5 Things You Probably Don't Remember About AEW Double Or Nothing 2019

The last few months have been so crazy and unfathomable, and now parts of our lives we took for granted feel all too ancient. For instance, Super Bowl 54 was only just over three months ago, but that Chiefs' victory basically feels like it took place three *years* ago. And last year's Double or Nothing? The first event in the history of All Elite Wrestling? May 25, 2019 may as well have been part of our grandparents' generation.

AEW's going on with the second annual Double or Nothing here in 2020, albeit without the intended Las Vegas glitz. It won't be the same as last year's show, which itself was a seminal night in pro wrestling history. Cody vs. Dustin, Bucks vs. Lucha Bros, Moxley's debut - no doubt that AEW's first-ever event was one of the most important wrestling cards in years, for so many reasons. But what about some of those less-memorable moments from the first Double or Nothing?

Let's take a look back at AEW's maiden broadcast, examine just how different the promotion was when it roared out of the gate, and recall some facts about Double or Nothing 2019 that we might have forgotten.

The last few months have been so crazy and unfathomable, and now parts of our lives we took for granted feel all too ancient. For instance, Super Bowl 54 was only just over three months ago, but that Chiefs' victory basically feels like it took place three *years* ago. And last year's Double or Nothing? The first event in the history of All Elite Wrestling? May 25, 2019 may as well have been part of our grandparents' generation.

AEW's going on with the second annual Double or Nothing here in 2020, albeit without the intended Las Vegas glitz. It won't be the same as last year's show, which itself was a seminal night in pro wrestling history. Cody vs. Dustin, Bucks vs. Lucha Bros, Moxley's debut - no doubt that AEW's first-ever event was one of the most important wrestling cards in years, for so many reasons. But what about some of those less-memorable moments from the first Double or Nothing?

Let's take a look back at AEW's maiden broadcast, examine just how different the promotion was when it roared out of the gate, and recall some facts about Double or Nothing 2019 that we might have forgotten.

5. The One-Timers Club

While all of the big guns like Chris Jericho, The Elite, and others were under contract, there were a few scattered talents that worked the show who were only there to fill out the numbers - particularly in the pre-show Casino Battle Royale.

Eclectic names like Glacier, Ace Romero, Brian Pillman Jr, and the legless Dustin Thomas all competed in that scrum, in their only AEW appearances to date. Elsewhere, the legendary Aja Kong worked a six-woman tag with several AEW mainstays like Riho and Hikaru Shida.

4. No Adam Page Vs. PAC

Ohh, remember when this was all over the news? One of the first rivalries created upon AEW's launch was between the surly "Bastard" and the stoic "Hangman". As far back as the ticket rally in February, Page vs. PAC was locked in for Double or Nothing.

Then shortly before the event, the match was suddenly scrapped. PAC was Dragon Gate's Open the Dream Gate champion, and the promotion didn't want PAC losing while still reigning with the gold. The match was thus pulled from the event, and Page won the Casino Battle Royale instead.

3. The Dark Order Got The "Huh?" Treatment

Contrast this to recent months, when the group's "recruitment" vignettes have been favourably received, the speculation toward the Exalted One's eventual reveal proved that the intrigue was there. But before Brodie Lee's unveiling, there were hurdles.

Those hurdles were evident when, following a match between Best Friends and The Hybrid 2, an attack was perpetrated by Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, and assorted creepers. "Who Are You?" chants rang out from a confused crowd of usually savvy fans, so it wasn't a good start.

2. "The Hitman" Had An Interesting Cavalry

Certified legend Bret "The Hitman" Hart made a guest appearance on the night, showing off the newly-minted AEW World Heavyweight title. Before that could happen, he had to put up with a browbeating from MJF, who quickly established himself as a star to watch.

Three men ended up defending Hart's honour from MJF, and it was a rather fascinating trio: Adam Page, Jimmy Havoc, and Jungle Boy. None of the three are really associated with each other today, but the roster was clearly still fleshing itself out when night one rolled around.

1. Cody Played The Heel

While Cody Rhodes as a heel is hardly novel, it's a rarer sight today. For most of the past year, Cody has made himself out to be a modern version of his father: an affable, silver-tongued hero who speaks highly of honour, hard work, and tradition.

Cody plays that role with aplomb, but he came into this bloody war with brother Dustin as the privileged sniveler that had all too recently been his default. Between his attitude and Brandi running interference, we forget that Cody didn't turn face until the tearful aftermath.