By Wrestling Spot Editor
Caption-"All Elite Wrestling World Tag Team Champions - Jurassic Express" by All Elite Wrestling is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
It is just over three years since the inaugural AEW Double or Nothing took place in Paradise, Nevada. That night sent waves through the wrestling industry. Chris Jericho defeated Kenny Omega in a critically acclaimed main event, Jon Moxley appeared sent the crowd wild as he appeared to attack the pair after the match, Cody and Dustin Rhodes told an emotional story in their singles match and a certain Adam Page won a 21-man Casino Battle Royal, earning a title shot he would ultimately lose and laying the foundations for multi-year storyline which would end him finally taking the promotions greatest prize at Full Gear last November.
Fast-forward to 2022 and the card for this year’s edition of their casino themed marquee event is packed full of dream matches, star-studied multi-competitor tag team matches and genuinely impossible to call title matches. It features both names the promotions critics may have doubted would ever be seen in AEW and their own home-grown stars who have come of age and don’t for one second look out of place alongside some of the icons they share the ring with.
So who is involved in these highly anticipated match-ups, how did we get here and who may win big on the Las Vegas strip?
1. AEW World Championship- Adam Page vs. CM Punk
Adam Page’s journey to the summit in AEW reflects the beauty in craftmanship of the promotion’s storytelling, the confidence they hold and audience’s identification with the multi-layered complexity, flaws, and resilience of his character. His loss to Chris Jericho in the first ever AEW World Championship set in motion a chain of events which would see him betray his best friends the Young Bucks, win and then lose the AEW World Tag Team Championship with Kenny Omega, leave the Elite all-together and reject the genuine offers of friendship by the Dark Order. It was storyline which spanned over years and multiple pay-per views, was often developed subtly, was open to interpretation and which culminated in him finally winning the prize he coveted against his old tag-team partner Kenny Omega at Full Gear, 2021. His subsequent title-reign has not disappointed and is another indicator in both fan affection and Tony Khan’s belief in Page as he has seen off the likes of Bryan Danielson, Adam Page and Lance Archer, looking a stronger champion on every outing.
It is hard to overstate the significance of CM Punks arrival in AEW at The First Dance in his native Chicago back in August, though the emotional reaction of those inside the United Centre may just have given you an indication. He instantly ingratiated himself to AEW faithful heaping praise on and consequently challenging Darby Allin to a match-up that just seemed perfect and has gone onto have what has to be considered as dream feud with MJF- teaming with Darby and the icon Sting, dropping his first AEW defeat in an epic encounter and subsequently becoming victorious in a dog-collar match at Revolution in March. He beat Dustin Rhodes to become the number one contender in April, paving the way for the upcoming main-event bout for the title at Double or Nothing. Punk was always destined for the title picture and nine months into his AEW tenure, his crowning moment does seem a genuine possibility. It could pave the way for some huge storylines and dream matches surrounding the tile picture against the likes of Bryan Danielson or Kenny Omega. But are AEW ready to end the reign of Hangman which is getting over so well and which has been so enjoyable?
Prediction- Adam Page (c) to defeat CM Punk- Punk will surely be AEW Champion at some point but it doesn’t quite feel time for Page to drop the straps yet and a victory here really would validate his championship reign on another level and may allow for further development of the storyline between these two. A small part of me feels it will be MJF who eventually de-thrones the cowboy, the former teased this himself saying ‘it is what you know’ when referring to a previous victory over Page and his own title ambitions.
2. AEW Women’s World Championship Fight- Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb.
Like Page, Thunder Rosa’s own path to become world champion is testament to the strength of AEW’s creative. While the storytelling around the promotions women’s division has been criticised, the feud between Rosa and Dr Britt Baker D.M.D, including their acclaimed unsanctioned lights-out match which broke-down stereotypes and placed a spotlight on the women’s wrestling scene in AEW. It was therefore only fitting that it would be Thunder Rosa, in her adoptive home-town of San Antonio in Texas, to defeat ‘The Good Doctor’ at St Patrick’s Day Slam and become the face of the women’s division.
Rosa’s booking since winning the belt has been criticised in some quarters, she has after defended the belt just once, against former champion Nyla Rose, leading into Double or Nothing. Deeb is a perfect opponent whose reputation goes before her, having done so much herself for women’s wrestling and having held championships in multiple promotions. A multi-match feud against former AEW World Champion, Hikaru Shida and the dominating image her ‘5 minute’ challenge series have built up have established Deeb further in AEW. The run-up to this title match has been good with both women strong on the mic and laying intrigue. Could Deeb consign Rosa to one of AEW’s shortest title reigns or will this match seek to grow Rosa as a champion?
Prediction- Thunder Rosa to beat Serena Debb- This would allow AEW to hopefully further develop Rosa’s reputation as a champion and continue title-reign against a wider field of top opponents.
