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Montel Vontavious Porter

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Alvin Burke, Jr.
Born (1973-10-28) October 28, 1973 (age 50)[1]
Liberty City, Florida
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Antonio Banks/Bank$
Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP)
Billed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Billed weight252 lb (114 kg; 18.0 st)[2]
Billed fromMiami, Florida[2]
Trained bySoulman Alex G[3]
Norman Smiley[3]
Debut2003[4]

Alvin Burke, Jr. (also known as Hassan Hamin Assad and Antonio Banks, born October 28 1973),[1] is an American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown! brand under the ring name Montel Vontavious Porter, or MVP.[2] He is the current United States Champion,[5] and his reign is the longest since WWE came into possession of the championship in 2001 and the fourth longest in the title's entire history.[6]

Career

Early life and career

Burke first entered professional wrestling after completing 9½ years of an 18½ year prison sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping which he started at the age of 16.[1][7][8][9][10] He made his wrestling debut in 2002[9] and worked for many different companies on the independent circuit using the name Antonio Banks, including appearances with Full Impact Pro,[11] and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.[4][12]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005-present)

In 2005, after a number of house shows and dark matches, Burke signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to their developmental territory Deep South Wrestling.[3] It was there that he first developed the Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) character: an arrogant, self-obsessed athlete partially inspired by the fictional NFL wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) from the film Jerry Maguire and the real-life, Terrell Owens.[4]

SmackDown! (2006-present)

MVP during a SmackDown! house show

As MVP, he made his first appearance on WWE television on the August 4 2006 episode of SmackDown!, during which announcers described him as a coveted free agent.[13] The initial storyline involved MVP appearing backstage and in arena crowds, often flanked by women and/or a bodyguard, and talking to SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long about the contract his (unseen) agent was supposedly aggressively negotiating.[14][15] Throughout his segments commentators described MVP as arrogant, noting that he would stop conversations in the middle to answer his mobile phone or admire his own jewelry while people were speaking to him. Finally, on September 26, video of a press conference announcing the signing of Porter to "the largest contract in SmackDown! history" was uploaded to WWE.com. view

MVP's in-ring debut for the brand was set for October's No Mercy pay-per-view, for which he also debuted his heralded entrance featuring an NFL-like inflatable tunnel, before defeating the unknown wrestler Marty Garner.[16] During the match, commentators Michael Cole and JBL decried the choice of opponent, since it had been implied that it would be someone "more competent",[17] and joined in with fans mocking his athletic suit styled ring gear, calling him "pathetic" while the fans chanted Power Ranger.[18] On the following week's SmackDown! MVP cut a promo "demanding" a tougher opponent to prove his mettle, which was answered by Kane—making his SmackDown! debut.[19] The two were placed into a feud for the next two months, with MVP narrowly scoring wins over Kane in a street fight[20] and a cage match[21] before losing to him in an Inferno match at Armageddon, from which he (kayfabe) suffered 1st degree burns.[22] Because of the burns he was "out of action" for a short time, during which color commentator JBL expressed rage with the fans for cheering a match where the only way of achieving victory is to set an opponent on fire.[23]

When the Kane feud died down, MVP began a new one with United States Champion Chris Benoit over Benoit's title.[24] During the build up for a title match with Benoit, MVP appeared on SmackDown! introducing various supposed Champions from around the world, giving them exaggerated measurements before proceeded to defeat them in short order.[25][26][27] When he finally faced Benoit at WrestleMania 23 the match was booked with Porter in control for much of the time, before he lost in the end.[28] A rematch at Backlash was booked much the same way, with MVP suddenly losing to an Inside Cradle after looking like he was about to win for much of the match.[29] For Judgment Day, the men were put into a two out of three falls match, with Porter taking the title, his first in WWE, in two straight falls.[30] Porter credits his time working with Benoit for improving his in-ring skill.[18]

