The Miz was taking frustrations out on Daniel Bryan.
During a interview with Complex, The Miz discussed the WWE Intercontinental Championship and how he wishes to promote it to beyond a "mid-card" championship. He mentioned that as a child he idolized former Intercontinental Champions like Rick Rude and Ultimate Warrior. His affinity for the championship bled over to the infamous rant he delivered on Talking Smack. The Miz said it was because they could not find a place for him on Smackdown with the title.
"I was told that I wouldn't be on the show with the Intercontinental title. And I was really angry about that...that they couldn't make time for the Intercontinental Champion. And I kind of took that out on our Smackdown general manager Daniel Bryan,” said The Miz.
Apparently after that episode of Talking Smack ended, he went backstage angry and the other wrestlers seemed to have noticed what happened.
“People backstage were packing their bags and leaving, and suddenly, everyone just stopped. I only remember parts of that moment afterwards, because I was so angry. But I was just pacing. I didn't know what to do with myself,” said The Miz.
What he said on Talking Smack has not left the minds of WWE fans. Since then and while Bryan was unable to compete, The Miz used Bryan's signature moves and gestures to taunt the crowd. Now that Bryan has been medically cleared he is wrestling again and the Miz was traded back to Smackdown as part of the Superstar Shakeup. The Miz and Bryan already have Live Event matches scheduled.
The video of that particular episode of Talking Smack is at the top of this page.
The full interview with The Miz can be found at Complex.com.
