11 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Double Or Nothing 2022

7. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Darby Allin

Kyle O'Reilly
AEW

They're excellent wrestlers, Kyle O'Reilly and Darby Allin, but their match didn't need to be on Double Or Nothing. With 12 matches already confirmed at the time their bout was announced, Allin's quest for revenge after KOR's Pillmanizing of Sting's ankle would have been better served on next week's episode of Dynamite.

Darby's mouth was busted open when Kyle kneed him as he attempted an early takedown. O'Reilly's control period was nice and tight, with the Undisputed Elite man controlling the arm, and Allin's comebacks were fierce. Perhaps too fierce. At one point, Darby's signature tope nearly ended in disaster as his feet caught the ropes on the way out, meaning he landed head-first on the floor. He was fortunately able to recover for a spectacular second, from which KOR caught him in a guillotine choke.

Those high spots were the exception rather than the role in a bout defined by the kind of traditional wrestling Allin often calls upon. The daredevil was never far from chaos, however, with his Coffin Drop to the apron one of the gnarliest he has ever landed.

O'Reilly took the win via diving knee drop in what turned out to be a pay-per-view calibre bout and then some. Inessential? Maybe, but comfortably one of the best things on the show up to that point.

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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.