When AEW’s debut pay-per-view event, All In 2018, attracted widespread attention, it wasn’t just wrestling fans who took notice. The event, now widely regarded as a pivotal moment that led to the formation of AEW, drew an unexpected celebrity guest: Grammy-winning musician John Mayer. WWE star and former AEW executive Cody Rhodes recently shared the surprising story of how Mayer’s request to attend caught him off guard and initially seemed like a wrestling joke.
John Mayer’s Unexpected Interest in All In
Celebrities attending wrestling events has become commonplace, especially with WWE’s increasing collaborations involving stars from music, sports, and entertainment. However, when Cody Rhodes received a 3 a.m. email from John Mayer’s manager asking for tickets for a bachelor party to attend the heavily sold-out All In event, Rhodes thought it was a prank—a typical wrestling rib.
“I just thought it was a rib. A good wrestling rib,” Cody admitted on his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About? Rhodes explained that All In was already at fire code capacity, making extra tickets almost impossible to secure[1][2][3]. Yet by 9 a.m., as Rhodes was leaving his hotel room, someone greeted him at the door asking if Mayer’s tickets were denied. It became clear quickly that Mayer was indeed serious about attending.
Accommodating a Music Star at a Historic Show
With John Mayer confirmed as part of the crowd, Rhodes took care to provide a seat that balanced privacy and visibility. He arranged for Mayer and his bachelor party to sit in the middle of an aisle, an unusual choice ensuring that Mayer wouldn’t be disturbed by fans passing by during the event.
As Cody competed in a match against Nick Aldis (now a WWE SmackDown official), he caught glimpses of Mayer enjoying the show from his unique vantage point. Rhodes recalled, “That was a really fun get. Took some photos afterwards”[1][2]. The event’s success, augmented by special guests like Mayer, helped solidify the demand that led to AEW’s official launch months later.
The Broader Impact of the Original All In
The original All In is remembered not just for the wrestling but as a cultural moment signifying the birth of Alternative Wrestling Entertainment (AEW). Featuring stars like The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Cody Rhodes himself, the event showcased that wrestling could thrive outside the WWE umbrella.
Having an influential figure like John Mayer—notoriously influential in the soft rock and blues music scenes and with high-profile connections to celebrities like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry—was a significant symbolic win. According to wrestling insiders, Mayer’s presence added industry cachet and helped elevate All In’s profile beyond wrestling circles[4].
Backstage Reflections on the Surprise Guest
Sources close to Cody Rhodes revealed that the backstage atmosphere when it was confirmed John Mayer would attend was a mixture of disbelief and excitement.
“People thought it was wild—like, how did a megastar from the music world end up at a wrestling show that was still in its infancy?” a WWE insider said. “Cody was just as surprised. Most wrestlers have heard all sorts of fan jokes and ribs, so his initial reaction was totally natural.”
The fact that Mayer was not just a passive observer but genuinely engaged added to the buzz around the event.
What This Means for Celebrity Involvement in Wrestling
The story of John Mayer attending All In reflects a broader trend of increasing celebrity involvement in wrestling. While WWE has made a deliberate push to bring in stars like Logan Paul, Jelly Roll, and Travis Scott, AEW’s ability to draw a respected musician at such a formative stage offered a fresh perspective on wrestling’s cultural reach.
Cody Rhodes’ openness about this experience humanizes that evolution. His initial skepticism about Mayer’s request offers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the wrestling business and how surprises can come from the most unexpected places.
Final Thoughts on an Unexpected Wrestling Moment
John Mayer’s visit to All In 2018 is now part of wrestling lore—a story of how a late-night email sparked one of the most memorable crossovers in wrestling history. It was a moment that captured both the intensity of the wrestling scene and the allure it holds for celebrities who traditionally wouldn’t be linked to sports entertainment.
Rhodes summed it up best: “It was really, really fun. Moments like those remind you how much wrestling connects with people in a deep and surprising way”[1].
This story about John Mayer and Cody Rhodes at All In underscores not just the growth of AEW but the expanding horizon for wrestling as an entertainment genre. As this cultural evolution continues, fans can expect more unexpected guests and moments that push wrestling into mainstream pop culture.
Keywords: Cody Rhodes, John Mayer, All In, AEW, WWE, celebrity wrestling fans, wrestling ribs, AEW debut, pro wrestling events, celebrity guests wrestling