The John Report: AEW Double or Nothing 2021 Review
Welcome to the TJRWrestling review of the second AEW PPV of 2021, Double or Nothing. I ordered it on Fite TV here in Canada. It’s the third Double or Nothing event since it was AEW’s first pay-per-view in 2019, then last year it was the first PPV after the pandemic with no fans and now it’s the first PPV where fans are back because there’s going to be just under 5,000 people at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville. The energy of the crowd was great on Friday’s Dynamite, so I look forward to hearing their reactions during the PPV. Check out my past AEW PPV reviews right here on TJRWrestling. Let’s get to it.
There was one “Buy-In” Pre-Show match that saw Serena Deeb beat Riho to retain the NWA Women’s Title. Riho has moved to the US, so she’ll be on AEW programming regularly moving forward.
AEW Double or Nothing
May 30, 2021
From Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida
The show began with a shot of the packed house at Daily’s Place. There were about 5,000 people there. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show. JR was joined on commentary by Tony Schiavone and Excalibur. There was a ramp connected from the back area to the ring. They had fans all around the arena.
Brian Cage entered with the meaningless FTW Championship that is not on the line in this match. Taz was on commentary for this match since Cage is a Team Taz guy. Big pop for “Hangman” Adam Page as expected.
“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Brian Cage
There was some sun around the ring, but a lot of darkness already in the open air arena. The action spilled to the floor early on with Cage sending Page into the barricade, but then Page came back with a suicide dive. Cage caught Page on another dive attempt and gave him a Powerbomb into the ring post. Cage whipped Page back first into the barricade. There were “Let’s Go Hangman” chants. Back in the ring, Page with a jumping knee to the head. Cage with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Cage went for a fallaway slam, but Page countered it into a Crucifix Bomb for two. Page hit a clothesline that sent both guys over the top to the floor. Page hit a moonsault off the top onto Cage on the floor. Back in the ring, Cage blocked a hurricanrana out of the corner, but then Page managed to hit it. Great nearfall with the crowd popping huge for it. Cage with a kick while Page was on the apron. They avoided moves, Page with two forearms to the face and got a two count. Cage with a punch to the face, then a rising knee and a one-armed neckbreaker for two. Cage with a jumping kick to the head, then Cage had Page on his shoulders and sent Page throat first into the top rope. Cage delivered a suplex onto the ramp with fans chanted “holy shit” which is a bit of an overreaction, but that’s AEW fans. The referee wasn’t counting them out of the ring. Page had Cage on his shoulders and then slammed Page to the mat leading to a cocky pin attempt for a two count. Page blocked a Buckshot Lariat like move and then Page hit a slam off the shoulders. Cage avoided a Buckshot Lariat, then a German Suplex and two Powerbombs. Page with a jackknife cover for two. Cage hit a spinning clothesline and Ligerbomb for two. Hook and Ricky Starks went down to ringside, Starks wanted him to use the title, but then Cage refused. Cage told Hook to get down, but then Cage turned around and Page hit the Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall win at 12:02.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ***3/4 This was a great opening match with the crowd reacting to all of the nearfalls as big moments. I think they might overreact too much, but I guess they are happy to be there after not having a full crowd for a long time. The finish hurt the match a bit because all of the damage that Cage did seemed to go away just because Cage was distracted and then Page hit one move to win. I would have liked to see Page hit a few more moves to put him away. I still enjoyed it a lot.
Post match, Cage was arguing with Starks and Hook about what happened. Starks pointed out that he had a bad neck. Cage shoved them away and then Taz wondered what was wrong with him.
Analysis: They are clearly building to Brian Cage turning face, so it was just another step to getting there.
The announcers did a rundown of the rest of the card.
A video package aired about The Young Bucks defending the AEW Tag Team Titles vs. Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston. It featured AEW talking heads talking about The Young Bucks changing their attitude while the four wrestlers were interviewed as well.
Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston made their entrance to the classic “Wild Thing” theme song and the fans were singing along with it. They had The Young Bucks expensive shoes with them. The fans loved Moxley and Kingston. The Young Bucks made their entrance as the Tag Team Champions to boos with Don Callis by their side. Excalibur called the Young Bucks “disgusting human beings” now that they are cocky heels. Don’t cry, Excalibur.
AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson (w/Don Callis) vs. Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston
The streamers went off as part of The Young Bucks entrance and then Moxley/Kingston attacked before the bell. Moxley was beating up Matt as they went into the crowd and Moxley had a beer while smashing the can on his head. Nick Jackson had some ridiculous hair color going on. Kingston whipped Nick into the barricade. Brandon Cutler was at ringside using aerosol spray on his guys to help them. Moxley choked out Cutler and then they did a clothesline/German Suplex combo on Cutler. The bell finally rang as Nick got into the ring. Don Callis was on commentary.
