In a move as unexpected as a steel chair from behind, WWE’s own Mike “The Miz” Mizanin has found himself pitch-slapping his way into the world of Major League Baseball. Well, technically his fastball break came via cardboard, as the larger-than-life wrestling legend is now immortalized in the 2025 Topps Series 2 baseball card collection. It’s a ceremonious debut of sorts, commemorating the moment he commanded the mound for a ceremonial first pitch at Cleveland’s iconic Progressive Field.
This delightful cross-promotional phenomenon stems from The Miz’s latest adventure, taking him from the squared circle to the diamond. Though you could argue he’s merely swapping piledrivers for pitchers, his presence on a baseball card may be one of the biggest surprises yet. Topps has long practiced the craft of mingling major league moments with celebrity pizzazz through their Short Print (SP) series, casting a spotlight on famous ceremonial pitch-tossers, only heightening their allure by making these cards limited in their production. The Miz, now a fish out of water, swims alongside previous SP card headliners like the beats-blazing Bad Bunny, Hip-Hop’s own Travis Scott, and the towering NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama.
An Ohioan through and through, The Miz’s face, now immortal on pulp and print, proudly beams from his card. It wasn’t just any ballgame; the pitch was thrown under the Cleveland sky, cementing his profound and unwavering adoration for his hometown. His connections to the Rock and Roll City run deep, echoing from his outspoken cheers for all things Ohio – as a faithful guardian of the Cleveland Guardians’ field, this was a symbolic moment as much as a sporty one.
Long before he harnessed the mic in the WWE ring, The Miz was parading his flamboyance on MTV’s The Real World. That gig opened the floodgates to a charismatic career where his bravado won as many admirers as his in-ring antics. A wrestler fully adept at turning heads and dropping jaws, The Miz’s entrance into the pantheon of baseball card heroes feels fitting if not outright destined. One could argue throwing a few scripted chairs in the ring is the perfect precursor to lobbing a leather-bound sphere in front of thousands of expectant fans.
The Miz couldn’t have been more taken aback when whispers of his latest accolade reached his ears. His immediate reaction was to leap onto social media, playing up his trademark confession of surprise: “Wait, this is real?! I need this!” That exclamation found reverberation amongst both ring rats and baseball aficionados, uniting a congregation of collectors itching to slip one of these beauties into their yearly acquisitions.
Among fans, his card already stands out as a beacon of dual allegiance – the overlap between pitches and power-slams, the confluence of corner infielders and cornered opponents. There’s something undeniably satisfying about seeing a figure who thrives on larger-than-life showmanship straddling such a storied pastime.
As for The Miz himself, his foray into MLB represents the best of both his world in wrestling and his love for sports, a combination fit for countless celebrations. With Topps’ Series 2 cards now populating digital carts and brick-and-mortar hobbies alike, the hunt for one’s favorite wrestling sensation has begun in earnest. Enthusiastic collectors now have a wrestling icon to add to their treasure troves alongside pitchers and outfielders, with wrestling chops meeting the finesse of the fastball in a never-before-seen blend of entertainment.
The 2025 Topps Series 2 set continues to stir excitement, and The Miz’s inclusion has only added more spice to this culinary concoction of a collection. For those fortunate to pull a Miz SP, the adrenaline rush could match the electrifying energy of his in-ring alter-ego’s antics, further solidifying this unique crossover moment in sports and entertainment history. Let the search begin, as the only thing better than seeing a superstar onstage is having them make a surprise entrance from within a pack of cards.