3. AEW World Tag Team Championship- Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) vs. Team Taz (Ricky Starks & Will Hobbs) vs. Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee.
It would be hard to run out of positive things to say about JungleBoy. He is fast, high-flying, versatile, determined and let’s face it loveable. He has come into his own as a gladiator-like competitor that fears nobody, does not give up and who has a special connection with the AEW fans. His title reign alongside the equally talented and appreciated, Luchasaurus, has been a joy to behold. They have now stacked up six tile defences, including a three-way encounter between reDragon and the Young Bucks back at Revolution in March. Bringing the Tag Team Champions into an existing feud between Team Taz and Swerve Strickland/Keith Lee was a clever move (one predicted by this blog) and has allowed the set-up of another tantalising three-way pay per-view tag team championship encounter. Like JungleBoy, Ricky Starks and Will Hobbs have developed into stars who AEW clearly have big plans for and could be viewed as viable tag-team champions. Since arriving following their WWE departures, Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland have been so-well received and have instantly built-up an impressive body of work in AEW, both in singles and tag- team competition. The singles match between JungleBoy, Swerve and Starks have given us a preview of the high-flying, impressive and fast action we are set for on Sunday, combine this with the brute strength and power of the ‘Limitless One’, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs and Luchasaurus- and we are in for one hell of match!
Prediction- Jurassic Express to retain their title- I wouldn’t be shocked to see Strickland/Lee win earlier, but I do feel a match-up between Jurrasic Express and FTR has been teased and could just be round the corner.
4. AEW TBS Championship- Jade Cargill vs. Anna Jay
Jade Cargill has looked unstoppable in AEW, all that needs to be said to support this statement is that at the time of writing she is 31-0. The TBS Championship has been the perfect opportunity for the promotion to showcase one of their most exciting developing stars with some memorable wins against the likes of Ruby Soho and Thunder Rosa on the way to becoming the inaugural winner of this belt. She hasn’t looked back since winning every title defence, many of which convincingly. It is hard to look past her doing the same again. That said, since her first title challenge against Jade, Anna Jay has continued to impress and as alluded to in the recent promos she has cut, has worked alongside some of the best like Ruby Soho and Hikaru Shida in tag-team victories which have added credibility to quest to be one of the best in her own right. It should be a closer encounter this time, demonstrating Jay’s progress since they last met but I can’t look past the leader of the baddies section to keep up her domineering streak.
Prediction- Jade Cargill to retain.
5. Anarchy in the Arena- Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Angelo Parker and Matt Menard) against Eddie Kignston, Santana, Ortiz and Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson)
Double or Nothing does seem synonymous with Chris Jericho. As mentioned he won the main event in the inaugural outing of this event and then has gone onto star in two stadium-stampede matches in the last two editions of this annual pay-per view, including a victory over his adversary MJF and the Pinnacle last time out. It was not surprising there was a pop for Jericho’s suggestion Stadium Stampede III this time out, but Moxley’s rejection of the format, the use of which for some was reflective of a different time in the pandemic-era, played perfectly into the Blackpool Combat Club’s rejection of sports entertainment in favour of pure wrestling. Anarchy in the Arena promises to play homage to the violent, hardcore nature of its aforementioned predecessor while being perhaps more suitable for a full arena. Jericho’s feud with Eddie Kingston, the break-up of the inner-circle, the formation of the Jericho Appreciation Society, his exchanges with William Regal and his new persona as a Wizard have all breathed new life into Le Champion, who perhaps back to his best for the first time since the MJF feud ended. William Regal’s arrival into AEW at Revolution and the formation of the Blackpool Combat Club since has been joyous to watch and pairing them with Moxley’s old partner Eddie Kingston, Santana and Ortiz for this encounter has been a stroke of genius, promising a star studied, rekindling the rivalries of old and allowing Jericho and Regal engage in a side battle of wits along the way.
Prediction- Jericho Appreciation Society to win (hard to call, two new factions both establishing momentum but I do feel Jericho is due a win against Kingston and this would be the best way to sustain the development of a longer-term feud.
6. The Hardys vs. The Young Bucks
Elite vs. Delete has been on the card since Jeff Hardy’s arrival at AEW some months back. This dream match has been cleverly built-up to, starting with a subtle in-ring face to face meeting of the two pairs of brothers following Jeff’s defeat to Adam Cole in the Owen Hart Tournament. The subsequent promos, beat-downs and Young Bucks imitation of their opponents on this weeks Rampage (after they were labelled as Hardy cos-players) has only served to ramp-up the expectation for what will surely be a tag-team classic match.
Prediction- Young Bucks to win (they are due a big pay-per view victory after defeat at the last few).