Moxley battled Nick on the floor with Moxley sending Matt over the barricade. Kingston with a knee to the ribs. Moxley and Kingston hit a double team shoulder tackle on Nick. Kingston and Moxley with jumping knees to Nick, Kingston with a front suplex and a STO trip into a slam for two. Nick with a thumb to the eye after a Matt distraction and Nick kicked Eddie’s leg. Matt with a running kick on Moxley. Bucks did a double team attack against the turnbuckle and Matt hit a cannonball against Kingston. Nick stepped on Kingston’s forehead, but then he charged into Kingston, who sent Nick into the top rope. Matt tagged in with a kick to the back of Kingston. Matt sent Moxley into the barricade on the floor. Matt did a hot tag himself with clotheslines, then punches to Kingston and Matt did a body slam. Matt was doing some Hulk Hogan ear posing, then Moxley pulled Matt out of the ring and Moxley hit Matt with a clothesline. Nick tagged in, he jumped off the top and Eddie caught Nick with an Exploder Suplex. Moxley got the tag with a running dropkick on Matt, double clothesline and a suplex into a slam. Moxley with a suplex on Nick and a piledriver. Moxley with a stunt piledriver on Matt for two. Moxley went for the choke, but Nick saved his brother with a kick to the head. Moxley hit a DDT on both opponents at the same time. Moxley with a back body drop on Matt. Karl Anderson showed up on the ramp and Kingston jumped onto Doc Gallows on the floor. Frankie Kazarian showed up to attack Anderson on the ramp. The referee was out of the ring for some reason like a dumbass, Matt sprayed some aerosol spray on Moxley’s face and then hit Moxley with the can for two. The Young Bucks hit an Indy Taker spiked Tombstone piledriver on the ramp. The referee that rarely counts was counting here and Moxley got back in before the ten count.
Matt worked over Moxley with punches and I forgot to note that Moxley was bleeding from the head. Nick tagged in with a senton splash off the top rope for two. The Young Bucks worked over Moxley with repeated kicks. Moxley was bleeding all over his face with JR overreacting as if he’s never seen a bloody wrestler before. Nick did some choking while the referee wasn’t looking. Young Bucks were double teaming a lot, JR was screaming about it and then Moxley fought out of it with a kick to the face. Moxley hit a German Suplex and then a double German Suplex on both Bucks. Kingston got the hot tag to a huge pop. Kingston with a belly to belly suplex on Nick, enziguri kick to Matt and a DDT on Matt. Kingston tried a submission pulling on the arms, but then Nick punched Eddie, which had no effect. Kingston with a boot to the face of Nick. Kingston chopped Matt, then Nick was back in with a kick to the knee. Matt with a Sliced Bread neckbreaker leading to Nick hitting a running knee for two. Nick tagged, he jumped off with a Senton Bomb and Kingston got his knees up to block. Moxley tagged back in, both Young Bucks hit a superkick and Moxley came back with the Sleeper, Nick kicked Kingston down and Nick hit a 450 Splash on Moxley with Matt covering Moxley for two. Great nearfall. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Kingston pulled off Nick off the apron. Nick tripped up Moxley, but then Moxley tripped Nick as payback. Moxley hit a Doomsday Device clothesline with the shoes in his hands and Nick broke up the pin. Nick with a running knee on Kingston on the apron. The fans chanted “fight forever” for them. Moxley blocked a superkick from Nick, Moxley wanted a Paradigm Shift, Nick landed on his feet and Nick applied a Sharpshooter on Moxley, but it wasn’t executed perfectly. Kingston saved Mox with a knee to the face. Kingston with a Backdrop Driver on Nick. Nick with a superkick to Kingston, Moxley with a clothesline on Nick and Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift for two with Matt breaking up the pin. That was very close. Nick with a kick to the left leg of Kingston. Moxley with a sleeper. Matt in illegally with a double superkick and Moxley with a double lariat. Young Bucks hit two more superkicks, but Moxley kicked out at one. Young Bucks hit a double superkick on Moxley and then the Bucks hit superkicks on Kingston too. Matt tagged in although they don’t really follow tag team rules, so do tags even matter? I don’t know. Young Bucks did the BTE Trigger double knees, then they did it four times. Matt covered Moxley for the pinfall win at 21:04.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson
Analysis: ****1/4 Awesome tag team match. I thought there should have been a title change and the fans would have loved it, but the Young Bucks repeated double team knees beat Moxley and that wasn’t as devastating as some of the other moves they do. Moxley was terrific in the match by taking a beating, coming back for more and really showing a lot of babyface heart. Kingston took a lot of punishment, but then they didn’t factor him into the finish, so I thought that was a bit of a weak point or the ending. The worst thing about Young Bucks matches is the referee sucks, they don’t enforce rules and even JR calls them out on it throughout the match. I get that there’s a 10 count in AEW after a tag, but it is a bit silly with how much they overdo it. Of course certain people that overrate the Young Bucks won’t bring that up, but I try to call it like I see it. I still liked the match a lot.
The announcers had some casino graphics behind them as they were shown on camera. They talked about the Casino Battle Royal up next.
Paul Wight made his entrance wearing a suit and he got a nice reaction. Well, it’s a big Paul! Sorry. Old habit.
The rules of the Casino Battle Royal were explained. The winner gets a future AEW World Title match.
