Chris Flackett
Double or Nothing has snuck up on us once again and AEW have set up some interesting matches for the big show, with the main event, after a little bit of a restrained build, being a match we’re particularly looking forward to. As usual, we’ve got you covered with all the predictions you need going into the event, so join Jon Shartzer, Joel Kananen and Chris Flackett as we pick our Double or Nothing winners and losers!
Hook and Danhausen vs. Smart Mark Sterling and Tony Nese
Chris: The odd couple pairing of Danhausen and Hook is proving to be entertaining, and I can see Tony wanting to push them further. Saying that, he could have Hook turn on Danhausen here to set up a feud moving forward. But I think Hook and Danhausen will win and their push will continue as a team.
Prediction: Hookhausen
Joel: The moment we’ve all been waiting for…it’s HOOKHAUSEN. I think both of these guys are super entertaining, and I like that they bring something different to wrestling. Credit to Tony Nese and Smart Mark Sterling, who have been solid in their roles. Multi-time world champion Hook begins here!
Prediction: Hookhausen
Jon: I’m loving the pairing of Danhausen and Hook as a way to get both some screen and ring time without thrusting them completely into a major story just yet. Tony Nese is a hell of a worker and should make both of his opponents look great, but there’s no way that Hookhausen leaves without a victory.
Prediction: Hookhausen
Darby Allin vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Chris: A bit of a shoehorned match into the Double or Nothing card, and it will be interesting to see if this will be a clash of styles, but I think they should be fine. Kyle for the win here, with Darby taking a redemptive win later down the road, maybe once Sting is back.
Prediction: Kyle O’Reilly
Joel: Interesting matchup, but one that sounds like a cool clash of styles. I think Sting comes back to get some revenge and help Darby secure and win.
Prediction: Darby Allin
Jon: This was a last-minute addition that I’m not mad about at all. The styles between these two are totally different, which should make for an interesting competition. I can only imagine the selling that Darby will do for some of Kyle’s hard kicks, etc. I’m a huge KOR fan, but this matchup is intended to keep putting Darby Allin over.
Prediction: Darby Allin
Trios Match: Death Triangle vs. House Of Black
Chris: This feud hasn’t been booked overly well, and I’m surprised AEW hasn’t done bigger things with the House of Black, but this should be one hell of a match to pay the feud off. I predict a win for the House of Black here, although where they go next appears pretty open.
Prediction: House of Black
Joel: Everyone in this match rules in the ring, and sometimes that’s enough. I’m so excited to watch Rey Fenix wrestle.
Prediction: Death Triangle
Jon: Talk about chaos. With the collection of talent in this match, you never know what to expect. Neither team really needs a loss at this point, but somebody has to win. It’s essentially a coin flip, but I’m rolling with Malaki Black and crew.
Prediction: House of Black
TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs. Anna Jay
Chris: AEW has really built Jade up since her debut and her undefeated streak is a big part of her mystique. I can’t see that ending anytime soon, and certainly not to Anna Jay at Double or Nothing.
Prediction: Jade Cargill
Joel: Easy money for the most money star in AEW, Jade Cargill. The leader of the Baddies has improved and shines every time she appears on-screen. One of Cargill’s best matches came against Jay in their previous encounter, so this should be a nice rematch. It also feels like a spot for a debuting woman, perhaps Athena.
Prediction: Jade Cargill
Jon: Yawn. Jade Cargill isn’t losing any time soon. Poor Anna Jay is merely there as food for the lion that is the TBS champions. Moving on.
Prediction: Jade Cargill
AEW World Tag Team Champions Jurrasic Express vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Ricky Starks and Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland
Chris: AEW has been teasing Christian’s disenchantment with Jungle Boy for a little while now, and I think this match could be the turning point. In all honesty, AEW hasn’t really seemed all in on Jurrasic Express’ title run, but they do seem keen on Keith Lee and Swerve. I reckon they’ll be the ones to take the belts here, setting up a Christian turn on Jungle Boy.
Prediction: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland
Joel: I love this matchup so much. The super-skilled guy and big guy combo on every team is classic, and these six could put on the match of the night. Jurassic Express’ reign has been lacking in story, so a new champ feels right. I’m going with Team Taz.
