JBL, Regal, MVP News

News

After the Undertaker’s injury, JBL tried to get WWE to let him return to action. Vince McMahon nixed the idea and said he would need to see a full medical release. The real reason is thought to be that the company sees JBL as being far more valuable at the announce table, with many feeling he makes Michael Cole a lot better.

Also, William Regal has been pressing for another singles run. Triple H supports the idea and he may wind up getting moved to Raw soon.

Montel Vontavious Porter has been making a very good impression backstage, consulting with agents and veterans and watching lots of tapes to improve his work. He has become something of a protege for Chris Benoit, who is now 40 years of age and wants to try to build someone for the future before he retires. WWE readily acknowledges that MVP needs a change of outfit. It was originally given to him to conceal his gut and now he has a better physique. In an interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal, MVP, real name Antonio Banks, said he got his character’s idea whilst working as a bouncer at a strip club. He saw various star athletes there acting like jerks and thought it would work great for a heel wrestler. Banks, having grown up around gangs, served 9 1/2 years for armed robbery and kidnapping. Whilst in prison a corrections officer, a former indie wrestler named Darryl Davis, brought him tapes of Japanese wrestling shows and offered to train him if he got out and went straight.

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 14th May 2007 (click here for subscription information)