The official “Double or Nothing” Weigh-In and Press Conference for All Elite Wrestling’s debut pay-per-view event, was held May 24, 2019, at Ceasar’s Palace. The event, hosted by AEW ring announcer Justin Roberts, along with Jennifer Decker, saw its share of jaw-dropping moments in front of a heated crowd.
The event was almost derailed before it began. A female fan began heckling the emcees from the front row. Once security approached the woman, it quickly became apparent it was wrestler MJF in a cheap blonde wig. The company had banned MJF from the event, and upon realizing who was hiding in plain sight, MJF was unceremoniously escorted by security from the premises.
Out to the stage first from the AEW roster was female competitor Kylie Rae, to hype her three-way match with Nyla Rose and Dr. Britt Baker. The crowd quickly identified with Rae, who unabashedly expressed her love for pro wrestling. “This isn’t a gimmick. I just tripped on the way out here. I’m genuinely a fan.”
It was only fitting that Kylie Rae brought out an AEW fan from the crowd. “This is Jason Byers from Denver, Colorado,” she said, before handing him the microphone. Jason looked into the audience and requested his girlfriend, Andrea Carricato, to join him onstage. Jason proceeded to get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend, who excitedly said “Yes!” The crowd erupted in “Holy Shit!”
Executive Vice President, “The American Nightmare” Cody, and Chief Brand Officer, Brandi Rhodes, came out to a thunderous ovation. Brandi teased Cody, asking if he was going to provide more clickbait for the internet. Cody was jubilant when addressing the audience: “Every video wall…every [entrance] song you hear tomorrow…we all put a lot of love into it.”
Things took a serious turn when Cody was asked about his “Double or Nothing” match with his brother, Dustin Rhodes: “I don’t have any animosity going into this. I love my brother, but this should have happened three years ago.”
When asked if he thinks his former employer is still wishing him the best in his future endeavors, Cody quipped: “I got text messages that say otherwise…[but] this is good for the industry. Let’s make history.”
Brandi Rhodes discussed her work as a board member of KultureCity, and how AEW’s “Double or Nothing” event will be pro wrestling’s first sensory inclusive event. Proceeds of sales from a special shirt at “Double or Nothing” will benefit KultureCity and their efforts to provide more sensory inclusive events around the country. Regarding the women’s division, Brandi said: “I think you’re going to be blown away.”
For the weigh-in portion of the event, Kip Sabian and Sammy Guevara took to the scale. The two will be squaring off during the free “Buy-In” portion of the show that will lead into the “Double or Nothing” pay-per-view. Sabian stepped off the scale at 180 lbs., while Guevara outweighed his opponent by five pounds. After some brief jaw-jacking and mean mugging, Guevara delivered a low blow to Sabian. A cocky Guevara exited the stage to a chorus of boos, while Sabian, buckled over, screamed “I’m gonna [expletive] you up!”
Matt and Nick Jackson were on the stage to discuss their “Double or Nothing” match with the Lucha Bros. A rather introspective Matt reminisced about how “…our dad introduced us to the art of pro wrestling. Sixteen years later, we convinced our dad to build our own wrestling ring.” Matt discussed the ups and downs of his career as a professional wrestler, and how difficult it had been in the early days to eek out a living.” Without the support of their tight knit family, they likely wouldn’t be here on the stage tonight, on the eve of All Elite Wrestling’s inaugural pay-per-view event. The moment, and the theme of two brothers who together blazed their own trail in the industry through thick and thin, was juxtaposed
as Matt introduced Dustin Rhodes.
“This is the most important thing I’ve done in 31 years in the industry,” said Dustin. “Some of you are rooting for Cody, some of you are rooting for me, some of you are split down the middle. I get it. But I am not Old Yeller. If this is my last ride, it’s Cody’s final reckoning!”
Dustin Rhodes turned his back to the crowd, unbuttoned his shirt, and pivoted around to reveal a t-shirt with the words “Dusty’s Favorite” in big, bold font.
Some words are best left unspoken. At AEW’s “Double or Nothing” pay-per-view event, we’ll find out which brother gets the last word.
All Elite Wrestling presents: “Double or Nothing”, Saturday, May 25 th , 2019 – 8pm EST/ 5pm PST Live on Pay-Per-View. Available in the United States via BleacherReportLive.com, all major cable & satellite providers, in the United Kingdom @ITVWrestling – ITVBoxOffice.com, and internationally through www.FITE.TV.