AEW returned to the town where it all began on Sunday with its annual Double or Nothing pay-per-view, headlined by MJF defending the world title against “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara in a four-way showcase of youngsters. pillars of the company.
This match topped a card that also featured the culmination of The Elite’s rivalry with Blackpool Combat Club, a 21-man battle royal for the International Championship and both women’s titles up for grabs in tightly contested matches.
Announced ahead of AEW’s flagship event are:
- AEW World Championship 4-Way Match: Darby Allin vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry vs. Sammy Guevara vs. MJF (c)
- Arena Anarchy: The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta)
- AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Toni Storm
- AEW World Tag Team Championship match: FTR (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal (Mark Briscoe as special guest referee)
- 21-Man Blackjack Battle Royal for AEW International Championship with Orange Cassidy, Jay White, Ricky Starks, Keith Lee, Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, Juice Robinson, Penta El Zero Miedo, Dustin Rhodes, Rey Fenix, Kip Sabian, Butcher, Blade , Bandido, Kommander, Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, Ari Daivari, Tony Nese, Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta
- Ladder match for the TNT Championship: Wardlow (c) vs. Christian Cage
- TBS Championship Match: Taya Valkyrie vs. Jade Cargill (c)
- Defense of the AEW World Trios Championship by The House of Black
- Unauthorized Match: Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho
- The buy-in: the Hardy Boys and Hook against Ethan Page and the Gunns
Stipulation: If the heels lose, the Hardys win Ethan Page’s contract.
Even the presence of the perpetual Over Hardys couldn’t make up for a cold story and a game that didn’t have much real interest.
Matt and Jeff Hardy drew big pop as the arena’s first big stars, but it was a real struggle to get fans invested in the action in that opener as they teamed up with the FTW Champion Hook to defeat “All Ego” Ethan Page and the Gunns.
Page earned the right to be involved in something better, more cohesive and important than this undercard program and it showed that he was very clearly the best worker in this game, despite the presence of the Hall of brothers. Famous.
The stipulation of this one, however, does not encourage many to believe that what awaits him after Double or Nothing will unfortunately be much better.
Result
The Hardys and Hook defeat Page and the Gunns
Grade
VS
Best moments
- Jim Ross joined Excalibur and Taz at ringside as the commentary table was positioned there for the first time at a major AEW pay-per-view.
- Jeff Hardy exploded in the match, drawing the contest’s first real reaction outside of the starters.
- Hardy slipped attempting the Whisper in the Wind but the commentary team did a great job disguising it following a year on the sidelines. Good coverage by Excalibur, Taz and JR.
- Redrum took out Page with Redrum to pick up the win.
Participants: Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Ari Daivari, Tony Nese, Lee Moriarty, Big Bill, Komander, Kip Sabian, The Butcher, The Blade, “Switchblade” Jay White, “Rock Hard” Juice Robinson, Dustin Rhodes, Keith Lee, “Absolute” Ricky Starks, Penta El Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix, Bandido, Swerve Strickland, “The Machine” Brian Cage and Orange Cassidy
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy spent months leading at Double or Nothing, draining victory after victory, overcoming every challenger in his AEW International Championship. Facing 20 different challengers in Sunday’s opener, the king of lazy style emerged victorious once again, outlasting Swerve Strickland to secure a continuation of his reign.
There were things to love about Blackjack Battle Royal, like Big Bill’s reservation as a giant monster and the Strickland Calculator waiting to enter the ring until late, but this was really one of those battle royals where many happened without any duration. effect.
Cassidy’s victory at least makes sense, but begs the question: what’s next for Freshly Squeezed?
Do Tony Khan and the AEW creative team have a long term plan or are they just letting Cassidy keep the momentum going before acquiring a new star to take the title from him? Perhaps there is a “wait and see” approach as the company searches for a suitable winner.
Either way, it’s at least gotten fans in on the show and they remain solidly behind Cassidy, despite booking and a win-loss record that would have gotten him “John Cena’d” a while ago. five years.
Result
Restrained Cassidy
Grade
C+
Best moments
- Several contestants chose to fight on the ground, seemingly unfamiliar with the rules of a battle royale, as JR cunningly pointed out in a commentary.
- Strickland and Cage watched intently from the ramp, having not yet entered the squared circle. Swerve would enter the match much later and immediately target Lee, continuing the feud between former partners.
- To hell with Blackjack Battle Royal, Cassidy and Best Friends gave us a mid-match hug because you gotta give people what they want.
- Cassidy inadvertently dodged her buddy Taylor and saw him eliminated. Later, Beretta took a big boot from Big Bill on the ground, saving Freshly Squeezed although it cost him a championship opportunity.
- “Absolute” knocked out White moments later, earning a measure of revenge during weeks of torment at the hands of Bullet Club Gold. The heels responded by dragging him to the ground and sending him into the railing.
- Cassidy and Strickland brought the action and the drama into the final minutes with exchanges that culminated in the babyface champion outlasting Swerve to retain his title.