Paul Walter Hauser Reveals He Turned Down a Role in a John Cena Movie, Discusses Wrestling Being a Side Quest

ROH and MLW in-ring veteran and award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser recently joined Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where he discussed his work in the wrestling business, turning down a role opposite John Cena in Ricky Stanicky, and more. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Paul Walter Hauser on Turning Down a Role in a John Cena Movie

“I got offered Ricky Staniki at one point, the Efron Cena movie, and it just wasn’t a lot of money. They didn’t want to fly my whole family first class to Australia. I was like, that’s a long flight. That’s not mad chill. I kind of had that Matt Riddle moment, he had that thing where he’s like, You guys put me in second class with a ham sandwich between three people squished like he had that. But this was me seven weeks out, going, I don’t think that makes sense for me. I passed, and I felt horrible because I think Zac Efron is really fun.”

Paul Walter Hauser on Wrestling Being a Side Quest

“My pay differs based on the company, too. If I were to do something with TNA, and they were like, ‘Hey, come do a match with AJ Francis, or a tag match, you’re gonna be paired with the Rascalz against three heels,’ I would want 10 grand for that match, because, to me, you’re also getting eyeballs and press and whatever else comes with it, and I’m going to go out of my way to make it as good as it possibly can be, at the risk of hurting myself. But if Action Wrestling down in Georgia is like, ‘Hey, do you want to come fight, take an L to Adam Priest, or tag with your buddy Darian Bengston, I’m not going to charge them more than three or 400 bucks. I still got to drive down there and drive back. I don’t know if I’m selling merch or not. I don’t know if they’re not going to have catering, there’s X amount of things that you give up to just wrestle and have fun.”

On Not Being Part of the ‘Celebrity Wrestler’ Conversation

“I know, and it’s frustrating. I’m not gonna pretend it doesn’t bother me a little bit. I’m working really hard, and I’m, you know, not every match is a banger for goodness’ sake. I’ve had some smelly ass matches. There’s probably six or seven of those 22 that I would like to hide somewhere and never show anyone. But there’s probably four or five, even six, that I’m very proud of. You should watch me and Joey Janela at DEFY, you should watch me and Steve Maclin at Revolver. You should watch this promo I cut in MLW.”

Ricky Stanicky, featuring Zac Efron and John Cena, came out last year and is streaming now on Prime Video. Paul Walter Hauser last stepped into the ring at ROH Death Before Dishonor in August, where he lost a Fight Without Honor to QT Marshall.