All Elite Wrestling’s second PPV for the year is considered their flagship event. Double or Nothing is always a huge show, and we’re expecting nothing less than HUGE this year with a massive audience in attendance for this show.
In the main event, you have Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Championship against not one but two opponents with The Bastard PAC and Orange Cassidy, two very different wrestlers, vying for the prestigious belt. Omega has been holding onto the AEW World Champion for six months now, by the way, so time certainly does fly.
The Women’s Championship is on the line in a battle between the honourable champion Hikaru Shida and challenger and not-so-friendly dentist Dr. Britt Baker. This will be a massive title match with Shida not only being the person that broke Britt’s nose but with Baker having run through the AEW women’s locker room and massively risen in popularity since last years Double or Nothing.
The Young Bucks are defending their AEW Tag Team belts against the man some say Kenny stole the World Champion off. Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston had quickly climbed the tag team ladder and have come to take the belts off Nick and Matt Jackson while also seeking revenge for when they betrayed Mox and sided with Kenny.
Fresh off his win a couple of week’s ago, Miro is defending the TNT Champion against Lance Archer, who is out to prove he deserves his spot and the belt. This is two giant warriors going to war and is sure to be a monster battle and a massive change of pace for the type of defences we’ve seen lately with Darby Allin.
The remainder of the card fills out with some big matches as always, but the biggest non-title match will be The Stadium Stampede. The match was born of necessity during last years Double or Nothing, but it has returned. The Inner Circle is once again taking part in the match but with The Pinnacle as their opponents, this time around following on from their brutal Blood & Guts match a month ago.
Our own Dylan Blight, Ciaran Marchant and Ashley Hobley share their predictions for AEW: Double or Nothing 2021 below alongside Buddy Watson from Radio Watson, Mikey Ball, and Ryan Betson from The PopCulturists.
Look for a special AEW: Double or Nothing 2021 episode of Radio Watson following the event.
[Buy In] NWA Women’s Heavyweight Championship: Serena Deeb (c) vs Riho
Ashley Hobley: Serena Deeb
Win Condition: Pin
Explain: It’s good to see Riho back in a big match for AEW, but Serena retains her title.
Buddy Watson: Serena
Win Condition: Her submission finisher.
Ciaran Marchant: Serena Deeb
Dylan Blight: Serena Deeb
Win Condition: Pin
Explain: This will be a great Buy-In match between two great wrestlers, but the NWA title isn’t changing hands on a pre-show.
Ryan Betson: Deeb
Win Condition: Pinfall
Explain: Almost too easy. No way is this changing.
Adam “Hangman” Page vs Brian Cage
Ashley Hobley: Adam “Hangman” Page
Win Condition: Buckshot Lariat for the win and pin
Explain: Gotta continue the slow build to Hangman vs Omega II
Buddy Watson: Adam Page
Win Condition: Buckshot Lariat. Maybe even 2–3 in a row to chop him down.
Explain: Page called out Cage and has challenged him to make it one on one with no help from Team Tazz. Brian’s pride will honour that, even to the point of refusing their “help” mid-match and possibly costing him.
Ciaran Marchant: Adam “Hangman” Page
Win Condition: Buckshot Lariat for the Pin.
Explain: This match will steal the show. Cage will turn on Team Taz as they try to interfere, turning him face, but he still falls short. This sets up further dissent in Team Taz and builds Page back up on that journey to become the ultimate baby face to take on Omega later this year.
Dylan Blight: Adam “Hangman” Page
Win Condition: Buckshot Lariat after Cage is distracted attempting to tell Team Taz member(s) to not interfere in the match
Explain: Hangman needs to float around the upper-card until he gets his rematch with Kenny, and getting back the win on Brian Cage is his first step. Since Revolution, we’ve had teases of Brian Cage splitting with Team Taz as well, and I can see a face turn coming for him. His remarks around the disrespect of Christian and when he said he respects Sting is just part of that. After Dynamite this past week, I expect Team Taz to have one or more members attempt to interfere in the match, and Brian Cage has to tell them to stop, and Hangman takes advantage of this to get the win.
