10 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Double Or Nothing 2021

Jon Moxley, Sting, Orange Cassidy and deafening FANS highlight best pay-per-view of the year.

by Michael Sidgwick
Sting Scorpio Sky
AEW

The build to AEW Double Or Nothing was uneven by AEW's usual, impressive standards, and impressive is very much the word: the company's ability to pace and peak various converging plot threads is unparalleled in the modern game. Sting evolved from guardian of the dreaded invisible wall to man taking a scary powerbomb just when it was thought the build to the Revolution Street Fight had plateaued.

AEW knows what they are doing, and precisely when to do it.

The World Title match was built with more elegance than excitement, in that the rankings system was used to stunning effect - Hangman Page's relegation from the #1 slot also illustrated that there is no promotion better at the long-term - at the expense of the one-on-one mega grudge match that really pumps up the blood ahead of a pay-per-view.

AEW built a far better champion-elect than the match itself in Hikaru Shida Vs. Dr. Britt Baker. Baker's slow-burn push and excellent character work was almost too effective. Cody Rhodes Vs. Anthony Ogogo was the best possible execution of a passé theme marred further by the not ideal optics. The promos were as electrifying as the storyline was ill-advised. In contrast, Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston Vs. The Young Bucks was built perfectly: AEW's two most endearing and credible babyfaces terrorised the obnoxious rich heels in hilarious and just revenge for injury and betrayal. Stadium Stampede II was built with tremendous pro wrestling promos and decidedly less good sports entertainment tropes.

Uneven.

Between popular meme Orange Cassidy challenging for the World Title, Sting working a live match, and the two most badass folk heroes in the land gunning for gold, AEW at least laid out the perfect fan-pleaser for the return of a full capacity crowd.

Did it deliver?

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!