5 Storylines to Watch on the Road to AEW Double or Nothing
With AEW's signature event, Double or Nothing, about one month away, here's a look at five storylines to follow ahead of the PPV.
Although the origins of AEW wrestling go back to the original All-In Pay-Per-View, the first Double or Nothing was AEW’s true birthplace. From the original casino battle royale (won by future champion “Hangman” Adam Page) to the shocking debut of Jon Moxley (the former Dean Ambrose in WWE), Double or Nothing 2019 was the perfect way for the fledgling company to establish itself. Subsequent Double or Nothing events gave us such classics as Stadium Stampedes, Anarchy in the Arena, and CM Punk’s first championship win since his return to pro wrestling. WIth about a month until Double or Nothing 2023 (May 28, 2023 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas), let’s take a look at which storylines we are watching as the company ups the ante on the road to Sin City. To watch AEW on Sling TV, use the link at the bottom of this page to subscribe to Sling Orange or Blue.
The Blackpool Combat Club vs. The Elite
https://www.youtube.com/embed/0vW0KLg4af8
The story so far: The Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta) has been terrorizing AEW for weeks, and only look more formidable now that Bryan Danielson has rejoined their ranks. No one has been safe, not even the Elite. With attacks on the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and even Brandon Cutler/Michael Nakazawa, the Elite are reeling. Even former friend Hangman Page has entered the fray, but with the dubious Don Callis lurking amongst them, will the Elite be able to pull it together with Hangman Page for a four on four war? Is Don Callis’ injection of Japanese phenom Konosuke Takeshita into the fray enough to turn the tide? Or will they become just another footnote in the brutality streak of the Blackpool Combat Club?
Why we’re excited: This is about the best combination of star power, storytelling intrigue, and pure wrestling ability we could ask for. Any combination of these guys could put out a five star match. The Elite feature some of the best long-term storytelling in AEW: Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page is arguably the best storyline in AEW’s history and the interpersonal drama between the friends never seems to be far behind. On paper, it should be shaping up for the Elite to finally reunite, but with Don Callis sewing seeds of discord, will they be able to? And what does the addition of Konosuke Takeshita mean? The Elite better pull it together, because the Blackpool Combat Club features three former main event players from WWE, including two former champions in Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson. Mox himself has held the AEW championship twice and all four BCC members are incredible athletes. Beyond that, the BCC has done a great job of setting a tone of violence. No matter how this conflict shakes out, there will be blood (likely from Jon Moxley’s forehead).
Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie
https://www.youtube.com/embed/7spFLJPj52w
The story so far: With her record currently sitting at 56-0, Jade Cargill’s run in AEW has mirrored a modern-day Goldberg in WCW. While she may not reach Goldberg’s fabled 173-0 milestone, her run has been dominant since her debut alongside Shaquille O’Neal two years ago. She is the longest reigning AEW champion, holding the TBS championship for over 450 days, and with most of her opponents not even lasting five minutes in the ring with her, it became a fair question of who would (or even could) stand up to her. That was before Taya Valkyrie came onto the scene. A champion who has held titles in promotions all around the world, Valkyrie’s credibility gives her a legitimate chance to topple Jade. Their feud thus far has been built around the fact that their finishers are the same move, which got wrestling’s number one “lawyer” – Mark Sterling – involved. Will Taya be able to take Jade on the Road to Valhalla, or will she just end up Jaded like the rest of Cargill’s victims?
Why we’re excited: Jade has been a tour de force since she arrived in AEW. With a physique that looks chiseled out of granite, she definitely is the type to turn your head in a crowd. As with all wrestling streaks of this magnitude, we were wondering who could possibly stand up to her. As a veteran of the industry, Taya won’t be pushed around. This won’t be a five minute squash match when they finally lock up in the ring. For the first time in a while, Jade’s reign truly feels in danger. Beyond just their prowess in the ring, their interactions have been genuinely entertaining, which helps to build the excitement. Also, it doesn’t hurt that Jade is from this writer’s hometown, so we may be biased.
MJF vs. the Rest of the Four Pillars
https://www.youtube.com/embed/nblao7sbw_A
The story so far: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), Darby Allin, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry (son of the late Luke Perry), and Sammy Guevara are collectively known as the Four Pillars of AEW. While not a group that teams up on-screen, they are christened as such because they represent some of the brightest, home-grown talent on the AEW roster. Thus, it is fitting that MJF’s next challenger for the company’s top prize will likely be another one of the company’s original success stories at the Pay-Per-View that started it all. Things got even more interesting with the announcement of a tournament for the number one contendership. Sammy managed to pull out a victory to eliminate Jack Perry through a dubious alliance with MJF, but we have a feeling we shouldn’t count Jungle Boy out yet. There are several twists still left in this story, but who will it lead to as MJF’s ultimate challenger? And will they be able to end MJF’s reign of terror with the company’s World Championship?
