MVP’s original WWE entrance gear became one of the most recognizable looks of his career, but he was not exactly sold on it the first time he saw it.
While speaking on Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze, MVP told the story behind the bodysuit, headband and athletic presentation that helped define his early WWE character. According to MVP, the idea started while he was still in developmental, when he envisioned a look based around the kind of performance gear worn by serious athletes.
MVP explained that he wanted his character to come across as a top-level sports star, with his original gear concept influenced by Nike Dri-FIT and Under Armour clothing.
“The body suit was based on the concept of Nike Dri-FIT and Under Armour. So, that was my idea for that.”
Once WWE began preparing for his main roster arrival, MVP said the company’s art department created a design that fit what he had in mind. The concept art gave him the impression that his on-screen gear would have a sleek, futuristic look.
“The art department drew this really cool body suit. It looked like Tron. It looked really cool.”
Things changed when it was finally time for MVP to receive the outfit he would actually wear for his pay-per-view debut. After weeks of buildup ahead of his first match, MVP went to collect the bodysuit and immediately realized it was not what he expected.
“When I made my debut, I showed up and it was like WrestleMania. I’m debuting on pay-per-view. I had these weeks of build-up. I got to go to the seamstress to get my body suit that was designed by the art department, and she hands me this figure skating outfit.”
Instead of immediately complaining, MVP believed WWE might have been testing him with a backstage rib. He said the gear looked so different from the design he had already seen that he assumed another outfit would be revealed before showtime.
“I’m like, ‘This is not what the art department drew. This is not the design.’ But I don’t say anything because I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re ribbing me.’”
MVP said the situation became even more uncomfortable after other WWE stars reacted to seeing him in the outfit, only further convincing him that he was being set up for a joke. As the pay-per-view approached and no replacement gear appeared, MVP finally asked John Laurinaitis when he would receive his real outfit.
That was when he learned there was no rib at all.
“I said, ‘Like my real outfit.’ He’s like, ‘No, kid. There’s no rib. That’s it.’ I said, ‘No, come on, Johnny. You’re kidding me. This is really my outfit?’”
MVP still was not convinced the bodysuit fit the high-performance athlete presentation he envisioned, so the issue eventually made its way to Vince McMahon. Rather than approving a change, McMahon believed MVP’s personality would be enough to make the look work on television.
“I walk up to Vince, and Vince looks at me and he goes, ‘Your ego’s going to get that over. I love it.’”
That initial disappointment did not stop MVP from making the presentation his own. As his WWE run progressed, he began designing newer versions of the bodysuit that better matched his athletic character. The gloves and nasal strip that became staples of his look were later added after he liked how they appeared during a football-themed backstage segment.
What do you think about MVP believing his original WWE bodysuit was a rib before learning Vince McMahon loved the look? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments below.
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