Casino Battle Royal
The first wrestlers in the match were Christian Cage (really good pop for him), Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs and Dustin Rhodes. Max Caster was last so he could do his rap. Caster’s rap ripping Christian mentioned “Edge” so I guess that was a shot at him. Caster mocked Dustin’s face paint too. These guys drew the CLUBS suit. A clock counted down for three minutes. There were some weak elimination attempts, but nothing that looked serious. Sydal hit a spin kick on Caster. Caster with a low blow and then he tossed Sydal over the top to the floor. I don’t know if Sydal was supposed to hang on because he nearly did, but he fell to the floor. Christian with a hiptoss on Caster over the ramp, then Caster was grabbing his left leg and fell to the floor, so he was eliminated.
The DIAMONDS suit was next. It was Matt Hardy and Isaiah Kassidy from the Hardy Family Office, then Ten from the Dark Order and Ten kicked Hardy. Ten Powerbombed Isaiah Kassidy on the stage. Nick Comoroto from The Factory was next. Serpentico was next with Luther tossing his buddy into the ring. Ten gave Serpentico a clothesline to eliminate him early. Ten hit a spinebuster on Comoroto, but the Comoroto hit a Spear on Ten. Comoroto sent Ten over the top, then Dustin showed up and eliminated Comoroto and Ten at the same time. Comoroto hit Dustin with a cowbell to the head. Hobbs lifted Dustin over the top to the floor. Christian with a Killswitch on Hobbs. Christian faced off with Hardy and then Kassidy clipped Christian from behind.
The HEARTS were next as Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison were next. The Varsity Blonds hit dropkicks. Colt Cabana of Dark Order got in there with an elbow smash to Kassidy. Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed went after the Varsity Blonds and hit a brainbuster on Pillman. Penta El Zero Miedo got a big pop as he hit a superkick on Bowens. Penta went after somebody else and then Bowens hit Penta in the back. Kassidy dumped Cabana out since Cabana was battling Hardy. Pillman and Garrison tossed out Bowens after some double team moves. Hardy managed to get rid of Garrison. Hardy and Kassidy went after Penta and Pillman, but then Penta hit a kick to Hardy’s head.
The SPADES group was last. Jungle Boy got a big ovation with the fans chanting along with the song as Boy faced off with Penta, who hit two Slingblades and a backbreaker. Marq Quen of Private Party was next to help Kassidy and Hardy. Private Party hit Gin N Juice on Pillman and eliminated him. Aaron Solow entered to no reaction. Evil Uno of Dark Order got a decent pop as the next man. Lee Johnson was the 20th man to enter. Solow with a spin kick on Johnson, then they were both over the top and Johnson eliminated Solow while Hardy eliminated Johnson. Penta sent Evil Uno over the top to the apron and Penta hit a jumping kick on Uno to eliminate. Hardy hit a running headscissors on Penta to eliminate him. Hobbs got back in and so did Christian after both of them were down on the floor for several minutes. Christian avoided a Hobbs splash, Christian lifted Hobbs over the top and eliminated him. It was Christian Cage, Jungle Boy, Matt Hardy, Kassidy and Quen.
The 21st and final man in the match was the JOKER mystery wrestler. It was Lio Rush making his AEW debut. Rush hit a reverse hurricanrana on Quen. Rush with an upkick on Kassidy and a Spanish Fly by Rush to Kassidy. Rush battled Hardy with a slingshot into a Stunner although it didn’t look perfect. Rush sent Kassidy over the top and Quen as well, but then Hardy eliminated Rush to save Matt’s Private Party guys. That meant Rush eliminated nobody in his first AEW appearance.
The final five were Hardy, Quen, Kassidy, Jungle Boy and Christian. Hardy hit the Side Effect on Boy, but then Boy came back with a clothesline. Boy and Christian worked together to eliminate the two Private Party guys back to back. Matt was left alone with Christian and Boy. Matt wanted to work with Christian against Boy, then Christian teased it and Christian tossed out Hardy.
Christian Cage and Jungle Boy were the final two. They were the popular picks to win the match. The fans were chanting Boy’s theme song while Christian hit an elbow smash off the middle rope. Boy with a spin kick to the gut and then an enziguri kick. Christian with a reverse DDT. Christian charged, Boy caught him on his shoulder and Boy sent Christian near the turnbuckle. Boy managed to pull Christian over the top to the apron. Both guys battled on the apron, Boy hit a back elbow and Boy swung around the ring post to avoid an elimination. Jungle Boy hit a back body drop on Christian over the top to the floor for the win at 23:40.
Winner: Jungle Boy
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining battle royal although I think going over 20 minutes for a battle royal is too long when you have nine matches on the PPV. I think they had some names in the match that were obvious losers. There are definitely some guys in AEW that could have been in it that weren’t there. Why isn’t Luchasaurus in it? That’s a guy that should be doing a lot more. Anyway, Jungle Boy and Christian Cage were the two guys that were the most popular picks and I picked Jungle Boy, so I got that right. I think it should lead to a pretty good TV World Title match for Jungle Boy, but I don’t expect him to win the AEW World Title this year.
The win means that Jungle Boy will get an AEW World Title match in the future.
Post match, Jungle Boy celebrated with his friends Marko Stunt and Luchasaurus. Christian Cage was still in the ring. Christian hugged Boy and basically told him to go win the AEW World Title. The fans popped for that.
