On the “Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze” podcast, AEW star Mercedes Moné and host MVP, both of whom are WWE alumni, gave their candid thoughts on the differences between the locker room cultures of the two promotions. Moné described the AEW locker room as having a “hunger” and a feeling that “we’re all trying to fight for something.”
“Night and Day”
When asked to compare the two locker rooms, Moné was direct. “For me, it’s night and day,” she began. “When I am around the girls, it just feels like such a community of wanting to make this place grow. There’s a hunger, because I feel like we still feel so underground, and we want to make it like up here… all these women have so much drive and passion, and I can feel it like they fire me up.”
A Different Energy
She stated that this feeling extends to the entire roster, not just the women’s division. “And same with the guys, too. Just the energy with the guys, it feels so different,” she explained. “And I don’t want to say like, oh, WWE was bad, and people are like egos, but it just, it just feels like we’re all trying to fight for something. We’re trying to fight to make this the best. And I love people who have passion and hunger.”
A Chip on Their Shoulder
MVP, who also made the move from WWE to AEW, agreed with her assessment, adding his own perspective on the mindset of the AEW roster. “What I see in the locker room is a lot of young talent with a chip on their shoulder. They got something they want to prove,” he said. “And I make no bones about it, like you goddamn right, I got a chip on my shoulder… and we wanted to show like y’all f*cked up.”
Established vs. Upstart
He explained the difference as one being an established brand versus an upstart still trying to prove itself. “Over at WWE, you know, that’s the established brand, that’s, that’s, you know, the bully on the block,” he stated. “And at AEW, you know, six years now, and at, AEW, you have a lot of people that feel they have a lot to prove. And you can feel that, and I respect that.”
Passion is Key
Both veterans agreed that this hunger is essential for success in the wrestling business. “I totally agree. If you don’t love it. You don’t want to even try or grow or be the best… Get out,” Moné concluded. “There’s so much talent that want the opportunity in that spot, so give it to them.”
The full, candid conversation provides a rare inside look at the cultural differences between the two top wrestling promotions in the world. The “Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze” podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
