AEW Double or Nothing 2024 is an important event for the company, showcasing a new generation of talent and several established names while they start their fifth year in existence. As the show progresses, there is much to unpack.
AEW Double or Nothing Notes:
There were no massive streaming issues reported by fans. This is very different from past experiences with B/R Live, where even Tony Khan has been required to comment on the platform dropping the ball with their events.
https://twitter.com/AndyNemmity/status/1794863696147337661
The Las Vegas Golden Knights mascot made an appearance during the AEW Double or Nothing Zero-Hour kickoff show. He was around a bit for the night, but it doesn’t seem like he gained much trust with his appearance.
I don't trust this guy one bit pic.twitter.com/QmHUd2zZmy
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) May 26, 2024
Tony Khan and Martha Hart made an announcement about the 2024 Owen Hart tournament. The winner of this year’s tournament will receive a title shot at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium on August 24.
The MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas was filled with AEW fans, eager to see what the company had planned. During the Zero-Hour match, The Acclaimed defeated Cage of Agony, but a notable moment occurred when Anthony Bowens had an unusual interaction with a fan during his entrance.
WTF did this overenthusiastic girl just put on Bowens’ finger? #AEW #AEWDoN #AEWDoubleorNothing pic.twitter.com/LjW2kLPkMy
— Aaron (@AaronVarble) May 26, 2024
The crowd was very hot for the opening International Title match with Will Ospreay vs Roderick Strong. They chanted “Ospreay!” incredibly loudly during his entrance, and they were on fire for the opening contest.
During MJF’s return, AEW made no attempts to censor fans as they chanted “You F*cked Up” at Adam Cole. The “Holy Sh*t” chants were also clearly heard on-air. Also, MJF was not bleeped as he quoted the Wolf of Wall Street when he said, “I’m not f*cking leaving!”
Jim Ross updated fans to let everyone know that he is on the mend, trying to rid himself from the flu. He is watching the event from his hospital bed.
I’m on the mend trying to chase this pesky flu virus away.
Watching @AEW from my hospital room.
?— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) May 26, 2024
Jeff Jarrett was also in the house for AEW Double or Nothing. RJ City posted a photo of himself with Double J as they enjoyed the view.
Triple J. No Renee. #AEWDoN pic.twitter.com/X7MO4hP7iK
— RJ City (@RJCity1) May 26, 2024
MJF kept cutting a promo online after his surprising AEW Double or Nothing return. He wanted to hammer home his return, which he did with a post on Twitter/X.
Y’all were gagging on it with a smile on your face for 5 years straight, then pretended you didn’t like the taste?
If I were you I’d grab some chapstick cuz I’m about to take over the game you love, AGAIN. #Betterthanyou
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™? (@The_MJF) May 27, 2024
Fans were on fire all night, and they had many inventive chants. During the FTW Title match, they chanted, “Teach Us!” at Chris Jericho. They also chanted “LUTHER!” during the AEW Women’s World Title match, as LUTHER accompanied Toni Storm. Of course, they also chanted “Donkey D*ck” during the show, and it wasn’t bleeped.
The barbed wire steel cage was impressive in person. Fans were red-hot for this match, with a ton of chants, and they were into the violence. They chanted “You Sick F*ck” at Adam Copeland as he wrapped Malakai Black in barbed wire while he was on the table. The spot that followed received “Holy Sh*t” and “This is Awesome” chants. Tony Schaivone also repeated their chant to say that a “holy sh*t chant has never been more appropriate.”
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Gangrel’s big surprise during the TNT Title match caught fans by surprise. Nobody at ringside reported seeing anyone move under the ring, but there were plenty of black out moments during the entrances of that match to get the Vampire Warrior in place.
Mercedes Mone received an amazing entrance as she made her way to the ring. A drum line was a nice touch for her CEO music.
The CEO Mercedes Moné makes her AEW in-ring debut as she looks to capture TBS gold & revenge!
Order #AEWDoN on PPV right now!
?: https://t.co/MpmTCyHt8n
?: https://t.co/GTkwK7GBIn@willowwrestles | @MercedesVarnado pic.twitter.com/f4ECyh4GMF— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 27, 2024
After Mercedes Mone’s TBS Title win, Kris Statlander turned on Willow Nightingale. This turn didn’t receive a huge response from the crowd, because it wasn’t the focus of everyone’s attention. This is why the reaction from fans didn’t seem as active when they pulled the trigger on that moment.
Other AEW DoN Notes Before The Show:
MJF flew to Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday. With Phoenix just a few hours from Las Vegas, it’s possible AEW flew him there to avoid being seen at the Vegas airport, suggesting a strong possibility of his return tonight at Double or Nothing. Phoenix is about 4 1/2 hours from Las Vegas, a manageable drive for a pro wrestler.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that AEW sources were surprised by Mercedes Mone saying that she was cleared to compete in December 2023, stating it was not consistent with their information. NJPW sources indicated that if she had been cleared to wrestle in January, they would have booked her for Wrestle Kingdom and Battle in The Valley. AEW sources confirmed that Mercedes was not expected to wrestle until May due to her injury.
ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta is also in Las Vegas for AEW Double or Nothing. Yuta has been out of action since January 10, following his match against Eddie Kingston at an AEW Rampage taping. Juice Robinson is also in Las Vegas, though Britt Baker has not been seen.
NJPW sources mentioned that multiple names were considered as the AEW World Title challenger for Forbidden Door. They also hinted at some unconventional choices being discussed for the event. Fans can expect to see more New Japan wrestlers appearing in AEW in the coming weeks, potentially as soon as this week. Other familiar faces are also expected to appear in AEW.
Pat Buck assigns producers for AEW shows. WrestleVotes tweeted, “Hearing from sources in Las Vegas to not miss the beginning of tonight’s Double or Nothing PPV. Big happenings are expected very early in the show! #AEWDoN.” We will have to see how things go as the show progresses.
