For decades, World Wrestling Entertainment, a company with D.C. roots, has been the leading brand in the field, but a newcomer looks to challenge WWE’s stranglehold on the market.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a fledging organization, is looking to expand its horizons, and it comes with substantial backing. The lead investor is Shahid Khan and the founder is Khan’s son, Tony. Together, the Khan family also own the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
After successful pay-per-view events, AEW will premiere a weekly television program on Wednesday, Oct. 2 on TNT. Its first live telecast will take place at Capital One Arena in D.C.
The promotion is the brainchild of pro wrestler Cody Rhodes, son of the late wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, and brothers Matt and Nick Jackson, a top tag team known as The Young Bucks.
AEW’s roster consists of numerous wrestlers who have had solid careers either in WWE or on the independent wrestling circuit. Former WWE stars Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley, who wrestled in WWE as Dean Ambrose, headline the roster along with independent stars such as Kenny Omega and Joey Janela.
Rhodes announced the formation of AEW in January. On May 25, AEW held its first pay-per-view event, “Double or Nothing,” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Two more pay-per-view events followed in Florida and another one will take place in the Chicago area in August prior to the TV debut.