Beginning on the August 29 episode of "SmackDown", MVP developed a losing streak that lasted over five months, losing in both singles and tag team matches. At Unforgiven, he challenged for the WWE Championship in the Championship Scramble match, but was unsuccessful, continuing his losing streak. The losing streak meant that, in storyline, MVP did not receive "his contract incentive bonus", and also was no longer allowed his usual entrance with the NFL-like inflatable tunnel. During this losing streak he had a short feud with The Great Khali. On the January 16, 2009 episode of "SmackDown", MVP finally broke the losing streak by defeating Big Show in a Last Man Standing match with help from Triple H, as he was fighting to ensure that Triple H would be allowed to compete in the Royal Rumble match, in the process turning him face. On the 500th episode of "SmackDown" on March 20, MVP won the United States Championship for the second time by defeating Shelton Benjamin. At WrestleMania 25, MVP competed in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the second year in a row, but failed to win.