The Miz Pays Tribute to WWE Superfan Dennis Haskins After Actor’s Death

The wrestling world has experienced several emotional losses in recent weeks, and The Miz has once again taken a moment to remember someone connected to both entertainment and professional wrestling.

The former WWE Champion paid tribute to Dennis Haskins following news of the actor’s death. Haskins was widely recognized for his role as Principal Richard Belding in Saved by the Bell and its sequel series, Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

Beyond his television career, Haskins was also known among wrestling fans for his genuine passion for WWE. He attended several WWE events over the years and became a familiar face within the wrestling community.

His connection to wrestling extended to Matt Cardona’s popular Z! True Long Island Story series, where Haskins also made an appearance.

The Miz Remembers Dennis Haskins as a Close Friend

The Miz shared his tribute on social media after news of Haskins’ passing became public.

The WWE star reflected on how he had watched Haskins on television while growing up and never expected that the actor would eventually become someone he could call a friend.

Rather than focusing solely on Haskins’ fame, Miz highlighted his personality away from the screen. He remembered the actor for his laughter, warmth and ability to make people around him feel valued.

The tribute also reflected the personal connection Miz had developed with Haskins over the years. What began as admiration for an actor from his childhood eventually became a real friendship.

Miz’s message came at a particularly emotional time for the wrestling community, which had already been mourning other prominent figures connected to the industry.

Why Dennis Haskins Was Popular With WWE Fans

Although Haskins was primarily known for his acting career, he was also a genuine WWE enthusiast.

The actor attended multiple WWE events and openly embraced his status as a wrestling fan. His passion for sports entertainment helped him build connections within the wrestling world beyond his work in television.

Haskins was also featured in Matt Cardona’s Z! True Long Island Story, a YouTube series that became particularly popular among WWE fans during the early 2010s.

His appearance in the series demonstrated how naturally he fit into the wrestling community. He was not simply a celebrity making a brief appearance; he had an established interest in WWE and regularly followed the product.

Dennis Haskins’ Most Famous Television Role

For television audiences, Haskins’ most recognizable role was Principal Richard Belding in Saved by the Bell.

The character became one of the defining figures in the popular sitcom, which followed the lives of students at Bayside High School. Haskins’ performance as the school principal made him a familiar face to generations of viewers.

He later reprised the character in Saved by the Bell: The New Class, continuing his association with the franchise.

That connection to a hugely recognizable television series made Haskins a familiar figure well beyond professional wrestling. For Miz, however, the actor eventually became more than a childhood television personality.

The Miz’s Personal Connection With Haskins

Miz’s tribute emphasized the difference between knowing someone through television and eventually getting to know that person personally.

The former WWE Champion recalled growing up watching Haskins before eventually meeting him in real life. According to Miz, the actor’s personality away from the camera made an even stronger impression.

He remembered Haskins as someone who brought positivity whenever they met and had a laugh that immediately stood out.

That personal element made the tribute particularly meaningful. Miz was not simply acknowledging the death of a famous actor or wrestling fan; he was remembering someone who had become part of his own life.

Haskins Had Been Battling Parkinson’s Disease

Haskins had been dealing with Parkinson’s disease before his death, according to the information surrounding his passing.

News of his death was announced by a friend and caretaker, prompting tributes from people who knew him from television, entertainment and wrestling.

The news was followed by an outpouring of appreciation for Haskins’ career and personality, with fans remembering both his best-known television work and his enthusiasm for professional wrestling.

For Miz, that remembrance was especially personal because of the friendship they developed after their initial connection through Haskins’ work.

The Miz Also Mourned PAC Earlier This Month

Haskins’ death came during a particularly difficult period for the wrestling community. The Miz had also recently paid tribute to former WWE Superstar PAC, who was known as Neville during his WWE career.

PAC died on September 27, 2026, according to the information surrounding the announcement. The news came shortly after he had competed at AEW All Out 2026.

The former Neville had a significant WWE career between 2012 and 2017 and worked with numerous major names during that period, including The Miz.

Following the news, Miz shared a separate message expressing his sympathy for PAC’s family and friends.

WWE subsequently acknowledged PAC on RAW and through its social media channels, while AEW also announced plans to dedicate an episode of Dynamite to the late wrestler.

PAC and Dennis Haskins Represent Different WWE Connections

Although PAC and Haskins came from completely different backgrounds, both had meaningful connections to the wrestling world.

PAC was a professional wrestler who became a major name in WWE and later AEW. Haskins, meanwhile, was an actor and passionate wrestling fan who regularly attended WWE events and interacted with people from the industry.

The Miz’s tributes to both individuals demonstrate the wide range of relationships that exist within professional wrestling. Some people build their careers inside the ring, while others become part of the wrestling community through their fandom and entertainment careers.

Why The Miz’s Tribute Resonated With Wrestling Fans

The Miz has spent much of his adult life in the entertainment industry, first gaining attention through reality television before becoming one of WWE’s longest-serving performers.

His connection with Haskins therefore crossed several parts of the entertainment world. Miz had grown up watching Haskins on television before eventually becoming a successful television personality and WWE Superstar himself.

That journey gave Miz a unique perspective on Haskins’ influence. Someone he had once known only through a television screen eventually became a friend.

The tribute focused on that personal journey rather than Haskins’ professional achievements alone, making it an especially heartfelt acknowledgment.

A Difficult Period for the Wrestling Community

The deaths of Haskins and PAC have come during a period in which wrestling fans have had to say goodbye to several recognizable figures.

Tributes from wrestlers, performers and fans often show how closely connected the wrestling community can become, even when individuals have very different roles within it.

Haskins’ story is a particularly interesting example because his relationship with WWE came primarily from being a passionate fan rather than an in-ring performer.

His appearances at wrestling events and connection with personalities from the industry helped establish him as more than a casual viewer. He became a recognizable member of the wider WWE fan community.

The Miz’s Tribute Highlights Haskins’ Legacy Beyond Television

Haskins’ television legacy will remain closely associated with his work on Saved by the Bell, but his connection with professional wrestling added another dimension to his public life.

For WWE fans, his enthusiasm for the product and appearances around wrestling content created memorable connections with the industry.

The Miz’s tribute captured both sides of that legacy: the actor he grew up watching and the friend he later came to know personally.

It also served as a reminder that wrestling fandom can create unexpected relationships between performers, celebrities and supporters.

Final Verdict

The Miz has paid an emotional tribute to Dennis Haskins following the actor’s death, remembering him not only as the familiar face from Saved by the Bell but also as a genuine WWE superfan and personal friend.

Haskins’ passion for professional wrestling saw him attend WWE events and appear in wrestling-related content, giving him a unique connection to the industry despite never being primarily known as a wrestler.

Miz’s tribute comes shortly after he also remembered PAC, highlighting the difficult period for the wrestling community. While Haskins’ television work will remain his best-known legacy, his enthusiasm for WWE and the friendships he formed within wrestling have also left a lasting impression.