AEW returned to the city where it all began 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 the company’s young pillars.
That match topped a card that also featured the culmination of the rivalry between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club, a 21-man battle royal for the International Championship and both women’s titles up for grabs in hotly contested matches.
Announced in advance 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)
- Anarchy in the Arena: The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page) vs. The Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta)
- AEW World Women’s Championship Match: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Toni Storm
- AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: FTR (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal (Mark Briscoe as the special guest referee)
- 21-Man Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Championship featuring 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)
- AEW World Trios Championship defense by The House of Black
- Unsanctioned Match: Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho
- The Buy-In: The Hardy Boys and Hook vs. Ethan Page and The Gunns
Stipulation: If the heels lose, The Hardys win Ethan Page’s contract.
Even the presence of the perpetually over Hardys could not make up for a cold story and a match that did not have much in the way of real interest.
Matt and Jeff Hardy drew a big pop as the first big stars in the arena but it was a real struggle to get the fans to invest in the action in this opening match as they teamed with FTW champion Hook to defeat “All Ego” Ethan Page and The Gunns.
Page has earned the right to be involved in something better, more cohesive and important than this undercard program and it showed as he was very clearly the best worker in this match, despite the presence of the Hall of Fame brothers.
The stipulation of this one, though, does not encourage much faith that what awaits him following Double or Nothing will be much better, unfortunately.
Result
The Hardys and Hook defeated Page and The Gunns
Grade
C
Top 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 into the match, drawing the first real reaction of the contest aside from the entrances.
- Hardy slipped attempting the Whisper in the Wind but the commentary team did a great job of disguising it as the result of a year on the sidelines. Good cover by Excalibur, Taz, and JR.
- Redrum put Page out with Redrum to score 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 into Double or Nothing gutting out victory after victory, overcoming every challenger to his AEW International Championship. Faced with 20 different challengers in Sunday’s opener, the king of sloth style once again emerged victoriously, outlasting Swerve Strickland to ensure his reign would continue.
There was some to like about the Blackjack Battle Royal, such as the booking of Big Bill as a monster giant and the calculating Strickland waiting to enter the ring until late, but this was very much one of those battle royals where lots happened without any lasting effect.
Cassidy winning at least makes sense but does beg the question: what’s next for Freshly Squeezed?
Does Tony Khan and the AEW creative team have a long-term plan or are they content to let Cassidy continue his winning ways before acquiring a new star to take the title from him? Maybe there is a “wait and see” approach as the company seeks out an appropriate victor.
Whatever the case may be, this at least got the fans into the show and they remain solidly behind Cassidy, despite booking and a win-loss record that would get him “John Cena’d” five years ago.
Result
Cassidy retained
Grade
C+
Top Moments
- Several competitors opted to fight on the floor, apparently unfamiliar with the rules of a battle royal, as JR astutely pointed out on commentary.
- Strickland and Cage watched intently from the ramp, not yet having entered the squared circle. Swerve would enter the match much later and immediately target Lee, continuing the feud between former partners.
- Blackjack Battle Royal be damned, we got the mid-match hug from Cassidy and Best Friends because you have to give the people what they want.
- Cassidy inadvertently dodged buddy Taylor and watched as he was eliminated. Later, Beretta took a big boot from Big Bill to the floor, saving Freshly Squeezed despite it costing him a championship opportunity.
- “Absolute” eliminated White moments later, gaining a measure of revenge for weeks of torment at the hands of Bullet Club Gold. The heels answered by pulling him to the floor and sending him into the guardrail.
- Cassidy and Strickland brought the action, and drama, in the closing minutes with exchanges that culminated with the babyface champion outlasting Swerve to retain his title.
