In WWE and NJPW, MVP was wrestling’s example of Black excellence

It looks like MVP is sticking around for a while. So, now is as good of a time as any talk about his impact in wrestling.

Montel Vontavious Porter, better known as MVP, returned to WWE last month as entrant no. 12 in the 2020 Royal Rumble match. Many new fans may not have guessed it given his quick exit, but “The Franchise Playa” was pretty influential during his initial run with the company and brief stint with New Japan.

When MVP debuted on SmackDown in 2006, he played the role of an arrogant free agent Teddy Long wanted to sign to the brand. His character was ahead of its time because he brought the look and swagger of a real athlete to sports entertainment. Even more, he brought a new level of representation for Black men to wrestling.

Many African American professional athletes, particularly football players, notably pattern themselves after pro wrestlers. MVP flipped that trend on its head by portraying a character who closely resembled a top prospect at the time. He also paved the way for what The New Day does today with his references to pop and hip hop culture.

Porter made his in-ring debut with WWE at No Mercy 2006 before going on to feud with Kane and Chris Benoit. Although he lost to Benoit at WrestleMania 23, he ultimately defeated him in a Two out of Three Falls Match at Judgement Day to become the United States Champion. His first WWE singles title win is what put him on the map.

As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say MVP was one of the most well-known United States Champions. He held the title 343 days, which was the longest consecutive reign with the belt in WWE history and the third-longest since it was established.

However, Dean Ambrose eventually set a new record in 2014. Porter won the title a second time in 2009, giving him a cumulative tenure of 419 days.

During his first reign, he took part in a memorable program with Matt Hardy, which sparked a competitive rivalry. They later became reluctant friends after they won the tag titles on an episode of SmackDown on Aug. 27, 2007, making Porter a double champion.

Their partnership was rocky but amicable until MVP turned on Hardy following their loss to The Miz and John Morrison. This led to his return at WrestleMania 24 where he cost MVP the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and a match at Backlash, where “Mr. 305” lost the US title to Hardy.

Although he had a few more solid feuds with WWE before his release in December of 2010, he never really made it out of the midcard scene.

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In 2011, MVP made history again during his run with New Japan. That summer, he entered a tournament to crown the inaugural IWGP Intercontinental Champion. “The Franchise Playa” defeated the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, and finally, Toru Yano to become the first IWGP Intercontinental Champion. To date, he is the only Black wrestler who as ever won the title.

Porter held the title for 148 days and successfully defended it against Yano before he lost it to Masato Tanaka at Destruction 2011. In January of 2012, he and another familiar face from WWE, Shelton Benjamin, teamed up to defeat Tanaka and Yujiro Takahashi at Wrestle Kingdom VI.

Later that year, he competed in the G1 Climax for a second time and he and Benjamin formed “Black Dynamite ” to enter the 2012 World Tag League.

With all things considered, Montel Vontavious Porter has quietly had an iconic career. He enjoyed two historic title reigns and paved the way for more nuanced representation for Black wrestlers. MVP is a true pioneer and it’s great to see he is still involved in wrestling both backstage and in the ring.