MVP signed a one-year contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2011 following his WWE exit the previous year. In May 2011, MVP defeated Toru Yano in an inaugural championship tournament finals match to be crowned NJPW’s first-ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion. On February 26, 2013, Mr. 305 announced his departure from the Japanese promotion.
In an interview with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, MVP reflected on his fond memories with NJPW.
You can check some highlights from the interview below:
On his experience in NJPW: “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.”
On being the first-ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion: “Being the first IWGP IC Title holder was a high point of my career. To be chosen to be the first to hold that title was such an honor. It was always a dream to hold.”
