In a rare crossover moment reflecting the unpredictable and often intense atmosphere surrounding major wrestling events, AEW star MVP has confirmed WWE’s Grayson Waller’s story of a heated confrontation at a hotel bar following WrestleMania 40. The incident, which nearly escalated into a physical altercation, involved a drunken fan harassing WWE talent, with MVP stepping in alongside other notable fighters to back up Waller and defuse the situation.
The Aftermath of WrestleMania 40: Celebration Turns Chaotic
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory had just secured the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships during the high-profile ladder match at WrestleMania 40. Following their victory, Waller and other colleagues retreated to their hotel bar in Philadelphia to celebrate — a customary but tenuous tradition given the sometimes frenzied fan attention. It was here that trouble nearly broke out.
According to Waller, some intoxicated wrestling fans, described bluntly as “fat flops in black shirts,” were roaming the bar, causing discomfort by repeatedly bothering female NXT talent. Waller intervened, politely asking one particularly persistent fan to leave the women alone. The fan, heavily intoxicated, responded aggressively with a shove, prompting the tension to rise dangerously close to a fight.
Waller recounted on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, “This guy was very drunk. He starts firing back at me. He goes to push me, and I’m like, ‘Man, I just won the Tag Team Championships. I’m going to get in a fight at the bar at WrestleMania? This is going to be the story.’”[2][3]
MVP and Other Fighters Step In to Calm the Situation
The story gained further authenticity and detail when MVP, currently a top AEW figure with a rich wrestling background, later confirmed he was one of the three people who stepped in to back Waller up that night. On the “Marking Out” podcast, MVP described the scene: “We were at the hotel bar and I think Grayson Waller had won the tag titles that night. It’s Philadelphia — Philly fans gonna be Philly fans. There were some drunk wrestling fans hanging out and being a little obnoxious to some female talent.”[1]
MVP clarified that the group — himself, former WWE NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler, and Josh Barnett, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and MMA veteran — approached the situation not with immediate aggression but with calm assertiveness. MVP said, “I wouldn’t call it a fight, but you know, ‘What’s going on over here? Hey, everything alright?’ We were just looking out for one of us.”[1][4]
Waller confirmed this support, noting that once MVP, Baszler, and Barnett joined the scene, the aggressive fan backed off. “To be in a situation like that, I can think of a lot of guys I’d much rather have Shayna Baszler on my side than some of those guys,” Waller said.[4]
A Rare Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Wrestling and Real-World Conflict
This incident is a vivid reminder of the thin line wrestlers sometimes face between their in-ring personas and real-life vulnerabilities, especially in high-energy environments like WrestleMania weekend. Fans excitedly chasing stars to hotels and bars can blur boundaries, creating volatile situations.
Sources close to WWE note that such protective interventions by fellow wrestlers and former fighters backstage or during events are rare but crucial. “When tensions flare, especially involving intoxicated fans, it’s the veteran presence that keeps things from blowing up,” said a WWE insider. “Having someone like MVP or Baszler, who’s well-versed in martial arts and knows how to diffuse situations, is invaluable.”[4]
The Philadelphia Factor: Wrestling’s Rough and Rowdy City
Philadelphia’s passionate fanbase has a storied reputation for rowdiness dating back to iconic moments in wrestling history. MVP reflected on this cultural backdrop while describing the incident: “It’s Philadelphia. Philly fans gonna be Philly fans. These are the people that cheered when Michael Irvin got hurt… these fans can get a little out of hand.”[1] This context helps explain the charged atmosphere that led to the confrontation after WrestleMania’s glitz and glamour had wrapped up.
WrestleMania 40’s Tag Team Champions Share Their Perspective
Besides Waller’s detailed account, other champions of the night also felt the sting of wrestling’s blurred lines with real life during WrestleMania weekend. Austin Theory, Waller’s tag partner, has echoed a cautious stance about fans’ proximity during such events. Sources suggest WWE has been quietly reinforcing security and awareness measures around talent hotels to mitigate fan interference following this and similar incidents.
What This Incident Reveals About Wrestling Culture
The near-bar fight story gives fans an unvarnished glimpse into the challenges pro wrestlers face outside the ring. Being in the public eye means constant scrutiny and occasional confrontations, but it also highlights the camaraderie and protective instincts within the wrestling community. The fact that AEW’s MVP and other fighters sprang to aid a WWE star underscores the mutual respect shared across promotions in moments of real-life need.
Final Thoughts: Wrestling’s Real Battles Beyond the Ring
While the primary battles occur inside the squared circle, stories like this post-WrestleMania scuffle remind us of the human side of wrestling—athletes navigating fan attention, personal safety, and professional respect simultaneously.
MVP’s confirmation of Grayson Waller’s version adds credibility and nuance to the narrative, spotlighting the sometimes overlooked intersection between entertainment and genuine risk within wrestling.
As one backstage source put it: “Wrestling is scripted, but the respect and protection among wrestlers when real trouble starts—that’s as real as it gets.”[4]
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This story reflects the intricacies of star-fan interactions and the wrestling community’s solidarity during high-pressure moments, offering fresh insight following WrestleMania 40.