Prediction: Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs
Jon: This is one of the matches that I’m most excited about. All six of these guys are capable of blowing your mind on their own. Imagine what kind of fireworks we’ll get when they all finally get to mix it up together. My money is on new AEW Tag Team Champions, by the names of Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland.
Prediction: Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland
Frankie Kazarian, Sammy Guevara, and Tay Conti vs. TNT Champ Scorpio Sky, “All Ego” Ethan Page, and Paige VanZant
Chris: Another shoehorned, last-minute addition to Double or Nothing, unless the plan all along was to announce it at the last moment? In any case, I’m thankful that the TNT Champion is doing something on the card and I suppose this was the expected match. I think Sammy’s crew will win here due to some error or disagreement on American Top Team’s part, and that will lead to Sky’s inevitable split from the rest of Lambert’s crew.
Prediction: Frankie Kazarian, Sammy Guevara, and Tay Conti
Joel: I like Scorpio Sky. I really like Ethan Page. I love watching Sammy jump off stuff. I don’t love this messy double triangle of weirdness with a big ol’ scoop of Dan Lambert mixed in.
Prediction: Sammy & Tay & Kazarian
The Young Bucks vs. The Hardys
Chris: Neither team necessarily needs the win here, as both teams can take a loss without impacting them too heavily. However, I think The Bucks will take the win here with some shenanigans to set up a match later on where The Hardys get their win back.
Prediction: The Young Bucks
Joel: Prime-time Young Bucks is a highest level thing for me. Matt and Nick are the better team right now, but Matt and Jeff will get a legacy win.
Prediction: The Hardys
Jon: This story is so easy to tell, considering the history that these two teams share together. The Bucks are the perfect tandem to bring Matt and Jeff Hardy back to their roots. This match should be another classic in this long-running feud between two of wrestling’s all-time great tag teams. My money is on the Hardys, but I’m pretty certain that this is far from over.
Prediction: The Hardys
MJF vs. Wardlow
Chris: If AEW doesn’t capitalise on how over Wardlow is at the moment by having him beat MJF here, then more fool them. MJF is going to use his dirtiest tricks, I’m sure, but there is no other real outcome to this than ‘Mr Mayhem’ playing us to victory with the Powerbomb Symphony.
Prediction: Wardlow
Joel: Anything but Wardlow power slamming MJF into oblivion is wrong booking here. MJF is a generational heel.
Prediction: Wardlow
Jon: If Wardlow wins, he is released from his contract with MJF. If he loses, he is barred from ever signing an AEW contract. I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every minute of this story. But I’m also ready for both individuals to move on to something new and fresh. AEW has done a great job of using MJF to make a star out of Wardlow. Now we finally get the payoff with a Wardlow victory over his former employer.
Prediction: Wardlow
Men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Final: Adam Cole vs. Samoa Joe
Chris: Now this is a match I’m looking forward to. If the rumour mill is to be believed, then Cole is taking the win here. It makes sense: keep the focus on Cole and keep him bubbling as a main event player. Joe won’t be too hard done to: he’s still got the ROH TV title to focus on. This should be a very good encounter.
Prediction: Adam Cole
Joel: Two former ROH and NXT champions bring big-name prestige to this final chapter of the Owen Hart tournament. This card is full of big-time matches, but I know these two will find a way to stand out.
Prediction: Adam Cole
Jon: I have to be honest, I wanted to see Adam Cole face-off with Kyle O’Reilly in the finals, pitting the two stablemates against each other for the first time in AEW. But alas, I have no doubts that Samoa Joe and Cole will put on a clinic in what I believe is their first matchup ever. Joe has been on a hot streak since joining Tony Kahn’s locker room, but that probably will come to an end at the hands of Adam Cole, bay bay.
Prediction: Adam Cole
Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Final: Dr Britt Baker D.M.D. vs. Ruby Soho
Chris: I must say, this does feel like a big match ad also feels like a proper final of a tournament (which is what you want, considering this is the final of a tournament!) This will be bigger and better than their previous match on Dynamite, and while this is just the victory Soho needs to elevate her in AEW’s Women’s Division, I suspect AEW are looking to use the Owen Cup finals here to establish Britt and Adam Cole as the Elite power couple of the promotion. For that reason, I’m giving the nod to Britt.
