Thoughts on AEW: Double or Nothing 2026 + more

All Elite Wrestling has once again solidified its well-earned reputation as being the best pay-per-view buy-in in the history of professional wrestling. It may sound like hyperbole given AEW's relatively short existence, yet I genuinely cannot recall a promotion consistently offering high-quality wrestling, promos, and storytelling on a near-monthly basis. 

The 7th installment of Double or Nothing was not just another memorable pay-per-view but one of the very best in history. Let's jump right into it:

Pre-Show

I've been down on the quality and presentation of AEW pre-shows for quite a while, but this was exactly the type of formatting and purpose I've been expecting. It began with Renee Paquette introducing the newest member to the AEW family: Mick Foley. I was anticipating an MJF interruption from the jump, and I'm glad they waited toward the end of the broadcast. It was great to see a legitimate legend like Foley being embraced by his near-hometown faithful, and I think he's going to be a great addition to the broadcast team and the roster. We'll talk more about Foley in a bit. 

I thought the 5-minute eliminator match between Divine Dominion and Zayda Steel/Viva Van was a solid opener. I was not very impressed with Van's performance; she looked shaky and moved a bit slowly. Steel, on the other hand, was very good in her role, which was to essentially stall until the time limit expired. She's someone whom Tony Khan should invest further in. Divine Dominion looks like a million bucks and has been a great pairing since Lena Kross' debut. A highly forgettable contest that served its purpose: making Divine Dominion look like monsters. 

I've seen a lot of disappointment with the recent booking of the women's division, and it's hard to argue when this type of match kicks off the pre-show. The answer is right there: Steel should be working every pre-show match, and she should be in one-on-one contests. Let's get her push started.

The customary pre-show six-man tag saw The Death Riders defeating The Opps in a very good match. Bowens looks so great, but he's just missing that extra something. His placement within The Opps feels more forced than anything, but you have to place your faith in him figuring something out because of his level of talent. We're also getting to the point where HOOK feels...outdated? In baseball terms, he's a mid-range prospect whose stock is falling every single show. This match did leave me wanting to see a one-on-one between Claudio Castagnoli and Katsuyori Shibata, though. 

We're treated to another multi-man tag match as The Conglomeration and Boom & Doom defeated Shane Taylor Promotions in a really fun match. The Rizzler will always make me chuckle. Big Justice is 13 years old and hanging around Harley Cameron—think he was nervous? Fun match that ended with a massive pop as Eddie Kingston and Ortiz made the post-match save. It was good seeing Kingston included, even if it was just the pre-show. He received a great ovation from a crowd that legitimately adores him. Kingston may be at the point in his career where he's the grizzled veteran working with younger talent, rather than a featured pay-per-view performer. I can understand how that brings mixed feelings among the AEW fanbase, but I'm unconvinced we've seen the last of Kingston having more meaningful moments in an AEW ring. 

The following segment is what made this pre-show incredibly effective. We were given the face-to-face confrontation between Foley and MJF, which had been teased in various interviews leading up to this event. It was a tremendous performance by Foley, the type that shows there's still life left on the old fastball. MJF was pretty damn great, as usual, though the line about the Knicks was completely unnecessary. I've filed a report to YouTube and HBO Max over it. There's a lot of speculation about Foley having another match, and I'm still unsure where I stand. On the one hand, we're talking about a 60-year-old man with an injury history that could fill a book. How would Foley move in the ring? How would we take the necessary bumps? I do wonder if the answer is a "cinematic" match, something similar to the Sting and Darby vs. Team Taz tag match from years ago. I'm unsure if Foley could even do a walk-and-brawl; that being said, Khan has earned our trust when it comes to handling legends and their retirement matches.

I didn't want to see a formal relationship between Foley and Darby Allin, because you're getting into a dangerous area where another legend takes him under his wing. Allin has obviously passed that, but you also can't deny the similarities between him and Foley. I loved how Foley described Allin as a younger, more athletic version of himself. Could you imagine Cactus Jack vs. Darby Allin in the ECW Arena during the late '90s? Man, what a fun "what if." This was a great segment to close the pre-show, and hopefully gain more late buys for the show.

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship after defeating FTR in an incredible I Quit match. We've been told for years that WWE match quality suffers with their self-imposed "No purposeful bleeding" missive, but this match single-handedly proved how stupid that sentiment always was. They were hand-strung by the New York State Athletic Commission's dumb rule and delivered one of the better I Quit matches of recent years. They tapped into a certain type of grit, one that was compelling and violent. This would've been a tremendous match to close out most shows; instead, it opened with this one. 

I know more diehard Sickos aren't the biggest fans of Copeland, but I've found him to be a pleasant surprise thus far. You're going to endure the WWE-esque entrance, promos, and reactions, but it's a much easier pill to swallow when Copeland performs like this. Let's not forget the bigger point: the end seems near for Copeland. This match had an additional condition: the duo would retire if they lost, and Copeland has discussed that proposition in particular in recent interviews. 

