EP. 34 – Montel Vontavious Porter Explains Ref Counts, On-The-Fly Calls, and The Finish

Hosted by longtime friends Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Houston-based rapper & songwriter Dwayne Swayze, Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze takes you inside the world of professional wrestling like never before. In this episode, MVP explains why the finish is the most important part of a match, shares stories with Chavo Guerrero and Matt Hardy about deciding the winner in the ring, and breaks down calling matches on the fly and adapting to live TV time cues, all with raw, unfiltered insight from one of the most respected veterans in the business.MVP and Dwayne open with New Year talk, separating goals from short-lived resolutions and reflecting on how gyms see the annual rush fade fast.Dwayne outlines a 2026 plan to return to monthly releases. The duo shout out their music ties, from the show’s intro collab to the outro featuring Smoke DZA, and thank supporters for the show’s growth.The heart of the episode is the craft: protecting the finish, trusting the referee to count three, listening to the crowd, and having the confidence to change direction mid-match. MVP recounts a Dallas bout with Chavo Guerrero and a main event with Matt Hardy where both finishes were chosen in real time without heat from their companies.They close with a reminder for younger talent: learn to work live, adapt to time changes, and above all, do not mess up the finish. Like, comment, subscribe, and share. Thank you to all subscribers and Patreon supporters.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 🔥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/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy