James Musselwhite / All Elite Wrestling
WWE has had a stranglehold on the wrestling world since WCW ended, but the new All Elite Wrestling is ready to take aim at Vince McMahon's company.
- All Elite Wrestling, a new wrestling promotion led by ex-WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes, put on its first official show, entitled "Double or Nothing," over Memorial Day weekend.
- The show was enthralling, and received rave reviews from both fans in attendance and those watching at home, and gave clear examples of the differences between the new company and WWE.
- Between the wide range of wrestling skills on display, the access given by the performers, and the return of a bit of blood, there's plenty of reasons for wrestling fans to be excited about the future of AEW.
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On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, a new chapter in the world of professional wrestling began.
All Elite Wrestling's debut pay-per-view "Double or Nothing" aired live from Las Vegas, earning rave reviews from both fans in attendance and those watching at home.
All Elite Wrestling, or AEW, presents the first true stateside alternative to WWE in two decades. The brand is helmed by ex-WWE performer Cody Rhodes, who along with indie superstar tag-team The Young Bucks, and New Japan legend Kenny Omega, will serve as both performers and executives for the new promotion.
Funding the project is Shad Khan, the billionaire owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C., with his son Tony, a lifelong wrestling fan, serving as president and CEO of the company.
Between its ever-growing roster of talent and announced television deal with TNT, AEW was already positioned as a new draw for wrestling fans before any action took place in the ring, but on Saturday, the promotion took things to another level with "Double or Nothing."
The show was enthralling and proved that not only can AEW draw a crowd and put on some classic matches, but that the differences between the upstart company and Vince McMahon's Goliath may play to their advantage.
Between the show itself, and the interviews given to reporters after the final bell, it's easy to see just how new a product AEW is setting out to be compared to WWE.