Paul Walter Hauser Talks MLW’s Battle Riot, Title Hopes, and Best Heel Turn of All Time

Next week, Major League Wrestling (MLW) will storm Los Angeles for the Battle Riot VII event, with its immense popularity necessitating a shift to a larger arena, Thunder Studios Arena in Long Beach, California. The main attraction is the 40-man Battle Riot match, where Matt Riddle will defend his MLW World Heavyweight Championship against 39 other contenders, including renowned actor and MLW Executive Producer Paul Walter Hauser. This will mark Hauser’s second Battle Riot appearance, and ComicBook has interviewed him about the event, his favorite heel turn in wrestling history, and his experiences since making his debut at last year’s Battle Riot, which also happened to be his MLW debut.

Referring to his upcoming Battle Riot match, Hauser will be participating for the second time, and he’s applying insights from his initial experience. In his own words, “I can certainly say my ring awareness is something I possess that I didn’t a year ago. Last year, during the same period when I took part in Battle Riot, I received several blows from Minoru Suzuki, Mr. Thomas, and some other individuals, which left quite an impression on me. I realized then, I really needed to understand my surroundings better.

Hauser expressed that he’s more mindful this time about ring awareness and is more familiar with the roster. If he’s facing off against Paul London or Matthew Justice, he has built a rapport with these individuals where they might work together strategically to keep someone else down, allowing him to prolong the match.

In a Battle Royal, the chaos is already intense with so many participants involved. Adding the street fight aspect only intensifies this madness. Hauser recalls several significant instances from last year’s Riot that still linger in his memory, not all of which are pleasant reminders.

I recall Mr. Thomas’s large hand suddenly striking my chest, a sensation similar to being hit by a bullet, Hauser stated. ‘Scotty Riggs entered and performed the traditional American male applause and dance, which was quite impressive. After executing my finishing move House Arrest, I pinned him for the win – 1, 2, 3. However, I became overconfident and believed I would hit Sami Callihan with the diamond cutter. As I dedicated a shout-out to my friend DDP, he unexpectedly tossed me over the top, leading to an unattractive landing on the outside.’

Hauser aspires to leave a mark and further improve in the ring, yet there are other goals he’s set for himself by 2025, such as settling some long-overdue scores and boosting his MLW championship record with more victories.

Hauser stated, “Regarding advancement, I’ve suffered two defeats at the hands of the Rogue Horsemen, specifically CW and Brock Anderson. To maintain a positive mental outlook, I really want to win against the Andersons with Paul London by my side, or even take them on individually, I must defeat either Brock or CW in order to overcome the Rogue Horsemen.

Hauser stated, “Silencing those arrogant individuals is my top priority, but beyond that, I dream of partnering with Paul London in a Tag Team. Furthermore, I’d love to challenge for a Title, either the World Heavyweight Championship or the Openweight Championship held by my friend Matthew Justice. I see it as a testing ground; whether I win or lose, I’m trying to impress everyone and make a powerful statement through my presence.

As our chat drew to a close, we couldn’t help but discuss some of the most memorable heel turns in wrestling history, spurred by John Cena’s recent surprising transformation. It’s a topic that continues to spark debate: which heel turn is the greatest in wrestling? According to Hauser, there’s one particular heel turn that remains uncontested at the pinnacle.

Hauser explained that during Bash at the Beach 96, he listened to the event on a scrambled TV set because they couldn’t afford pay-per-view. He was deeply emotional when Hulk Hogan turned villain and joined the New World Order, considering it the best moment in wrestling history. However, he also expressed his desire for a modern twist: he wants heel Swerve Strickland to turn villainous and destroy Adam Page’s house. In simpler terms, he shared his nostalgia for the Hulk Hogan’s heel turn and expressed his wish for a similar dramatic moment involving Swerve Strickland.

At 7 PM Pacific Time, you’ll have the opportunity to witness Hauser in action during MLW’s Battle Riot VII, happening at Thunder Studios Arena. For those who can’t make it in person, the event will be live and free on YouTube at 10 PM Eastern Time. You can catch it right here.

2025-03-22 22:10

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