His first major feud over the Championship was against Matt Hardy, whom he started claiming to be better than at everything[31] after defeating him at the Great American Bash.[32] When MVP was legitimately diagnosed with the heart condition Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome,[33] it was written into the storyline, with MVP blaming the condition for his losing an arm wrestling match against Hardy.[34] When Porter was given an interview segment during SmackDown!, the "VIP Lounge", it was used to bow out of a scheduled boxing match at Saturday Night's Main Event—with Evander Holyfield replacing him, and eventually punching out Porter during the bout.[35] On the August 24 SmackDown!, MVP bragged to General Manager Teddy Long that he could win the WWE Tag Team Championship with anybody, prompting Long to grant him a Championship match alongside the next person who entered the room; Matt Hardy.[36] The next week, MVP and Hardy took the championship from Deuce N' Domino, making MVP a double champion.[37] MVP and Hardy's contentious relationship had them competing with each other in various ways while MVP proclaimed himself "Captain" of the team and refused to defend his US title. Their reign together came to an end on the November 16 (taped November 13) SmackDown! after Hardy demanded a shot at the US title, only to be informed they had a Tag Team Championship defense against John Morrison and The Miz, which they promptly lost. After their loss, and immediate re-match loss, Porter attacked Hardy, targeting his (kayfabe) injured knee,[38] and putting him "out of action". MVP then started a short feud against Rey Mysterio, which ended when MVP got counted out to retain the WWE United States Championship. Assistant Manager of SmackDown! Theodore Long announced that at No Way Out there would be a SmackDown!/ECW Elimination Chamber featuring MVP,Finlay, The Great Khali, Big Daddy V, Batista, and The Undertaker. The Undertaker won the match and the right to face the world champion at WrestleMania 24. MVP then entered a feud with Batista. The Animal picked up two consective wins over MVP and MVP then picked up two consecutive wins against him.

In wrestling

Porter with the WWE United States (right shoulder) and Tag Team Championship belts

Championships and accomplishments

Porter is the longest reigning United States Champion in WWE history.

Personal information

In October of 2007 Burke was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome—a rare condition that causes the heart to beat faster than usual.[33] The diagnosis and treatment were worked in to WWE storylines.[44]

Burke has acquired numerous tattoos through his life, including; a portrait of Malcolm X on his upper left chest,[7][45] the sarcophagus of King Tut on his left upper biceps,[7][46] the legend "Monte Cristo" along with the phrase "The best revenge is living well" in script on his right forearm—both references to the book The Count of Monte Cristo[7]—and an Eye of Horus on the back of his left arm.[7][47] He also has a number of homemade gang related tattoos that he had done when he was in his teens and which he is no longer proud of.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Inmate Release Information Detail". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bio". Superstars > SmackDown > Montel Vontavious Porter. WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  3. ^ a b c "Montel Vontavious Porter profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  4. ^ a b c "SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Montel Vontavious Porter". CANOE. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  5. ^ a b "WWE (Smackdown) Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  6. ^ "History of the United States Championship". Title History. WWE. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Zeigler, Zack. "Ink from the clink". Superstar Ink. WWE. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
  8. ^ "SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - A true MVP -- take it to the bank". CANOE. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  9. ^ a b "Alan Wojcik interviews Antonio Banks". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  10. ^ "WWE wrestler making most of MVP opportunity". Retrieved 2007-05-06.
  11. ^ "Full Impact Pro results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  12. ^ "NWA: Total Nonstop Action PPV results - April 13, 2003". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  13. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 4, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
  14. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 11, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
  15. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 18, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  16. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Wrestling's historical cards". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. Kappa Publishing Group: 122.
  17. ^ Zeigler, Zack (October 8 2006). "MVP: Most Valuable Phony?". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b "MVP Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  19. ^ "SmackDown! results - October 13, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  20. ^ "SmackDown! results - November 17, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  21. ^ "SmackDown! results - November 24, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  22. ^ "MVP remains in burn unit". WWE. December 19 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-05-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ DiFino, Lennie (December 22, 2006). "Bells will be ringing". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-07. Former WWE Champion JBL voiced his displeasures with the direction SmackDown has gone, and he placed the blame on Theodore Long for the burning of MVP. JBL also blamed the fans, calling them "sick human beings."
  24. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 9, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  25. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 16, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  26. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 23, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  27. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Arena reports". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Kappa Publishing Group: 132. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ McElvaney, Kevin (2007). "WrestleMania 23". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Kappa Publishing Group: 74–101. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  29. ^ "Backlash 2007 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  30. ^ "Judgment Day 2007 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  31. ^ Difino, Lennie. "Most Varied Perception". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  32. ^ "The Great American Bash 2007 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  33. ^ a b "MVP's Most Valuable Program". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  34. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 19, 2007". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  35. ^ Dee, Louie. "MVP = TKO". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  36. ^ "August 24, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  37. ^ "August 31, 2001". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  38. ^ "SmackDown! results - November 16, 2007". 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  39. ^ "MVP Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  40. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 10, 2007". WWE. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  41. ^ "August 20, 2005 results". Coastal Championship Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  42. ^ "FOW Tag Team Title". Future Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  43. ^ "WWWF / WWE United States Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
  44. ^ Fuhrman, Alissa (10-08-2007). "Answer to the challenge?". TV Shows > SmackDown > Archive. WWE. Retrieved 2008-03-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ "Image of MVP". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  46. ^ "Image of Alvin Burke, Jr". Montel-Porter.org. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  47. ^ "Image of Alvin Burke, Jr". Montel-Porter.org. Retrieved 2007-08-05.

External links

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