The John Report: AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 Review

This is AEW Double Or Nothing, featuring Darby Allin against MJF, a 14-man Stadium Stampede match, FTR against Cope & Cage, and more.

This is the 8th time AEW will present the Double or Nothing PPV. It was their first-ever PPV in May 2019. I still remember Jon Moxley making his AEW debut by attacking Kenny Omega at the end of the show. Double or Nothing has become a May tradition, usually during Memorial Day weekend in the US. They will have over 14,000 fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City for this show, so it should be one of the bigger US crowds of the year.

The pre-show “BUY IN” matches took place before the main show. I don’t watch the pre-show matches because the main shows are long enough. I’ll put the BUY IN match results here.

* Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross) defeated Zayda Steel and Viva Van (with Christopher Daniels) by pinfall.

* Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, and Wheeler Yuta) (with Marina Shafir) defeated The Opps (Anthony Bowens, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata) by pinfall

* Boom & Doom (“Big Boom!” A.J. and Q. T. Marshall) and The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, and Roderick Strong) (with Big Justice, Harley Cameron, and The Rizzler) defeated Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Anthony Ogogo, Capt. Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo, and Lee Moriarty) (with Christyan XO) by pinfall

The BUY IN pre-show also featured AEW newcomer Mick Foley, who was greeted by MJF with a low blow, so Foley motivated Darby Allin to beat MJF later.

This review will be a bit different because I’m going to do a summary style for most of the show. It’s been a very long day and a busy weekend for me. I don’t have the energy to write 10,000 words over five hours. I’ll still do the usual analysis and ratings of the matches. I ordered this show from AEW’s YouTube channel for $64.40 Canadian, including tax. Do I wish it were cheaper? Yes, but at least they are good shows. Let’s get to it.

AEW Double or Nothing
From Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York
Sunday, May 24, 2026

It’s Sunday, and you know what that means. The commentary team started as Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness. It’s a great venue for AEW, and it looks full.

“I Quit” Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler (w/Stokely) vs. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

There were a lot of weapons used throughout this match, and of course, there was blood as well. Cope was bleeding early on. FTR worked over Cage’s injured left arm throughout the match since Cage had a worked arm injury. When Cage was asked if he quit during the match, he said, “I banged your mother,” so the fans chanted that, and then Cage said, “Go F**k Yourself” later. Stoke took a turnbuckle pad off and it didn’t help since Cage hit a Spear on Dax. FTR hit a Shatter Machine on Cage, and as they tried to finish him off, Cope was back in with two Spears. Dax and Cash pleaded with Cope not to use a chair, then Stokely punched Cope with a watch, and FTR hit a Shatter Machine on Cope. Beth Copeland made her entrance to support her husband, Adam. Beth beat up Stokely, but then Dax sent Beth into the steel steps.

FTR lit a table on fire, Cash tried a Spear off the apron through the table on Beth, but she moved and Cash tackled Stokely through the fire table on the floor. That was crazy! Beth hit a low blow on Dax, Cage hit a low blow on Dax and Cope hit a Piledriver on Dax. Cage and Cope put Dax in a Sharpshooter/Crossface combo. Beth found Spike the bat with nails in it, so Cope put the nails in Dax’s bald head. Dax: “I quit!” New champs! It went around 20 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

Analysis: **** Great brawl to end the feud. That was a chaotic match that was full of some creative spots and big moments. I enjoyed it a lot. I actually thought there would be more blood in this match, but I assume there will be other bloody matches on the show since it’s AEW. That fire spot was crazy with Stokely and Cash taking those big bumps through the fire, which left Dax on his own, so C&C finished off Dax to win the match. Cope & Cage winning made sense since the stipulation was they’d retire as a team if they lost. I figured they had to win here, so I’m glad it happened.

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage celebrated as the new AEW World Tag Team Champions. Excalibur mentioned it was their 8th Tag Team Title reign. Cage even hugged Cope after the match. Cope got a congratulatory hug from Beth, too.

Analysis: I’m proud of my fellow Ontario boys, Cope and Cage. It’s been an incredible journey for them in pro wrestling, and now they are AEW Tag Team Champions for the first time.

A video package aired to set up the Kazuchika Okada-Konosuke Takeshita match.

AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Don Callis joined the commentary team since both wrestlers are in the Don Callis Family.

