EP. 24 – Montel Vontavious Porter on AEW Backstage Heat Rumors, Japan Adventures & Ring Psychology

After a whirlwind week in Japan with his family, Montel Vontavious Porter isn’t slowing down. Hosted by longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Houston-based rapper Dwayne Swayze, Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze takes you inside professional wrestling like never before — all with raw, unfiltered insight from one of the most respected veterans in the business. MVP opens the episode recounting his Japan adventure – from samurai armor to bullet trains – and how the trip broadened his family’s horizons. He then tackles a headline-making rumor that he had “backstage heat” in AEW for refusing to lose to a younger talent at All In Texas, and that he had a personal issue with “Speedball” Mike Bailey. MVP sets the record straight, calling it pure “BS” and blasting the “dirt sheets” for spreading such gossip. He urges fans to trust their own eyes and reminds young wrestlers that a crowd’s reaction is the real five-star rating – not some blogger’s review. Turning to ring psychology, MVP explains when it’s appropriate to brawl outside and why not every match needs high-flying chaos. If every bout has the same stunts, he warns, nothing feels special. Using old-school “smoke and mirrors” tricks, he emphasizes building each show toward a big main event payoff. MVP also shares his no-nonsense approach to mentoring talent – giving blunt feedback about cutting needless false finishes and only doing moves you execute flawlessly. His motto: don’t do it if it’s just good, do it only if it’s great. Finally, MVP addresses whether he’ll ever tell his life story in a book or movie. He’s even discussed a possible film with friend Dave Bautista, given his journey from prison to champion. Nothing is official yet, but he certainly isn’t ruling it out. Get early access, exclusive behind-the-scenes, and bonus content you won’t find anywhere else. Unlock the real story behind the squared circle—join our Patreon now → https://www.patreon.com/TheMarkingOutShow 🔥 Enjoying the show? Houston rapper & songwriter Dwayne Swayze brings the same storytelling precision to his music. Experience his latest tracks on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CFDVhx & Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dwayne-swayze/1368365090. Follow for exclusive updates. About Marking Out with MVP and Dwayne Swayze: Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze is a weekly wrestling podcast hosted by longtime friends MVP, a professional wrestling veteran with over 20 years in the business, and Dwayne Swayze, a Houston-based rapper with a deep love for the sport. Every Monday, MVP pulls back the curtain on pro wrestling, breaking down its history, behind-the-scenes moments, and the psychology that makes it all work. With firsthand experience in the ring, he shares unfiltered insight, legendary road stories, and deep dives into promos, match strategy, and the business behind the spectacle. No topic is off limits. New episodes release every Monday. Audio drops at midnight CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available. The full video show premieres at noon CT on YouTube. Subscribe for real talk, real stories, and a fresh perspective on the world of professional wrestling. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/marking-out-with-mvp-and-dwayne-swayze/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy