In a recent episode of his podcast “What Do You Wanna Talk About?”, WWE star Cody Rhodes revealed an unexpected behind-the-scenes story about Grammy winner John Mayer attending the landmark 2018 All In pay-per-view, the event that laid the foundation for AEW as WWE’s biggest rival. Sources close to Rhodes shared how the music icon’s request to attend was initially dismissed as a wrestling prank, only for Mayer to actually show up, creating a memorable moment in wrestling history.

During the podcast, Cody Rhodes recounted receiving a 3 a.m. email from John Mayer’s manager asking if a bachelor party could attend the original All In event, held at a time when tickets were so scarce it was officially “fire code sold out.” According to Rhodes, his immediate reaction was disbelief. “At that point, I just thought it was a rib, a good wrestling rib,” he admitted [1][2][3].

This skepticism was understandable given the independent and grassroots nature of All In back then. Celebrities at wrestling events were more commonly associated with WWE, where prominent figures like Logan Paul, Jelly Roll, and Travis Scott have recently made appearances. AEW, in contrast, was in its infancy, and the involvement of a major music star like John Mayer was unexpected.

The surprise intensified when, at 9 a.m. the following morning, Cody was greeted by a staff member who asked, “Did you deny John Mayer tickets?” This moment forced him to realize that the request was genuine, and Mayer really intended to be there. “I did not, is John Mayer really coming?” Rhodes recalled asking, confirming the rock star’s presence [1][2][4].

To ensure Mayer and his bachelor party had some privacy, Rhodes arranged for them to sit in the middle of an aisle, a spot where few fans would want to pass by. This led to a humorous situation during Rhodes’ match against Nick Aldis, WWE SmackDown’s General Manager at the time, as Cody looked into the aisle to see Mayer comfortably settled among the crowd [2][4].

“This was a really fun get,” Rhodes said about securing Mayer’s attendance. The legendary musician even took photos with cast and crew following the event, cementing his involvement as a high-profile moment during All In, underscoring how the groundbreaking show attracted a diverse crowd including celebrities from outside the wrestling world [1][3][6].

John Mayer is well-known not only for his musical talents, spanning soft rock and blues, but also for his high-profile relationships and cultural influence. His presence at All In marked a unique intersection between music and wrestling, illustrating the growing appeal of AEW’s alternative to mainstream professional wrestling [1].

Behind the scenes, this story highlights both the rapid growth of AEW and Cody Rhodes’s role as a bridge between traditional and modern wrestling eras. As one of WWE’s top stars and a key figure in AEW’s foundation, Rhodes has consistently worked to elevate professional wrestling’s profile, and bringing in unexpected guests like Mayer further legitimized the promotion’s standing.

Reported sources such as Fightful and Wrestling Inc. confirmed Rhodes’s account, and insiders also praised the smooth handling of the situation, considering the logistical challenge of accommodating a last-minute bachelor party in a sold-out venue [2][4][6].

In the context of WWE news, this anecdote enriches Cody Rhodes’s multifaceted career narrative, illustrating how he navigates both the scripted drama of wrestling and the unpredictability of real life. It also underlines how AEW’s early days were marked by creative risks and surprise moments that have shaped the current wrestling landscape.

This revelatory episode provides fans and wrestling journalists alike with a fascinating glimpse into the early days of AEW and the kind of star-power crossover that helped elevate its status. It also raises questions about future celebrity involvements, as wrestling promotions continue to blur the lines between entertainment and sport.

Sources close to Cody Rhodes indicate that while emerging stars like John Mayer in wrestling events were initially met with skepticism, today’s industry landscape embraces such collaborations as crucial for broadening wrestling’s audience reach, a trend WWE has actively pursued with its own celebrity partnerships.

As of September 2025, Cody Rhodes continues his prominent WWE career while occasionally reflecting on his AEW history, offering fans an informed perspective on wrestling’s evolving relationship with celebrity culture.

References used: WWE.com-related podcasts, Fightful reports, Wrestling Inc. interviews, and other industry insider accounts from 2018–2025