I've always liked Copeland, but not with the same love and passion that WWE fans legitimately have for him. I'll occasionally see TikToks where Copeland is a legitimate legend in the eyes of younger millennials who grew up with him as the main-event heel featured on every SmackDown, and one of John Cena's archenemies. Do I need the long, sing-along entrance and the "sit on a chair in the middle of the ring" promos? No, I do not. Does it bother me as much as it does with other Sickos? Nope. Let the guy get his flowers before he rides off into the sunset.

Let's briefly talk about FTR. A report from Bodyslam made the rounds on Twitter yesterday afternoon that the duo was nearing the option year on their expiring contracts and that WWE is believed to be interested in a reunion. On the one hand, FTR are the most decorated tag team in the promotion's history, and there isn't a whole lot more for them to accomplish.  Dax Harwood is 41, Cash Wheeler is 39. They work a style that lets them wrestle for years to come, though Harwood claimed the duo would retire after their current deal expired (sure). 

On the other hand, I can't imagine they would go back to WWE considering the current state of its tag team division. They have just lost New Day and the Motor City Machine Guns, two teams I'd imagine they'd be chomping at the bit to wrestle. Plus, we've all seen that the grass isn't always greener. Malakai Black was discarded and is seemingly without a home. Andrade left WWE for a second time and has re-established himself as a top mid-card act with main event potential. Rey Fenix lives in catering.

I just have a hard time believing they'd leave unless it's for reasons that aren't apparent to us. I would like for them to stay, and I think they have plenty more in the tank. I hope they're wrestling for AEW for the next several years. 

Anyways, it was a genuinely great match. I actually liked seeing Beth getting her revenge on Stokely Hathaway, too. Go out of your way to watch this one.

Rewatch ability: 9/10

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Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kazuchika Okada to become the new AEW International Champion. This was a long-anticipated match, a bit clouded by an uneven build, but ultimately delivered and then some. Takeshita was given an incredible pre-match video package, which tipped off the match's outcome. This was simply an incredible pro wrestling match, the type of match that Sickos think of whenever they feel AEW is going too far down the WWE road. 

The match's aftermath was also incredibly well done, as a returning Kyle Fletcher turned on Takeshita and booted him out of The Don Callis Family. Fletcher looks and wrestles like a star. He's it. The future of AEW revolves around talent like himself and Kevin Knight. 

It's one of those matches where a move-by-move recap will never do it justice. 

Rewatch ability: 10/10

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Athena advanced in the Owen Hart Women's bracket after defeating Mina Shirakawa. This was a fine, albeit forgettable, contest. I genuinely wish Athena were part of AEW's main roster, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. I'm not big on Shirakawa, so I'm glad Athena won (even though it was a predictable victory). 

Rewatch ability: 4/10

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Jon Moxley retained the Continental Championship by defeating Kyle O'Reilly, who tricked everyone into thinking he was going to win based on his fresh cut and attire. This match was contested without a time limit, and it kicked ass. There were a few callbacks to their previous clash, which is always appreciated in rematches. I would've liked to have seen KoR pull out the victory - it would've been the third straight title change of the broadcast - but it makes sense for Moxley to retain. He is him. Period. He beat O'Reilly with the hold he himself failed to escape from. It's subtle storytelling, and that is often the more effective path to take. 

I'm interested in seeing where Moxley goes next. I've heard rumblings of a potential vacation toward the end of summer, so we'll see what Khan has in store for Moxley with  Redemption and All In on the horizon. He'd make a natural challenger for Will Ospreay (when he inevitably captures the World Title), but I think Ospreay has better opponents waiting in the wings. Moxley will undeniably be one of them, but hopefully down the line. 

In a just world, KoR and Roderick Strong would turn heel and join the Death Riders. I'd like them out of the Conglomeration and go back to kick everyone's asses again. The AEW Tag Team Division could use them, especially with New Day and MCMG potentially coming in. I'm imploring Khan to take the same path with the tag titles as he did with the world title. 

Rewatch ability: 7.5/10

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Will Ospreay advanced in the Owen Hart Tournament men's bracket by defeating the legendary Samoa Joe. Ospreay ambushed Joe before he was finished making his entrance, a tactic undoubtedly attributed to his time with the Death Riders. I know a lot of fellow Sickos weren't fond of the angle, and I certainly have my list of nitpicks, but I didn't think it was as egregious as others. Sometimes, you try something and see where it goes. Ospreay needed a little program leading up to the tournament and All In, but the program's execution was uneven. 

It's easy to forget, though, after watching a match like this one. This was a great match with Ospreay having to go through one of our generation's more underrated and underappreciated wrestlers. AEW is a place where legacies can be re-born, and that's exactly what happened with Joe. His time on the WWE main roster saw him suspended for a wellness policy violation, a successful stint as a color commentator before being booted for the genuinely terrible Corey Graves, returned to NXT and given a third reign with the NXT title, and once again discarded (only this time during a global pandemic).