Why we’re excited: While AEW has certainly made a splash importing top stars from WWE, we shouldn’t overlook the stars they have built on their own. In the men’s division, there’s arguably none bigger than this group. All four are masterful in the ring, mixing high-flying, sometimes death-defying stunts (looking at you, Darby) with technical matwork. More than even the matches, the promos and interactions between the group are what will keep us coming back.
MJF is always a wildcard on the mic, and in the interactions thus far, the other three are raising their game. Whoever gets the nod at Double or Nothing, we have a feeling this story won’t be over. Personally, we are hoping for a Fatal Four-Way as this group looks to write another chapter in their fledgling but potentially Hall of Fame careers. We’ve definitely enjoyed watching their careers blossom into legitimate main event material, and their success is a great sign that AEW won’t be entirely reliant on acquiring established stars from their top competitor. Now it is time to see which of the other three, if any, can step up to MJF’s level and dance with the Devil of AEW.
The Outcasts vs. the AEW Originals
https://www.youtube.com/embed/hI-YNd0QOL0
The story so far: After her triumphant return against Dr. Britt Baker at Full Gear 2022, Saraya’s storybook return took a dark twist as she united with fellow WWE transplant Toni Storm to terrorize the women’s division. Their Outcasts trio was completed during AEW Revolution 2023 as Ruby Soho executed a post-match attack on champion Jamie Hayter. Sporting spray paint and giving off serious NWO vibes, the trio has been targeting AEW’s homegrown stars including Riho, Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale, and even tangling with Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter. The violence escalated on this week’s Dynamite, as the Outcasts executed a brutal assault on Britt Baker as boyfriend Adam Cole looked on helplessly (due to the intervention of Chris Jericho). This group will undoubtedly have a match at Double or Nothing, but who will rise to the occasion? And with only one belt to go around, will their quest for the AEW Women’s Championship ultimately tear the group apart?
Why we’re excited: Invasion storylines certainly aren’t new, but AEW’s women's division being terrorized by three stars with WWE history does fit AEW’s upstart mentality. What we are most intrigued by is what combination of stars will make up their opposition. It will almost certainly include Dr. Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter. Personally, we wouldn’t be shocked if Jamie is eventually betrayed by Britt, a storyline thread that has been teased on multiple occasions.
Then there is the inevitable jealousy and dissension that arises in these sorts of trios. There is only one title, and if one of the Outcasts capture it, will the other two be supportive? Also much like the other storylines we’ve covered, there is incredible amount of star power potential in this conflict. Saraya (the former Paige in WWE) can command a room by herself and has even made an impact in pop culture beyond her matwork. With the addition of Adam Cole and Chris Jericho into this conflict, we’re fully signed up.
TNT Title Feud
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aid41ECfzUc
The story so far: Wardlow recaptured the TNT championship from Samoa Joe at Revolution on March 5. This reign would be far shorter than his previous four month spell with the title, losing it after only three days to Powerhouse Hobbs, who currently holds the title. That win came with an asterisk; however, as outside interference from QT Marshall put Hobbs over the top in a back and forth bout. Wardlow claimed revenge on Hobbs, with his destruction of Hobbs’ new car and a recapturing of the title on this week’s Dynamite (with the help of Arn Anderson). In the shadows of this victory, a new challenger emerged with Christian Cage and the monstrous Luchasaurus calling their shot at the gold. Who will ultimately hold the TNT title after Double or Nothing, and what additional carnage will we witness along the way?
Why we’re excited: Hobbs and Wardlow are both incredible success stories, rising up from relative obscurity to jockey for one of the company’s top prizes. Wardlow’s climb from MJF’s muscle to eventually squashing the current champ on Pay-Per-View is emblematic of his ascension. Hobbs meanwhile, emerged from the ashes of Team Taz as a legit threat to everyone who stood in his path. While the story is good, it is the action between (and sometimes outside of) the ropes that has us pumped. These are two of the most intimidating athletes in AEW, and we have a feeling there will be more than a couple bumps and bruises after these two freight trains have their final collision. Personally, we are fascinated to see what the addition of Luchasaurus and Christian Cage does for this feud. Christian has always been an awesome mouthpiece, going back all the way to his tag team with Edge. Judging by the recent vignettes, he is ready to unleash the primal fury of Luchasaurus on both Hobbs and Wardlow.
Bonus - Bullet Club Gold
https://www.youtube.com/embed/iSq-RqdLEEk
We know we said five, but we couldn’t resist throwing this one in here. AEW has held a connection to the NJPW super stable, Bullet Club, since its inception. The Elite are all alumni of the infamous group, as is Adam Cole and even company alum (and current WWE star) Cody Rhodes. We’ve seen some shades of Bullet Club involvement in AEW, especially around last year’s Forbidden Door Pay-Per-View, but when Juice Robinson showed up in AEW, the ties to Bullet Club began to get much more real. Now they’ve exploded with the arrival of King Switch, “Switchblade” Jay White. A sought after free agent, Jay instantly makes a group formidable. His charisma, cunning, and ring prowess make his reunion with Juice Robinson one to watch. We have a feeling the stable isn’t done adding to its ranks as it looks to build their local chapter, Bullet Club Gold, into the next faction of the group’s storied history.
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