Montel Vontavious Porter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montel Vontavious Porter |
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MVP in 2019
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| Birth name | Alvin Burke Jr. |
| Born | October 28, 1973 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Children | 1 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Antonio Banks Antonio Bank$ Lord of War Montel Vontavious Porter MVP |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Billed weight | 259 lb (117 kg) |
| Billed from | Miami, Florida |
| Trained by | Soulman Alex G Norman Smiley |
| Debut | June 29, 1999 |
Montel Vontavious Porter, known to his fans as MVP, is a famous American professional wrestler and manager. His real name is Alvin Antonio Burke Jr., and he was born on October 28, 1973. MVP has worked for many big wrestling companies like WWE, TNA, NJPW, and is currently with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
He has won several championships, including the WWE United States Championship twice and the WWE Tag Team Championship once with Matt Hardy. He was also the very first IWGP Intercontinental Champion in Japan.
MVP started his wrestling journey after training with Soulman Alex G and Norman Smiley. He wrestled for smaller companies before joining WWE in 2005. He quickly became a big star on the SmackDown show. His first time as United States Champion lasted for 343 days, which was a record for that title on SmackDown at the time! After leaving WWE in 2010, he wrestled in Japan and other places, then returned to WWE in 2020. In September 2024, he joined AEW.
Contents
- Early Life and Start in Wrestling
- Professional Wrestling Journey
- Starting Out (1999–2005)
- Time in WWE (2005-2010)
- Wrestling in Japan (2011–2013)
- Return to TNA (2014–2015, 2019)
- Independent Wrestling (2013–2019)
- Major League Wrestling (2017–2018)
- Ring of Honor (2019)
- Return to WWE (2018, 2020–2024)
- Return to Independent Wrestling (2024–present)
- All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)
- Personal Life
- Other Media
- Championships and Awards
- Images for kids
- See also
Early Life and Start in Wrestling
Alvin Antonio Burke Jr. was born in Miami, Florida, on October 28, 1973. He grew up in Opa-locka, Florida. He had a difficult past and spent some time in prison when he was young. While there, a corrections officer who also wrestled helped him get into the world of professional wrestling.
Professional Wrestling Journey
Starting Out (1999–2005)
Alvin Burke Jr. began his wrestling career in 1999, using the name Antonio Banks. He wrestled for many smaller wrestling companies, also known as the independent circuit. He even won a Tag Team Championship with a partner named Punisher. He also made a few appearances for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) before signing with WWE.
Time in WWE (2005-2010)
Training and Debut (2005–2006)
In 2005, MVP signed with WWE and was sent to their training center, Deep South Wrestling. There, he created his famous character, Montel Vontavious Porter, or MVP. This character was an arrogant and self-centered athlete. He made his first appearance on WWE television in August 2006 on SmackDown!, where he was shown as a highly sought-after new wrestler.
Rivalry with Kane (2006–2007)
MVP made his first official match debut at No Mercy in October 2006. He came out with a cool entrance that looked like an NFL tunnel. He quickly started a rivalry, also called a feud, with the powerful wrestler Kane. They had several intense matches, including a Steel Cage match and an Inferno match, where the goal was to set your opponent on fire (in a safe, storyline way).
Becoming United States Champion (2007–2009)
After his feud with Kane, MVP began to challenge Chris Benoit for the WWE United States Championship. He lost to Benoit twice, but finally won the title at Judgment Day on May 20, 2007. This was MVP's first championship in WWE! He later said that working with Benoit helped him become a much better wrestler.
MVP then started a big rivalry with Matt Hardy. MVP often boasted that he was better than Hardy at everything. When MVP was diagnosed with a heart condition, it was included in their storyline, with MVP blaming it for losing an arm wrestling match to Hardy.
MVP also started his own talk show segment on SmackDown! called The VIP Lounge. In a surprising turn of events, MVP and Matt Hardy, despite their rivalry, won the WWE Tag Team Championship together in August 2007. This made MVP a double champion! Even though they were champions, they still argued a lot, with MVP calling himself the "Captain" of the team. Their time as champions ended in November 2007 when they lost the titles. MVP then attacked Hardy, injuring his knee in the storyline.
MVP's long reign as United States Champion ended at Backlash in April 2008 when he lost the title back to Matt Hardy. His championship reign lasted 343 days, which was a very long time!
Later in 2008, MVP went on a long losing streak that lasted for over five months. This meant he didn't get special bonuses from his contract and even lost his cool entrance tunnel. He finally broke the losing streak in January 2009, which also made him a "good guy" (called a face) for the first time in his WWE career. On March 20, 2009, MVP won the United States Championship for a second time!
Teaming with Mark Henry and Leaving WWE (2009–2010)
In April 2009, MVP moved to the Raw brand, bringing the United States Championship with him. He lost the title in June 2009. He then formed a tag team with Mark Henry. They challenged for the Tag Team Championship but didn't win. MVP's last match in WWE was in December 2010, and he was released from his contract shortly after.
Wrestling in Japan (2011–2013)
In 2011, MVP signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan. He was able to keep using the name MVP. He quickly made a big impact, and in May 2011, he became the first-ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion by winning a special tournament in the United States.
MVP successfully defended his championship several times. He lost the title in October 2011 after holding it for 148 days. He continued to wrestle in NJPW, often teaming with Shelton Benjamin. In February 2013, MVP announced he was leaving New Japan to focus on other projects and be closer to home.
