Before becoming Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), the leader of AEW’s Hart Syndicate and a former WWE star, he was Hassan Hamid Assad, growing up in Miami, Florida during the early 1980s. MVP has openly shared about his challenging youth, including a stint in prison as a teenager for an armed robbery at a cruise ship casino, an experience that ultimately introduced him to professional wrestling.
MVP discussed his upbringing during Miami’s notorious “Cocaine Cowboys” era on the podcast “MVP and Dwayne Swayze Markout.” When prompted to share a story about his brother, who sold cocaine as kids, MVP simply described his life as “a movie.” He explained that in early 1980s Miami, cocaine was everywhere—falling from the sky and washing up on beaches. His father, a police officer, would bring friends over on weekends who would use drugs openly at home. MVP recalled hearing the term “cocaine cowboy” from his mother referring to men loitering around payphones in apartment complexes and said he frequently found small drug bags, understanding the drug culture as Miami Vice was his favorite show.
MVP shared a memory of finding a cocaine bag as a child and taking it to a man living in an apartment complex, who paid him a few dollars. He was just 8 or 9 years old at the time, in elementary school, and quickly realized selling drugs to adults could earn him money. He also spoke about how crack cocaine devastated his community, with “dope walks” where dealers would sell drugs to kids near schools. MVP even described younger kids mimicking the drug trade as part of growing up in that environment.
Additionally, MVP revealed ongoing discussions with Dave Bautista and his production company about turning his extraordinary life story into a movie, acknowledging it wouldn’t be suitable for a PG rating. Their conversations started in October of this year.
Fan Take: This candid glimpse into MVP’s gritty past highlights the resilience and complexity behind one of AEW’s standout stars. It not only adds depth to his character but also brings a powerful real-life narrative to wrestling, potentially inspiring authentic storytelling that resonates deeply with fans and elevates the sport’s cultural relevance.