There was a brief segment to honor the military since it is Memorial Day weekend in the United States. A video aired after that.
Anthony Ogogo entered for his match with trainer QT Marshall. He’s only 2-0 in AEW and is a former professional boxer. Ogogo won a bronze medal in boxing in the 2012 Olympics. Cody Rhodes was up next with coach Arn Anderson with Cody being announced as “The American Dream” as mentioned in his promo. Cody handed his leather belt to a fan at ringside.
“The American Dream” Cody Rhodes (w/Arn Anderson) vs. Anthony Ogogo (w/QT Marshall)
Cody grabbed the right arm of Ogogo early on, then he hit a punch to the face and Ogogo came back with the Bolo Punch to the ribs. Ogogo hit the Olympic Slam (hey Kurt Angle) for a two count. Cody hit a powerslam and was selling the ribs after the punch he took earlier in the match. Ogogo hit an impressive leapfrog leading to a boot to the chest. Cody trapped Ogogo on the mat hooked the arms for a submission attempt. Cody went for a suicide dive, but Ogogo stopped him with a forearm to the face. Ogogo was back in the ring with a German Suplex. Ogogo bounced off the ropes with an elbow drop. Ogogo did an eye gouge, then a running uppercut and a running clothesline for two. Great sell by Cody there doing a flip bump. Marshall got in a cheap shot punch on Cody, so then Anderson confronted Marshall, who ran away although he stayed at ringside. Ogogo lifted up Cody onto his shoulders leading to a spinning slam for two. Cody with a kick to the face, Ogogo avoided a charge and sent Cody into the ropes. The referee was looking at Cody and then that allowed them to have Ogogo some blood above his right eye. Cody hit a running bulldog with the announcers telling the story about the blood in Ogogo’s eye. Cody hit a Cody Cutter off the middle rope. Cody set up Ogogo on the top rope, but then Ogogo connected with a punch to the ribs that Cody sold like it hurt him. Ogogo went up top and hit a Frog Splash, but Ogogo didn’t cover right away, so Cody kicked out at two. Cody hit a dropkick so I guess he stopped selling the ribs injury. Cody applied the Figure Four Leglock, Marshall was pushing the bottom rope forward and Ogogo punched Cody with a jab. They got out of the Figure Four Leglock after that. Cody went to the ropes, Cody did a headbutt with the back of his head and then Ogogo fought out of Cody’s finisher. Ogogo with a punch to the ribs and then a punch to the face. Ogogo wanted a cover, but the referee said no cover allowed since Cody’s hand was under the bottom rope. That made Ogogo look like he is lost. Ogogo hit a spinning slam off the shoulders. The fans were not making a lot of noise during this match. Cody with elbow strikes to the right arm. Cody hooked up Ogogo on his back and Cody hit the Vertebreaker for the pinfall win at 10:55.
Winner by pinfall: “The American Dream” Cody Rhodes
Analysis: **1/4 It was the shortest match on the show so far and the one that drew the least amount of reactions from the crowd. Ogogo did have some impressive moments, but then there were times when it looked like he was lost a bit. Cody was selling the ribs early on and then he forgot about it as the match went on. Cody won with a different move than usual, so at least that’s different for him. I didn’t expect Cody to lose when he was using “The American Dream” name. I think if they went eight minutes instead of nearly 11 minutes it would have been better.
Post match, Cody went into the crowd to celebrate with the fans a bit.
Lance Archer entered alone since Miro punched Jake Roberts earlier in the day. Miro entered as the TNT Champion.
TNT Championship: Miro vs. Lance Archer
Archer dove over the top onto Miro to begin the match. Archer continued the attack and got a one count. They went to the floor with Archer sending Miro into the table. Archer picked up Miro and gave him a spinebuster through the table. Archer went after Miro on the floor where Miro caught Archer and gave him a belly to belly suplex onto some fans that were there. I believe they were wrestlers that Archer was thrown onto. Miro brought Archer back into the ring with Miro hitting a running splash against the turnbuckle. Archer came back with a running cross body block. Miro ducked a clothesline and hit a spinning kick to the head. Miro with kicks to the chest, then Archer hit a forearm and a spinning slam for two. Archer went for a moonsault off the top, Miro moved and Miro kicked him in the head. Miro with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Miro was setting up for a move, Jake Roberts went down to the ring with a bag and Miro pulled Jake into the ring. Miro hit a superkick on Archer to knock him out of the ring. Miro tossed the bag all the way up the ramp. The fans booed as if it was a snake even though it was probably nothing that was alive. Archer was back in to save Jake from an attack and Archer hit a Chokeslam for two. Archer teased going for his finish, Miro slipped out and Miro kicked Archer in the body. Archer ran the ropes and hit a running shoulder tackle. Back in the ring, Miro kicked the middle rope while Archer was between the ropes and Miro suplexed Archer back in. Miro with a leaping superkick. Miro applied the Game Over submission, Archer got out of it and Miro took down Archer to the mat to pull back on the submission. Archer passed out from it, so the referee called for the bell. It went 9:56.