Okada hit a big dropkick early on as he knocked Takeshita out of the ring. The fans were super into this match and also chanted “F**k Don Callis” loudly. Takeshita got some offense going after a few minutes with Exploder suplexes. Takeshita hit an impressive somersault dive over the top onto Okada on the floor. They battled over Tombstone piledriver attempts and then Takeshita hit his sitout slam and a German Suplex. Okada nailed an impressive lariat after a cool sequence of moves. Takeshita gave Okada a brainbuster on the floor and Callis was angry about it. Takeshita picked up Okada overhead for a bridging German Suplex for two. Okada came back with a Tombstone Piledriver and no cover.

It was an even matchup again as they exchanged strikes and Takeshita felt like a babyface. Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Okada came back with a power slam. Takeshita got a nearfall by hooking the arm/knee at the same time. After an Okada dropkick, Takeshita hit a lefty clothesline to counter a Rainmaker attempt. Takeshita hit a power drive knee, and Okada kicked out at 1, so the fans were going crazy again. Takeshita hit an elbow to the jaw and the Raging Fire spinning slam for the one…two…three! It went about 20 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW International Champion: Konosuke Takeshita

Analysis: ****1/2 That was an incredible match between two of the best wrestlers in the world, and they built up the final five minutes so well. I thought it was the right call for Takeshita to get the win since Okada had a long title reign, and it felt like the right time for the younger guy, Takeshita, to get the win. There were so many believable nearfalls in the match. It was a lot of fun to watch because they made difficult moves look so easy, and the finish was done so well. If someone gave this match five stars, I would agree, but I’m rating it a notch or two below that.

After the match, Don Callis was with Okada, Mark Davis, and Rocky Romero as they spoke to Konosuke Takeshita. Kyle Fletcher made his entrance to a huge ovation, and he was in a suit. Kyle has been out for a few months with an injury. Kyle got in Okada’s face, and Callis got Okada out of the ring. Fletcher gave Takeshita a big hug, and the fans cheered. Fletcher raised Takeshita’s hand and gave him a lefty clothesline, which drew boos. Okada was laughing about it. The fans chanted “A**hole” at Fletcher. Fletcher gave Takeshita a brainbuster. Okada and Fletcher picked up the AEW International Title at the same time. Fletcher smashed the International Title into Takeshita’s head.

Analysis: There’s the official babyface turn of Konosuke Takeshita since he just got kicked out of the Don Callis Family. That has been building for a very long time, so doing it on the same night when Takeshita got a massive victory makes it that much more memorable. It’s good to see Fletcher back as well.

The start of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament was next.

Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Quarterfinals: Mina Shirakawa vs. Athena

Athena is the ROH Women’s Champion who has been hard to beat with that title on the line since she’s had a long title reign. This is not a title match. There was a good nearfall for Mina as she spiked Athena into the mat and hooked the arms/legs for a two count. Athena was selling a left ankle injury throughout the match and Mina worked it over throughout the match. Athena hit a shoulderbreaker into the knee. Athena jumped off the top with the O-Face for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Athena

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a solid match that probably could have taken place on TV instead of a PPV, but AEW wants to push the Owen tournament on a big show like this. Athena getting the win is what I expected, while Mina doesn’t really win big matches like this. They keep her at a certain level without pushing her match. The O-Face is still a tremendous finisher. I think Athena could absolutely win the Women’s Owen tournament.

The Jon Moxley-Kyle O’Reilly match was next. Moxley has had a problem beating Kyle, and Moxley has tapped out to Kyle twice.

The Conglomeration’s Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, and Roderick Strong hyped up Kyle O’Reilly. Briscoe said tonight is Kyle’s night. Orange took out Kyle’s AEW Trios Title from his backpack and Strong said they wanted to make room for a new title.

The legendary Jim Ross replaced Tony Schiavone for this match. I’ll miss Tony saying every wrestler is in the best shape of his career, and every match is the greatest thing he’s ever seen. Not really.

AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly

There is no time limit for this match after having a 20-minute time limit draw in their last match. It was a physical and hard hitting match early on. They continued the story of their other matches with Kyle going for submission moves on Moxley, including the Ankle Lock that Moxley has tapped out to before. They did a spot where Kyle hit a Stomp and Moxley hit a Cutter, but he was too exhausted to make a pin attempt. They did some kicks to the face and a double clothesline after that. It was around 15 minutes into the match at that point.

