10 Mistakes AEW Can't Afford To Make At Double Or Nothing 2021

2. Don't Go Long For The Sake Of It

Reassuringly, the Double Or Nothing card looks set to resolve a problem that has affected even the very best AEW pay-per-views: all have in some way went too long.

Certain midcard matches outstayed their welcome by three or even ten minutes last time 'round, in the form of Hangman Page Vs. Matt Hardy and the Casino Ladder Match. All of this adds up to drag, but doing the maths, Double Or Nothing looks set to cut the fat.

On paper.

Cody Rhodes Vs. Anthony Ogogo isn't going to a broadway; Ogogo doesn't have the experience nor the character to warrant it. Hangman Page Vs. Brian Cage is a dynamic so explosive that it would be senseless to dampen the fuse. Miro Vs. Lance Archer is a meat-splattering hoss fight that nobody wants to see worked as a cautious struggle on the mat.

With such an unfussy undercard cocked and loaded, the matches that should go long won't get undermined.

The three-way World Title match will get sufficient time to build real drama and emotional depth on its foundation of charm and patter. Eddie Kingston can sell that ankle for enough time that it will feel like it's going to break. Stadium Stampede II will go (and travel) the distance well before the fans tire.

Yes, these shows only come around four times a year - but that elusive, premium feeling needs to be carried over to the actual shows.