13 Match Star Ratings For AEW Double Or Nothing 2022

9. Death Triangle Vs. The House Of Black

Eddie Kingston
AEW

An absolute banger, a sequel to which has an even higher ceiling - which is just as well, since the finish created scope for a rematch.

Paced and built superbly, every worker in the relentlessly exhilarating match was on blistering form, two very slightly awkward moments aside. Even then, those slight timing miscues hardly detracted from the irresistible flow. Brody King looked like even more of a badass roaring through the pain of an apron collision. Wrestling is at its best when it is improvised and even a bit ugly.

That's probably bullsh*t, actually, because when this was crisp and beautiful it was outstanding. PAC and Malakai Black were the stand-outs. They worked perfectly together. The chemistry is so risky and yet precise and impactful. You're always a second away from thinking somebody's neck is about to get broken from a snap German suplex, but the timing only seems impossible because they are futuristic masters of the craft.

Dives, destroyers, multi-man contrivances; this worked within a formula but was enhanced by the macho energy and storytelling. Before Julia Hart finally, officially turned, the way in which Death Triangle cornered Malakai really made him feel like the Big Bad of AEW. This was brilliant blocking.

Star Rating: ★★★★¼

 
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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!