The Miz: Sami Zayn Earned Every Bit Of Locker Room Respect

The Miz says WWE Champion Sami Zayn is underappreciated and deserves respect from fans and the locker room.

He compared the criticism Zayn faces to his own 2011 title reign.

The Miz made the comments during an appearance on Z100 New York.

Asked to name WWE’s most underrated star, Miz first picked himself.

Then he turned to the WWE Champion.

“I also think that Sami Zayn and what he’s doing with the WWE Championship right now is applaudable,” Miz said.

“Like, I applaud him.”

“Everyone else is like, ‘Ah, Sami’s a joke. Are you kidding me?’”

Miz pointed out that Zayn’s title can change hands on practically any episode of SmackDown.

“And there are so many people that are vying for that championship that you literally any given moment, any given SmackDown, he could lose it,” Miz said.

“Anyone could do it.”

Miz said he would rather stand with Zayn than chase the title himself.

“I want to be with Sami Zayn because I understand everything he’s going through,” Miz said.

“He is so underappreciated, undervalued, and I believe that a Sami Zayn deserves the respect from not only the audience, but all the WWE superstars in the locker room, Raw, SmackDown, and what he’s able to do in carrying the show.”

When the interviewer joked that it sounded like a promo, Miz said he meant every word.

He pointed to the backlash he faced as WWE Champion in 2011.

“Like it angers me because I remember when I was a WWE champion in 2011, and everyone’s like, ‘Ah, The Miz. How dare him? Why is he winning all the time? Why is everything revolving around him?’” Miz said.

“And now with social media, it’s just a bunch of bullies … going after the WWE champion.”

“You’re lucky that you can even talk to him.”

The timing of Miz’s defense matters.

Sami Zayn is set to face Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Reigns is one of the biggest stars in WWE history and has been chasing Zayn’s title.

Zayn has taken heat over his recent run at the top of SmackDown.

Several WWE Superstars have questioned his credibility as champion.

Miz said the criticism skips over what Zayn actually deals with as the top champion.

His main point was the sheer number of wrestlers chasing the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Zayn’s reign can end on practically any episode of SmackDown.

There is always someone waiting for a chance to take the title away.

The support wasn’t only about what Zayn does inside the ring.

Miz believes the champion deserves recognition from the people watching WWE and from the wrestlers who share the locker room with him.

“He’s so underappreciated and undervalued, and I believe that Sami Zayn deserves the respect not only from the audience but also from all the WWE Superstars and what he’s able to do in carrying the show,” Miz said.

The Miz is a former WWE Champion himself.

He held the WWE Championship from November 2010 to May 2011.

During that run, he faced constant criticism from fans and fellow wrestlers who felt he didn’t belong at the top.

Miz’s 2011 title reign is now seen by many as underrated in hindsight.

Sami Zayn’s current run has drawn similar reactions.

Zayn won the Undisputed WWE Championship earlier this year.

He has defended it against multiple challengers on SmackDown.

The October 30 episode of SmackDown averaged 1.162 million viewers on USA Network.

That number was up from the previous week’s 1.1 million average.

The show finished with a 0.26 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

That was also up from the prior week’s 0.24 rating.

The October 23 SmackDown ran against the first game of the World Series.

The World Series game averaged 12.26 million viewers across Fox Sports, Fox Deportes, and Univision.

A better comparison is the October 16 SmackDown, which averaged 1.327 million viewers and a 0.32 rating.

One year earlier, the October 31, 2025, SmackDown averaged 933,000 viewers and a 0.20 rating.

That show also ran against Game 6 of the World Series.

Zayn’s match against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel has one more championship on the line.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Miz’s defense of Zayn comes just days before that match.

It is unclear whether Zayn will retain the title against Reigns.

But Miz made it clear where he stands.

“You’re lucky that you can even talk to him,” Miz said.

The comment suggests Miz believes Zayn deserves more respect than he gets.

Miz’s interview has sparked discussion among WWE fans.

Some agree with Miz that Zayn is underappreciated.

Others think Zayn’s reign has been weak compared to previous champions.

The debate highlights the pressure Zayn faces as champion.