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If you were in two minds about whether or not you should order AEW Double or Nothing and ended up not ordering the show, you really did miss out! The main event alone has to be one of the most memorable pro wrestling matches I've ever watched, in AEW or otherwise.
The world is different now and pro wrestling has changed as well, to adapt. We saw what WWE did with Money in the Bank, a contest that received mixed reviews based on whether you're ingrained in the old-school or indeed if you think that comedy has a place in wrestling.
AEW would follow suit on this broadcast and I have to say that, according to me, they did an even better job with the main event than WWE did with Money in the Bank. Whether or not you are a wrestling fan, everything in that match was hilarious.
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There was a lot more to AEW Double or Nothing than the main event, but let me begin at the end, because of how noteworthy it was.
#1 Best: AEW delivers with the Stadium Stampede Match
The sight of Hangman Page on a horse, chasing down Sammy Guevara will be everyone's favorite memory for a while. Memes will be made, gifs will be created and jokes will be made by wrestling fans worldwide.
But there was so much more to this match, from pool segments, to bar fights, from NFL-style replays to golf carts. All the ten men in the match delivered in spades, from The Elite to The Inner Circle. It's almost like the AEW think tank looked at WWE Money in the Bank and thought 'we can do better'.
In my opinion, at least, they did. If you feel otherwise, feel free to comment.
#1 Worst: The unfinished AEW TNT Championship
AEW did a very commendable job with the production of the show, from the pyro to the stage to the stadium and the grand finale. And this is why I am surprised that a company that is as professional as AEW is would be unable to finish the design for the TNT Championship in time.
Maybe the unveiling of the title should have been held off for a later day when it was finished, because the Championship seemed a little underwhelming to me but that's a matter of opinion. I am guessing that AEW had to make do with the fact that Mike Tyson was only available for this one grand occasion.
A lot of people were also surprised at the fact that Lance Archer, who has been absolutely dominant in AEW lost in such a manner to someone like Cody Rhodes in the manner that he did.
The Murderhawk seems a lot less threatening at the moment now that it has been proved that he can indeed be beaten.
#2 Best: Hikaru Shida becomes the AEW Women's Champion
I have been high on Hikaru Shida for the longest time and I am glad to report that she did indeed become the new AEW Women's Champion at last. Nyla Rose was the perfect dance partner but Shida did not battle from underneath and went toe-to-toe in what was a fantastic contest from start to finish.
This has to be the match of the night purely from a match quality point of view, which is astounding because AEW stacked the entire card from top to bottom with a wealth of fantastic matches. It was very clear who the babyface was and who the heel was, and I have to say that Shida will be a fantastic representative for the division, going forward.
This wasn't the end of the line for Nyla Rose at all because she will indeed face Hikaru Shida in further confrontations, considering that Dr. Baker will not be around to bolster the heel side of the equation. Let's hope for more classics between the two women down the line.
#2 Worst: Maybe the most underwhelming match at AEW Double or Nothing
There is good comedy and there is bad comedy as well. Good comedy is what AEW did in the main event with the Stadium Stampede. Bad comedy is what they chose to do with Tully Blanchard appearing on Shawn Spears' undergarments at AEW Double or Nothing.
I did not even get the point of the match between Shawn Spears and Dustin Rhodes. In fact, had the pay-per-view not had the contest, it would have been significantly shorter and AEW would have left a lot of fans much happier. Maybe, the whole philosophy of getting every AEW star on the bill in some way is not the best policy.
I am 33 years old and the last thing I want to see on pay-per-view is a grown man getting his trunks pulled down and get spanked by another AEW star. I wonder if Spears thinks that this is a better spot for him than the 'ten' gimmick that was given to him in WWE.
#3 Best: Brian Cage has finally arrived in AEW
Not only is Brian Cage one of the most underrated stars in the world, but he is also one of the nicest guys in the pro wrestling business. I've had the pleasure of interviewing him when he was a part of Impact Wrestling and I am glad to report that he has made an instant splash upon his arrival at AEW.
To be paired with Taz in the manner that he has pretty much proves that All Elite Wrestling will put a lot of stock in 'The Machine' if that is indeed the gimmick that he will go by in AEW. Whatever the case may be, he is one man who can size up with Jon Moxley in the right manner and both men could have a pretty fantastic feud, in the days that follow.
Also, I have to say that all said and done, Orange Cassidy was hilarious in the ladder match at the top of the program. I didn't get him initially and maybe I still don't, but he definitely has a place in the AEW roster.
#3 Best/Worst: Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander at AEW Double or Nothing
This was an okay match considering the circumstances but it really showed that the depth of the AEW Women's Division isn't as deep as one would have you believe. The difference in match quality between Nyla Rose and Hikaru Shida as well as this one was so vast, that it almost felt like two separate women's rosters.
That said, I do not mean to discourage either of these two very gifted women even though I am not entirely sold on the whole 'Andromeda Galaxy' shtick because of just how hokey it is. I get that the main event was ridiculous and Orange Cassidy was absolutely weird as well, but there's something about AEW star Kris Statlander that just screams that she needs to be repackaged.
Would I have preferred thousands of screaming AEW fans? Of course, the answer is a resounding yes.
But the fact remains that for what it was, AEW Double or Nothing was a fun show that had more ups than downs.
