Credit: WWE.com
The intersection of celebrity culture and professional wrestling has become a staple in the wrestling world for years. While the WWE has often been the hub for music stars and influencers crossing paths with wrestlers, a surprising moment from AEW’s debut All In event in 2018 caught WWE star Cody Rhodes off-guard. He initially believed Grammy-winning artist John Mayer’s request to attend All In was just a joke or a “rib” a classic wrestling prank.
A Surprise Email at 3 a.m.
During a recent episode of the podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi opened up about the unexpected phone call he received. “I get an email, 3 a.m., from John Mayer’s manager,” Cody recalled. “There’s a bachelor party. They want to attend All In the original All In which had been very, very sold out, like fire code sold out.” At the time, he thought it had to be a prank. “I just thought it was a rib. A good wrestling rib,” he explained.
Wrestling insiders confirm that selling out All In was a difficult feat, and every ticket was accounted for, making any extra requests highly unlikely to be fulfilled. “The fact that Mayer was even asking for tickets seemed surreal,” said a WWE insider familiar with Cody’s backstage experiences. “It really showed how much buzz All In was generating beyond the wrestling world.”
From Skepticism to Realization
By 9 a.m., Cody’s skepticism was challenged when someone at the hotel confronted him, asking, “Did you deny John Mayer tickets?” Surprised, Cody admitted he had not denied the request but was still processing whether Mayer was truly showing up.
Eventually, it became clear John Mayer and his party attending a bachelor party were serious about seeing the event. Cody arranged for Mayer to sit in a “middle of the aisle” seat to give him and his group some privacy, although the location certainly raised some logistical concerns. Rhodes joked that if a fire had broken out, it would have been “a bad situation” because Mayer’s seat blocked a key walking path.
A Memorable Match and Meeting
On the night of All In 2018, Cody had his own match against Nick Aldis, who now serves as General Manager for WWE SmackDown. Amid the action, Cody found a moment to glance into the aisle and spot Mayer sitting prominently an unusual yet thrilling sight. After the match, Cody and Mayer took photos together, marking a unique intersection of music stardom and independent wrestling history.
Brandi Rhodes also chimed in, noting her initial disbelief that such a widely renowned celebrity would attend a relatively underground wrestling event, emphasizing how unexpected Mayer’s presence was for themselves and the fans.
John Mayer’s Unexpected Impact
John Mayer’s attendance marked a significant milestone for All In, which was groundbreaking for being independently produced and setting the groundwork for what would become the wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The event drew attention not only from die-hard wrestling fans but also from a broader pop culture audience, helped in no small part by Mayer’s star power.
John Mayer is an esteemed guitarist and singer known for hits in the soft rock and blues genre, with a high-profile celebrity presence connected to stars like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. His presence at All In highlighted how wrestling had begun to capture interest outside traditional circles.
Why This Story Matters in WWE and AEW Context
Cody Rhodes’ story about John Mayer’s attendance speaks volumes about the changing landscape of wrestling entertainment. It reflects how AEW’s All In, prior to AEW’s official 2019 launch, carved a path that blurred the lines between mainstream pop culture and wrestling, areas WWE has long engaged with but did not expect from a then-unsigned independent event.
A WWE insider commented, “Cody’s experience is a reminder that wrestling’s future sometimes emerges in the most surprising ways, pushing boundaries and inviting new audiences. What was once outside the WWE sphere became an undeniable force.”
Backstage Buzz and Fan Reactions
According to sources close to Cody Rhodes, the backstage atmosphere during All In was electric, with the presence of John Mayer adding an unexpected thrill among wrestlers and staff alike. Wrestlers took pride in the event’s success and its high-profile guest list, which included not only Mayer but also actors and athletes.
Fans have since fondly recalled Mayer’s attendance as a defining moment for All In’s historic impact. Social media posts and fan forums often highlight Mayer’s surprise appearance as a signifier of how professional wrestling, especially AEW, has come into a new era of cultural relevance.
Looking Ahead: Celebrity Influence Continues
Wrestling promotions continue to leverage celebrity involvement to boost visibility and appeal. WWE regularly features musicians like Logan Paul and Travis Scott, while AEW is no stranger to celebrity endorsements and appearances. Cody Rhodes’ revelation about John Mayer adds to this rich tradition.
As AEW and WWE vie for the spotlight, stories like Mayer’s attendance at All In remind fans and insiders alike that the wrestling business thrives not only on athleticism and storytelling but also on cultural crossover moments that elevate the entire industry.