Double or Nothing has always felt like AEW’s biggest event of the year, especially as it was the event that launched it all. But with their first full house at Daily’s Place in well over a year the event feels even more special. Not too mention, it is a STACKED card. Here are some random thoughts from the event (SPOILERS):
Hot Damn! It’s Good To Have a Crowd Again
Like with most things Covid related you have to roll with the punches. After well over a year without fans we had pretty much gotten used to the sight. But now they are back it feels like wrestling is complete again. The crowd are white hot before the first bell even rings and they don’t let up throughout. This is Awesome indeed!
Page vs Cage Rager
One hell of an opening match to the show. We could easily watch more of these two battle it out over and over. Fingers crossed we see these two lock up again in the future.
Moxley’s Wild Thing Problem
On paper, Wild Thing is the perfect song to sum up Moxley. In practice however it feels a little out of place. I notice they have switched up the version from The Troggs to this one (not sure which – Joan Jett, maybe?) but it’s still a little bit of an out of place fit. If they have bought the rights why not cover their own version, perhaps as a mesh between Wild Thing and his original entrance theme? That could work nicely.
Another Tag Classic
The Young Bucks continue to show why AEW is the place to be for tag team wrestling. It was an interesting mix of styles here as the highflying Bucks went up against the brawlers Moxley and Kingston. Moxley looked like a beast in this despite the Bucks walking away with the win.
“Young Bucks Ruined My Birthday”
That was a tremendous fan sign.
The Casino Battle Royal is Still Great
A lot of people aren’t keen on the theme and design of the Casino Battle Royal but we love it. It has the right amount of fun, excitement and mystery to it. The pop Hardy and Christian got when they faced each other was tremendous. Penta’s Joker inspired attire was brilliant. Plus, the debut of Lio Rush is a great get for AEW.
Rhodes vs Ogogo - Not Much a Go-Go
By no means a bad match this was the weakest showing on the card for me. It never really felt like the fight it should of been based on the build to it. Both men put on a strong match but it really needed to be taken to the next level.
Big Boy Battle Brilliance
Now this is how the previous match should of been like. With barely any of the build, Miro and Archer put on a tremendous match. Just two of the best big men in wrestling having one hell of a hoss fight. Also, Miro building heat by pissing off PETA.
D.M.D. is C.H.A.M.P.
Hikaru Shida had a hell of a run as champion and did well to carry the belt through the difficult Covid times but it really was the time for Baker to win. There is no woman wrestler more popular at the moment. Hell, there is no wrestler more popular than Baker. 2021 is already her year and long may it continue. Although sloppy in parts it was a scrappy bout with a ton of near falls. It legit felt like Shida might retain at points but in the end Baker sintched in the Lockjaw for the win.
Holy Sting! Holy Sting!
With this being his first match in 6 years after retiring due to injury, it was always a question of how much Sting would deliver. Well, he more than delivered. It was almost as if the last 6 years had never happened as Sting more than pulled his own in the match. Suddenly the possibiliites are now wide open for what the Icon could now do in AEW.
Tremendous Triple Threat
A varied mix of styles and stories going into this but it all came together perfectly. There was a couple of sketchy looking spots in the match but all three really gave it their all. On top of that, Cassidy cemented his place as a main eventer with this showing.
Keeping it Elite
There were many arguments for why certain matches should of went against the Elite but I’m glad they kept them strong tonight. From the Bucks murdering Moxley with BTE triggers to Omega outlasting Pac and Cassidy, it was a strong night for the Elite.
Stadium Stampede 2
Despite MJF saying there would be nothing funny about this years edition, the second Stadium Stampede still packed lots of laughs with plenty of action. Right from when the Inner Circle made their awakward but kinda cool entrance, it was a mile a minute contest. Feeling maybe more brutal than last years, most likely due to the masterfully built feud going into it. The whole bout rivaled that of a Hollywood fight scene. One criticism however was that it was abit too long.
The Inner Circle Lives
It was honestly hard to call if this would be curtains for the Inner Circle but I'm glad it wasn't. They still remain one of the best parts of AEW and I'm interested to see what they will do next.
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