On the November 12 episode of "Raw", Miz turned face for the first time in his WWE career when he joined Mick Foley's team at Survivor Series after confronting Paul Heyman. At Survivor Series on November 18, he eliminated Wade Barrett before being eliminated by Alberto Del Rio; his team would also go onto lose. The Miz then began a feud with United States Champion Antonio Cesaro after Cesaro insulted America. During this feud, Ric Flair became his mentor and Miz adopted the figure-four leglock from Flair as a new finisher. The Miz challenged for Cesaro's United States Championship at the Royal Rumble pre-show, at Elimination Chamber and on the March 1, 2013 episode of "SmackDown", but was unsuccessful each time.