Known as "Jerry Lawler" during his wrestling career, John Layfield is now well-known for his perceptive analysis of professional wrestling. He has made a number of noteworthy observations regarding performers and their roles in the business. He mentioned his coworker Mike Mizanin, better known by his stage name The Miz, in one particularly noteworthy quote.
Layfield's observation draws attention to a particular kind of character in wrestling called "the heel," who is essentially an antagonist or villain. In contrast to conventional heroes, who are supposed to be likeable and sympathetic, heels are designed to arouse strong negative feelings in the viewer, like rage or hatred. This function is essential because it creates the conflict that viewers need to find matches more thrilling and interesting.
Layfield notes that Miz has a special talent for captivating audiences in this heel role in his statement about The Miz. According to him, Miz thrives on portraying antagonistic characters, whereas many actors find it difficult to do so. People actually want to hate The Miz when they see him perform as a heel, according to Layfield. This emotional reaction is exactly what makes a heel character work.
For example, consider a heel wrestler as the antagonist in an exciting film or book. The Miz's ability to portray this role effectively captivates viewers into wrestling matches with intense interest and engagement, much like a compelling antagonist keeps you on the edge of your seat and invested in the plot.
Layfield demonstrates his grasp of what constitutes engaging entertainment in professional wrestling by highlighting Miz's gift for being despised. It's evidence of Miz's acting prowess as well as his capacity to emotionally engage a crowd, which amplifies the drama and intensity of every match.