Double or Nothing 2019

Lore & Background

The name Double or Nothing was originally referenced in a promo that Cody Rhodes made immediately after the September 2018 All In event, which was an independently produced PPV that came as a result of a bet with wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. Rhodes said 'I know when you make a bet, sometimes you go double or nothing.' AEW was founded in January 2019 with Double or Nothing as its first event that May. The name is also a reference to its gambling theme, as the event was traditionally held at arenas on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada until 2025.

In Their Own Story

The MGM Grand Garden Arena hummed with a nervous energy that had not been felt in Las Vegas since the glory days of WCW. As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted, not just for the spectacle, but for the possibility of something new. In the center of the ring, three men stood atop ladders, eyes locked on the championship belt hanging above them. The air smelled of sweat and anticipation. When Chris Jericho finally reached for the gold, the roar was deafening, a sound that echoed through history books as the moment AEW officially arrived.

Reader's Guide

Double or Nothing 2019 was the first event of AEW and its first PPV. It is considered one of the 'Big Five' PPVs for AEW, along with All In, All Out, Full Gear, and Revolution. Until 2023, it was considered AEW's marquee event before being supplanted by All In.

Did You Know?

• The inaugural Double or Nothing was also the first PPV as well as the first event produced by AEW.
• The event was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.
• The name 'Double or Nothing' was first mentioned by Cody Rhodes in a promo after the 2018 All In event.