In the landscape of professional wrestling, the presence of celebrities can add an unexpected boost of excitement and attention. However, when Grammy-winning musician John Mayer expressed interest in attending the original All In pay-per-view in 2018—the precursor to what would become AEW—WWE’s Cody Rhodes was initially convinced it was a joke.

During a revealing episode of his What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Rhodes shared a humorous and unforgettable backstage story about how he first learned that John Mayer and a bachelor party wanted to attend the event. Rhodes recalled receiving an email at 3 a.m. from John Mayer’s manager requesting tickets for the sold-out event, which was packed “like fire code sold out” at the Now Arena in Chicago. “At that point, I just thought it was a rib, a good wrestling rib,” Rhodes admitted to Fightful and other wrestling sources[1][2].

The next morning around 9 a.m., however, when Rhodes left his hotel room, he was met by someone who asked, “Hey, did you deny John Mayer tickets?” Surprised, Rhodes confirmed he hadn’t, asking incredulously, “Is John Mayer really coming?” It turned out Mayer’s bachelor party really did want to be there, and Rhodes went on to arrange a seat for them right in the middle of the aisle. This placement made sure that Mayer and his friends had some privacy but also created a memorable scene during Rhodes’s match against Nick Aldis, then the SmackDown General Manager.

Rhodes vividly remembers looking into the aisle mid-match to see Mayer seated there, right where fans would ordinarily move about. “No one could walk by him. If there was a fire, it would have been a bad situation,” he joked[1][2]. Despite the logistical oddity, Mayer’s attendance was a notable win for the event’s stature—a sign of the growing buzz and mainstream attention the show was garnering. After the match, Mayer even took photos with fans and wrestlers, embracing the wrestling world’s culture firsthand.

This celebrity cameo was emblematic of the All In show’s larger significance. The event, independently produced by Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks, was a watershed moment that changed wrestling’s trajectory by proving that major success outside WWE was possible. The enthusiasm from both fans and celebrities paved the way for AEW’s official founding the following year, now firmly established as WWE’s biggest competitor[3].

The presence of John Mayer at All In holds additional cultural resonance considering Mayer’s status in the music world. Known for his influential work in soft rock and blues and high-profile relationships with artists like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Mayer’s crossover appeal helped highlight the event’s growing cultural cachet beyond strictly wrestling fans.

Sources close to Cody Rhodes revealed that the initial disbelief among the AEW team about Mayer’s interest reflected how unexpected this type of attention was at the time. “It really showed that All In was turning heads in places wrestling rarely reached before,” an insider told WWE.com[2].

Mayer’s attendance is part of a broader trend of celebrity involvement in wrestling, something WWE has famously embraced with stars like Logan Paul, Jelly Roll, and Travis Scott appearing on their programming. Yet this story also underscores how AEW’s rise was fueled by grassroots enthusiasm and moments of genuine surprise and excitement, long before the company reached its current size and prominence.

Wrestling journalist accounts from WrestlingInc and Ringside News also emphasize that such anecdotes about All In serve as important reminders of the event’s unique spirit—one characterized by close fan interaction and a sense of community between performers, celebrities, and audiences[4][6].

As Cody Rhodes looks back on the night, the initial rib-like nature of Mayer’s request turned into a highlight of the show: “That was a really fun get!” Rhodes noted with a grin, recalling Mayer’s delight and engagement with the wrestling community that night[2].

For wrestling fans and observers, the tale perfectly encapsulates the magic and unexpected moments that helped launch AEW and re-energize independent wrestling. It also speaks to the unpredictable ways in which pop culture and wrestling intersect, creating lasting memories and expanding the sport’s reach.

In sum, John Mayer’s surprise attendance at the original All In remains one of the many remarkable stories that demonstrate how far AEW has come—and how it captured the imagination of fans and celebrities alike. According to reports from Fightful, WWE.com, and multiple wrestling news outlets, this moment helped cement All In’s place as a revolutionary turning point in wrestling history[1][2][3][6].