Return to TNA (2014–2015, 2019)
In January 2014, MVP returned to TNA as a storyline "investor" for the company. He became an authority figure, making decisions and clashing with TNA President Dixie Carter. MVP's team won a big match, giving him control over wrestling operations.
However, MVP later turned into a "bad guy" (called a heel) and attacked the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Eric Young. He then helped Lashley win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. MVP became Lashley and Kenny King's manager, sometimes wrestling alongside them.
In January 2015, MVP formed a new group called the Beat Down Clan with King, Samoa Joe, and Low Ki. They helped Lashley regain the championship, but Lashley later turned on them. The Beat Down Clan had a big rivalry with another group called The Rising. MVP left TNA in July 2015. He made a brief return to TNA (now called Impact Wrestling) in September 2019 for a special event.
Independent Wrestling (2013–2019)
MVP also wrestled for many other wrestling companies around the world, known as the independent circuit. He appeared often for Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore (HOH) promotion, wrestling against stars like Jack Swagger and Billy Gunn. He also won the All Pro Wrestling (APW) Universal Heavyweight Championship and the Big League Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship during this time.
Major League Wrestling (2017–2018)
MVP joined Major League Wrestling (MLW) in 2017, where he wrestled and also worked behind the scenes helping other wrestlers. He had a notable rivalry with Sami Callihan. MVP left MLW in July 2018.
Ring of Honor (2019)
In January 2019, MVP made a return to Ring of Honor (ROH), teaming up with Kenny King to reform the Beat Down Clan. They competed in a tag team tournament but did not win.
Return to WWE (2018, 2020–2024)
Special Appearances and Comeback (2018, 2020)
MVP made a special guest appearance on the 25th-anniversary episode of Raw in January 2018. In January 2020, MVP made a surprise return to WWE as a participant in the Royal Rumble match, marking his first time wrestling in a WWE ring in 10 years.
The next night on Raw, MVP wrestled Rey Mysterio. Soon after, MVP brought back his talk show, "The VIP Lounge." During this segment, he turned into a "bad guy" again and tried to convince Drew McIntyre to let him be his manager. MVP was also hired by WWE to work behind the scenes as a producer, while still performing on screen.
The Hurt Business (2020–2022)
At Money in the Bank in May 2020, MVP began to align himself with Bobby Lashley. He managed Lashley in his challenge for the WWE Championship. Soon, Shelton Benjamin joined them, and their group became known as The Hurt Business.
MVP then started a rivalry with Apollo Crews over the WWE United States Championship. While MVP didn't win the title himself, Lashley later defeated Crews to become the United States Champion. In September 2020, Cedric Alexander also joined The Hurt Business, making the group even stronger. They won more championships, including the Raw Tag Team Championship. In early 2021, MVP got injured but continued to manage the group, even when Bobby Lashley won the WWE Championship.
In March 2021, Lashley removed Alexander and Benjamin from The Hurt Business, saying the group was over. However, MVP stated that The Hurt Business was still active, just with him and Lashley. MVP returned to wrestling in July 2021. He suffered another injury in September 2021 but returned in November.
Managing Omos and Departure (2022–2024)
In April 2022, MVP surprisingly turned on Lashley and teamed up with the giant wrestler Omos. He helped Omos in his matches against Lashley. MVP continued to manage Omos throughout 2023 and 2024. His contract with WWE ended in August 2024.
Return to Independent Wrestling (2024–present)
In July 2024, MVP announced he was leaving WWE and made an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW).
All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)
On September 25, 2024, MVP made a surprise debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at Grand Slam. He offered to manage Swerve Strickland, but Strickland rejected him. The following week, MVP introduced Shelton Benjamin as one of his partners, and they reformed The Hurt Business under a new name: The Hurt Syndicate. In October 2024, Bobby Lashley reunited with MVP and Benjamin, and the trio attacked Swerve Strickland.
In January 2025, MVP had his first match in AEW, teaming with Benjamin and Lashley to win a tag team match. In May 2025, MJF joined The Hurt Syndicate, making the group even bigger.
Personal Life
In August 2007, MVP was diagnosed with a rare heart condition called Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. This condition was found during a routine check-up in WWE, which was very important because it might not have been found otherwise.
MVP has many tattoos, including a portrait of Malcolm X and images related to ancient Egypt. He also has tattoos inspired by the book The Count of Monte Cristo. He enjoys playing video games and is a big fan of the English football team Manchester United FC.
MVP is also very skilled in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a type of martial art. He has won gold medals in competitions and has earned a brown belt in the sport. He continues to train in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with fellow wrestler Dave Bautista. In April 2024, he earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Other Media
MVP has appeared in the movie MacGruber alongside other WWE Superstars.
He has also released several hip hop songs, including "Holla to da World," "Tokyo," and "Return of the Ronin." "Return of the Ronin" even became his entrance theme song in TNA.
MVP has been a playable character in several WWE video games, including WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and the WWE 2K22 series.
Championships and Awards
- All Pro Wrestling
- APW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Big League Wrestling
- BLW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Coastal Championship Wrestling
- CCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Future of Wrestling
- FOW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Punisher
- Imperial Wrestling Revolution
- IWR Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- IWR Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with D Money, Marce Lewis, Montego Seeka and Nytronis A'Teo
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship (1 time, inaugural)
- Southern Championship Wrestling Florida
- SCW Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- World Class Revolution
- WCR Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
- WWE United States Championship (2 times)
- WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Matt Hardy
Images for kids
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MVP wrestling Chris Masters in December 2009
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See also
In Spanish: MVP (luchador) para niños
