Arda Ocal & Jimmy Korderas of R.A.W radio recently spoke with former WWE Superstar MVP. Highlights:
Thoughts on New Japan Pro Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling’s weekend of wrestling events in the Northwest (Philly, New York and New Jersey)
Why did MVP decide to leave the WWE – and head over to Japan to wrestle?
What made you finally come out – and decide to publicly speak about your WWE departure?
"I didn’t think I had to come out right away to talk about it. I just needed a break. A full break from wrestling. I was on the road for 5 years. And when John (Laurinaitis) finally called and told me the WWE granted my release, it felt like a huge burden begin lifted off my shoulders. I took a deep breath and just decompressed. It was always a dream for me to wrestle in Japan."
What do you say, when people ask you about returning to the WWE?
"Never say never. Some people leave and have bad feelings – and rightfully so, because some ‘break-ups’ aren’t so friendly – but never say never. I’m still on good terms with the WWE. There’s no hostility between us. They graciously granted my release. I had an awesome time at WWE. Did Vince & I see eye-to-eye on things…no. But it was like the relationship where you start to grow apart."
Are you hoping to be a main part of New Japan’s American expansion?
Some key differences between the Japan and American culture – the fans, the promotions, the styles or work and the etiquette of the locker-room.
"There aren’t that many difference. Obviously, the Japan culture is based on respect. So when you come in, you greet everyone. You respect your peers. The major thing I can think of is – in Japan you call them ‘young-boys’ and in the U.S. you call them ‘rookies’ – but in Japan, when the rookies come back into the locker room after their match, they bow to the veterans. Then the Japanese training – the Dojo system. To become a wrestler in Japan, you have to go through a lot to get there. And even if you get a push, you’re still at the bottom of the barrel. You still have to hold open doors. In the past, it was an old tradition to lace/unlace the boots of the veterans or scrub their backs. It’s part of the old Samurai practice – where Samurai had others dress them for battle."
How is the art of professional wrestling – and the respect for the craft – lost now…especially in the WWE?
Working with Matt Hardy in the WWE
"I remember our first match in Baltimore. Matt has an incredible mind for the business. We would take our ideas to the office and Vince began to embrace us. I remember once, there was a line outside of Vince’s office and we were at the back. And Vince came out and saw us and said – Matt/MVP come over here – and totally skipped us past the line to hear our ideas. And it was actually Matt’s ideas for the competitions – for us to always be at competition. And to be an odd-couple tag-team. But it was amazing. And if you go to Vince with an idea, a beginning and an end, Vince will listen to you."
His thoughts on CM Punk and other wrestlers who earned their spot.
His rising music career and other outside ventures.
"I’ve been rapping since I was a kid. People don’t realize my last WWE them – Ballin – was written and performed by me. And before I left the WWE, John Cena and I began working on a project that we wanted to release but business took us out separate ways. But since then, I’ve been working with another producer. And I’m going to soon release my first song – free to all of the fans. I’m also working on a biography. I’ve lived a life that most people can’t even imagine or would even believe. And I have the documentation to prove it. So the biography is coming out soon too."
PLUS SO MUCH MORE!!!
For the full 35+ minute interview, click here http://radio.thescore.com/
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