Winner by submission: Miro
Analysis: *** This was a physical match with Miro looking dominant as the champion. Archer had a few moments where he got some nearfalls and looked like he had a shot at winning, but I don’t think most people watching this thought that Archer was going to win this match. I like how Miro goes to the mat with the submission where he pulls back on the head because it looks pretty deadly. This loss will hurt Archer in terms of how tough he looks because when you lose in this manner in ten minutes, it’s tough to recover from that.
A video aired promoting AEW All Out in Chicago on Sunday, September 5. It is Labor Day weekend. It was Cody talking during the promo.
The AEW Women’s Title was on the line next with Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D making her entrance to a big reaction with some pyro going off. Rebel (not Reba) was with her. The fans view Britt as a big star and they cheer her even as a heel. Hikaru Shida made her entrance as the champion and she’s held the title for 372 days, which is longer than any champion in AEW history.
AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida vs. Dr. Britt Baker (w/Rebel)
Baker got an armbar early on going for a submission, but Shida got out of it and Baker avoided a knee strike. The fans were chanting “Let’s Go Shida” and “DMD” to counter those chants. Shida applied a leg scissors around Baker’s ribs, but Britt was able to get out of it. Baker avoided a dropkick and slid out to the floor. Back in the ring, Baker hit a knee to the ribs followed by a forearm. Baker applied a hammerlock, but Shida was able to drive Baker into the turnbuckle. Shida with a headscissors followed by a dropkick. Baker was on the floor, so Shida followed and whipped Baker into the barricade. Shida went for a running attack off a chair, Baker avoided it and then Shida hit a diving attack off the turnbuckle onto Baker/Reba on the floor. Shida ran right into a kick by Baker. Back in the ring, Baker got a hold of Shida and stomped on her back into the mat. Baker called for the glove from Reba, who handed a black glove with red on it. Shida avoided the submission, so then Baker came back with a double underhook suplex for a two count. Baker charged, Shida got her boot up and Baker sent Shida face first into the turnbuckle. Shida made a comeback with a trip followed by some weak-looking punches. Shida sent Baker into the turnbuckle. Shida with two running knee attacks followed by another running knee attack. They battled over a suplex with Shida connecting with it for two. Shida with a running knee for two. They exchanged punches, Shida with a kick to the head and Baker with a kick to the body. Baker with a Fisherman’s neckbreaker for two. Shida tripped up Baker leading to the Stretch Muffler submission, so Baker got her hand on the bottom rope. Baker with a standing side kick followed by a Slingblade neckbreaker. Baker hit the Air Raid Crash for two. Baker went for the Lockjaw submission, Shida reached for the bottom rope and Baker flipped over to the other side. Shida got back up to her feet, Britt let go and Britt hit a forearm to the back. Shida hit a German Suplex followed by a running forearm for two. Shida set up for a move off the middle rope, but Baker was able to get out of it or maybe it was a slip because Shida went right into a superplex for two. Baker got a sunset flip pin for two. Shida went for the Stretch Muffler submission, Rebel had the Women’s Title to cause the submission to break. Baker charged, Shida sent Baker into the ropes and Rebel hit Baker with the crutch by accident. Shida hit a Falcon’s Arrow slam for a two count. Great nearfall. The referee ejected Rebel from ringside. Baker used the title, Baker kicked the title into Shida’s face and Baker hit a Curb Stomp onto the title for one…two…and no! Great nearfall there too. Nice “Holy Shida” call by Excalibur. Shida came back with a jumping knee to the face. Shida with another running knee strike for two with Baker getting her shoulders up. Baker with a crucifix pin. Baker applied the Lockjaw submission and put her fingers in the mouth with Shida tapping out. Baker wins the title! It’s DMD Championship time! It went 17:23.
Winner by submission AND NEW AEW Women’s Title: Dr. Britt Baker DMD
Analysis: **** I thought this great by the end of the match. There were some moments earlier where it dragged a bit, but the last seven minutes were really great. I liked all the nearfalls and the near submissions for both women. They both kicked out of everything including the use of the title belt. Shida did a really nice job as the champion for over a year, but Baker should have won the title months ago and now that Baker has the title, it just feels right. I’m so happy for Britt because of how much she has improved in the two years since AEW started and she has continued to get better every time I see her.
Baker celebrated with the title with Rebel going back out there to celebrate with Baker. Tony Schiavone went onto the stage to hug his friend Baker. The fans popped for that moment.
The team of Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky made their entrance for their tag team match.
There was a video package showing Darby Allin out somewhere with his skateboard. Sting was shown driving in a car in full facepaint mode, Allin got into the car and they were on their way to the building apparently. Sting to Allin: “It’s showtime.”
Sting made his entrance to a huge ovation and Darby Allin got a big pop too.
When Allin got to ringside, he dove onto Page at ringside. Sting battled Sky with Sky hitting a suplex on the stage. Sting got right back up, tossed Sky off the poker chips that were part of the set and then Sting dove on top of the heels on the floor. The fans were going wild for it! The bell rang.
