Paul Walter Hauser has announced that his run with Major League Wrestling has come to an end. The actor and professional wrestler confirmed on social media that he said goodbye to the promotion’s “family” late last week, characterizing the decision as one driven by creative differences.
Hauser addressed the possibility of speculation surrounding his exit directly, stressing that there was no more dramatic explanation behind the move. “My decision was simply rooted in creative differences,” he wrote, calling it “the truest, & least sexy, answer.”
The announcement closes a notable chapter in Hauser’s growing wrestling career. Since making his MLW debut in 2024, Hauser became a visible personality within the company both on camera and in efforts he described as taking place behind the scenes. His final MLW match appearance came at the Fusion tapings in September.
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Hauser Reflects on His MLW Opportunity
Hauser credited Sami Callihan with connecting him to MLW founder Court Bauer, a relationship that led to the opportunity to appear at Battle Riot 6 and continue working with the promotion afterward. While Hauser entered MLW with substantial name recognition from his acting career, his statement made clear that he viewed his time there as a learning experience in the professional wrestling environment.
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He said he gained experience not only in improving his in-ring performances, but also in producing and directing backstage material. Hauser additionally pointed to the less visible side of working in wrestling: understanding the behavior, atmosphere, and situational dynamics that can be difficult for a newer performer to navigate.
“I learned a lot about bettering my in-ring work, producing & directing backstage segments,” Hauser wrote, while also describing the value of learning the environmental and situational elements of the business.
Hauser was candid in his assessment of his own bouts during the run. He said he did not believe his strongest matches took place in MLW, though he maintained that he worked to make the most of every situation presented to him. That self-assessment was paired with a broad look at the ways he tried to contribute to the company beyond his matches and promos.
Contributions Inside and Outside the Ring
In his farewell message, Hauser described attempting to use his platform and relationships to bring additional attention to MLW. He referenced securing MLW coverage in the Wall Street Journal and getting MLW clips featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He also said he pitched the product to people in Hollywood whenever the opportunity arose.
Those efforts were not limited to publicity. Hauser also recalled helping with practical needs at shows, including supplying snacks for craft service, arranging on-site empanadas for catering, and having his videographer Caleb Wall assist a crew member in obtaining missing equipment. The details underlined how Hauser viewed his role as extending beyond a performer simply arriving for his assigned segment.
“More than anything, I hope I was a value-add to their culture,” Hauser wrote. He also expressed hope that his work created memorable moments for MLW viewers.
Among those moments, Hauser specifically mentioned diving off a ladder onto BRG during Battle Riot, delivering promos intended either to aggravate the audience or make them laugh, and turning on former tag team partner and mentor Paul London. Those examples reflect the range of roles Hauser took on during his time in the company, from physical spectacle to character-driven storytelling.
Gratitude for MLW Talent and Staff
Despite identifying creative differences as the reason for the departure, Hauser’s message was largely one of appreciation. He thanked Bauer and MLW’s crew and creative staff, while reserving especially strong praise for the wrestlers who worked with him and helped him learn.
Hauser named Minoru Suzuki, Tom Lawlor, and Trevor Lee among the performers who made a difference during his time in MLW. He noted that Suzuki did not have to work a spot with him, that Lawlor did not have to be as generous as he was, and that Trevor Lee did not have to help educate him about the business. In Hauser’s view, each did so anyway.
That acknowledgment is significant given Hauser’s position as a crossover name entering an industry with its own established customs and expectations. His comments indicated a clear appreciation for veteran guidance and for the willingness of experienced wrestlers to include him in the locker-room culture.
He also singled out Ikuro Kwon, Beastman, and Josh Bishop as people whose camaraderie and conversations he will miss. Hauser mentioned enjoying efforts to make Dijak, Kross, or Gallows laugh, while also praising the Coffeys and Wolfgang as hard-working performers. The post presented a lengthy list of people Hauser valued during his tenure, even as his own creative path moves away from the company.
“Shoutout to the MLW product,” Hauser wrote, adding that he believes there is “so much more to come” for the promotion.
Hauser also highlighted MLW’s current availability across Veeps, Prime Video, Tubi, and YouTube, using his farewell statement to direct attention back to the product and its accessibility for viewers.
From Debut Match to Final Fusion Appearance
Hauser’s MLW run began in 2024 when he faced Tom Lawlor in his debut. The match established a major early benchmark for a performer whose wrestling ambitions have existed alongside an increasingly prominent acting career. Rather than treating the appearance as a one-off celebrity attraction, Hauser continued to work dates for MLW and became involved in storylines and segments over the course of his time there.
Battle Riot 6 proved particularly meaningful in his retrospective, as it was both part of the opportunity that initially brought him into the promotion and the setting for one of the stunts he identified as a standout contribution. His reference to the turn on Paul London also illustrates that MLW positioned Hauser in an ongoing narrative framework rather than solely using him for isolated appearances.
His most recent competition for MLW took place at the Fusion tapings in September. No next destination was announced as part of Hauser’s statement, and he did not indicate whether he intends to focus his wrestling activity with another specific promotion. What is clear is that his departure is not framed as a departure from wrestling itself.
PROGRESS Wrestling Remains Part of Hauser’s Schedule
Hauser has remained active in PROGRESS Wrestling, giving him an ongoing presence in the ring after the conclusion of his MLW tenure. His work in PROGRESS has allowed him to continue developing as a wrestler while operating in a different promotion and environment.
For Hauser, the MLW exit appears to be a professional split based on creative direction rather than a rejection of the people involved or the industry he has pursued alongside his film and television career. His message repeatedly returned to gratitude for the workers, crew members, and colleagues who assisted him.
At the same time, he offered a firm response to anyone who might attempt to minimize his efforts. Hauser stated that if people choose to “bad mouth” him or rewrite what he contributed to MLW, he has “receipts” and “friends in high places.” The line added an edge to an otherwise reflective farewell, making clear that he stands behind the work he did for the company.
MLW now moves forward without one of its most recognizable crossover personalities, while Hauser continues his wrestling career with PROGRESS among his active commitments. His final comments did not close the door on professional wrestling. Instead, they marked the conclusion of one specific run: a period in which he learned, performed, promoted the company, formed relationships, and sought to leave a tangible mark on the MLW culture.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.