Paul Walter Hauser is done with Major League Wrestling, and while he’s making it clear that his departure came down to creative differences, he’s also sending a warning to anyone thinking about taking shots at him on the way out.
The Emmy-winning actor and professional wrestler announced on Instagram that he parted ways with MLW late last week. Hauser explained that there wasn’t some complicated behind-the-scenes scandal responsible for his exit, insisting that creative disagreements were the reason he decided to move on.
“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.”
Hauser went on to reflect on his time with the promotion, explaining how Sami Callihan introduced him to MLW founder Court Bauer, who gave him an opportunity at Battle Riot 6. He credited the experience with helping him develop as a wrestler while also learning how things operate behind the scenes.
“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.”
However, Hauser also admitted that he doesn’t believe his best wrestling matches happened during his MLW run. He argued that he still did everything possible to contribute to the company, including getting it exposure through major media outlets and using his Hollywood connections to promote the product.
“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.”
Hauser also described helping with catering, assisting production personnel, and promoting MLW to people in the entertainment industry.
“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.”
Despite the creative differences that led to his exit, Hauser expressed gratitude toward Bauer, the production team, and the wrestlers who helped him along the way. He specifically mentioned Minoru Suzuki, Tom Lawlor, and Trevor Lee for being willing to work with him and help him improve.
“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.”
He also reflected on the friendships he made throughout his MLW run, naming Ikuro Kwon, Beastman, Josh Bishop, Dijak, Kross, Gallows, and others as people he’ll miss working alongside. But while much of his farewell message was positive, Hauser saved one of his strongest statements for the very end. After thanking the company and encouraging people to continue watching MLW, he made it clear that he wasn’t going to stay quiet if anyone tried to discredit what he brought to the promotion.
“If anyone cares to bad mouth me & or rewrite my contributions to MLW, I have receipts & I have friends in high places”
That final line certainly gives his farewell a different edge. Hauser hasn’t publicly detailed the specific creative disagreements behind his departure or accused anyone at MLW of wrongdoing, but his warning makes it clear that he’s prepared to defend himself if his time with the company becomes a subject of dispute.
For now, Hauser’s run with MLW has come to an end, and he’s leaving with a mix of appreciation for the opportunities he received and frustration over creative differences. Whether he plans to continue wrestling elsewhere remains unclear, but he’s made it obvious that he wants his contributions to MLW remembered accurately.
What do you think about Paul Walter Hauser leaving MLW over creative differences and warning that he has receipts if anyone tries to discredit him? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.
