WWE.com follows MVP
Dec. 17, 2006

WWE.com followed MVP as he prepared for his Inferno Match with Kane. Below is what the SmackDown newcomer did prior to the event that saw him catch on fire.

7:58 p.m.
Moments before he entered the heat and lethal flames of the Inferno Match, a focused - and tense - MVP left the locker room area and headed to the ring towards his fiery future. Despite the 8-foot flames and the Big Red Monster awaiting him, MVP still had his signature swagger on his way out into the arena.

6:35 p.m.

He had yet to change into his in-ring gear, but MVP began stretching and doing Hindu squats. "I normally do about 200 before matches," he said. While his MP3 player blasted in his ears, he proceeded to do numerous stretches and breathing exercises.

5:15 p.m.

After he talked about the match with Justin, MVP sat in the stairway in deep thought. At first, he didn't answer when WWE.com asked what he was thinking about. Then with a wry smile he said, "How I'm going to celebrate after my victory."

4:46 p.m.

MVP did not step foot inside the arena all day. This was the closest had gotten to seeing the set and the ring. He said he's superstitious, but something in the way he was acting said it could be from nerves. He still had that franchise smile and cocky look that said "I'm better than you, and I know it." But there was definitely something missing from MVP's swagger.

4:19 p.m.

Justin, MVP's younger brother, knocked at the door. MVP hopped out of his booth and opened the door. They hugged and slapped five. "He's here for support," said MVP. Justin, drove nine hours from Atlanta to watch his brother compete. It was his first time at a WWE show, and he was feeling anxious for his brother's well-being.

4:02 p.m.
MVP paced around for a few moments, breathing heavily and clearing his throat numerous times. He took a seat, and slumped into the corner booth and said "focus" aloud, not really saying it to anyone in particular.

3:47 p.m.

MVP opted to stay out of the locker room and found more secluded quarters. He asked the waitresses that were setting up for 6:45 p.m. dinner to lock the doors and let no one else in.

2:34 p.m.
MVP walked around the arena looking for a spot to settle into so he could focus. He was very apprehensive when walking through doorways. He looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear. He said he thought the Richmond Coliseum was "a confusing arena to navigate." It was, but it's probably even more confusing to navigate when trying to avoid someone or something.

1:50 p.m.

It was as if MVP forgot that WWE.com cameras were there at this point. Every minute that passes was another minute closer to the Inferno Match with Kane. The idea of getting burned was on the forefront of his mind.

Noon
When MVP got to the arena, he said he was "simply too busy" to meet up this morning. It's true that the biggest match of his WWE career will take place in less than eight hours, but his words seemed to be hidden behind nervous arrogance, instead of his normal, cocky, matter of fact delivery.

9 - 10:30 a.m.
MVP was supposed to meet WWE.com early this morning so we could begin to shadow him before Armageddon. The 9 a.m. time we agreed on came and went. He was nowhere to be found.

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