The official AEW Double Or Nothing rally took place tonight in Jacksonville. And history is now officially in the making. Many wrestlers came tonight to announce they signed with the company and first partnerships were revealed. Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky were the first to come to the podium to announce that, at midnight on December 31, they asked how they follow that up in 2019 and that is by officially signing with All Elite Wrestling.
AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes out came to talk talks about how he was surrounded by a wall of fan passion after All In last year and we have to keep that fire going, with the motto “Change The World”. He talked about how pro wrestlers always been the least-paid in the sports world, but AEW is going to change that. Cody also told the crowd wins and losses will matter like never before in AEW, before introducing the other Executive Vice Presidents, and the greatest Tag Team in the world, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks.
After some more words on changing the world, Matt Jackson announced the company won’t care about race, gender, sex or religion, if you’re an elite athlete. He says their doors are open to all. They have made an agreement with OWE (Oriental Wrestling Entertainment) to bring them into AEW, and give them a spotlight. The 3 Executive Vice-Presidents officially announced Double Or Nothing will take place on Saturday, May 25 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
AEW Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes confirmed there will be a women’s division in AEW, with female talents paid equally to male. She mentioned sitting down with top Japanese talents last week in Tokyo and said there will be more to come from that. She introduced the first AEW female signee, Britt Baker. Baker said AEW will elevate all of professional wrestling to new heights and that’s something we can all be excited for.
MJF, Joey Janela and Penelope Ford then came to announce they are now All Elite. Adam Page followed, saying working with Cody and The Bucks has been some of the best times of his life. Page said he doesn’t know what the plans are but he knows what his plans are – he will become the first All Elite Wrestling Champion in 2019. He was interrupted by PAC (Neville) and told Page he’s got bad news for him. Neville says he’s here in AEW and he’s already a Champion. So he will become the first All Elite Wrestling Champion in 2019, and not Page.
Cody then talked about AEW’s second show that will be held in Jacksonville. A large portion of the gate from the event will go to victims of gun violence. As the rally was coming to an end, some Fozzy music was heard. Chris Jericho said he’s all in with All Elite Wrestling. He explained he’s not there for the money, but because he believes in doing something different and something new, which it’s what he’s always one in his career. Jericho said he’s going to be at Double Or Nothing in Las Vegas. Jericho said it starts now and it starts forever, this is the real deal. Jericho says he’s not here to just change the world, AEW isn’t here to just change the world… they are going to change the whole universe.
You can watch the video of the rally below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSXYPn_VnDk]
Cody also confirmed on AEW Official Twitter Billy Gunn would be the first producer and agent for the promotion. Tony Khan, President of AEW, detailed later his intentions with the roster, mentioning that health insurance and full-time employment would be available to the individuals that make the biggest contributions to the company, whether inside or outside the ring. Khan, concerned about his performers getting burned out, also confirmed that the wrestlers will receive favourable schedules and will travel infrequently.
It should also be noted that there weren’t any announcements about a TV deal, how many events they’ll run this year, excepted Double or Nothing and Jacksonville events, and possible relationships with NJPW or ROH.
EXCLUSIVE: Chris Jericho (@IamJericho) is Officially signed to @AEWrestling #AEW #AEWRally pic.twitter.com/In6Nc96am5
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) January 9, 2019
Stay tuned on AEW on its brand-new Twitter @AllEliteWrestling, and on @VultureHoundMag.