Paul Walter Hauser
has parted ways with Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he worked as both an in-ring competitor and behind-the-scenes as an executive producer.Hauser shared the news on Sunday in an Instagram post, noting that his departure was due to “creative differences,” which he described as the “truest, & least sexy, answer.”
The Emmy-winning actor also sent a warning to any critics who may “bad mouth” him or downplay his works at MLW. He wrote: “I have receipts & I have friends in high places.”
For many people, Hauser is better known for his work in Hollywood. He picked up a Golden Globe Award as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his work in the 2023 miniseries Black Bird, and he has also earned praise for his roles in I, Tonya and Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell.
Along with critically-acclaimed performances, Hauser has also acted in blockbusters like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Naked Gun (2025), and Resident Evil (2026).
Of course, Hauser has devoted a lot of his time in recent years to pursuing his passion for professional wrestling. He first wrestled for MLW in 2024, and a year later MLW announced he had assumed an executive producer position for the promotion.
He’s also been involved in a couple of high-profile incidents related to wrestling. He garnered headlines this past June when he criticized Roman Reigns for attending the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House, calling the WWE star “an actual dork” the appearance.
Hauser later drew the ire of controversial podcaster/former wrestling manager Jim Cornette when he praised NXT rookie Mason Rook while referencing wrestling legend Nick Bockwinkel, which ignited furious responses from Corny until Hauser deactivated his X (Twitter) account.
“With a heavy heart, but a clear mind, I said goodbye to the MLW family late last week,” Hauser wrote in his Sunday announcement. “Before speculation or conjecture try to rear their ugly, & needless, head – my decision was simply rooted in creative differences. The truest, & least sexy, answer.
“I enjoyed my time in Major League Wrestling. Sami Callihan introduced me to [MLW founder] Court Bauer who gave me an opportunity at Battle Riot 6 & beyond. I learned a lot about bettering my in-ring work, producing & directing backstage segments, and picking up on some of the environmental & situational behaviors in the wrestling business, which can prove elusive or confusing to a newcomer, like myself.”
Hauser went on to say that he doesn’t think his best matches took place in MLW, but he “did the best I could with what I had at the time.” He then gave himself credit for getting The Wall Street Journal to write about MLW and getting clips from the promotion on Jimmy Kimmel’s show.
“I also pitched the product to anyone in Hollywood who would listen,” he wrote.
Hauser then listed some of his favorite moments with MLW before offering kind words about Bauer, as well as the MLW crew and talent.
He then ended his message with the parting shot for any potential critics: “If anyone cares to bad mouth me & or rewrite my contributions to MLW, I have receipts & I have friends in high places.”
Paul Walter Hauser’s Instagram" />
With a heavy heart, but a clear mind, I said goodbye to the MLW family late last week.
Before speculation or conjecture try to rear their ugly, & needless, head – my decision was simply rooted in creative differences. The truest, & least sexy, answer.
I enjoyed my time in Major League Wrestling. Sami Callihan introduced me to Court Bauer who gave me an opportunity at Battle Riot 6 & beyond. I learned a lot about bettering my in-ring work, producing & directing backstage segments, and picking up on some of the environmental & situational behaviors in the wrestling business, which can prove elusive or confusing to a newcomer, like myself.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t think any of my best matches were in MLW, but I did the best I could with what I had at the time. Sometimes that was getting MLW writeups in the Wall Street Journal or having MLW clips featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Sometimes it was bringing in snacks for craft service, on-site empanadas to bolster catering, or having my videographer, Caleb Wall, run out to help a crew member buy a piece of missing equipment. I also pitched the product to anyone in Hollywood who would listen.
But more than anything, I hope I was a value-add to their culture, & I hope I created moments for the fans – diving off the ladder at Battle Riot onto BRG, preparing a solid promo to irk the ears or make the audience laugh, turning on my former tag partner & mentor, Paul London.
I am grateful for Court & his team of good-hearted crew & creative, & I am most grateful for the boys who taught me & embraced me. Suzuki didn’t hafta do a spot with me, Tom Lawlor didn’t have to be that generous, Trevor Lee didn’t need to smarten me up. But they did.
I’ll miss camaraderie & convos with Ikuro Kwon, Beastman, Josh Bishop & many others. I’ll miss trying to make Dijak, Kross or Gallows laugh. I’ll miss the Coffeys & Wolfgang just being the kind workhorses that they are.
Shoutout to the MLW product. So much more to come, I am sure of it, & so many ways to watch right now – @veeps / @primevideo / @tubi / @youtube
If anyone cares to bad mouth me & or rewrite my contributions to MLW, I have receipts & I have friends in high places 😁
What do you think about the news of Hauser’s departure from MLW? Let us know in the comments.
