AEW has been in the headlines for many reasons outside of wrestling lately between its new television show and the daily behind-the-scenes soap opera that involves its most marketable star.
But there is business to attend to this weekend with Double or Nothing, which has a main event that features the promotion’s famed “Four Pillars.” Can those pillars hold up the annual extravaganza or will an anarchic match steal the show?
I break it all down with my predictions:
AEW World Heavyweight Championship: MJF (c) vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara
AEW tried really hard — I mean really hard — to convince people that the three challengers in this match have a real chance of walking out of Vegas with the world title.
Unfortunately, that effort was all for naught, in my eyes.
For starters, I don’t see a reason to take the title away from MJF. On top of that, I don’t see any of the other three pillars being in a position to carry the mantle of being the world champ. Maybe they will be one day, but it doesn’t feel like they are at the moment.
Because of that, MJF is a good bet to retain.
Winner: MJF
Anarchy in the Arena: Blackpool Combat Club vs. The Elite
This is the match that I am most looking forward to watching on this show, and it is by a wide margin.
I can’t wait to see the wild antics these wrestlers will have up their sleeves. Oh, and you better believe there will be blood. This will not be for the squeamish.
I wrestled (no pun intended) with who I was going to pick to win this match, but at the end of the day, I think The Elite will walk away with a win at Double or Nothing. Since Kenny Omega already lost to Jon Moxley in a cage match on Dynamite, I feel like picking up the win here would be a good way to even the score without beating Moxley.
Winners: The Elite
Unsanctioned Match: Chris Jericho vs. Adam Cole
Unsanctioned matches always make me laugh because they always still look pretty sanctioned, and I always find that odd.
What I find even more odd is the inclusion of enigmatic ECW legend Sabu. I have no idea what to make of Sabu being involved in this story. Judging by my timeline’s reaction, I don’t think I’m alone in that feeling.
However, I am eager to hear how AEW explains the connection between Sabu and Adam Cole. Not because I need the gaping hole in the plot to be filled, but because I simply want to hear how absurd the promotion’s explanation is going to be.
As far as a winner. I’m going with Cole.
Winner: Adam Cole
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AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Toni Storm
If you asked me last week, I would have quickly chosen Jamie Hayter to retain the title.
However, Hayter is apparently injured and her status is still seemingly up in the air as of this writing. AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan was non-committal when asked whether Hayter will defend her title at Double or Nothing during a recent conference call, only adding to the mystery behind Hayter’s status.
Because of this, I’m going to go with Toni Storm to become a two-time champion.
Winner: Toni Storm
AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal
Here we are in the year of our lord 2023, and Double J has a chance to become a world tag team champion. Ain’t he great?
The most intriguing part of this match is the fact that Mark Briscoe is the special guest referee, and judging by him slapping everyone in sight on the most recent edition of Dynamite, he’s got heat with both sides.
By the way, I’ve probably watched Briscoe slap Jeff Jarrett’s hat off at least — at least — 78 times.
At least.
It was giving Bernie Mac in “Head of State” vibes.
As far as a winner, I just couldn’t imagine AEW putting the tag titles on Jarrett and Jay Lethal. I guess the promotion could always go in that direction for the heat alone, but it would feel more like a decision WWE would make. Copying WWE isn’t always a bad thing, but in this case, it would be horrible.
Winners: FTR
AEW TNT Championship (Ladder match): Wardlow (c) vs. Christian Cage
I know Christian Cage is supposed to be the master of the ladder match, and rightfully so, but Wardlow winning should be the only outcome here.
Maybe, just maybe, this could prove to be the catalyst that sparks Wardlow again.
Winner: Wardlow
AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Taya Valkyrie
In my opinion, Taya Valkyrie represents the biggest threat to Jade Cargill’s title to date.
Under ordinary circumstances, I would still go with Cargill to retain. But with the uncertainty surrounding Hayter and the world title, maybe this could be a good time to move Cargill away from the TBS title and on the path to finally winning the division’s top prize.
So yes, I’m making the bold prediction of Valkyrie finding a way to dethrone the dominant champion, but only because said champion is moving on to bigger and better things.
Winner: Taya Valkyrie
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AEW International Championship: Blackjack Battle Royal
The list of participants as of this writing are as follows:
• Orange Cassidy (c)
• Blade
• Butcher
• Bandido
• Komander
• Lee Moriarty
• Big Bill Morrissey
• Ari Daivari
• Tony Nese
• Chuck Taylor
• Trent Beretta
• Kip Sabian
• Fenix
• Pentagon
• Swerve Strickland
• Brian Cage
• Ricky Starks
• “Switchblade” Jay White
• Juice Robinson
• Keith Lee
• Dustin Rhodes
Since the story is that Orange Cassidy is practically being held together by duct tape, it feels like a good time to have him drop the title. It’s also a battle royal, meaning that he doesn’t even have to get pinned to lose.
That means a new champion will be crowned and I think that person will be …. *drumroll please*… Jay White.
I know Starks is the sentimental favorite heading into the match, but putting the title on White with Starks pursuing it could make for great television throughout the summer. I could even see Starks being the last one eliminated at Double or Nothing after some dastardly tactic by White.
Also, it could elevate the International Championship to another level. Cassidy has done all he probably can with the title. But White and Starks are capable of doing something special.
Winner: “Switchblade” Jay White
Six-man tag: Ethan Page and The Gunns vs. Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy and Hook
I must admit, Hook teaming with the Hardy Boyz is pretty wild. It doesn’t feel that long ago when Hook’s father, Taz, was wrestling the Hardys during his as an in-ring performer for WWE. Now, they’re teaming up with his adult son.
It’ll be so wild that they will come away with the victory.
Winner: Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy and Hook