Here’s Why The Miz Was Booked So Strongly at ‘Crown Jewel’

The finals of the WWE World Cup tournament was Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz. WWE ran the angle of Shane McMahon replacing an “injured” Miz and winning the tournament. A lot of people have been heavily critical of the angle. One of the biggest complaints about it was The Miz being replaced in the match despite making the finals over Rey Mysterio.

Rey Mysterio had been attacked by Randy Orton in the first round and suffered through a tough loss to with The Miz. On paper, it could have made sense for Mysterio to run the “injury” angle instead of Miz. According to a report from Wrestling Observer Radio, The Miz was chosen to be replaced by Shane because it made sense for his character to quit.

Related: WWE Seems To Be Planting Seeds For A Miz Face Turn

From the SmackDown side, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio all qualified for the tournament. WWE officials didn’t want to book any of them to quit due to an injury and look weaker. However, The A-Lister can get away with quitting the tournament. In fact, the booking could help him do something new on SmackDown Live going forward.

There’s some speculation the entire angle was to set up a heel turn for Shane McMahon over the coming weeks. The situation could also result in an interesting babyface turn for The Miz eventually. In the interest of Crown Jewel, he had to play the “injured role” and sell the angle to make McMahon vs. Ziggler work. Miz just did what he was asked.

Shane McMahon replaces The Miz in World Cup Finals Match against Dolph Ziggler: WWE Crown Jewel 2018

The entire angle has been criticized since Crown Jewel ended. The best option for WWE officials moving forward is to bury the angle and give The A-Lister the chance to defend himself. How fans react in a few days will determine the future direction of the angle.

Should The Miz turn babyface and feud with Shane McMahon?