Hey guys sorry if this is a n00b question but I've been trying to search for an answer for a few days now to no avail.

Problem: I've downloaded the ninja mesh that is hosted here (https://www.3dfiggins.com/scrap/rig3.rar) and can't seem to texture the darn thing. I've tried simply isolating a single portion of the mesh (right side of head)... deleting all UV's and history... and then planar mapping it. The UV looks adequate for now, but when I assign a blinn(or anything) and assign a checkered texture it just turns white. I thought this might be because it was stretched or something therefore showing just a single box portion... nope the UV looks fine and it overlaps MANY squares

I've tried remapping it multiple ways, but I feel like I'm missing something EXTREMELY MUNDANE. I've selected the mesh and chosen "6" for textures in viewport, with no change. I've rendered with software, hardware, and ray... with no changes

Please help, any words of advice would be awesome! THANK YOU!

Again, the planar map was just for simplicity. I've since tried every type possible lol... no results