AEW Double Or Nothing Rally: News And Notes After Chris Jericho Signs With Equal-Pay Promotion
Alfred Konuwa Contributor
I write about men in tights and the money they make for men in suits.
Tuesday, January 8 2019 marked the next big step in the early legacy of All Elite Wrestling, which was announced exactly one week ago on January 1.
Cody and the Young Bucks hosted a Double or Nothing rally Tuesday at TIAA Bank Field.
Credit: Starrcast.com
With the Double or Nothing Rally at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., AEW was afforded a large platform to make a first impression. Once again, the innovative brain trust or The Elite delivered in creating excitement around their budding product with the announcement of Chris Jericho and a women's division that will see equal pay between the male and female athletes.
Dave Meltzer, AEW's unofficial public relations liaison and host of Wrestling Observer Radio, recently noted the promotion spent a lot of money to put the rally together.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, billionaire Shahid Khan confirmed his role as "the lead investor, supporter and backer" of AEW. Khan is currently listed No. 65 on the Forbes billionaire list with a net worth of $6.4 billion.
With few announced wrestlers under contract, no television deal and no venue confirmed for the Double or Nothing event, these figured to be topics addressed during the rally, which "coincidentally" took place near the same building as WWE SmackDown Live, set to air just hours later.
Buzz for the AEW rally continues to be strong. As of this writing, AEW t-shirts are the No. 1 selling item on Prowrestlingtees.com.
4:50 PM ET Emcees Conrad Thompson and Alex Marvez hype All Elite Wrestling as being built "by the fans, for the fans." Thompson makes mention of owner Tony Khan and his lifelong fandom of professional wrestling. The pair give glowing praise to Cody and The Young Bucks for proving the experts wrong with the unprecedented success of All In. Confirmed names in attendance include Billy Gunn and Neville.
5:00 PM ET Thompson and Marvez officially kick off the AEW rally and introduce SoCal Uncensored, comprised of Frankie Kazarian, Scorpio Sky and Christopher Daniels.
Daniels reveals an exclusive, Jaguars-themed t-shirt from Prowrestlingtees.com, which is the official merchandise outlet of AEW. Daniels confirms SCU is officially part of All Elite Wrestling.
Cody and the Young Bucks made multiple announcements at the AEW Double or Nothing Rally.
Credit: Twitter, @MattJackson13
5:10 PM ET Cody is introduced as the Executive Vice President of AEW. He is showered with chants of "thank you Cody." Rhodes noted how pro wrestlers are always the least-paid, but at AEW they're going to change that. He also said wins and losses will matter like they've never mattered before. He said AEW will not coach fans on how to cheer or who to cheer for.
5:15 PM ET Cody introduces The Young Bucks, who receive chants of "thank you Young Bucks." Matt Jackson announces AEW has made an agreement with Chinese wrestling promotion Oriental Wrestling Entertainment (OWE) and a faction known as The Good Hearts. Nick Jackson announces Double or Nothing for Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
5:20 PM ET Cody and The Young Bucks introduce Brandi Rhodes. Brandi confirms there will be a women's division. The division will feature some of the top Japanese wrestlers in the world. Brandi notes Women will be paid equally to men.
5:25 PM ET Brandi introduces AEW signee Britt Baker. Baker said she looks to set an example for children, men, women and adults to pursue their dreams. She confirms that she has officially signed with AEW.
5:30 PM ET Maxwell Jacob Friedman interrupts, cuts a promo on Conrad Thompson for being overweight and sends him away. He calls Jacksonville, Fla. the "dumpster fire of America." Friedman is interrupted by Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville. Friedman appears to have signed with AEW.
5:35 PM ET Friedman is attacked by a crutch-wielding Joey Janela, accompanied by Penelope Ford, who confirms he has signed with All Elite Wrestling.
Chris Jericho has signed with All Elite Wrestling and will appear at AEW Double or Nothing.
Credit: WWE.com
5:37 PM ET Thompson introduces Adam "Hangman" Page. Page continues the theme of pandering to fans as he says the fans are his boss. Page vows that in 2019, he'll be the first All Elite Wrestling champion.
5:41 PM ET Neville interrupts Page. He says he is already a champion as he brandishes Dragon Gate's Open the Dream Gate Championship in Page's face and leaves. Page says if that was some type of challenge, he accepts.
5:43 PM ET Thompson once again introduces Cody and the Young Bucks. Rhodes announces a second show that will take place in Jacksonville, Fla. Cody states a large portion of the gate will benefit victims of gun violence.
5:47 PM ET After teasing the rally is over, Chris Jericho makes a surprise appearance. Jericho says he is "all in with All Elite Wrestling." Jericho describes himself as an outlaw and a pariah. He confirms an appearance for the May 25 Double or Nothing show in Las Vegas. Jericho vows to change the whole universe. YouTube viewership peaked at just under 64,000 viewers.
Alfred Konuwa
I've been a pro wrestling columnist and video blogger for a leading national sports website since 2010. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara wit...