Former WWE star MVP says he won a backstage bet that he could build a strong TV feud with Apollo Crews. He told the story on the podcast “Marking Out.”
The bet behind the feud
MVP said the idea for the program started with a challenge. He was working as a producer in WWE during the pandemic, and he noticed Apollo Crews had talent and a good personality. MVP thought Crews could be more than what some others saw.
He says a former WWE producer disagreed. MVP challenged him and made a simple bet: give him Apollo Crews and he would turn him into a meaningful TV character. “I bet you a steak dinner. Give me Apollo Crews, I bet I get something out of him,” MVP said on “Marking Out.”
How they built the feud
MVP said he told Crews the truth about the conversation and worked with him on how to perform. He pushed Crews to make his aggression in the ring more obvious and more visceral. That way the audience and TV producers could clearly see what he was doing.
MVP praised Crews for listening and for being willing to change. The veteran said those small changes helped the storyline connect with fans and gave Crews a stronger on-screen identity.
The result — and the steak dinner
According to MVP, the feud worked. He said the program gained traction with the WWE audience and helped showcase Crews’ skills. In the end, MVP said the man who doubted him bought the steak dinner. MVP joked he picked an especially expensive steak to celebrate the win.
On the podcast, MVP spoke about spotting talent and helping younger stars grow. He framed the story as an example of how a short talk and a few changes in style can make a big difference on TV.
What it meant for Apollo Crews
MVP said Crews was “kind of floundering” before they worked together. He called Crews talented with a strong look and a good personality. MVP believes a clearer in-ring style helped Crews show his strengths to a wider audience.
This story highlights how backstage coaching and small adjustments can change a wrestler’s career. MVP used his experience to push a younger performer forward. He told the tale as a mix of pride, humor, and a little friendly gambling.
Quotes in this article are credited to “Marking Out.”