Mikey Ball: Hangman Page
Win Condition: Pinfall.
Explain: Hangman is the best and deserves to be champion. That is all.
Ryan Betson: Hangman
Win Condition: Buckshot to pinfall after attempted involvement from Team Taz
Explain: As above.
Sting & Darby Allin vs Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky
Ashley Hobley: Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky
Win Condition: Sting is pinned by Sky
Explain: Darby and Allen have been so strong since coming together; it’s time for them to lose a big match. It also keeps making Page and Sky look strong.
Buddy Watson: Sting/Allin
Win Condition: Darby pinfall with Scorpion Death Drop then Coffin Drop
Explain: I have this urge to see Allin get the Ego’s Edge from the inside ring to the outside through a table or some object. I also want to see Page and Sky keep their momentum, but I can’t see Sting losing a live crowd like this. Playing it safe with this tip but will cheer like crazy for a Page and Sky win.
Ciaran Marchant: Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky
Win Condition: Darby is knocked out of the match earlier with his build-up of injuries leaving Sting to face the team alone for much of the match. Sky locks in the Heel Hook on Sting for the win.
Explain: Page and Sky need this win to establish themselves as talent. Sky is criminally underappreciated, and this continues the storyline of Darby Allin growing as a character to understand that even he has his limits.
Dylan Blight: Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky
Win Condition: Knockout Sting
Explain: Let’s go the complete opposite direction a return-to-the-ring match with the Sting would be expected to go. He’s not going to win, and in fact, he’s going to lose horribly. Darby Allin can take punishment all day, but Sting can’t anymore. Have Sky come through with his comments about ending Sting’s career and have him knock him right out. This feud with Darby is far from over no matter which way this match goes.
Mikey Ball: Sting/Allin
Win Condition: Win with Scorpion Death Drop.
Explain: It’s the Stinger. He’s going to win.
Ryan Betson: Sting & Darby
Win Condition: NA
Explain: This is a tough one. Sting got his first win at the street fight, and it would be cool for Page and Sky to win as the new guys. However, I am unsure what the story for either pairing is moving forward. So with Darby being hot right now, it makes sense to pick that.
Cody Rhodes vs Anthony Ogogo
Ashley Hobley: Anthony Ogogo
Win Condition: Ogogo cheats to win
Explain: If there was one thing The American Dream was known for, it was a “dusty finish”. As much as it would be amazing for Cody to win the “American Dream,” it would be in the best interests to keep making Ogogo look strong and remind Cody that he needs to continue to be his own man.
Buddy Watson: Cody Rhodes
Win Condition: Pinfall from Cross Rhodes
Explain: Fuck Cody. Fuck the patriotism promos and angle.
Ciaran Marchant: Cody Rhodes
Win Condition: Cody hits the Bionic Elbow on Anthony Ogogo before going into the Cross Rhodes to get the pin on Ogogo
Explain: Normally, I would suggest using this match to build Ogogo, but then Cody brought in the American Dream moniker, and I don’t see him losing while using it. After the win, the Factory sets up the upcoming multi-man match, possibly eliminating the two Factory-based factions.
Dylan Blight: Cody Rhodes
Win Condition: Bionic Elbow
Explain: This is the match that everyone is ready to hate. The America vs British thing has stirred up a storm online, but as we saw on this week’s Dynamite, the fans are prepared to play into it. Cody is the hero going into this match, and as much as I think Ogogo should go over, I don’t see it happening after Cody’s promo a couple of weeks ago. That entire promo was built around him not so much fighting for America but fighting for his family name and the future of the Rhodes dynasty. A family that has always had American pride built into them, and Cody is even taking up his father’s name for one night only as Cody “The American Dream.” As such, I’m saying he commits and ends Ogogo’s wild punches with a Bionic Elbow. Is that too much? Will it go over well? I don’t know, but only he or Dustin could do this gimmick for one night; it might as well commit.