Moxley took control after a lariat and a Death Rider spike into the mat. Kyle got out of a choke and applied an Ankle Lock again. Moxley turned it into his own Ankle Lock, then Kyle was forced to let go of the hold, and Moxley held on so that Kyle tapped out. It went about 18 minutes.

Winner by submission: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/2 A great match between Moxley and O’Reilly again. They have had several outstanding matches together. I think some of their other matches were better than this, but it was still competitive. Moxley finally got his win over O’Reilly to keep his title and continue Moxley’s long title reign. Moxley doesn’t normally win with an Ankle Lock, so having him do that shows that he’s adaptable based on his opponent.

Post match, Moxley and O’Reilly shook hands as a sign of respect. Moxley’s Death Riders group went out to ringside while The Conglomeration showed up to support O’Reilly.

The Will Ospreay-Samoa Joe match was next to kick off the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal. There was a video package to set it up.

Taz joined commentary with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone.

Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe

There was some offense from Will early on, but then Joe countered a dive attempt. Joe tossed Will into the barricade, and it looked nasty. There was this crazy spot later in the match where Will hit a Styles Clash for two. Will hit a Hidden Blade for just a two count. Joe connected with some big shots and attacked Ospreay’s neck. Joe kicked Will while Will was seated in the ring. Will managed to pick Joe up and hit an incredible Styles Clash for two. A Hidden Blade by Will got a two count as well.

Joe somehow managed to hit his snap powerslam. Will applied an armbar on the left arm a few times, but Joe managed to counter it. Joe hit an awesome uranage slam and a Coquina Clutch submission move, but Wil managed to get out of it. Joe set up for a Muscle Buster, but Will avoided it and hit a Hidden Blade for 1. Will hit a second Hidden Blade for the three count.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ***3/4 Awesome match like every Ospreay PLE match, and Joe was more than capable as well. It took a lot to put Joe away, which is certainly fine since Joe has a rep for being a tough guy. Will hitting the Hidden Blade a few times was a cool way to earn the victory.

Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Swerve Strickland vs. Bandido

The former AEW World Champion Swerve was in full control early on with moves like the AEW middle turnbuckle. Bandido was able to get some offense going with a German Suplex and he went up top to hit Swerve with a Frog Splash for two. As the match went on, Bandido was able to hit a 21 Plex bridging German Suplex, but Swerve was able to kick out of it. Bandido hit an impressive hurricanrana to counter Swerve’s attempt as a big move. Swerve caught Bandido on his back and hit a Vertebreaker. Swerve hit the House Call kick for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Swerve Strickland

Analysis: ***1/2 A big win for Swerve over a talented guy like Bandido. This match was full of counter moves that worked well. It wasn’t a surprise to see Swerve get the win since he’s the bigger name. I admittedly missed some of this match due to needing a break from all the writing.

The AEW Women’s World Title was next in a 4-way match.

AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla (c) vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Kris Statlander

It was the usual style of 4-way match where two women were battling eachother in the ring at times, while the other two wrestlers were out of the ring and not part of the action. Thekla hit an impressive Spider Suplex on Kris, which led to Shida and Hayter getting back into it. They did a sequence of moves where each woman hit a big move and then bumped to the mat, so then all four women lay on the mat so that the fans could cheer. After Kris and Hayter hit a double cross body block, Thekla nearly beat Shida after countering a move. Thekla went for her upside-down walk, but Kris stopped that, and Hayter hit a suplex. Shida hit a jumping knee on her buddy Kris, and Hayter sent Shida out of the ring. Shida went for a submission on Hayter, and Kris pulled her off, which led to Shida slapping her friend Kris. That led to Kris aggressively attacking Shida. Kris hit a pump kick on Hayter on the floor. Kris hit Thekla with two superkicks and Sunday Night Fever, but Shida broke up the pin with a kendo stick to the back. The fans booed that. Hayter and Shida hit a double clothesline on the floor. Thekla hit The Stomp on Kris for the pinfall win.

Winner by pinfall: Thekla

Analysis: ***1/2 The ladies worked hard and had a competitive match that was full of action. The Kris/Shida friendship was a key story to the match as Shida was heelish toward her buddy Kris, even though it’s a match where the first fall wins. It felt like a match where Thekla found a way to survive rather than winning in a dominant way.

