The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 16

The Miz (November 22, 2010 - May 1, 2011)

The Miz: Beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania

Many forget today, but The Miz was the fastest rising superstar in WWE back in 2010. After reigns as Tag Team Champion between 2007 and 2009, Miz turned his attentions to the United States Championship, which he won from Kofi Kingston on the October 5, 2009 episode of Raw.

On July 18, 2010, Miz won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match to earn a World title match of his choice.

On November 22, 2010, Miz finally cashed in the contract in an unforgettable Raw moment, by attacking Randy Orton after the champion's successful title defence versus Wade Barrett.

Miz interestingly aligned himself with lead WWE commentator Michael Cole, who turned heel and praised Miz's dastardly deeds at every opportunity.

Miz retained the gold against Orton in rematches at TLC and the 2011 Royal Rumble before he entered into a conflict with Raw's veteran color commentator, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Lawler came within a whisker of winning the WWE Championship for the first time at the age of 61 at Elimination Chamber on February 20, 2011, but was eventually overcome by Miz, who now had a date with John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania XXVII. With help from The Rock, who had returned to WWE after a seven year absence and was at odds with Cena, Miz retained the gold and left WrestleMania as WWE Champion.

Miz could not hold Cena off for long though and the leader of the Cenation finally terminated The Miz's reign at Extreme Rules on May 1, 2011.