10 New Directions For AEW After Double Or Nothing 2024
Tony Khan wrestling; old WWE gimmicks going AEW full-time; MJF is...Sting?
The tightness discussed by this very writer following WWE's King And Queen Of The Ring show on Saturday night was totally absent come AEW's bloated Double Or Nothing special roughly 24 hours later. That was a long card. Nobody can accuse Tony Khan of failing to provide value on his pay-per-views, but the half-hour 'Anarchy In The Arena' brawl became tedious when tacked onto a near FIVE HOUR show.
What was this? WrestleMania 35?!
MJF returned, Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone bagged titles, old WWE factions reunited on All Elite's stage, Jack Perry was set on fire, Tony Khan rolled down the ramp like overacting is his birthright, and more. That's before one even gets to Claudio Castagnoli being absolutely spot on during the build to Double Or Nothing, or Bryan Keith's utterly puzzling masked man routine.
Overbooking would sum it up, but there can be something intoxicating about AEW's product when boiled down under the bright PPV lights. So, as pro wrestling always asks immediately after an exhausting evening, what's next?
All of this, that's what. Strap in. AEW's summer could be erm...interesting!
10. Bryan Keith Under The Learning Tree?
Hey, look! It's "bounty hunter" Bryan Keith, and he's running in on the FTW Title three-way to collect a bounty. Not sure why he needed to wear a mask or keep his identity a secret though, but classic pro wrestling bullsh*t demands some house room. That was a bit of an odd creative choice by AEW.
There were next to no rules in this bout, and Bryan had been involved in the build towards DoN. Also, he's already on the All Elite roster, so this wasn't some mystery man surprise debut. Weird. However, it does seem like Keith will join Chris Jericho's new faction and sit under the "Learning Tree" alongside Big Bill.
Or "Redwood" as Jericho calls him.
Hook is clearly still coming for the FTW prize, but now he has another obstacle to vault over in the form of Keith. Will this pan out and help Bryan, Bill or Jericho at all? That's up for debate and very-much remains to be seen. It looks like AEW will give it a try though.