It would not have been an appropriate end for someone of Joe's caliber. Thankfully, AEW exists. He's since become a 2x AEW World Champion, TNT Champion, and World Trios Champion. There will be a time when Joe decides to hang up the boots, and he undoubtedly deserves a massive send-off. I hope it'll be inside an AEW ring. 

Really good match with some hard-hitting spots.

Rewatch ability: 8/10

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Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido to advance in the Owen Hart Tournament Men's bracket after having an incredible match. Swerve made sure to target Bandido's neck, which is what ultimately saved him from an upset loss. It's incredible how athletic these two are, so much so that it's difficult to believe we come from the same species. Bandido is incredibly strong, as demonstrated by a 21-plex from off the mat. Swerve was brilliant here, too. The House Call of Bandido's shoulders is genuinely one of the more impressive feats of athletics I've ever seen. 

This was the type of match where you hate to see it end. Swerve looked like a killer, and Bandido continues to amaze even in a loss. I absolutely love these two. I would love to see Bandido have a run with the Continental Championship, but that may be tricky given Bandido's visa issues in the age of MAGA. 

Swerve is someone who should be part of the World Title picture, but little feuds like this are exactly what he needs when he's out of the World Title rotation. 

Rewatch ability: 9/10

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Thekla retained the AEW Women's World Championship by defeating Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander, and Hikaru Shida. This was a match that slightly exceeded my expectations, because I'll be honest: I detest triple threat and fatal four-way matches. They're too formulaic, and it just gives off lazy vibes. The action was still really solid, and Thekla remains the best AEW signing in recent years. 

Rewatch ability: 4.5/10

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Stadium Stampede was its usual fun, outrageous self. I appreciated how everyone predicted what music would play throughout the match, yet Khan licensed a Metallica song for the opening video package. Incredible. This match is chaos, the type of match I likely would've had with my action figures in 1999. I thought the cameos were funny, particularly Tommy Invinceable getting the shit kicked out of him (I get this doofus on my TikTok timeline often). I get it if you hate "comedy" in pro wrestling, but this is the type of match I can tolerate. 

The most memorable spots were Kenny Omega nailing Andrade with a One-Winged Angel through a fucking table, and Jack Perry committing attempted murder on live television. Jericho looked fairly good, too, and scored the win with his signature Lionsault. He always put himself through a table and pointed to the sky in homage to the recently departed Sabu. Classy stuff. 

Rewatch ability: 7/10

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MJF defeated Darby Allin in a title vs. hair match to recapture the AEW Men's World Championship for a third time. Man, what a performance from both of these lunatics. I love that the side headlock takeover remains such an integral part of their rivalry. I did not expect MJF to lose, nor do I think he should have. Darby had an incredible - and I mean incredible - reign with the title, and it was a reign that was always going to end sooner rather than later, given Darby's style. 

We've fallen into this ridiculous notion that World title reigns should last months, if not a year+ (depending on the title holder), and I'm glad to see AEW move away from that in 2026. Darby's reign was awesome, and I hope we get another down the line. 

The exclamation point to cap off this incredible show? Kevin Knight shockingly turned heel, nailing a stretched Darby with a frog splash to the outside. 

Khan is strapping the rocket on Knight, and it's incredibly exciting to witness his rapid ascension to a legitimate World Title contender. He has everything and has earned being in programs with the Big Boys. 

I do not expect this to be a long reign for MJF. I think he'll drop the belt to Omega at the upcoming Redemption pay-per-view, emanating from the Bell Center in Montreal. I'll be curious to see what MJF will do at All In.

Again, this match does not deserve a move-by-move breakdown. Watch it for yourself. 

Rewatch ability: 10/10

Final thoughts:

AEW has a formula: they present their weekly television like any standard wrestling promotion, but they do not nearly offer as much "bullshit" as their competitor. I know that isn't good enough for the more diehard of the Sickos, and I think they have plenty of valid criticisms, especially after watching a PPV like this one.

Continuity needs to be given greater importance. Logic needs to be applied more often, something they used to be quite good at. Younger talent have to expose themselves to the non-WWE style they grew up watching. 

But then these PPVs come around and, man, the difference between them and anyone else is hard to ignore. There simply is not a promotion that offers such a diverse in-ring product.

We like to be critical of Khan, and he sometimes deserves it. I do think we're missing something important, though: Khan excels at building to matches we want to see. Sometimes the stories aren't as tight as they should be (like Okada/Takeshita), though there are times when it's out of his hands (like Toni Storm). 

As a fan, it feels great to look forward to the next set of matches: Omega vs. Ospreay, Darby vs. Knight, a possible TLC Match between Copeland/Christian, FTR, and the Bucks, Takeshita vs. Fletcher, and so much more. 

We're also looking forward to the likely debuts of Kofi and Austin Creed, which will likely produce a dream match once thought possible only in WWE. There are great things on the horizon, and I hope this PPV build is cleaner than it's been. Keep your eye on the ball, Tony.