For the WWE top performers in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42, the show didn’t end at Allegiant Stadium.
Several encounters with fans at MGM Grand left stars like CM Punk, Booker T, Drew McIntyre and more displeased with a lack of privacy at their home for the weekend.
Fans lingered at various hotel locations for a chance to interact with their favorite wrestlers. However, between the event and meet-and-greets, many performers were taxed and sought privacy by many different means — words, walking away and in one instance, force.
“They were camped out — everywhere. You couldn’t walk anywhere,” Booker T said of fans on his podcast. “And they were following you. In the bathroom, I remember the guy literally was filming me… and when I walked out, he goes, ‘Hey, hey, Booker,’ and I just kept walking because I was so mad because he was filming me in the bathroom.”
Booker T made calls for better security, stating his experience was the “toughest time” he’s had with fans, “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
MGM Grand responded to the numerous incidents.
“We have a good, multi-year relationship with WWE and worked closely with them and their security teams on the many events, pop-ups, and activations throughout the week,” the hotel told the Review-Journal in a statement. “We constantly evaluate and evolve our procedures and respond quickly when made aware of any unplanned movement or issues. Our top priority is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
The dilemma, unique to Las Vegas, is that most hotels are massive public spaces, beyond just a lobby, where many can gather without causing a disturbance.
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre’s agent, Nick LoPiccolo, said on X that he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary at MGM Grand during WrestleMania weekend. However, he did tell the Review-Journal that he recalled last year’s stay at Fountainebleu Las Vegas being more streamlined with a VIP elevator and a more “intuitive” flow from valet to guest rooms.
“A lot of the guys were hanging out on the casino floor last year,” LoPiccolo said. “I didn’t see any of that this year.”
Last year, WrestleMania 41 saw attendance of over 124,000 for the two-day event. While there were 19,000 fewer fans this year, WrestleMania 42 seemed to surface more tension from fan interactions.
The WWE did not respond for comment on the matter.
WWE stars plead for privacy
A viral incident involving CM Punk took centerstage on social media. In footage acquired by TMZ Sports, a fan approached WWE performers Bayley and AJ Lee in the MGM Grand. Bayley told the fan, recording a video, to go away before CM Punk intervened, swatting the phone out of the fan’s hand.
It was just one of several incidents with fans that occurred over the weekend.
Drew McIntyre shared a video on X of him interacting with fans during meet-and-greets with a message detailing that fans rushed his family and him in the hotel and “shoved” a camera in his face.
“For those fans who spent hard earned money on a chance to say hello, take a photo, have something signed, or give me one of my many, many bracelets, I appreciate each and every single one of you,” he wrote on X. “To those who rushed my family and I in the hotel, kept your kids up till 2am throwing them in front of us, or shoved a camera in my face without asking, you’re lucky I’m a calm natured person outside the ring. Please don’t do that ever again.”
Randy Orton was followed by fans around the hotel as he looked for the elevator. Royce Keyes, known as “Powerhouse Hobbs,” was subject of a video of him speaking with a fan, apparently turning down an interaction — explaining “this is on my time” — before telling the fan he was going to walk away.
There is a report that some WWE performers switched hotels over the weekend. The Las Vegas Review-Journal could not confirm the report as of Sunday.
“You guys really need to understand what the guys go through some time and give them their space. After a show, seeing them out there working like crazy and then they come in and you disrespect them with their kids, their wives their families,” Booker T added. “We’re human. After a show like that — it’s like Don Johnson used to say on Miami Vice, ‘Show’s over, pal.’ — Give the guys a little bit of a break, a little bit of space at times, because it’s taxing. It truly is.”
Contact Trevor Squire at tsquire@reviewjournal.com Follow him at @trevordsquire on X.
