Paul Walter Hauser has emerged as one of the most versatile actors working today. Who else could steal lines from Jamie Taco, work security at the Reno Sheriff’s Department, learn karate at Cobra Kai and bring a truly creepy serial killer to life in the span of three years?
That latter role — as Larry Hall in Apple TV’s true crime miniseries Black Bird — earned Hauser his first Emmy award Monday night. And, since this is the same guy who showed up to All Elite Wrestling’s Dynamite with his Golden Globe in tow to feud with Jeff Jarrett (wee woo), he made sure to pepper up his minute-long speech of rhyming couplets with a handful of pro wrestling references to balance out the mushiness of his heartfelt thanks.
Paul Walter Hauser wins the award for Supporting Actor – Limited Anthology Series or Movie at the #Emmys pic.twitter.com/tjRLaXe6tv
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 16, 2024
Here’s each one, broken down.
1
"Diamond" Dallas Page
“DDP” was WCW’s biggest homegrown star this side of Goldberg. But he’s brought even more value to the squared circle as a mentor who helps wayward veterans clean up their lives at his “Accountability Crib.”
He helped Jake “the Snake” Roberts, Marcus “Buff” Bagwell and Scott Hall all find comfort in sobriety and, if his DVD line is to be believed, yoga. Here, he earns a special place in Hauser’s written thanks, even though he didn’t make the actual speech itself.
2
Matt Cardona
“That’s a ‘what up’ to Jesus, he’s the soul owner. I own the body, I’m about to beat Matt Cardona.”
Hauser’s references weren’t obvious, Macho Man-level pulls. They’re the work of a wrestling fan willing to dig beneath the surface of WWE.
Cardona spent more than a decade wrestling in the world’s largest promotion as Zack Ryder. Since his release, he’s terrorized smaller independent promotions and larger companies ranging from GCW to Impact with a vainglorious, “better than this” gimmick that’s made him one of the most over personalities both in the ring and online.
Now the former WWE Intercontinental Champion must face his greatest challenge; Hauser. The two are scheduled to face off March 16 in Clive, Iowa at Wrestling Revolver’s Ready or Not! show.
3
Kota Ibushi
“Yo Ibushi, yoga and sushi on me if you’re able.”
Kota Ibushi is currently signed to AEW, but prior to that he held just about every title New Japan Pro Wrestling ever had. He’s a Wrestling Observer Hall of Famer who may be winding down his career, but still has plenty left to give after a legendary two decades in the ring. Or this could be another person named Ibushi, but for wrestling fans there’s only one person to which that surname refers.
4
The Dudley Boyz
“Do things a little bit different. Yo, Brian Walsh, get the tables.”
There’s no explanation needed here for anyone who watched WWE in the prime years of the Attitude Era.
But, if you’re unfamiliar, Bubba Ray telling D’Von — in this case Walsh, Hauser’s manager — to “get the tables” was a sign someone’s night was about to get a whole lot worse. Not Hauser’s though. That dude was partying. Even if he should be using his time to get in shape for his showdown with Cardona in two months.
