience would have preferred him to stay grounded.

After Reigns returned in 2020 as "The Tribal Chief," everything changed. "The Bloodline" storyline and Reigns' 1,316-day run as WWE Undisputed Champion won over the entire pro wrestling industry.

The strength of Reigns' character work could not be denied. His improvements were so significant that fans joke on social media that "The Big Dog" and "Tribal Chief" are two different people. With the help of those like Paul Heyman, Reigns has delivered his best performances and can be credited with much of WWE's recent success.

Based on his recent comments, Joe Anoa'i is far from being done as Roman Reigns.

1. John Cena

If you had told the 2006 Chicago crowd at WrestleMania 22 that WWE would be forced to change John Cena back to a babyface in 2025 because the fans only want to cheer him, they would have laughed in your face. The 17-time world champion, who has built a career on "Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect," is the poster boy of earning respect over time. No one has done more for the business in the 21st century than John Cena.

From setting records with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to putting on some of the best performances of his career at 48 years old, Cena's strength of character and approach to the business set him apart among legends.

The Boston native who once yelled "ruthless aggression!" in Kurt Angle's face deserves all of his flowers on his farewell tour.