EP. 51 – Tony Khan Talks AEW Growth, Japanese Wrestling, and Leadership

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 Episode 51, Tony Khan joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about MVP’s New Japan run, AEW’s connection to Japanese wrestling, wrestling Mount Rushmores, leadership under pressure, and the ongoing debate around dirt sheets, all with raw, unfiltered insight from one of the most respected veterans in the business.The episode opens with Dwayne asking Tony Khan what he thought of MVP’s New Japan run and what Japanese wrestling brings out in certain performers. That leads to a detailed discussion about MVP vs. Chris Benoit, why Japanese wrestling once felt different from American TV wrestling, and why Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada became the standard Tony and MVP point to when talking about elite-level execution and conditioning.From there, Tony explains how his own love of New Japan and the business opportunity he saw in 2018 helped shape AEW’s identity. He walks through how Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page, Chris Jericho, and later Jon Moxley represented a real chance to bring that style of wrestling to TBS and TNT in a meaningful way.The middle of the episode turns into a Mount Rushmore conversation, with Tony naming Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, and Sting, while also making clear how highly he rates Kenny Omega. MVP follows with his own perspective on The Rock, explaining why Rocky’s swagger, charisma, and relatability meant so much to him personally and professionally.The episode closes with a conversation about leadership when pressure is high and a hot take on dirt sheets, where Tony argues the positives outweigh the negatives, MVP pushes back on rumor mongering and low standards, and Dwayne explains why wrestling media helps fans feel like active participants instead of just viewers.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.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy