QT Marshall Reveals AEW Celebrity Match Nearly Happened in ROH

AEW star QT Marshall recently shared that a match he wrestled against actor Paul Walter Hauser in Ring of Honor almost took place within an AEW event. The revelation came during an appearance on the “What Happened When” podcast with Tony Schiavone.

The Near-AEW Bout

Marshall explained that Tony Khan initially approved the match to occur on an AEW show. However, Hauser expressed a strong preference for the bout to be held in ROH, specifically at the ECW Arena. “He said, ‘I don’t seek to be at an AEW event for this particular match. I want it to be Ring of Honor, I want it to be ECW Arena,’” Marshall recounted.

Hauser’s Dedication to Pro Wrestling

Marshall emphasized Hauser’s commitment to earning the respect of the professional wrestling community. He detailed how Hauser was eager to prove himself to both the audience and the full-time wrestlers. Hauser even initially requested a death match, expressing surprise at the prospect of using real barbed wire.

Pitching All In

Marshall jokingly mentioned he had pitched the match for AEW’s All In event in Texas, adding, “I believe in trying to protect myself as much as I can.”

Paul Walter Hauser’s Wrestling Career

Paul Walter Hauser, an Emmy award-winning actor known for roles in “Fantastic Four,” Netflix’s “I Think You Should Exit,” and “The Naked Gun” alongside Cody Rhodes, began his foray into professional wrestling in 2023. Despite having only one official ROH match to his name, Hauser has participated in over two dozen matches for promotions including MLW, REVOLVER, and DEFY, and has made several appearances on AEW television.

(h/t to Wrestling Inc. For the transcription)