The AEW is no stranger to MGM’s Grand Garden Arena, with the memorable Double or Nothing inaugural event in which was held in May 2019. The headline event in which Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega took to the ring was one which also ended with the introduction of Jon Moxley into the AEW stable. In fact, the event was praised by some of the world’s best professionals from right across the wrestling fraternity.
Since that historic event, the AEW has moved around the US and of course much like the WWE it has taken to Florida as a mainstay for events during the pandemic with Daily’s Place in Jacksonville being the home for five of its most recent events. One of those was Double or Nothing which was scheduled originally for a return to it’s home in Nevada but that couldn’t happen because of the ongoing issues. So now as things start to head into a positive direction it’s time for the AEW to head back to the venue of its first pay per view event yet again.
The MGM Grand is the spiritual home of sports entertainment and huge events in the entertainment capital of the world. Over the years the venue has hosted super fights from the boxing world, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, Holyfield vs. Tyson and more recently Wilder vs. Fury. Mayweather even labeled the MGM as ‘the best place on Earth’. Also of course, it was the home for WCW’s Halloween Havoc events until the turn of the millennium. The infrastructure is there to continually manage the demand of thousands for these massive events, let’s not forget the tickets for the first AEW Double or Nothing sold out in four minutes. It’s a popular destination for a host of reasons.
Away from the Garden Arena at the resort there are a world of entertainment options, which draw in millions of spectators each year, too. Located on the famous Strip, people flock to the MGM for the gaming options and it’s known for having one of best poker rooms in the whole of Las Vegas. Throughout the years the game has also been a staple for some of the more well known figureheads in the sport, too. John Cena who has been linked with a move to AEW and hasn’t denied that a move to All Elite Wrestling is off the cards, is a keen poker player and his fellow WWE stablemate, The Miz has taken part in some live poker events.
Another positive for the MGM Grand is that it’s the third largest hotel complex in the world and the largest single hotel in the USA. With the capacity of the Arena itself being 16,800 there is the accommodation in place for people to stay at the venue too, with 6,852 rooms listed for guests to stay in. Amongst its facilities are the Grand Spa and Fitness Center and five pools for guests to use with poolside bars. For the party animals too, DJ’s Steve Aoki and Tiesto have had residencies there so, who knows there could even be a chance to mingle with the wrestlers at an after party gig?
All things considered, there’s little reason to argue against why the MGM Grand Garden Arena shouldn’t be the future home for AEW. With its heritage as one of the best places for entertainment in the world, it’s history as hosting some of the biggest events in sport and the facilities that are on offer for visitors. As AEW continues to grow with a weekly audience of 835,000 viewers tuning in each week at home then it deserves the glitz and glamor of Vegas to add that finishing touch.