Sting & Darby Allin vs. Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page
Sting whipped Allin into both opponents repeatedly. Sting hit a running bulldog on Sky. Allin jumped off the middle rope with a double axe. Sting wrenched Sky’s left arm against the ropes. Allin went for an athletic move on the arm of Sky, but then Page tripped up Allin to knock him down. Sky jumped over the top rope with a Cutter on Allin. Page launched Allin into the turnbuckle two times in a row. Sky was back in with a huge backbreaker. Page was back in with a suplex followed by some muscle posing. Allin escaped the heel side of the ring and Sting tagged in with punches on both guys, but the referee Aubrey Edwards didn’t see the tag, so Allin was still legal. Page picked up Allin over his head and gave him a press slam over the top rope, over the barricade and Allin landed on where two of his brothers were sitting. That was an impressive launch as Sting brought Allin back to ringside. Sting lifted up Allin and Darby slid back in before the ten count. Allin kicked Sky, then Allin blocked a move from Page and Allin applied a sleeper to Page. Page ended up driving Allin into the turnbuckle, but then Allin came back with a flipping Stunner. Sting got the hot tag as he whipped Sky into Page, then the Stinger Splash on both guys and a clothesline on Sky out of the ring. Sting hit a Code Red like move for a sunset flip for a two count. The fans chanted “you still got it” for Sting. Allin got the tag, Sting knocked Sky to the floor and Page got a cheap shot to Sting. Page slammed Allin off the top onto Sting. Sting tripped up Page and applied the Scorpion Deathlock. Sting was illegally in the ring as Allin applied an armbar and then Sky applied a heel hook submission on Allin. Page and Allin were gouging eachother in the eyes. The submissions were broken up by the referee since the illegal men were doing the moves. Sting was back in there against Sky with punches, then Sting went for a Stinger Splash, Sky went for a Cutter, but Sting held onto the ropes. Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop on Sky for the pinfall win at 12:31.
Winners by pinfall: Sting & Darby Allin
Analysis: ***1/4 Good stuff here with Sting looking like a man that’s much younger than he is. I’m glad that Page got a lot of offense and showed off his power as he hit some big moves on Allin. Sky didn’t get to do as much as Page did, but he sells everything really well and is a great athlete. I don’t know if Sting winning is the best thing since he’s the old guy in the match, but I guess AEW felt like he needed the win to prove that he was on the same level as the current stars. That’s fine with me.
There was a video package for the AEW World Title match. I need a bathroom break.
The introductions took place for the AEW World Title match. I got back to see Kenny Omega’s entrance with the Impact Wrestling World Title, the TNA Heavyweight Title, the AAA Title and of course the AEW World Heavyweight Title. Pac and Orange Cassidy entered before the champion. Omega had Don Callis with him. Justin Roberts did the championship introductions.
AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (w/Don Callis) vs. Pac vs. Orange Cassidy
There are no disqualifications and no countouts in this match. It’s a one fall match with a 60-minute time limit. It’s not like AEW referees know what countouts are anyway.
Omega knocked down Cassidy, then a shoulder tackle and then a midair collision between Pac/Omega. Callis joined commentary for the match. Cassidy was back in with sunglasses on. Cassidy did a double hurricanrana taking both guys down and a suicide dive that sent Pac into the wall. Cassidy hit a Tornado DDT for a two count. Pac with a headscissors on Omega, who went to the floor, so Pac hit a moonsault off the ropes onto Omega on the floor. Pac went up top and hit a missile dropkick on Cassidy to send Orange across the ring. Omega was back in, so Pac hit him with a missile dropkick too. Pac was back up top for a missile dropkick on both guys at the same time. Omega splashed Cassidy when Pac moved. Omega hit a rolling senton on Pac and a backstabber on Cassidy. Omega with a belly to back suplex on Pac. There were chops from Pac, but then Omega kicked Pac into the turnbuckle. Cassidy got a rollup on Omega for two and then Kenny hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Cassidy. Omega with a backbreaker for two. Omega hit Cassidy with a forearm to the back. Cassidy with a back elbow on Omega, Pac was on the floor and then Omega hit a dropkick on both guys. Omega hit a running somersault dive onto the two guys on the floor. Omega had a laughing expression on his face. Cassidy countered an Omega move into a Stundog Millionaire like a Stunner. Omega and Cassidy exchanged multiple pin attempts. Pac broke it up with a 450 Splash off the top that Pac nailed perfectly. All three guys were down selling. Pac was back up with a springboard, but Omega caught him with a Snapdragon Suplex. Omega did a Snapdragon Suplex for Cassidy two times in a row. Omega with a V-Trigger knee on Cassidy, then Pac hit a German Suplex on Kenny. Omega with a knee on Pac. Pac with a superkick, Omega moved and Pac kicked Cassidy. Omega with a big clothesline on Pac.
