Sometimes the most memorable wrestling moments happen outside the ring. Cody Rhodes recently shared an incredible behind-the-scenes story from the groundbreaking All In 2018 event that perfectly captures how professional wrestling’s landscape was shifting toward mainstream acceptance.
During an appearance on the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast with his wife Brandi Rhodes, the American Nightmare dropped a fascinating tale involving Grammy-winning musician John Mayer, a mysterious 3 AM email, and some creative problem-solving at the sold-out Sears Centre show.
The Mystery Email That Almost Got Ignored
Picture this: It’s the middle of the night before one of wrestling’s most important independent events. Cody Rhodes is trying to get some rest when his phone buzzes with what seemed like an elaborate wrestling prank.
“I get an email. 3 AM. From John Mayer’s manager. There’s a bachelor party, they wanna attend All In. The original All In, which had been very, very sold out—fire code sold out.”
Anyone familiar with wrestling culture knows that “ribs” (practical jokes) are practically a tradition in the business. Rhodes initially dismissed the request as another wrestler trying to mess with him during the biggest weekend of his independent career.
Reality Check at the Hotel Door
The truth hit Rhodes like a surprise superkick the next morning. As he left his hotel room, someone immediately confronted him about the situation.
“At 9 AM when I left the hotel room, I was greeted by someone right at the door saying to me, ‘Hey, did you deny John Mayer tickets?’ And I did not. I just didn’t think it was real!”
This moment perfectly illustrates how surreal the All In experience was becoming. Here was an event that started as a bet between wrestlers on social media, and suddenly A-list celebrities were trying to secure last-minute tickets.
An Unconventional Seating Solution
With the venue already at fire code capacity, the All In organizers faced a unique challenge. How do you accommodate a Grammy winner when there’s literally nowhere to sit?
Their solution was both creative and slightly dangerous. Mayer and his bachelor party crew ended up sitting directly in the venue’s aisle, creating an unforgettable visual during Rhodes’ match against Nick Aldis.
“As I’m wrestling Nick Aldis, I look out into the aisle where you can clearly see where people are supposed to walk… and then there’s just John Mayer, sitting right in the middle. If there was a fire, it would’ve been a bad situation. But it was a really fun get.”
More Than Just a Celebrity Sighting
Mayer’s presence at All In represented something bigger than a famous face in the crowd. For Rhodes and the other wrestlers involved, it served as validation that their independent venture was resonating beyond wrestling’s typical audience.
The musician didn’t just show up and leave either. He stuck around for photos and became part of the All In story, lending credibility to an event that critics were still dismissing as too niche.
“That’s how you knew it wasn’t just a carny operation. We had f**ing John Mayer in the crowd.”
The Bigger Picture: All In’s Cultural Impact
This story perfectly encapsulates why All In 2018 was such a watershed moment for professional wrestling. The event proved that wrestlers could create their own opportunities and attract mainstream attention without corporate backing.
Mayer’s impromptu attendance demonstrated the cultural crossover potential that would eventually help launch All Elite Wrestling. It showed that wrestling could appeal to diverse audiences when presented with the right energy and authenticity.
The fact that a major recording artist would crash a wrestling show for a bachelor party speaks to the unique atmosphere and buzz surrounding All In. This wasn’t just another independent wrestling event – it was a cultural moment that celebrities wanted to be part of.
Looking back, John Mayer sitting in that aisle might seem like a small detail, but it represents the exact kind of organic, unpredictable excitement that made All In special. What other wild celebrity encounters from wrestling’s independent boom period are still waiting to be revealed?