7. MJF vs. Wardlow
It is testament to the star that MJF has become that now he is not getting over against a legend such as CM Punk, Chris Jericho or Cody Rhodes at a big AEW show but rather he is the one involved in helping a break-out star to get over through another carefully crafted storyline. MJF’s treatment of Wardlow as his Pinnacle overlord left fans waiting in anticipation, week after week for, Wardlow to do the inevitable and become the babyface he didn’t know he was by turning on him. He finally did passing CM Punk, MJF’s coveted dynamite-diamond ring to beat him with back at Revolution. Since Wardlow has come to the ring handcuffed week after week as MJF refuses to free him from his contact and is scared to allow Wardlow near him. The story has developed perfectly leading up this moment with Wardlow defying the barriers MJF put in place to beat Shawn Speers to win his match at Double or Nothing. Who will win on Sunday?
Prediction- MJF to win (Wardlow will get his victory eventually, I just feel this will come later).
8. Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Final- Adam Cole vs. Samoa Joe
Adam Cole and Samoa Joe have both proven revelations (or revolutions perhaps if we are going to do a AEW pun!) since their first appearances in AEW. Cole has rarely lost and has been key to the at time competing egos in the Elite since the arrival of Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. Equally, his prominent role in the announcement of the joint AEW-NJPW ‘Forbidden Door’ shows his status within the Jacksonville-based promotion. Samoa Joe was the perfect signing at the perfect time when Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor, giving his rich history with the AEW owners newest venture. He has gone onto become Ring of Honor TV Champion and has looked dominant throughout the Owen Hart tournament. Both clearly men AEW have big plans for, this one is hard to call.
Prediction- Adam Cole to win (I feel this will give him something within AEW to back-up his champion reputation).
9. Owen Hart Women’s Tournament Final- Dr Britt Baker D.M.D vs. Ruby Soho
Given the star Dr Britt Baker has become, it was unimaginable for her not to be in a prominent match at Double or Nothing, even though she is no longer the AEW Women’s World Champion. Thankfully, the Owen Hart tournament has provided the perfect chance for that to happen and has paid other dividends, establishing the rivalry between Baker and the incoming Toni Storm and now reacquainting her rivalry with Ruby Soho. There were metaphorical fireworks, both in the ring and on the mic the last time these two came face to face. Though the brief encounter at the end of AEW Rampage felt a bit rushed and underwhelming, the sequel in terms of match promises to be spectacular.
Prediction- Dr Britt Baker D.M.D to win.
10. House of Black vs. Death Triangle
This feels like a match that has been in the making but delayed by the injury of Ray Fenix. An ongoing feud which has continued the trend of the House of Black bringing the dark side of their adversaries out with Penta taking on his Penta Oscuro persona after this feud began. At the buy-in for Revolution, House of Black beat Penta, Pac and Erick Redbeard but who will win this time round?
Prediction- Death Triangle to win.
11. Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page and PaigeVan-Zant vs. Sammy Guevara, Frankie Kazarian and Tay Conti.
There has been times when fans have wondered what the pay-off may be in the feud between Sammy Guevara and American Top-Team. Scorpio Sky won the TNT Championship belt from him, only to drop it back to Sammy, only for Scorpio to win it back at ladder match and at times elements of the feud have had mixed reactions. Things did ramp-up somewhat when as Guevara warned, Sky turned on his old tag-team partner Frankie Kazarian, leading to a unlikely alliance between Frankie, Sammy and his girlfriend Tay Conti. When Sammy, Tay and Frankie broke into American Top Team HQ, stealing belts and causing carnage, Sky finally agreed to the mixed trio match they wanted but with the stipulation that if Sammy and Frankie lose, they can never challenge for the TNT Championship again.
Prediction- Sammy, Frankie and Tay to win.
12. Darby Allin vs. Kyle O Reilly
It would be hard to imagine a AEW PPV without Darby Allin and the beatdown which reportedly wrote Sting out of proceedings for a few weeks following Kyle’s victory against Jeff Hardy also helped to set the context that allowed Darby to throw out the challenge to Kyle for a match at Double or Nothing. Whilst not a longer-term feud, the enjoyable and contrasting styles of both wrestlers will pave the way for an enjoyable match-up.
Prediction- Darby Allin to win
13. Hookhausen (Hook/Danhausen) vs. Tony Nese & Mark Sterling
We chronicled the rise of Hook in a recent article in this blog and a fun part of that has been the development of the dynamic between Hook and the very nice, very evil Danhausen. At first, Danhausen appeared to be a enemy for Hook, trying but failing (due to Hook’s apparent powers) to put a curse on him and then demanding a fight with him- this got Danhausen, Hook’s full attention! However, when they found a common enemy in Tony Nese, it was Hook (to everyone’s delight) who came to Danhausen’s rescue. This match promises to set the tone for the evening, getting the crowd going during the buy-in with two of their favourites teaming up.
Prediction- Hookhausen to win!
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