3-Time WWE Champion Finally Debuts In AEW
The professional wrestling landscape shifted tonight when a WWE Hall of Famer made his sudden debut for All Elite Wrestling at 2026 Double or Nothing.
AEW held its eighth annual Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 24 live from Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Before the main card even began, the pre-show delivered a moment that no one saw coming a few months ago. A legendary name, someone who spent decades in WWE, stepped in front of an AEW crowd for the very first time.
The wrestling world had been speculating about this for weeks. On Sunday night, it became real. The name who debuted is none other than Mick Foley.
The Hall of Famer debuted at Double or Nothing following his WWE exit
The three-time WWE Champion co-hosted the Double or Nothing Buy In pre-show alongside Renee Paquette. With this appearance, Foley has now worked for every major US wrestling organization during his career – WWE, WCW, ECW, ROH, TNA, and now AEW.
"This is one of the biggest nights of my life." – Mick Foley
Watch the #AEWDoN Buy In LIVE on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/oCZt8u1sXu
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 24, 2026
Mick Foley’s surprise arrival comes right after he decided to walk away from his WWE Legends contract. Foley had previously cited creative differences and corporate direction as major reasons for distancing himself from the Stamford-based company.
Following that announcement, AEW immediately had a strong interest in bringing Foley in. All Elite President Tony Khan confirmed the debut on May 20, noting Double or Nothing would be Foley’s “first night” in AEW – strongly hinting at more appearances to come.
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