Why AEW's 'Double or Nothing' could change pro-wrestling forever
Pro-wrestling fans could not believe their eyes when the 'Elite' comprising of the Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Adam 'Hangman' Page revealed on the January 1 episode of 'Being the Elite' that they will be starting their own professional wrestling company called 'All Elite Wrestling (AEW)', backed by businessman, Tony Khan.
Since then, AEW has taken the pro-wrestling world by storm, signing huge names including the likes of Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and others. They have already signed 60-odd wrestlers to their roster and have inked partnerships with other wrestling companies like AAA in Mexico, and OWE in China.
The roster comprises of some of the most exciting and talented wrestlers in the world, namely, MJF, Joey Janela, Shawn Spears, Britt Baker, and many more.
On May 25, 2019, AEW will be running their first PPV called 'Double or Nothing' from a sold-out MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Even with no bouts announced for the show, tickets sold out in 4 minutes.
Over the weeks, several high-profile matches have been announced for the PPV, including Omega vs. Jericho, Young Bucks vs. the Lucha Brothers for the AAA Tag-Team Championships, and Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes.
But this is not going to be any normal PPV, this might just be the start of the greatest-era in pro-wrestling. It's the first time in 20 years that a professional wrestling company has been able to secure a TV deal, apart from WWE, and that too on TNT Drama.
Wrestling is returning to TNT, and fans could not be happier. They have also been able to secure a broadcasting deal with ITV in the United Kingdom. This is unprecedented for a company which has not even had its first show yet.
This is a story about hard work, true grit, determination, and an overwhelming belief. That is what Cody and the Young Bucks did when they went on to self-finance 'All In' and sold out Sears Centre in less than 30 minutes.
It's a reward for their self-belief, as Tony Khan approached them after 'All In' with a business proposition, which eventually led to the birth of what fans now know as AEW.
These guys are changing the game as we speak, they are 'flipping the script', and there are fans out there that want something else aside from the wrestling they watch every week right now on their TV sets.
Fans have been long asking for an alternative, and that's what AEW is here to provide. Impact Wrestling and ROH have been prevalent for a long time but they haven't been able to enjoy the same wave of success which AEW has been able to in a very short time.
Young Bucks, the EVPs of AEW, have already said that one of their main focus with AEW will be tag-team wrestling, and they will leave no stone unturned to make tag-team wrestling great again.
Both Cody and Tony Khan, the President of AEW, have made it a point to make 'wins and losses' matter again in professional wrestling. They have alluded that AEW is looking for a more sports-driven form of professional wrestling and they will use statistics and other sports-like elements to give fans a different feel to their product.
Pro-wrestling is about to change come May 25 and fans better be ready to fasten their seat belts because this journey is about to get interesting. Fans have been starving for a more entertaining and enthralling product and AEW might just be what the doctor ordered.
These people have seen what professional wrestling is and they know what professional wrestling can be. This is a pretty exciting time in the wrestling industry and All Elite Wrestling is the best chance for wrestling fans to get what they have asked for in well over a decade.
Both Brandi Rhodes, the Chief Brand Officer of AEW, and Tony Khan have said in an interview with Jake Whitehall, that 'Double or Nothing' is going to be one of the greatest PPVs in wrestling history and they still have a few more surprises up their sleeve.
Could Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose, show up at MGM Grand on May 25? Could fans get to hear 'Cult of Personality' hit and watch CM Punk walk out at the end of the PPV? For this and much more, we'll have to tune in to 'Double or Nothing' and be ready to get our minds blown away.