AEW Goes ‘Double or Nothing’ in Vegas as CM Punk Strikes Gold
In 2019, All Elite Wrestling formally arrived and put its stamp on the industry with the inaugural Double or Nothing. Three years later, and in spite of a raging pandemic, AEW has grown stronger thanks to a stacked roster and passionate fanbase. So it was with some excitement that the 2022 tentpole event DoN made its return to Las Vegas on Saturday, May 29, in a pay-per-view event.
The stellar show saw veteran CM Punk battle Hangman Adam Page for the AEW championship in the main event. This marked the proud Chicago native’s first world title in just about nine years. Punk hit his signature GTS after Page struggled with the decision to use the gold strap as a weapon while the referee was knocked out. When cameras stopped rolling Punk thanked his wife AJ and told the audience, “I am a champion again in pro wrestling thanks to you.” Tag team FTR hoisted their friend on their shoulders in victory. The scene was likened to when his idol Bret Hart won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 10.
Owner Tony Khan credited Punk in the post-media scrum with his positive impact on business since his arrival late last year. The show held at the T-Mobile Arena was AEW’s first million-dollar gate and the largest crowd in an indoor venue. In some eyes, the changing of the guard signifies a new era. Of course, Punk’s milestone wasn’t the only big story of the night.
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Winners Crowned
AEW
Under the blessing of Owen Hart’s widow Dr. Martha Hart, AEW owner Tony Khan organized a women’s and men’s tourney in remembrance of the beloved late wrestler. Owen died after a stunt gone wrong during the 1999 WWE pay-per-view Over The Edge. The finals for the men saw Adam Cole, decked in trademark Hart pink, defeating Samoa Joe. His girlfriend, Dr. Britt Baker won against Ruby Soho on the women’s side. Martha presented both the newly designed championship titles, as well as the cup. She made it seem like this might be an annual tradition. It’s nice to see Owen Hart’s contributions and legacy carried on here.
Wardlow is All Elite
AEW
Pro wrestling is at its best when the lines of reality are blurred. When a performer or storyline leaves you guessing. A master of this lost art is MJF, the brash emerging star who arguably stands as the biggest heel (bad guy) in the business. Reports were out there from a number of wrestling sites about MJF’s displeasure with the company. Adding fuel to the fire was a deleted tweet critical of AEW and news on Saturday that he no-showed a Fan Fest autograph signing. Then less than 24 hours later wrestling sites Fightful and PWInsider reported a plane ticket out of “Sin City” was bought, leaving fans wondering if MJF would even appear for his scheduled match against Wardlow.
Those questions were answered when MJF’s signature music hit. MJF worked to avoid the imposing Wardlow most of the contest until he got caught. Wardlow then proceeded to powerbomb him 10 times before getting the 1-2-3. Khan refused to comment on the MJF situation. However, given the fact he was taken out on a stretcher and the decisive manner of his defeat, it doesn’t look like we’ll see him on AEW any time soon. What we do know is Wardlow’s star is on the rise. An “official” member of the roster.
Dream Tag Team Match
AEW
Ever since Jeff Hardy signed, many fans have been anticipating if we’d see the Hardy Boys take on The Young Bucks in an AEW ring. Want no more as Matt Hardy joined his brother to face Matt and Nick Jackson. The two popular and flashy tag teams played all their hits. In the end, the legendary Hardy’s scored the victory. A nice feather in the cap for future Hall of Famers, who reunited just a few months ago after Jeff’s WWE commitments ended.
Women of AEW Shine
One of the criticisms AEW receives from the audience is a lack of female presence on the flagship Dynamite or pay-per-view. That wasn’t the case at DoN where four matches were on the card. The most ever. Thunder Rosa successfully defended the women’s championship against “The Professor” Serena Deeb. Those two put on a technical clinic. As noted above, Baker became one of the first Owen Hart Foundation winners.
AEW
Tay Conti teamed with boyfriend Sammy Guevara and Frankie Kazarian to face MMA fighter turned wrestler Paige VanZant, Scorpio Sky, and Ethan Page. Although things didn’t go well for Conti who accidentally got kicked in the face by Sammy, leading to their team’s downfall. Former Julia Hart’s transformation into the House of Black was completed as she helped them overcome rivals Death Triangle in an electrifying trios match.
AEW also got another huge acquisition in Athena. The former WWE superstar Ember Moon debuted to help even the odds against TBS champ Jade Cargill’s Baddie entourage. A group that now contains former NXT superstar Malcolm Bivens, known also as Stokes Hathaway. Things are definitely heating up on this end.
Anarchy in the Arena
AEW
Ring announcer Justin Roberts told the crowd sh*t was going to hit the fan. He was right when Chris Jericho’s Jericho Appreciation Society fought Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, and The Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley) all around the building. Blood (and mustard from the concession stand) was splattered all over. Should be noted Jericho’s group all dressed white likened to that of the Backstreet Boys circa the 1990s. A definite spectacle that excited the lively crowd with the war’s soundtrack of Moxley’s entrance music “Wild Thing” by The Troggs playing throughout the building. A big win for Jericho’s group comprised of Jake Hager, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Daniel Garcia. And with over a Bryan Danielson no less.
Other results:
AEW
Hookhausen (Hook and Danhausen) defeated Tony Nese and “Smart” Mark Sterling – Buy In Preshow
Kyle O’Reilly scored his biggest AEW win so far over Darby Allin
Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus retained the tag titles in a hard-fought showcase against Team Taz (Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs) and Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland
AEW Dynamite, Wednesdays, 8/7c, TBS
AEW Rampage, Fridays, 10/9c, TNT