Omega with a V-Trigger knee to the back of Cassidy by the turnbuckle. Cassidy broke a suplex move so that he could put his hands in his pockets, which drew a pop. Pac was back up with a German Suplex off the top with Omega selling it with a moonsault bump. Cassidy jumped off the middle rope with a hands in pockets dive onto Pac on the floor. Omega got a hold of Cassidy and hit a Tiger Driver ’98 for two. Omega got a hold of Pac on his shoulders, then Omega hit a bridging German Suplex and that got a two count. Omega with a knee lift to Cassidy and Omega did it again. Cassidy put his hands his pockets followed by Cassidy falling forward. Pac was back into it with kicks, Omega with a chop and a V-Trigger knee. Cassidy got back into it with a Michinoku Driver on Omega and Pac hit a brainbuster on Cassidy for two. Pac went for a superplex, but Omega hit Pac so Cassidy bumped to the floor. Pac hit a Powerbomb on Omega out of the turnbuckle. Pac hit a Falcon Arrow slam off the top, Cassidy back in to toss Pac out of the ring and Cassidy covered Omega for two. Great nearfall there! Orange did his shin-kicking routine, so Pac kicked him in the groin. Pac with a twisting dive over the top onto Omega on the floor. Pac was back in the ring with a Black Arrow splash off the top for two with Omega breaking up the pin. Pac went for a move off the ropes, Omega moved and Omega wanted his finisher, but Pac got out of it. Cassidy knocked Pac out of the ring. Cassidy hit the Beach Break finisher on Omega for just two. Nice nearfall there. Cassidy hit an Orange Punch on Pac and Cassidy hit the Orange Punch on Omega as well. Callis yelled “shit” and went down to ringside. Cassidy with the Orange Punch on Pac for two as Callis pulled the referee out of the ring. Cassidy with headbutts on Omega to knock him down to the floor. Cassidy jumped onto Pac, who caught him and Pac slapped on the Brutalizer submission on Cassidy. Omega tried to break it up by kicking Pac, who didn’t let go, so Omega hit the referee to knock him out. Omega hit Pac with one of his titles two times in a row. Omega with a third belt shot to Pac’s face. Omega got his fourth championship and hit Pac for the fourth title with a title shot to the face. Cassidy was back in with the Orange Punch punch on Omega. Referee Aubrey Edwards ran down to count the pin, then Omega did the crucifix pin on Cassidy and that was enough to win at 27:10.
Winner by pinfall: Kenny Omega
Analysis: **** I thought it was very good for the most part and then it dragged on a bit too long. They got to using a lot of weapons, which is fine because it was part of the match as a No DQ style match, but then it ended up hurting the match with how much they were using those weapons. I liked the finish because it showed how close Cassidy was to winning since Omega had to do a crucifix pin counter to beat him. Pac didn’t get as much of a reaction as the two other guys and it was impressive to hear how much the fans liked Cassidy. Do I like Cassidy as much as the fans do? No, but I admit he works hard and he’s solid in the ring. Omega winning was the outcome I expected. I just think they went about ten minutes longer than they needed to go.
They didn’t show any replays of the match. To me, that’s a big mistake. Omega celebrated with his buddies in The Elite and that was it.
It was announced that Full Gear will take place on Saturday, November 6 in St. Louis.
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to announce that Mark Henry has signed with AEW and will be an announcer on their Rampage show when it debuts in August. Henry was on the stage and he saluted the fans.
Analysis: Another WWE Hall of Famer is signed with AEW just like Paul Wight. Good for Henry if that makes him happy. It’s not like he was doing anything in WWE since he has retired. I know Henry does commentary work for Busted Open Radio, so it makes sense that he wants to do that on a TV show too.
There was some fast talking by Excalibur plugging what’s coming up this week on Dynamite. He had to yell and talk so fast. Kenny Omega vs. Jungle Boy for the AEW World Title is in two weeks on Dynamite.
Stadium Stampede Match: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana, Ortiz & Jake Hager) vs. The Pinnacle (MJF, Shawn Spears, Wardlow, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
There was a limousine shown driving up to TIAA Field (home of the worst team in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars) that is beside Daily’s Place. The Inner Circle group entered from the top of the scoreboard and they repelled down to the stadium. The fans were singing the Judas theme song. MJF hid in the limo while the other members of The Pinnacle drove into the stadium on a truck. When Spears and Sammy got into the ring, the referee called for the bell to begin the match. Sammy jumped off the top and hit a Stunner on Spears. Spears avoided a diving attack by Sammy and Spears hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Jericho was shown waiting outside of MJF’s limo. Jericho and MJF got into a hockey fight style of fight as they exchanged punches. MJF sprayed a fire extinguisher into Jericho’s face and then they ran into the inside part of the stadium. Jericho fought with MJF inside the stadium with MJF throwing some coffee at Jericho and hitting Jericho with a phone to the head. Jericho screamed into a megaphone and hit MJF in the head. Jericho hit MJF with two sheet pans. Jericho shoved a table into MJF’s ribs and into the wall. Jericho hit MJF with a sign and garbage can. Jericho went brawling into the office of Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer and another coach Charlie Strong. Jericho threw footballs at MJF and hit MJF with a laptop. Meyer said it would be okay. Jericho wheeled MJF on a chair and sent him into another room. Jericho to Meyer: “Have a great season.” Meyer: “Holy shit.” That was funny. Jericho used a whiteboard to hit MJF.
They showed Wardlow and Jake Hager fighting in some hallway in the stadium. Wardlow tried to lock Hager in a walk-in freezer, but Hager got out of it. Hager and Wardlow went brawling into the walk-in freezer. Wardlow attacked with an icicle and Hager hit a slam onto some boxes. Hager went after Wardlow, but Wardlow moved and Hager punched some case that was there. Wardlow decked Hager with a punch and then another hard punch. Wardlow delivered a knee to the face. Wardlow delivered a Spear to Hager that sent him through a partition into the kitchen.
