11 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Double Or Nothing 2022

8. Samoa Joe vs. Adam Cole

Adam Cole
AEW

Bringing in veteran former WWE referee Mike Chioda for the Owen Hart Cup men's final, given how frequently he would have shared the canvas with the late, great tournament's namesake. With the tenured official between them, Adam Cole and Samoa Joe

Joe was commanding. He worked the bout like a ring general, imposing his brutal will upon Cole in typically domineering fashion. Joe's chops rended flesh with his opponent's ribcage and his aura, still intact after all these years, filled the building. While time has sapped much of Joe's physical capabilities, he is well-suited to transition into the role of a surly old brute.

Cole targeted the shoulder softened up by Satnam Singh, Jay Lethal, and Kyle O'Reilly in recent weeks. Joe sold it well. The bigger man constantly went to the joint, wincing in pain and trying to prod the hurt away after executing his own moves. While it never got to the point of the greatest, most agonising struggles (which admittedly take a more focused in-ring storyteller than Cole), it was more than enough.

An unnecessary Bobby Fish interference eventually gave way for a Cole pinfall that felt like it came out of nowhere, and not in the good sense. The Boom putting Joe down felt abrupt. That's not the way you want to conclude a competition designed to honour an all-time great technician. Nonetheless, a good match to close a tournament that never quite hit the lofty heights expected of it.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.