Maven (wrestler)
| Maven Huffman | |
|---|---|
| File:Mavenhuffman.jpg | |
| Born | November 26, 1976 Chantilly, Virginia |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Maven |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Trained by | Al Snow Tazz |
| Debut | 2001 |
Maven Klint Huffman (born November 26, 1976, in Chantilly, Virginia) is a former middle school teacher and professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between 2001 and July 5, 2005.
Career
Maven was awarded a year's contract with the company after he won the first series of Tough Enough, a reality television show used to find new WWE stars, in 2001.
Maven eliminated the legendary Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble, sparking a feud between the two, leading to his Hardcore Title win over the Undertaker (with assistance from the Rock). From then on, he wrestled serving as a babyface.
In 2004, Maven experienced the biggest push in his career, even gaining a victory over then-Evolution member Batista. Maven then took part in a Survivor Series Elimination Match at Survivor Series 2004, teaming with Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, and Chris Jericho to face Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky, and Edge for the power to control RAW for one month. Prior to the match, Maven was attacked baskstage by Snitsky, but after Benoit was eliminated, Maven arrived to help his teammates, but wound up eliminated by Triple H. Orton was the sole survivor, therefore he and his team had control of RAW for one month.
Maven would be the first to control RAW, booking himself in a World Heavyweight Championship against Triple H, who tried to get out of it by offering Maven a place in Evolution. He declined, but despite interference from Jericho, Benoit, and Orton, Triple H retained the title due to interference from Snitsky.
Maven turned heel two weeks later by turning on Eugene, assaulting him as revenge for his elimination in a Battle Royal on RAW.
Maven then feuded with then- first time, WWE Intercontinental Champion and then babyface, Shelton Benjamin, culminating at New Year's Revolution 2005 in a singles match for the championship. Maven did not come out on top and did a worked interview out-of-the-ring, blasting the Puerto Rican crowd, who booed Maven profusely. Getting back in the ring, Benjamin defeated him once again in just a matter of seconds, using his finishing maneuver the T-bone suplex.
During this time, he entered an unofficial alliance with Simon Dean, serving as a successful user of the Simon Dean character's "Simon System" line of nutritional products. The team was split when Dean was traded to SmackDown!, and Maven was subsequently released by WWE on July 5, 2005. The WWE cited decreased revenue and a lack of enthusiasm with respect to Maven's in-ring ability as the cause of his release.
A few months after his release from the WWE, it was announced by VH1 that Maven would be a participant in Season Six of The Surreal Life. On the first episode, he was picked by the existing castmates as the seventh and final cast member in a "15 More Minutes of Fame Reality Hunk Pageant," beating four other reality hunks, including infamous American Idol contestant Corey Clark.
Maven made several appearances for various TNA Wrestling house shows in 2006. Maven was also backstage at the July 31st 2006 tapings of Smackdown and Raw, leading some to believe he may be in talks with the WWE for a return.
Maven is a host for a show on BET Jazz.
Finishing and signature moves
- Halo DDT (Top-rope flying bulldog / DDT)
- The M-Plosion
- Missile dropkick
- Signature standing dropkick
- Top-Rope Flying Crossbody
Championships and accomplishments
- WWE Tough Enough winner (Season one)
- 3-Time WWE Hardcore Champion
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Rookie of the Year Award (2002)
Job titles
- General Manager of RAW (November 15, 2004)
Trivia
- Maven graduated from Eastern Mennonite University of Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1998.
- Maven was born to a black father and a white mother.
- He has a tattoo on his upper side back.
- The band Big Mother Thruster did his theme song. It featured the guest vocals of Cage Von Dozier. The song was recorded in just 2 hours for the cost of $700.
- His theme song is titled "Around The Stars" by Hoshal.
- "Memory" by Mercy Drive is a song base off of the instrumental of Maven's theme
- Despite sharing the same surname, he is no relation to fellow wrestlers Booker Huffman (Booker T) and Lane Huffman (Stevie Ray).