EP. 1 – Life on the Road, Promos, & the Truth Behind 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 premiere episode, MVP pulls back the curtain on life as a full-time wrestler, revealing the brutal reality of spending over 270 days a year on the road. From catching red-eyes after live events to missing family milestones, he explains how the grind shaped his personal and professional life.

MVP breaks down how the business has changed, including WWE’s pivot from live events to streaming, and how that shift impacts younger talent trying to sharpen their skills. He shares how working match after match on the road used to be critical for building chemistry, learning improvisation, and perfecting in-ring timing.

The episode dives deep into the art of calling matches, building trust with your opponent, and knowing when to adjust based on crowd energy. MVP explains why younger wrestlers struggle without real-world reps and why listening to the crowd can be more powerful than any planned sequence.

When it comes to promos, MVP discusses how passion and presence trump memorized lines. He explains how WWE’s word-for-word scripts kill authenticity and how AEW’s creative freedom allows talent to shine. He tells the story of receiving a three-page promo rewrite just ten minutes before a live RAW, and how quick thinking kept the segment from falling apart.

From his early days as Antonio Banks to becoming the inaugural IWGP Intercontinental Champion, MVP shares personal stories, road wisdom, and how one self-produced promo landed him a WWE contract—all with raw, unfiltered insight from one of wrestling’s most respected veterans.

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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.

This episode is a must-listen for wrestling fans who want to go beyond WWE and AEW’s scripted world and hear firsthand from one of the industry’s most respected veterans.

Don’t just watch—subscribe and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Monday on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Want more? Join us on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/TheMarkingOutShow

About Marking Out with MVP and Dwayne Swayze:

Marking Out is a weekly wrestling podcast hosted by longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP)—a professional wrestling veteran with over 20 years in the business—and Dwayne Swayze, a 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. Subscribe for real talk, real stories, and a fresh perspective on the world of professional wrestling.