EP. 2 – Gimmicks, Injuries, & Owning Your Name in WWE

Hosted by longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Houston-based rapper & songwriter Dwayne Swayze, Marking Out takes you inside the world of professional wrestling like never before. In this episode, MVP reveals how he fought to create and protect the MVP character—from pitching it to WWE brass in a high-stakes 30-second meeting with John Laurinaitis, to delivering a full treatment of storylines that caught Vince McMahon’s attention. He explains how that bold move turned into a contract, and how rare it is for talent to maintain ownership of their name in an industry built on creative control. MVP takes us behind the scenes of his WWE debut, where a last-minute gear switch left him wearing a “figure skater outfit” instead of his original Under Armour-inspired vision. With help from Batista, Vince’s unexpected reaction, and a little ego, he turned that moment into a signature style—but not without a personal vendetta against the seamstress who derailed his debut look. The episode digs deep into what happens when wrestlers are hurt but still expected to perform. MVP shares how he worked through a double meniscus tear for nine months before getting surgery—relying on sheer willpower, cortisone, and a cane that became part of his iconic look. He opens up about WWE’s wellness program, cannabis fines, and how his private training routines in Houston kept him match-ready for tours in Japan. From wild workouts with Dwayne Swayze to cultural differences between WWE, AEW, and New Japan, this episode covers what it really takes to survive the grind—and still look sharp doing it. All with raw, unfiltered insight from one of the most respected veterans in the business. 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