The Stakes are Raised: an AEW Double or Nothing Review
All Elite Wrestling has been making waves since its announcement at the start of 2019. Wrestling fans have been watching closely what to expect in AEW’s inaugural event, Double or Nothing. Months of buildup hyped on the newly-signed talent and sparked debates on whether they will be a true alternative to WWE, or just stick to being a t-shirt company.
What we got was an amazing start of a new product.
Double or Nothing showcased the diversity of AEW’s roster and gave a refreshing take on the western pro wrestling scene. A show of this scale had fans excited about what lies in the new alternative. The balance of familiarity and freshness held up well, as we got to see veterans and future names go at each other and deliver what felt missing in a major show in so long. You don’t need to Google every “Who?” as it showed in the wrestling matches from bell to bell.
Every match felt exhilarating, even if you didn’t need to know every wrestler competing. They just showed the world who they were and people got behind them. There wasn’t a bad match throughout the card, which would have you wonder why there hasn’t been a show like that delivered great performance all the way to the end. No pee break matches or whatever filler you’d expect from a massive show like this.
For diversity and inclusiveness, there was plenty to go around. Seeing wrestlers from OWE, AAA, and Gatoh Move in a big stage gave of grandeur. Although we don’t see as much action from wrestlers representing the LGBT community, it’s still a big step. Nyla Rose and Sonny Kiss’ action in the ring felt short, but here’s to hoping they get more matches to show off that they belong.
That being said, it wasn’t without its flaws. Technical issues and human error aside, moments of poking fun at the WWE felt a bit unnecessary. Cody smashing the Triple H-inspired throne was definitely up there, as giving a rival company the finger. Seeing how a promotion can get blinded by pettiness can be a turnoff, and I hope they don’t lose their direction of changing the world.
Overall, it was a solid show, and All Elite Wrestling went full throttle to make a statement, and what a statement they did.
This is a ripple effect in the pro wrestling industry, and we look forward to more shows building up to their weekly show this fall.