AEW in South Florida: Talking AEW, The U, cake, more with Tony Khan and Miami’s MVP
All Elite Wrestling founder, co-owner, president, CEO, executive producer and head booker Tony Khan speaks very highly of MVP, who was born and raised in Miami.
Khan said: “MVP has an outstanding pro wrestling mind. He’s come in and become a top voice in AEW.”
MVP is the vocal representative of The Hurt Syndicate, a top faction which also features two more top talents Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin.
Khan added: “The Hurt Syndiate has held the world tag team championship. Bobby Lashley is still undefeated and unpinned...He’s an outstanding, outstanding star. Shelton Benjamin has come into AEW and been one of the top athletes, and he’s somebody, in my opinion, not only turned back the clock but established himself as one of the premiere bell-to-bell pro wrestlers to this day, after decades in this sport.
“MVP has also stepped into the ring for us, wrestling, which has been great. We’ve seen firsthand, having such a great group in AEW, I know that, for me, MVP has got to be up there with some of the smartest people, some of the best minds [in the business]. He’s had a great career in the ring as a wrestler. He has great experience, which helps him as one of the top coaches and managers and experts in pro wrestling today.
“He’s got a very inspirational story outside of the ring, and that only enhances his knowledge and legacy, and I love working with MVP. I think he’s tremendous and a great representative of South Florida — the kind of great person we want in AEW.”
In WWE along with Cedric Alexander, they were collectively known as The Hurt Business.
MVP, 51, who has been in the pro wrestling business since 1999, means business. He has competed on the biggest stages as a pro wrestler and later as a manager and also spokesperson. He occasionally wrestles, but his main focus these days — in front of the camera — is grabbing a mic.
Behind the scenes, he is creating, utilizing that mind from his vast years of experience, which he will do for the historic “AEW Dynamite” sixth anniversary show (via TBS and HBO Max) near his hometown at the Seminole Hard Hotel & Casino close to (South Florida) Hollywood on Wednesday.
MVP, a University of Miami football fan, is planning to take that creativity one step further. He revealed his interest in an ownership stake in the South Florida-based Coastal Championship Wrestling, a 21-year-old independent pro wrestling company where he has wrestled throughout his pro wrestling journey. CCW is the longest running indie pro wrestling group in Florida and one of the longest running in North America. They’ve grown, conducting several shows a month throughout the Sunshine State and in Nashville, Tennessee.
Here is my video interview with Miami’s MVP as we discuss CCW, AEW, Tony Khan, AEW Dynamite’s sixth anniversary show in MVP’s backyard, The Hurt Syndicate, Dressing Professionally, Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander, The U, Cake and more.
MVP has wrestled the world, whether it be for AEW, WWE, TNA Wrestling, New-Japan Pro wrestling and the indies, including Florida’s Full Impact Pro, Futrue of Wrestling and Coastal Championship Wrestling, where he wrestled during his younger days as Antonio Banks and later as MVP.
Remembering where he came from, MVP gives back to pro wrestling by conducting seminars for new and up-n-coming talent in Pompano Beach-based CCW. He even wrestles on CCW anniversary shows, like in March for the company’s 21st anniversary event in Port St. Lucie, before a packed crowd. He wrestled with fellow WWE alum Gangrel. Your referee WCW alum Randy “Red Shoes” Eller.
Speaking of anniversary shows, the boss Tony Khan is very excited about “AEW Dynamite” on Oct. 1 from Hard Rock Live in South Florida. That night AEW is celebrating the sixth anniversary of its weekly episodic TV show “AEW Dynamite,” which can be seen live on TBS and HBO Max..
Here is my audio interview with AEW’s Tony Khan about the sixth anniversary “AEW Dynamite” show in South Florida, MVP, The Hurt Syndicate, AEW alum Dan Lambert of American Top Team, The University of Miami football team, Diamante, Red Velvet, wrestling artist Lee Moriarty, Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, The Young Bucks at casinos and more.
More about MVP
MVP’s story is inspiring. Born in Liberty City and raised in Opa-locka, he was jailed as a teenager for 9 1/2 years. Through a correction’s officer at the prison, MVP turned his life around. The office was an indie pro wrestler known as PrimeTime Daryl D. They discussed pro wrestling multiple times. When MVP was released from jail, he began training to become a pro wrestler with “Soulman” Alex G and WCW alum Norman Smiley. CCW founders Bruno Sassi and Dan Evans along with “Blackhart” Dave Johnson also greatly helped in his journey.
MVP enjoys these South Florida homecomings, and he is looking forward to the “AEW Dynamite” sixth anniversary show in his backyard on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Note: With the casino type storyline involving The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson), will they be outside the doors of Hard Rock Live and inside the adjoining casino, before, during or after the sixth anniversary of “AEW Dynamite”?
Note: With this being the sixth anniversary of “AEW Dynamite,” the weekly episodic TV series on TBS and HBO Max, will there be cake and whose face will eventually be wearing it?
Note: MVP isn’t the only pro wrestler from Miami on the AEW roster. Diamante and an injured Red Velvet are part of Ring of Honor, which is under the AEW banner.
‘AEW Dynamite’ at Hard Rock Live
Matches include: The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia and Claudio Castagnoli) vs. AEW Champ “Hangman” Adam Page, Powerhouse Hobbs and Samoa Joe.
TNT Champ Kyle Fletcher vs. Orange Cassidy.
AEW Women’s Champ Kris Statlander and Darby Allin vs. Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta of The Death Riders in a mixed Texas Tornado match.
“Timeless” Toni Storm returns to Hollywood (South Florida’s version).
Kenny Omega and AEW tag team champs Brodido (Brody and King Bandido) vs. Josh Alexander and The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson).
Plus Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus and Jack Perry) back together? and more.
“AEW Dynamite” tickets for the sixth anniversary show can be purcahsed through here:
https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-event/aew-dynamite-hollywood
For information on AEW, click here:
https://www.allelitewrestling.com/
