According to MVP, the release was at his request because he felt it was time to freshen things up "and go international". He then hinted that he was heading to Japan.
I am not that surprised. He did seem really unhappy if you read his Twitter. I thought they really dropped the ball on him The past few years. The long losing streak and then the move to Raw killed him. I had hoped that The move back to Smackdown would revive his career but they did nothing with him. I think he can be a top heel near the top of the card. I'd bet we'll see him in TNA in 90 days.
Originally posted by InVerseAccording to MVP, the release was at his request because he felt it was time to freshen things up "and go international". He then hinted that he was heading to Japan.
(screeching of brakes, needle scratching off record and any other applicable sound effect)
Wait, I thought part of the reason he wasn't pushed was because his criminal record kept him from going to Japan and Canada... how's that going to work again? Unless he means Mexico, which makes all kinds of nonsense.
You wanted the best, you got... the Out of Context Quote of the Week.
I think it was R-Truth who had visa problems for whatever reason (I know he wasn't on Raw the last time they were in Canada). MVP's been able to travel freely as far as I know.
And there's another one gone from my Smackdown vs. RAW 2011 roster...
Originally posted by graves9I am not that surprised. He did seem really unhappy if you read his Twitter.
Except for Chris Jericho, I think MVP has the most intelligent Twitter feed of any wrestling personality. He's really sharp and he interacts really well with his followers.
I'm glad for him, kind of inspired really that he asked for his release and chose to leave a company that clearly had no use for him.
It seems like there's more quality free agent talent out there right now then at any point in the last 10 years. The people not affiliated with WWE or TNA out there is quite a who's who. It's a shame there's no place for them to go like Paul Heyman's ECW in the 90s, an island of misfit toys with national attention that presents a groundbreaking, quality product.
(edited by John Orquiola on 2.12.10 1524) @BackoftheHead
Originally posted by drjayphd Wait, I thought part of the reason he wasn't pushed was because his criminal record kept him from going to Japan and Canada... how's that going to work again? Unless he means Mexico, which makes all kinds of nonsense.
Not being able to travel to Canada only applies for the first five years following a felony. After that, they can deny entry for certain crimes but it's on an individual basis.
Japan is a bit more complicated but from what I've read, it sounds like if you're going for a specific period of time and have a Japanese company vouching for your financial viability, you'd be able to get in without a problem.
Sadness. MVP was over as a face and heel, and he adjusted his moveset regularly. My only complaints were that he appeared to lumber at times, and he was getting zero height on the Paydirt finisher. He seemed like a performer who needed a little less steering and a little more acceleration.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Aw, man. I liked him a lot. He had a fun moveset and could get over, whether as a face or as a heel. JR recently wrote on his blog that the recent promo MVP cut on SD was the best of his career and that MVP could work wonders for himself if he stayed motivated.
I'll always remember the feud he had with Matt Hardy, which led to a tag title reign with Matt.
I'm always going to remember MVP as the last guy that Benoit really elevated through a feud. MVP became ten times the worker he was before, following his brief series of matches with Benoit. MVP improved his promos tenfold after his awesome, awesome, AWESOME feud with Matt Hardy. His promo with Miz is still one of the best dueling promo segments of the last few years. Overall, it was sad to see that the E just couldn't pull the trigger on him, for whatever ridiculous reason.
When you think that now SmackDown's minus MVP and Matt Hardy and Christian's still on the shelf for another while, that show's running woefully low on midcard faces. Kofi Kingston can only face so many guys and the solution won't be to hastily turn a guy like Rhodes, McIntyre, or Swagger just because they suddenly have nothing to do.
Kaval and JTG may end up getting elevated by default.
Originally posted by It's FalseI'm always going to remember MVP as the last guy that Benoit really elevated through a feud. (edited by It's False on 3.12.10 0018)
Nod. Benoit actually gave the Miz his first credible matches as well, but the way MVP got better during that feud was amazing. It's like he was a whole new wrestler.
I hated when he was introduced, with the whole contract nonsense. I liked him a lot when he just because a badass/jerk.
He never caught on with me as a face. He went from jerk to babykissing smiling guy waaay too fast (same as John Morrison) but it's true. When motivated he can deliver great promos and good matches.
I do hope he makes, even if it's TNA. And Lotjx - yes he would take away the spot from an underpushed TNA guy. But at least MVP would deserve it.
The lack of midcard faces might be a blessing for guys like Kofi who has seemed lost recently and maybe even Kaval.
Originally posted by lotjxI look forward to MVP going to TNA and then get bashed, because he is getting the push WWE refused to give him even though he deserved it.
He's 37 years old and has been visibly jobbed out by the biggest wrestling company in the world for the past eighteen months. Deserved push or not, TNA probably shouldn't be lookin to him as anything other than a midcard pickup, and even then they've got waaaay too many of those guys as it is.
Originally posted by lotjxI look forward to MVP going to TNA and then get bashed, because he is getting the push WWE refused to give him even though he deserved it.
He's 37 years old and has been visibly jobbed out by the biggest wrestling company in the world for the past eighteen months. Deserved push or not, TNA probably shouldn't be lookin to him as anything other than a midcard pickup, and even then they've got waaaay too many of those guys as it is.
You've been working at a place for around eight years or so. You've invested your time, accumulated a little bit of political capital. You're around 32 years old, and you've been with the company since their inception. You're respected by your peers regardless of what company you work for, well thought of, and generally thought of as being excellent. For eight years you strive to be The Man, but for some reason they don't trust you enough to build the company on your name. They continually false start your pushes and can job you out with poor story lines and feuds.
Meanwhile, someone who is 37 years of age gets released from a rival promotion. Like it or not, he wasn't exactly lighting the word on fire there. He gets brought into your company and gets pushed into the main event. Meanwhile you still toil about wondering what else it would take for you stay at the very top.
Take this scenario and multiply it a few times and welcome to the world of AJ Styles. Where you all you need is a bit of WWE/WCW (preferably both) exposure to immediately jump ahead of the curve.
- Ric Flair. - Kurt Angle. - Jeff Hardy. - Ken Anderson. - Rob Van Dam. - Mick Foley. - Tommy Dreamer. - The Dudleys. - Rhino.
Yub yub.
(edited by El Nastio on 3.12.10 0927) After a (very) long hiatus, I have begun to write again. And this time, I'm not alone!
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I actually thought the MVP/Mark Henry team had a lot of promise, as it gave those guys who were treading water something to do ... but then it goes back to how WWE utilizes tag teams ...
I always thought of MVP the way I thought of D-Lo Brown: he's a pudgy guy in awful ring attire who seems to have an internet following, but just never gets fully invested in what he's doing. He always struck me as kind of lazy, like he never really brings it. Plus I thought the sporty gimmick was boring (and does anyone really say "ballin" anymore? Did anyone EVER really say "ballin" in real life??). I won't miss him at all.
Originally posted by lotjxI look forward to MVP going to TNA and then get bashed, because he is getting the push WWE refused to give him even though he deserved it.
MVP is alright IMO. He's good, but not really great. TNA already has more then enough people that fall into that category on the roster who are being ignored. This to me would be like when they brought in Val Venus. They would be bringing him in for no other reason then he was in the WWE. There are plenty of examples where ex-WWE guys were a great addition to the TNA roster, The Pope and Mr. Anderson for example, but those guys have exceptional charisma and ability in the ring that is rare. If I were TNA I would pass on MVP just because they already have a roster that is way to big.
Let me make my points WITHOUT name calling...I'm not trying to be an ass....I just made the "Mark" comment to reinforce the point that to me, this "winning streak" thing at WrestleMania seems a bit childish.