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After an incredibly sad, depressing, and hard week for the wrestling community, All Elite Wrestling had a large hill to climb if they wanted to try and put smiles on the faces of this group of fans. And somehow, they did more than that and over-delivered to an absolutely incredible degree at Double or Nothing.
With multiple wrestling matches showcasing a multitude of different styles- from comedic, to high flying, to hard hitting, to the absolute insane- there was something for everyone in this variety show that helped everyone feel a little bit better about everything that's currently affecting us all.
With a ladder match that features a huge debut, a woman's title match that blew all expectations away, to a world championship match that finished in style before one of the most bizarre, individual and special wrestling matches in the history of the industry, AEW absolutely smashed it out of the park with this show.
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So please find below five things that we learned from AEW Double or Nothing 2020.
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#5 The future is youth
In terms of bell to bell, in ring action- it could be argued this was in the second match of Double or Nothing as Jungle Boy took on MJF.
MJF is often touted for his talent on the microphone and his incredible character work but some have suggested he still has a ways to go in the ring work side of the profession. All those doubts were firmly put to rest last night as both young men put on a fantastic wrestling match. Jungle Boy has always been thought of a as fantastic high flyer but, at Double or Nothing he showed that he has the technical aspects and base groundwork to go against anyone.
And it further solidifies the picture All Elite Wrestling is trying to showcase on their weekly and PPV product. The future of AEW is youth. Now, whilst quite an obvious statement to make- the elder statesmen aren't exactly getting any younger- the young talent AEW has is almost terrifying to think about.
With Jungle Boy, Marko Stunt, Austin Gunn, Darby Allin, Private Party and Sonny Kiss from the male side with Riho, Hikaru Shida, Bea Priestley, Big Swole, Penelope Ford on the women's side- All Elite is set for years to come.
#4 A New Champion is Crowned at Double or Nothing
One of the most hyped matches going into this year's Double or Nothing was the TNT Championship match up between 'The American Nightmare' Cody Rhodes and 'The Murderhawk Monster' Lance Archer. With 'Iron' Mike Tyson presenting the belt to the winner, the match had a lot of intrigue going into it.
And after a hard fought, brutal battle between the two men- Cody Rhodes emerged victorious after hitting two Cross Rhodes in a row to pick up the win and become the first ever TNT Champion. The match result has been met with division online- with some delighted that the son of Dusty is the first to hold a, visibly, throwback title whereas others have railed against it stating that the first champion should have been Archer.
Regardless, the landscape of AEW has hugely shifted with a new midcard championship getting added to the mix. For so long now, there has been a plethora of talent unable to win any gold as they aren't at the level of the upper card but that has all changed now. With Rhodes holding this new title, he will have a wave of competitors, eager to be the first man to take it from his grasp.
#3 Shida Conquers The Beast at Double or Nothing
One of the highlights of Double or Nothing was undoubtedly the AEW Woman's Championship match between the champion Nyla Rose and the challenger Hikaru Shida.
Shida has been at the top of the women's division for several months now and has clearly been desperate to have a shot at Nyla Roses' championship belt so she went all out (excuse the pun) when the opportunity came.
The stipulation of no disqualification and no count outs massively helped the matchup as it brought a brawling, hardcore style to a match and division that has been crying out for creativity. Double or Nothing had a wide array of contests on their card, so any audience member had something to enjoy, and this result especially has appeared to make the AEW fanbase happy.
Shida has been a sensation ever since she has arrived on Dynamite and AEW in general so seeing her rewarded to this extent is fantastic to see. It is however a shame to see Nyla Rose's title reign end as she has without a doubt been a fantastic champion, whenever she has appeared on our screens.
#2 Brian Cage is All Elite
Choosing to start AEW Double or Nothing with the ladder match was absolutely the right decision. Featuring terrifying dives, insane weapon shots, and spots that made you hurt just from watching through a TV, it was a fantastic way to start the night and get fans immediately invested in the PPV.
And what made it even better was the decision to have a huge debut right at the end. When the clock hit zero, I don't think many people could have predicted the behemoth that is Brian Cage, with Tazz at his side, to walk out the tunnel. At Double or Nothing, the Machine made quite an impression. From ripping a ladder in half during his entrance, to cleaning house for most of the match, to then emerging from a burial of weaponry before eventually going on to win the entire thing- Cage has staked his claim within AEW in a big way.
Going off last years huge event, Double or Nothing had a lot to live up to. With Brian Cage, a hugely talented and sought out talent, debuting right out the gate- they certainly lived up to the hype.
#1 The stadium erupts
Many fans, when realizing that the match between AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and Brodie Lee wasn't going to be the main event of Double or Nothing, started to tweet their complaints. With many traditional wrestling fans feeling that the world title should go on last regardless, the thought process does have some justification. However- all those worries were immediately gone as they began to witness the silliest, craziest and mad wrestling match we may have ever seen.
The Japanese promotion DDT prides itself on having 'out of the box' wrestling matches that anything can happen but even they must have been surprised at some of the spots during this brawl. Whether it was Hangman Adam Page riding a horse the length of the field, Matt Jackson Northern Lights suplexing Sammy Guevara 100 yards to the endzone and then getting a penalty for terrible celebrations.
Or perhaps it was Adam Page and Jake Hager sharing a drink together before fighting or Matt Hardy apparently transporting his lake of reincarnation and going through multiple versions of himself before strapping Ortiz to a wheelchair and Santana in an icebox. I have only mentioned a couple of spots from the match as there were, literally, too many to list but if you haven't gone and watched it- please do. In a week that we all need a bit of a laugh, this main event will make you double over with happiness.
