By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE wrestler MVP says he hopes The Miz and he can use their current program to convince WWE management they belong in the main event picture on Raw.

"We're both at a level where we both want to be in that top tier; he's bringing his A-game, I'm bringing my A-game and neither one of us is going to back off. It's just a matter of you have to step your game up," MVP told ESPN's Jon Robinson in an interview. "It's a win-win for everybody because we step our games up, the fans get to be entertained and the higher-ups get to watch us evolve and grow. Hopefully we're the main-eventers that you're going to watch tomorrow."

MVP was interviewed this weekend before the Royal Rumble PPV. He said his ideal finish line for the program against Miz would be WrestleMania 26. Coincidentally, WWE added the match to the Rumble PPV last night.

In response to a question about whether the feud will continue to WM26, MVP said: "It's interesting, because with stuff like that, you never know. I don't know, but I'd love to see Miz at Wrestlemania for the United States championship. That would be huge. I just don't know if he'll be able to avoid me that long."

MVP also talked up Miz's performance in the feud and his work ethic to go from "that kid" from "Real World" to a respected wrestler in the locker room.

"I've known Miz for a long time. We were both at the now-defunct Deep South developmental territory, and dude works hard. He works really, really hard at his craft," MVP said. "I remember him vaguely as that kid from 'The Real World,' and I had no respect for him, but he earned my respect by working hard and practicing and improving his craft."

Link: MVP talks sports, video games, and a few random WWE subjects in the ESPN interview here.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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