Mike “The Miz” Mizanin last competed on The Challenge in 2005, back when it was still called Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Two decades later, he remains one of the most iconic figures to come out of the franchise.
Mizanin, 44, spoke exclusively at the Newport Beach Celebrity Classic golf tournament on Sunday, March 16.
The event, benefiting Steadfast LA and the Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation, provided an opportunity for him to address whether he has any plans to return to the show.
“I retired from The Challenge,” he confirmed. “I told everyone, ‘This is my last one.’ And people were like, ‘No, it’s not. Never will be blah, blah, blah.’ And I was like, ‘It’s the last one.’ And then it literally was.”
That doesn’t mean Mizanin has stepped away from reality television entirely. Beyond The Challenge, he has competed on Fear Factor and Dancing With the Stars. He also took on the role of host for multiple Challenge reunion specials and led the spin-off series Champs vs. Stars for two seasons.
Even though he’s no longer an active competitor, he remains invested in the show’s evolution.
“I love seeing the new, up-and-coming challengers. I love seeing where The Challenge is. Who would have thought that it’s bigger than The Real World, bigger than Road Rules?” he said. “It’s one of the biggest shows out there.”
Mizanin gave a special mention to Johnny Bananas and Wes Bergmann, the latter of whom recently competed in season 3 of The Traitors. He also acknowledged that he has considered appearing on the Peacock reality series himself.
“The hard part about doing Traitors for me would be three weeks in Scotland with no phone,” he admitted.
“I can’t be away from my kids that long, not just that long, but it’s about not even talking to them. I need to talk to my kids, but I feel like that’s a show that I could totally go on and win.”
Mizanin also revealed that Mark Long, his former Challenge castmate from the early 2000s who recently returned for The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras, has attempted to recruit him back into the franchise.
“He always talks to me. I always hear from Mark, but he knows the answer,” Mizanin said. “I’m busy. I literally have WWE. I have a new golf YouTube channel called Miz Golf.”
For his part, Long told that he has enjoyed watching Mizanin’s career flourish and admires his dedication.
“When I think of cast members, I always put Mike in his own category: ‘superstar,’” Long said. “He’s one of the hardest working guys out there, so I never even ask him. But I love following his career and chatting with him.”
In addition to his wrestling commitments and YouTube endeavors, Mizanin hinted that he has another exciting project in the works that will occupy much of his time.
“It’s something that I had a passion [for] ever since I was a little kid, and now I get to be a part of it and I’m really excited about it,” he teased. “And then also, me and my wife were working on something big as well.”