It was Stadium Stampede up next. They had some unique entrances for the teams with Jericho’s team all wearing dress clothes.

Stadium Stampede Match: Chris Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin), and The Elite (Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson) (with MVP) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona), The Don Callis Family (Mark Davis and Andrade El Ídolo), and The Dogs (Clark Connors and David Finlay)

This looked ridiculous since it was a 7-on-7 match and they did some comedy spots early on, along with some big dives by Jericho’s babyface team. As the match progressed, they were fighting all over the stadium with the cameras trying to follow the action as best they could. The reality is that it’s difficult to do when there are 14 guys in a match. I’ll try to go play-by-play from here. During Andrade’s selfie photo with pretty women, Luchasaurus was in the crowd, so that was funny. Jericho was alone with Ricochet in the ring while the other 12 guys were somewhere else. Jericho had a bag full of tennis balls and suplexed Ricochet on the balls. Ricochet gave Jericho a Death Valley Driver onto a few tennis balls. Mark Davis was fighting Jack Perry by the catering area, so Andrade and Omega joined the fight in that area. Andrade smashed into Satnam Singh, who is still employed by AEW. Singh press slammed some random dude onto a table that didn’t break. Jericho and Ricochet went fighting out of the stadium. The Bucks were fighting with The Dogs as Matt hit Finlay and Clark with trash can shots to the head. Nick superkicked a trash can that Clark was on. The announcers were laughing as Toa knocked down the Bucks and referee Rick Knox. Bishop Kaun (I think) dropkicked Nick into the side of the ring apron. Finlay hit Shelton with a shillelagh at ringside and Toa hit a senton splash on Shelton on the apron.

Bobby Lashley made his way to ringside and got some punches going, but then he was outnumbered and taken down with a Spear. Ricochet attacked Jericho with a tennis racket. Jericho’s buddy Luther was behind a door and handed Jericho a massive tennis racket, so Jericho used that to hit Ricochet. Jericho sent Ricochet into a garage door and got a two count in that area. Back in the ring, Benjamin and Matt hit suplexes on some opponents. Shelton hit a double German Suplex on The Dogs. After The Bucks hit a superkick party on Toa, Lashley hit a Spear on Toa. Mark Davis had a bandage around his eye. Jack Perry drove his bus over where Mark Davis was standing, but then Perry wasn’t sure if he had hit Davis. The Dogs battled Omega in the ring, so Omega was on fire with Snapdragon Suplexes, and a Snapdragon Suplex on Andrade for two. Omega hit a running knee on Andrade. Shelton and Toa went through a table at ringside. Lashley was suplexing Davis on the floor outside the ring and Lashley gave Davis a Spear through a table. The director was missing some bumps through tables, but The Bucks hit dives through tables, and that was shown. Omega hit a One Winged Angel off the apron on Andrade through a table on the floor.

Ricochet was all alone in the ring against the seven babyfaces on Jericho’s team. The babyfaces took turns hitting Ricochet with strikes. Bishop Kaun went into the ring to save Ricochet. There was a 7-way superkick by the babyfaces. Jericho hit a Lionsault (sort of) on Kaun for the pinfall win.

Winners by pinfall: Chris Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin), and The Elite (Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson)

Analysis: **** I’m going 4 stars out of 5 for Stadium Stampede. It’s always a hard match to rate because there are several minutes where you don’t see most of the guys in the match because the camera is focused on two guys, so then the logical thing to ask is what are the other guys doing? I still think it’s a very fun match to watch, even with all the chaos. Jericho’s team winning was the obvious finish here since Stadium Stampede is usually designed for the babyfaces to prevail, so it was the outcome I expected. I think it would have been a better match with 8 or 10 people. Going with 14 people felt like too much and was difficult to follow.

After the match, The Hurt Syndicate gave Chris Jericho the thumbs up to show they approved of working with him. Jericho set up a table on the floor, pointed to the sky for the late, great Sabu and Jericho splashed through the table to celebrate a victory like Sabu used to do.

It was time for the AEW World Title match as Darby Allin defends the gold against MJF, whose hair is on the line.

The challenger MJF was up first, and he looked stoic on his way to the ring, knowing that he could lose his hair. There was a barber’s chair in the stadium.

For Darby Allin’s entrance, they showed him in the sewers while using his skateboard and carrying the AEW World Title. Allin climbed up and his music played to show his full entrance. The fans popped for Allin as usual.