Mikey Ball: Rhodes
Win Condition: Pinfall.
Explain: Honestly unsure of the win, but I’m SURE Rhodes will win as someone who doesn’t watch AEW weekly. He has lost heaps lately, right? [Editors note: no, he has not.]
Ryan Betson: Cody
Win Condition: Pinfall
Explain: I don’t see the whole America vs England battle end in the US losing. Cody really could put the new guy over; however, I do not see that being the case.
Casino Battle Royale
Participants: Christian Cage, Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs, Penta El Zero Miedo, Jungle Boy, Matt Hardy, Marq Quen, Isiah Kassidy, The Blade, Evil Uno, Colt Cabana, Preston Vance, Griff Garrison, Brian Pillman Jr., Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, QT Marshall, Nick Comoroto, Dustin Rhodes, Lee Johnson, TBA
Ashley Hobley: Christian
Win Condition: Dodges Hobbs who goes over the top rope for the win
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Christian
- Powerhouse Hobbs
- TBA
- Jungle Boy
- QT Marshall
Explain: Christian, much like Edge over at WWE, is in the latter stages of his career, so they might as well pull the trigger now. Expect TBA to make us go “who?!”
Buddy Watson: Christian Cage
Win Condition: Top Rope lol
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Christian Cage
- Powerhouse Hobbs
- Matt Hardy
- Jungle Boy
- Preston Vance
Explain: It’s only been built up between Cage and Hobbs feud. The mystery man could be a factor, but it’s such a wildcard. I look forward to Ash tipping TBA as that’s his gimmick [Editors note: it appears Ash was so let down by Revolutions’ TBA he has dropped the gimmick.]
Ciaran Marchant: Christian Cage
Win Condition: Christian Cage literally outworks everyone.
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Christian Cage
- Max Caster
- Jungle Boy
- Penta El Zero Miedo
- Sami Callahan
Explain: I think this is a great way to get Cage his title shot against Omega without needing a sizeable ongoing feud. Throughout the match, he eliminates Hobbs to continue his feud there. And is a guy whose new tagline “outwork everyone” really going to lose his first Battle Royale in the company?
Dylan Blight: Jungle Boy
Win Condition: Out manoeuvres Christian and throws him out of the ring
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Jungle Boy
- Christian
- Penta El Zero Miedo
- Max Caster
- TBA
Explain: Christian seems like the obvious choice here, and other than Matt Hardy, he has the most experience. But not only do I not want Christian vs Kenny anytime soon, but I also think AEW knows it’s not time for that yet either. I would love to see Jungle Boy face off against Kenny in what could be MOTY material, and it’s another way to keep building Jungle Boy into the mega-star that he will be.
Mikey Ball: Brian Pillman Jr
Win Condition: Win
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Brian Pillman Jr
- Dustin Rhodes
- Jungle Boy
- Christian Cage
- Matt Hardy
Explain: This is tough, but I feel like those five will be super entertaining as the last in the ring.
Ryan Betson: Christian Cage
Win Condition: NA
Bonus Points — The Top 5:
- Christian
- Hobbs
- Penta
- Jungle Boy
- TBA
Explain: The future looks unsure for Kenny and AEW Championship. However, on the arrival of Christian, he heavily implied the title is in his path. That seems good enough for me.
Stadium Stampede: Inner Circle vs The Pinnacle
Ashley Hobley: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Jericho pins MJF
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match:
- Stadium fold-out chairs
- Window
- Tackle bag
Explain: While AEW is Stable heavy and could afford to lose one, I can’t see them ending the Inner Circle just yet. It will raise the questions: who will win the tiebreaker between these two teams, and what kind of match would it be?
Ciaran Marchant: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Sammy Guevara pins MJF after hitting some insane high spot.
