EP. 5 – Locker Room Heat, Spot Calling, & The Myth of The Push

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 breaks down locker room heat—what it is, how to avoid it, and why disrespect can make life on the road miserable. He shares stories of The Miz being kicked out of the locker room by Chris Benoit, Muhammad Hassan’s infamous clash with Eddie Guerrero, and Boogeyman’s unforgettable worm incident. MVP also recaps WrestleMania week in Las Vegas, from Slamfest and WrestleCon to a midnight Fourth Rope Wrestling show that kept fans going until 4:30 AM. He reflects on the energy of the fans and the culture of Mania week beyond WWE’s main event. The conversation shifts to calling matches on the fly, with MVP explaining the importance of trust in the ring. He shares a tense moment with Teddy Hart, where safety took priority over risky showmanship, and explains why he always puts professionalism first—especially when working with someone new. MVP also tackles the mythical "push," revealing how management, not the crowd, often picks who gets the spotlight. He discusses how Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston forced WWE’s hand by getting over with the fans and gives indie wrestlers a reality check on understanding their value—emphasizing that if you’re not drawing crowds or selling merch, the business will pass you by. Throughout the episode, MVP contrasts the old-school locker room culture with today’s more corporate environment, all while highlighting the timeless art of storytelling in the ring. 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