All Elite Wrestling’s Pay-Per-View events are no strangers to seeing major debuts take place in their events. It’s become tradition to see at the very least one new face make their debut, followed by the signature “Is #AllElite” graphic makings its way to the company’s official Twitter account. The TBS Championship match at AEW Double or Nothing 2022, its culmination, and follow-up saw a doubleheader of debuts. Both of which were expected by many.
Debuts at AEW Double or Nothing 2022
Welcome to the team, Stokely!#AEWDoN pic.twitter.com/L8oedt7iKq
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 30, 2022
Stokely Hathaway Managing The Baddies
On April 29, 2022, Malcolm Bivens was released from his WWE/NXT contract. The then-leader of the Diamond Mine proved that not even major figures involved in championship storylines were safe as Bivens managed The Creed Brothers in their NXT Tag Team Championship aspirations and were all top figures of the weekly NXT 2.0 program.
Right away, Hathaway’s connection to many in AEW became apparent, specifically, MJF. However, as Jade Cargill’s TBS Championship title match reached its peak, the former leader of NXT’s Diamond Mine, EVOLVE’s Catch Point, and Major League Wrestling’s Black Friday Management stables now seems to be positioned in a similar role for the first major AEW women’s stable, The Baddies composed of TBS Champion Cargill, Kiera Hogan & Red Velvet. Absent from the introduction was previous group manager, “Smart” Mark Sterling.
It’s official! @AthenaPalmer_FG is ALL ELITE!#AEWDoN pic.twitter.com/k1Z48QuLJO
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 30, 2022
“The Fallen Goddess” Athena Evens The Odds
Following the aforementioned TBS Championship match, defeated challenger Anna Jay was swarmed by the heel group. While Kris Statlander appeared to aid, it was still a case of 3 against 2. This led to the debut of the new labeled “Fallen Goddess”, Athena, the former Ember Moon.
Released on November 4th, 2021, Ember Moon was an NXT Women’s Champion and the second-ever NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Shotzi Blackheart, winning the titles off first champions Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez the very same episode the titles were introduced and in their first defense.
Now going by her pre-WWE ring name once again, Athena had been expressing her interest in coming to AEW in various interviews. Speculation pointed towards a debut as the “Joker” for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. However, the same day as said “Joker’s” match was scheduled for Dynamite, she was live-streaming from her own home, dashing those hopes. But only 2 weeks later, she is officially #AllElite.
Both Athena’s and Stokely Hathaway’s signings were made official via Twitter with the typical “Is #AllElite” graphic. Something that was not confirmed for recent major cameo Johnny Elite (the former John Morrison), Erick Redbeard, or referee Mike Chioda.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.
