#2: The Miz manipulates Shane McMahon
The Miz is one of the sneakiest and most conniving heels on the entire WWE roster, and it seems highly unlikely that the former WWE Champion would place himself in such a vulnerable position if he didn't have something to gain out of it in the long run.
With there no longer being a General Manager on SmackDown, The Miz could seize on the opportunity this presents him with to manipulate McMahon into booking him a title shot at next year's WrestleMania.
The Miz was totally humiliated by Daniel Bryan at Super Show-Down and has not had much luck inside the ring ever since. Having him become friends with Shane McMahon just to earn himself a spot on the grandest stage of them all would be a clever way to get him back into the title picture, and would also reinforce his role as the smartest heel on the entire WWE roster.