Prediction: Britt Baker
The Dentist winning here doesn’t seem quite right, as the former champion is already established as a major star. I was cheering for Kris Statlander, but Ruby winning could make for a nice moment.
Prediction: Ruby Soho
Jon: Ruby wins or we Riott. But seriously, Ruby needs to win this match. It’s time to take her to the next level and make her a prime time player in AEW’s women’s division. Britt Baker is already there. A win here wouldn’t really do anything for the doctor, but it could make or break Ruby Soho.
Prediction: Ruby Soho
Anarchy In The Arena Match: Jericho Appreciation Society vs. Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson
Chris: I’m really not sure what this match is going to look like, but that’s part of the intrigue. I expect Mr Regal will get involved, giving Jericho a slap, which will be entertaining, I’m sure. I anticipate BCC and friends getting the win here, with Eddie Kingston, in particular, getting a measure of revenge over Chris Jericho.
Prediction: Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson
Joel: It seems wrong for the team with Jon Moxley to lose to the team with Angelo “Cool Hand” Parker, so BCC and acquaintances should pick up the win.
Prediction: Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson
Jon: Talk about sports entertainment! These two collectives have been telling a great story and I can’t wait to see how it all pays off. There’s too much talent involved for it to not be a great contest. My gut tells me that Jericho and company will come out victorious and keep rolling.
Prediction: Jericho Appreciation Society
AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb
Chris: I have fond memories of their brilliant match on Prime Time Live in 2020 where Deeb got the shock win to claim the NWA Women’s Championship. So I know these two have got great chemistry together, especially in a big title match. I think it’s too soon to take the belt off Rosa though, so it’s La Mera Mera for the win for me here.
Prediction: Thunder Rosa
Joel: Rosa hasn’t been put on television enough to properly build this match, but now that we’re here it should be great in-ring action. No way Rosa loses her first defense. Hopefully, her next feud will be better booked.
Prediction: Thunder Rosa
Jon: Speaking of underwhelming. Thunder Rosa’s reign as AEW Women’s champion has been a bit disappointing, to put it gently. She’s barely sniffed any TV time and has not defended the title in two months. Kind of weird considering how much we saw of her in the time leading up to her capturing the title. A big win here could turn that around. Should be a fantastic match with Thunder Rosa retaining over the Professor of Professional Wrestling.
Prediction: Thunder Rosa
AEW World Champion ‘Hangman’ Adam Page vs. CM Punk
Chris: This should feel much bigger than it does, and I put the blame squarely on AEW’s booking for that. Still, I really do have faith that this match is going to deliver on the night. Punk’s still able to deliver in big matches and a fired-up Page is always a sight to behold. If the two get the chemistry right, this could be the match that finally puts Page over properly as a World Champion. I honestly think this could go either way, and I could see a Punk heel turn leading to a title victory, but I’m going to stick with Page for this one. I might change my mind tomorrow, mind you!
Prediction: ‘Hangman’ Adam Page
Joel: Top guy on the mic versus top guy in the ring. Legend looking to prove his status versus rising star defending his spot. Page’s run as champ has been full of extraordinary matches, but very little storyline. Even this feud has felt slightly muted even if built well. I’ve enjoyed CM Punk’s AEW run and recognize its quality, but something hasn’t quite clicked 100% for me personally. Maybe a championship run will make everything click into place.
Prediction: CM Punk
Jon: Since becoming AEW champion, Hangman hasn’t exactly blown my socks off. Sure, he’s a great performer and a likeable guy, but he feels off to me. I don’t think it’s all his fault, but the fact remains the same. I still believe that Page will be a star in AEW for years to come. However, CM Punk is a star NOW and has been for a long time. Now would be the time to pull the trigger and give Punk a (heel?) run with the title.
Prediction: CM Punk
What do you think of our Double or Nothing predictions? Where have we got it right and where have we messed up? Let us know in the comments!
