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Antonio Banks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Antonio Banks | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Antonio Banks/Bank$ Montel Vontavious Porter MVP |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Billed weight | 252 lb (115 kg) |
| Born | October 23, 1973 (age 33) Liberty City, Florida, USA |
| Billed from | Miami, Florida |
| Trained by | "Soulman" Alex G Norman Smiley |
| Debut | 2003 |
Antonio Banks (born October 23, 1973) is an American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown! brand under the ring name Montel Vontavious Porter, or MVP.
Contents |
Career
Early life and career
Banks entered professional wrestling in 2003 after serving 9½ years of an 18 year sentence in prison for robbery[1]. At the start of his career he wrestled in many different companies on the independent circuit using the name Antonio Bank$, including Coastal Championship Wrestling and Xtreme Wrestling Alliance, winning the Heavyweight Championship in both promotions. Banks also wrestled in both Full Impact Pro and early Total Nonstop Action Wrestling weekly pay-per-views.
World Wrestling Entertainment
In 2005, Banks signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to their developmental territory Deep South Wrestling. It was there that he first developed the Montel Vontavious Porter character: an arrogant, self-obsessed athlete.
SmackDown!
As Porter he made his first appearance on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) television on the August 4, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, being described by announcers as a coveted free agent.
The initial storyline involved MVP appearing backstage and in arena crowds, often surrounded by women and a bodyguard, and talking to SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long about the contract his (unseen) agent was aggressively negotiating. MVP was often described by commentators as arrogant, as he would stop conversations in the middle to answer his cell phone and admire his own jewelry while people were speaking to him. His on-screen contract signing was held during a segment on WWE.com uploaded on September 27, 2006, leading to his in ring debut for the brand at October's No Mercy pay-per-view.
After a heralded entrance with an NFL-like inflatable tunnel and pyrotechnics, he defeated the unknown Marty Garner. 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", and openly mocked his ring gear and called him "pathetic" when the fans chanted Power Ranger at him. After the match, MVP defended himself in a WWE.com interview, claiming that he did not pick his opponent and he should not be blamed for the nature of the match.
On the following weeks SmackDown! MVP demanded a tougher opponent to prove his mettle, and received just that in the form of Kane, who was making his SmackDown! debut after moving from RAW. MVP did his best to delay the match before actually fleeing the ring when Kane attacked, beginning a feud between the two. Throughout the feud MVP became an uneasy ally of Mr. Kennedy, who was feuding with Kane's (kayfabe) brother The Undertaker. MVP started out the feud doing well, defeating Kane in a street fight and a cage match before losing to him in an Inferno match at Armageddon, from which he (kayfabe) suffered 1st degree burns.[2]. Because of his burns he was put 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.
When the Kane feud died down, MVP began a new one with United States Champion Chris Benoit over Benoit's title. During the feud MVP appeared on SmackDown! introducing various supposed Champions from around the world, giving them exaggerated measurements, then proceeded to defeat them in short order.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
-
- Malicious Intent (Spinning Capoeira kick to the face)
- Playmaker (Overdrive)
- T.T.B. - (Crossface submission) - Independent circuit
- Take it To the Bank / Tribute To Benoit
- Sitout side powerslam
- Live From The 305 (Springboard shooting star press) - in DSW
- Most Valuable Moonsault (Split-legged moonsault)
- Player's Boot (Running big boot in the corner to the opponent's face)
- Ballin' Elbow (Elbow drop with theatrics)
- Multiple side knee lifts to the opponent's face
- DDT
- Nicknames
-
- "The Hottest Free Agent of All Time"
- "The Franchise Player"
- I'm Comin' by Silkk Tha Shocker, which can be found on WWE Wreckless Intent.
Championships and accomplishments
- Coastal Championship Wrestling
-
- CCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Future of Wrestling
-
- FOW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Punisher
- Xtreme Wrestling Alliance
-
- XWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Trivia
While in Deep South Wrestling, Banks utilized numerous references to "305", the local area code of Miami-Dade County, in the form of chants, hand gestures, and logos.
Banks also has numerous tattoos: a portrait of Malcolm X on his upper left chest, King Tut on his left upper biceps, an Eye of Horus on the back of his left arm, and small writing with a small ring on on his right upper backside.
References
- ^ Alan Wojcik interviews Antonio Banks. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
- ^ MVP remains in burn unit. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.