Former WWE and IMPACT Wrestling star MVP has said how a meeting with a correctional officer led to his career inside the squared circle.

MVP, real name Hassan Assad, debuted in WWE in 2006, and held the United States and WWE Tag Team titles before his departure. 

Speaking to VICE, Assad spoke about his criminal past, and how a correctional officer who also competed as an indie star got him into wrestling.

He said: "He used to bring in videotapes for us to watch in the morning before they'd release us to go to work. Pay-per-views or he'd bring in tapes of local indie shows that he was on."

When Assad asked about wrestling, the officer told him that there was a future ahead of him when he got out. 

"He said, “I see you out there playing basketball. You're pretty athletic. I want to start my own independent promotion soon and if you're still interested when you get out look me up and I'll teach you," Assad told VICE.

Under the MVP moniker, Assad became a huge star in WWE, before taking his talents to IMPACT Wrestling and NJPW.