One of AEW’s simple and smartest booking decisions is paying off once again.

I wrote a column in January 2023 suggesting a gimmick match that AEW could use as its star-making Money in the Bank or Royal Rumble-type vehicle to set wrestlers on a world championship chase and create the anticipation for the winners.

Then, during my recent interview with Chris Jericho, he said something I had never thought of when it came to why AEW has had the resurgence it’s had — selling out Louis Armstrong Stadium and having Double or Nothing reportedly being one of its most-purchased pay-per-views at an expected 200,00-plus buys. 

“He [AEW president Tony Khan] stayed the course and he’s done a really good job of booking some really intriguing matches and more importantly, this is more important than anything in wrestling, some possible matches, matches that people want to see,” he said. “Once you get that going, when those matches happen, you’re ready. ‘Take my money.’”