AEW World Championship: Darby Allin vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)

It’s the main event and I’m alert, so let’s do play-by-play for this. Allin quickly sent MJF out of the ring and Allin tried a dive, but MJF moved. Allin took a nasty bump near the commentary table. MJF hit a Powerbomb on the ring apron. MJF launched Allin into the air and hit a Cutter for two. MJF hit two Powerbomb backbreakers onto the knee. Allin managed to hit a flipping Stunner to counter MJF and get some offense going. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, MJF rolled out of the ring, so Allin hit a suicide dive to knock MJF down by the commentary table. The crazy man Allin jumped off the ring post and went for a Coffin Drop on the apron, but MJF rolled out of the way. Allin hit the ring apron hard. MJF followed up with a Package Piledriver on the steel steps. That was brutal. Allin hit a low blow after using the referee for a distraction, and Allin got a side headlock takeover for the pinfall win, but it was only a two count. MJF was back in control with a double foot stomp on Allin’s arms. Allin countered an MJF move and hit a Scorpion Death Drop. Both guys were down.

MJF and Allin took turns going for side headlock takeovers for two counts. MJF and Allin went into a routine where they got pin attempts. MJF bridged back up with a pin for a two count. MJF hit a chop to the throat, but Allin was ready for it and hit a Canadian Destroyer for two. They did a spot where a camera guy was pulled into place at ringside, and he took the bump. Allin went up a scaffolding structure by the entrance, and he put MJF on a table by the barber’s chair. Allin hit a Coffin Drop to put MJF through the table. That was crazy and also impressive. Allin brought MJF back into the ring. Allin went up top again and Allin hit a Coffin Drop off the top onto MJF for a two count. Allin stomped on MJF and applied the Scorpion Death Lock submission, so MJF managed to power out of it, and Allin collapsed on the mat as the announcers speculated that Allin had nothing left after what he’s been through. MJF smiled and picked up Allin. MJF went for a headlock, but Allin countered with a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went up top, so MJF hit the top rope. MJF hit an Avalanche Tombstone off the middle turnbuckle, and MJF applied the side headlock takeover for the 1…2…3! MJF is the AEW World Champion again.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Champion: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)

Analysis: ****1/4 A terrific title match with MJF winning back the AEW World Title, which I expected because I didn’t think he was going bald. They probably could have had another stipulation on the match since they left the ring so much, and the referee didn’t count them out, but I was okay with it here. Even though Allin did some crazy shit in the match, the story ended up being that he was exhausted from having so many matches with the title on the line.  I’m glad MJF won, and I assume he carries it to AEW All In London in late August, where he’ll probably face Owen Hart Foundation winner Will Ospreay.

After the match, MJF celebrated with the AEW World Championship. It’s Max’s 3rd time winning the AEW World Title, and he’s won it three times before turning 30.

Darby Allin was placed on a stretcher by the medical team. MJF taunted Allin by standing on the stretcher that Allin was on. The TNT Champion, Kevin Knight, went to the ringside, so MJF ran away. Knight went up top and hit a UFO Splash on Allin. Knight tossed the stretcher over while MJF was laughing about it. The medical team tried to get Allin back up, and that was the end of the show as Knight looked on.

Analysis: That was a strange heel turn by Kevin Knight, who is beloved, yet here he is attacking Allin. It feels weird to me, but I’m sure we’ll get an explanation. I just thought Knight was doing really well as a babyface.

AEW Double or Nothing had a runtime of 4:12. AEW Dynasty in April went 4:19.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Konosuke Takeshita
2. MJF
3. Darby Allin
4. Kazuchika Okada
5. Will Ospreay

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Final Thoughts On AEW Double or Nothing

It gets an 8.5 out of 10 from me.

I enjoyed AEW Double or Nothing. There were plenty of great matches, and I was entertained throughout the 4+ hours. I think they could have shaved off about 30 minutes and it would have been even better. MJF as AEW World Champion again is fine with me and it’s what I expected, so no problem with that. I didn’t expect Kevin Knight to turn heel on Darby Allin to end the show, so that was a surprise.

As for the format of this review, my word count was about half of the usual AEW PPV review, so I’m happy with that. I wouldn’t have lasted four plus hours if I did play by the play for the whole thing.

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