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match:
- The Dynamite Diamond Ring
- The Golf Cart (Driven by Sammy)
- A Plant
Explain: This is no time for the Inner Circle to be splitting up, The Pinnacle is the heel faction here, and I believe we continue the trend of the face team winning at stampede after losing a significant event such as blood and guts. Sammy is the star of the match and shows he truly is the future of the Inner Circle and the whole damn show.
Buddy Watson: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Pinfall with Sammy getting his wish to jump off something high.
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match:
- Chair (Spears, duh)
- Golf cart
- Dynamite Diamond Ring
Explain: This is just the start—one all for the two teams heading into them all, breaking off into tag and singles feuds.
Dylan Blight: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Jericho chucks MJF off the top of something.
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match:
- Baseball bat by Jericho
- Golf cart by Sammy
- The Diamond Ring by MJF
Explain: They cannot split up the Inner Circle after the face-turn and having Sammy rejoin. It would be atrocious booking and a waste of a faction and characters. I expect the Inner Circle vs Pinnacle to continue for some time yet, with one v one feuds and matches to come out of this Stadium Stampede. Overall I’d expect this years Stadium Stampede to be more severe than last years, and they’ve also teased a live element, so I think some of it is pre-recorded with possibly a live finish.
Mikey Ball: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Pinfall
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match:
- A ball pit
- Ladder
- Popcorn machine
Explain: These matches are hectic as fuck. What else can NOT happen?
Ryan Betson: Inner Circle
Win Condition: Jericho pinning MJF
Bonus Points — 3 Key Items Used In Match: NA
Explain: I do not see them splitting the Inner Circle. Plus, if AEW uses wrestling math, they got the beat down on the go-home show…. so Inner Circle wins?
TNT Championship: Miro (c) vs Lance Archer
Ashley Hobley: Miro
Win Condition: Lance Archer passes out
Explain: Miro has only just gotten the TNT title, and AEW has been apprehensive about hot shotting their titles. The Best Man will continue to be TNT Champion.
Buddy Watson: Miro
Win Condition: Pinfall from a title or illegal object shot
Explain: Too early for Miro to drop this. This match has got Shingo Takagi/Jeff Cobb NEVER Openweight title intensity and brutal, hard-hitting contest written all over it. Expecting Jake to take a bump and that distraction possibly help Miro. I would love to see Kip Sabian return in some capacity and have a blow-off one on one with Miro at some point.
Ciaran Marchant: Miro
Win Condition: Miro destroys Lance Archer with a fantastic showing and makes the Murderhawk Monster tap out to the Game Over.
Explain: Miro is finally the man he promised to be with his current title run; a loss here would derail that completely, which is unlucky for Lance Archer, who keeps falling at the last hurdle each time. AEW has yet to have a transitional Champion, and I do not see them doing that to Miro. Lance moves on to face Darby Allin down the line to further the growing feud between the two.
Dylan Blight: Miro
Win Condition: Jake “The Snake” Roberts throws in the towel
Explain: Lance Archer has grown a lot on me since his first appearance in AEW. He went from being a big dude who couldn’t pull off a promo without Jake to someone who seems ready to get rid of Jake. And that’s the direction we may be headed in as I think this will be a massive match, perhaps even one of the show steals of the night, in which it only ends because Jake throws in the towel to protect his investment.
Mikey Ball: Miro
Win Condition: Submission
Explain: Miro will CRUSH everyone and anything in his path as TNT Champion. The first hiccup in the road is Lance, and he shall be flattened.
Ryan Betson: Miro
Win Condition: Pinfall
Explain: NA
AEW Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (c) vs Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston
Ashley Hobley: Moxley and Kingston
Win Condition: Moxley hits the Paradigm Shift for the pin
Explain: This match is one of a couple of upsets I could see. The Young Bucks don’t really need the titles, but I could see them winning them back quickly. That does contradict what I said earlier about AEW not liking short reigns, but there’s a first time for everything.
Buddy Watson: Young Bucks
Win Condition: BTE Trigger on Eddie
Explain: It has all centred around the shoe fetish of the Bucks, and I’m expecting the thumbtack Nikes to return! PWG Candice V2.
