From 2011 into 2013, following a run with WWE, MVP wrestled a stint in Latest Japan Pro-Wrestling. MVP previously stated that he had an incredible time in NJPW, but that doesn’t suggest the experience wasn’t without its difficulties. Speaking on his podcast, “Marking Out,” the AEW star reflected on that point in his life and was asked concerning the hardest a part of wrestling in NJPW’s annual G1 Climax tournament.
“The schedule,” MVP answered. “Going from WWE to Latest Japan was a culture shock in some ways. In WWE, you are on the road – f**k – 52 weeks a yr. The one time you get off is for those who get hurt.”
During his tenure in NJPW, MVP got more day without work than he had before. He explained that the corporate would fly himself and tag partner Shelton Benjamin over for 2 or three weeks at a time, then they’d return to the US and spend a number of weeks at home. Every now and then, Latest Japan officials would fly them out for a single pay-per-view event after which they’d return home.
“However the G1 Climax tour – they asked me … if I’d be okay with staying for the total six weeks, which, after all, I said yes,” MVP said. “But I had six weeks of hotel life, just living in hotels.”
MVP went on to elucidate that, for those six weeks, the corporate traveled throughout Japan, and in contrast to with the WWE schedule, he spent no time at home. After two years, the exhaustive travel schedule burned MVP out. He returned home, spent a while in TNA and other promotions, and eventually made a comeback to WWE before leaving for AEW in 2024.
For those who use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Marking Out” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.