MVP reflects on his time with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
In 2005, MVP signed a developmental deal with WWE, and he debuted on TV the following year. He was a featured member of the roster throughout his time with the company, as he won the United States Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship. MVP left the company in 2010 and signed with NJPW in 2011. He memorably defeated Toru Yano in the finals, and he continued to work for the company until his departure in 2013.
Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, MVP reflected on his time with NJPW. When asked to name some of the wrestlers he enjoyed hanging around and learning from, MVP brought up Satoshi Kojima, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Minoru Suzuki, among others. He also noted that Jado and Gedo looked out for him.
“I had such a great time in that company. The locker room had great energy and good vibes. Everyone was so nice to me. I think they appreciated that I left WWE to come there on my terms. I knew who everyone was because I was a genuine fan and had such reverence for Japanese wrestling. Kojima always checked on me. Liger was great to me. Tenzan was very friendly and helped me with travel sometimes if we took the train instead of the long bus ride with the boys. My best matches were with Shinsuke and he taught me things. Red Shoes and Makabe helped me learn Japanese. Jado and Gedo looked out for me all the time. Suzuki showed me some nasty legit submissions and a neck crank I’ll never forget. Yano often invited me to go out with his sponsors. It was just an amazing time," MVP said.
MVP returned to WWE in 2020, and he has had a prominent spot on the roster ever since. In recent weeks, MVP has been teasing a reunion of the Hurt Business on WWE Raw. Shelton Benjamin has said that he can't confirm that the reunion is happening. More information is available here.
MVP previously said his goal is to lead Omos to the WWE Championship. Check out his comments here.
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