by Gina Scarpa

Fans of The Real World remember Mike "The Miz" Mizanin talking about wanting to become a wrestler years ago when he was just a fresh faced reality star on MTV. He went on to compete in Real World/Road Rules challenges, WWE's Tough Enough, and other reality shows, never losing sight of his dream. The Miz began his career on Friday Night Smackdown in 2006 and now can be seen on Monday Night Raw. Besides The Jerry Springer Show, the talk show host enjoyed an appearance on Dancing With The Stars in 2006 and hosted America's Got Talent for two seasons in 2007-2008. Monday night, the two will appear on Monday Night Raw, with The Miz tearing it up in the ring and Jerry Springer stepping in as guest host. Today, the two spoke to reporters in a press conference call about the upcoming event and how reality tv has changed their careers for the better.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How much do you credit reality tv with your success as a WWE wrestler?
A. The Miz: I would say if it wasn't for being on The Real World: Back to New York ten years ago, I would never become a professional wrestler. I'd probably be flipping burgers. I credit a lot of my success from reality television. It gave me the opportunity to have that feeling that I can follow any dream I wanted.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to host Monday Night Raw? Are you a fan of wrestling?
A. Jerry: I was drinking! Someone asked and I said, "Yeah." I was a fan of wrestling more so when I was a kid. I would always watch wrestling. We would watch it and play it. I haven't seen that much recently, though I know about it. I'm looking forward to doing it though you know how opposed I am to fighting on television. The only difference between this and my show is that these guys have teeth!

Q. How does hosting Monday Night Raw compare to America's Got Talent?
A. Jerry: The difference is that Monday Night Raw, these are all professionally trained people. You have that. Other than that, entertainment is entertainment whether you're an athlete or a singer. You have your moment when you're on stage, or in a ring, or on a ballfield. It's that moment where you have to be really, really focused. You have to perform.

Q. The public opinion of you seemed to change after you appeared on Dancing With The Stars and America's Got Talent. Why do you think that is?
A. Jerry: In hindsight, I can see why people saw me in a different light after those shows. At the time, I didn't realize it. When I was on Dancing With The Stars, and then America's Got Talent, it was really the first time I was on television as myself. I'm always playing a role - a crazy talk show host, a news anchor, a mayor. When you're on those shows, there's no role to play. You're just talking to people or performing. That, I think, made people realize, "Well maybe he's not a crazy person. He's a normal dad like everyone else." I think that's why it had such an impact.

Q. If Jerry was a wrestler, what name would you give him?
A. The Miz: The Springonator!

Don't miss The Miz and Jerry Springer on Monday Night Raw, February 15th, at 9/8c on USA.

(Images courtesy of WWE and The Insider)

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

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