AEW’s Double or Nothing PPV is right around the bend on Sunday, May 30. Nine bouts, plus one pre-show contest, are scheduled for the event. When looking at the card, there is one match that stands out as the true main event. That would be the Young Bucks defending tag team gold against Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston.
AEW traditionally closes with the AEW World Championship bout. It generally deserves that honor as the top story with the biggest stars. However, that is not the case for this year’s Double or Nothing.
It feels like a 99% chance that Kenny Omega will retain the world title in the three-way against Orange Cassidy and PAC. Part of that is because there are zero signs that Omega’s story as belt collector will end in a few days. Another part is that the story was rushed to create contenders for Omega. There have been a couple of interactions between Omega and his opponents but nothing strong enough to make me emotionally invested. That’s not good for a PPV main event, especially when AEW only puts on four PPVs per year.
That leads me to wondering which other match has the gravitas to close the show. The Young Bucks putting the AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line against Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston is my choice. This story has featured betrayal from the Bucks turning on Moxley, redemption from Kingston becoming Moxley’s friend again, heinous actions of attempting bone breaking, and memorable moments such as ramming a truck into a trailer.
The recent style of bad guy mischief from the Bucks makes me want to see them receive their just deserts. Losing the tag titles isn’t enough. I want to see them get beat up. Enough so to wipe the smug smirks off their faces. Moxley and Kingston are the perfect pair for the job. Their rugged street style of brawling presents a unique matchup against the Bucks’ athletic flippy flops and superkicks.
This story has created anticipation and curiosity for the bout. Plus, we know the action is going to deliver. With all that in favor of giving this match the main event slot, the biggest point is that there is a legitimate question about who will win. I honestly have no leaning one way or the another. I can envision the show closing with the Bucks keeping their gold as much as I can envision Mox and King reigning supreme.
.@MadKing1981 & @JonMoxley are trying to take more than just The @youngbucks J's. Next up: the AEW World Tag Team Championship pic.twitter.com/xBwLYTdeje
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) May 22, 2021
Let’s break down the full Double or Nothing card using my personal power rankings for the lineup.
1. AEW World Tag Team Championship: Young Bucks (c) vs. Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston
This is the primo pick of the bunch. High stakes? Check. Bad blood? Check. Heels worthy of comeuppance? Check. Unpredictability? Check. Potential for a great match? Check.
2. Hangman Page vs. Brian Cage
Hangman is AEW’s top babyface in my book. Watching him get payback on the powerful force known as Cage will be sweet. And if Cage wins again, it will provide a shock to keep us on our toes as viewers.
3. TNT Championship: Miro (c) vs. Lance Archer
HOSS FIGHT!!! If that doesn’t sell you, then Miro’s promos should certainly do the trick.
4. Stadium Stampede: Pinnacle vs. Inner Circle
The Stadium Stampede sells itself. It will be tough to top last year’s crazy spectacle, but these two squads have the talent and creativity to do so. The key difference will be to play on hatred rather than portray an action comedy. The added stipulation provides intrigue to see whether it will be the end of the Inner Circle.
5. AEW Women’s World Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD
The build-up for the actual fight has been mediocre at best. The build-up for Baker has been the emphasis, and that’s why many fans speculate a title change is coming. In the process of hyping Baker, AEW neglected to make me believe they are on the same skill level in the ring. Shida should be a strong favorite, since Baker earned the shot frolicking through the daisies on her way up the rankings.
Despite that, the title bout gets ranked this high because it is my pick to steal the show. Shida always puts on a fantastic fight every time she rumbles on PPV, and Baker has shown moxie in her loss to Thunder Rosa and by continuing matches through bloody injuries.
6. Cody Rhodes vs. Anthony Ogogo
The draw for me is seeing how well Ogogo can perform in the ring. He has promos and squashes matches down well. Against Cody, Ogogo will be guided by an ace, but there will be moments where he has to do the heavy lifting. Will Ogogo show us it is time to remove the prospect training wheels?
7. NWA World Women’s Championship: Serena Deeb (c) vs. Riho
After Deeb revealed a merciless edge to her game by retaining against Red Velvet, she has my full attention. I want to see how she dismantles AEW’s sweetheart. Riho is flexible enough to really sell the pain of compromising positions at the hands of Deeb.
8. Casino Battle Royale
I genuinely love battle royales, and I also enjoy surprises. Win, win!
The participants include Christian Cage, Matt Sydal, Will Hobbs, Pentagon, Jungle Boy, Matt Hardy, Marq Quen, Isiah Kassidy, Blade, Evil Uno, Colt Cabana, 10, Griff Garrison, Brian Pillman Jr., Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, QT Marshall, Nick Comoroto, Dustin Rhodes, Lee Johnson, and a mystery wrestler. Winner earns a world title shot.
Christian is the clear favorite from the names listed. I’ll be rooting for Pentagon, Hobbs, and Rhodes. Pentagon would be a solid backup pick with enough star power to stand across the ring from the world champ. Hobbs would be interesting to get a taste of the limelight in his early career. Rhodes would be intriguing as a veteran getting his final shot. Let’s be honest, Dustin is not going to climb the singles rankings at this stage in his career. Winning the battle royale would be a suitable workaround to see him chase glory.
9. Sting & Darby Allin vs. Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page
It’s Sting! He will compete in a traditional wrestling match for the first-time in AEW. I’m not expecting much from Sting. Give me some signature moves, a hot tag clean house moment, and don’t put him in positions he might not be able to handle. Sting still has the allure of an icon, and I’m hoping AEW keeps it that way.
10. AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Orange Cassidy vs. PAC
This is the only match on the card that does not tickle my curiosity. Cassidy is a niche product, and I’m not in the market for freshly squeezed wrestlers. Aside from my disinterest in OC, the result seems predictable, the story was rushed, and there is no heat in the feud to light my fire of desire.
Which match do you think deserves to main event Double or Nothing? Give us your power rankings for the lineup of which matches you are most eager to consume.