EP. 14 - Mercedes Moné Breaks Down Reinventing After WWE, Japan Lessons & Goals in AEW

Before the bell rings, Mercedes Moné is already setting the bar high—lugging six championship belts through airports and plotting her next climb. Hosted by longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Houston rapper Dwayne Swayze, Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze pulls fans straight into pro‑wrestling’s inner circle. In this guest episode, Mercedes Moné lays out how she reinvented herself after WWE, why the AEW women’s locker room feels “hungry and underground,” and what drives her quest to add the AEW Women’s World Title to an already global collection. She recalls being the shy mixed‑race kid in Iowa who didn’t fit the “diva” mold, explains the thinking behind the name “Moné,” and breaks down the cultural shock of wrestling in Japan—all while trading stories with MVP about passion, persistence, and pushing the business forward. 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://bit.ly/4mnveyr & 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