Sammy Guevara faced off with Spears, who was surrounded by chairs because Spears is The Chairman in AEW. Each guy hit running kicks on the other guy. Sammy did an impressive wall walk and then a kick to the head. Sammy jumped off a forklift with a jumping kick to the chest. Spears launched Sammy face first into a garage door. Spears got a chair, but then Sammy came back with a running knee. Spears sent Sammy face first into the lift. Sammy choked Spears with some cable extensions. Sammy put Spears onto a shelf of goods and mainly my haircut. Sammy was going for a high dive, but Spears moved and didn’t hit a move. Spears had a handcuff on the left arm, said he’s not going to let Sammy disrespect AEW and he handcuffed Sammy. That led to Spears leaving, but Sammy found bolt cutters nearby.
The teams of FTR and Santana/Ortiz faced off beating up everybody in their path. Konnan was in the room as the DJ. Good to see Konnan! Harwood and Ortiz battled it out as they exchanged punches. Tully Blanchard tried to interfere, but Konnan stopped him and Ortiz punched Tully to knock him down. Santana hit a cross body block on Wheeler for a two count. Ortiz got back into it by hitting Harwood repeatedly with trash can lots. Santana and Wheeler went brawling in an elevator and off they went.
The focus was back on Wardlow working over Hager in some backstage area. Hager hit a blow to the gut and then Hager hit a Chokeslam through some cart that was nearby.
Jericho and MJF were brawling backstage. Jericho hit MJF with a Shad Khan standee. MJF got Jericho inside an office and stomped on the bandaged left arm. Jericho got a hold of a stapler in an office and stapled some paper onto MJF’s head. MJF was able to hit him with a piledriver for two. Jericho hit MJF with a trash can lid to the face. Jericho called MJF an asshole. Jericho whipped MJF into a door with glass. It was probably the breakable glass. Jericho grabbed a bloody MJF and pulled him across the concrete. The fight continued with Jericho bringing MJF towards Daily’s Place. Jericho and MJF kept brawling with MJF trying to throw Jericho off the balcony, but that didn’t work. It cut away from them.
Spears made his way towards the stadium full of fans and then Sammy drove over Spears with the cart. They went into the ring with Sami getting cheered by the fans. Sammy jumped off the top rope and then Spears hit him with a steel chair for a two count. Sammy with a defiant middle finger and then Spears hit a hard chair shot on Sammy for a two count. Spears teased sending Sammy into the steel chair, but Sammy came back with a slam off the shoulders into a rising knee. Sammy kicked the back of Spears so that Spears went crashing into the steel chair. Sammy went up top and hit a 630 Senton Splash on Spears for the pinfall win. It went 31:30
Winners by pinfall: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana, Ortiz & Jake Hager)
Analysis: I have a hard time rating this kind of match because it’s not a traditional wrestling match due to the pre-tapes and different scenes. I guess I’d go in the ***1/2 range, but it’s not like I would call it some epic match or anything like that. While I am totally fine with ending it in the ring, I thought they should have had more guys fighting in the arena and around the ring instead of just the two guys. I picked Inner Circle to win and Spears as the guy to lose for the team, so those things were pretty obvious in terms of the results. The Jericho/MJF parts were the most fun out of the guys fighting in the backstage areas. I was disappointed by how little the FTR guys were utilized in the match. The Hager/Wardlow stuff was okay. Sammy winning for the team makes me happy because I think he deserves a singles push soon. Anyway, Inner Circle winning was the right call here.
The win means that The Inner Circle will not be forced to disband. They can continue.
Post match, The Inner Circle members Jericho, Santana, Ortiz and Hager made their way into the ring to embrace with Sammy because they were the winners of the match. There was pyro going off in the stadium and the fans were singing the “Judas” song. A feel good endingfor sure. That was the end of the show.
AEW Double or Nothing had a runtime of 3 hours, 58 minutes. The last PPV was AEW Revolution at 3 hours, 44 minutes.
Five Stars of the Show
- Kenny Omega
- Britt Baker
- Jon Moxley/Eddie Kingston
- The Young Bucks
- Inner Circle
Final Thoughts
It gets a 8 out of 10 from me.
I liked Double or Nothing a lot. Well worth the money. It was a long show that ran four hours and by the end of it, I was getting tired watching that Stadium Stampede match. With that said, there were several matches around that four star level or above that I have to call a terrific event overall. What’s weird about AEW right now is all four of their titles are held by heel wrestlers since Britt Baker won the AEW Women’s Title in a competitive match and now she joins the other heel champions. While I can understand The Young Bucks keeping their title change, I think a title win for Moxley/Kingston would have been the pop of the night. Speaking of pops, old man Sting did very well in his tag team match. I was impressed.
The crowd had a lot of energy and made the show more fun. I have missed full crowds like that.
AEW PPV Rankings in 2021 So Far (Rated out of 10)
Double or Nothing – 8
Revolution – 7.25
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