MVP breaks down the six rules of being a wrestling heel and explains why a real heel should be believable, disliked, and focused on getting heat instead of cheers. He digs into lessons from Arn Anderson and William Regal, the Ric Flair model of cowardly heel psychology, and why Finlay, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Dirty Dom show what happens when the audience decides how a character is received.

The conversation shifts to the culture MVP entered as Antonio Banks, including Michael Hayes telling him that “business gets done at the bar,” the pressure to fit into wrestling’s old-school road lifestyle, and why MVP believes the wellness program ultimately saved lives. Then comes one of the episode’s funniest stories: Cuban Assassin Fidel Sierra suggesting that Banks capitalize on The Rock’s popularity by becoming “The Stone.”

The final stretch goes completely off the rails as MVP reveals his new Kali Uchis crush, talks about sliding into Chelsea Handler’s DMs, and debates phone numbers versus Instagram. Before wrapping, MVP and Dwayne confirm they would be babyfaces in their eventual tag match, and MVP tells Dwayne it is almost time for his first official in-ring training session.

About Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze:

Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze is a weekly pro wrestling podcast where longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), a former WWE United States Champion and current AEW star and manager of The Hurt Syndicate, and Dwayne Swayze, a Houston based rapper, songwriter, and recording artist, get into the world of professional wrestling. Every week MVP and Dwayne break down wrestling history, promos, match psychology, road stories, and the business behind the spectacle, with the occasional guest joining the conversation.

New episodes every week. Audio drops at midnight ET Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available, and the full video premieres Monday at 1 PM ET on YouTube. Subscribe for real talk, real stories, and a fresh perspective on professional wrestling.

MVP breaks down his philosophy that life comes in three 25-year periods, with overtime if you are fortunate enough to get it. Now approaching 53, he reflects on mortality, past choices, spending meaningful time with his son, and why appreciating the moments matters more than ever.

The conversation moves through Bad Brains’ 50th anniversary, Fishbone, Living Colour, and the music that shaped MVP as a teenager. He shares what it meant to be welcomed like family by musicians he grew up admiring and how hearing Fish Fisher recognize MVP’s own legacy as a trailblazer put that journey into perspective.

Then MVP tells one of the wildest stories he witnessed on the WWE road, involving two unnamed multi-time WWE Champions and an unforgettable Earl Grey incident. Dwayne also takes MVP back through TNA’s history, Jeff Jarrett’s “thousand what-ifs,” and MVP’s biggest question of all: what might have happened if Spike had bought Impact?

About Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze:

Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze is a weekly pro wrestling podcast where longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), a former WWE United States Champion and current AEW star and manager of The Hurt Syndicate, and Dwayne Swayze, a Houston based rapper, songwriter, and recording artist, get into the world of professional wrestling. Every week MVP and Dwayne break down wrestling history, promos, match psychology, road stories, and the business behind the spectacle, with the occasional guest joining the conversation.

New episodes every week. Audio drops at midnight ET Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available, and the full video premieres Monday at 1 PM ET on YouTube. Subscribe for real talk, real stories, and a fresh perspective on professional wrestling.

MVP reveals the full story behind his John Laurinaitis fallout, the breaking point that ended his first WWE run, and the path that led him to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze is the weekly pro wrestling conversation between longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), a former WWE United States Champion and current AEW star and manager of The Hurt Syndicate, and Houston based rapper, songwriter, and recording artist Dwayne Swayze.

MVP traces the conflict back to WWE politics, a missed Denver live event, and a tense Calgary hotel-bar exchange where John Laurinaitis told him he should have hired a private jet. The argument escalated until Kevin Dunn stepped in.

Laurinaitis later apologized and acknowledged MVP's frustration, but MVP chose his release over a new five-year WWE contract and rebuilt his love for wrestling in Japan. He also explains how Laurinaitis helped him retain ownership of the MVP name.

The episode closes on Dwayne's music, played back to back. "If This Is Goodbye" is the reflective, jazz-tinged record where Dwayne weighs walking away from music entirely, and features his mother reciting an original poem on camera. "Fly Away" is the answer to that question, a jazzy hip-hop record shot during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas and directed by Ryne Williams, where the doubt gives way to purpose. Heard together, the two videos play like a single conversation about legacy, family, and why the pen stays in his hand.

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About Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze:

Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze is a weekly pro wrestling podcast where longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), a former WWE United States Champion and current AEW star and manager of The Hurt Syndicate, and Dwayne Swayze, a Houston based rapper, songwriter, and recording artist, get into the world of professional wrestling. Every week MVP and Dwayne break down wrestling history, promos, match psychology, road stories, and the business behind the spectacle, with the occasional guest joining the conversation.

New episodes every week. Audio drops at midnight ET Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available, and the full video premieres Monday at 1 PM ET on YouTube. Subscribe for real talk, real stories, and a fresh perspective on professional wrestling.