A WWE star has reflected on his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
In 2005, MVP signed with WWE under a developmental contract and debuted on the main roster the following year. He found success in the company, winning the United States Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship with Matt Hardy.
MVP left the promotion in 2010 before making his way to NJPW in 2011. He defeated Toru Yano in the finals of a tournament to become the first IWGP Intercontinental Championship that same year.
Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, MVP reflected on his time with NJPW. When asked to name some of the wrestlers he enjoyed hanging around with and learning from, he answered:
“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 returned to WWE in 2020 and has once again garnered a prominent position on the roster. He has worked both a wrestler and manager, primarily in the corner of Bobby Lashley.
The WWE star has been teasing a Hurt Business reunion on Monday Night Raw with Lashley, Omos, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
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