AEW Double or Nothing PPV Results: 5-30-21 (next five posts)
Results courtesy of
PWTorch.com
(1) BRIAN CAGE vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE
After some offense early by Hangman, Cage took control for a while. The crowd was really into everything. Hangman took Page off the top rope with rana out of the corner for a near fall. Hangman tried to powerbomb Cage off the top rope, but Cage blocked it. A minute later, Cage landed a rip cord elbow and then a one-armed neckbreaker for a near fall.
They battled on the top rope again. Cage won the battle and slammed Hangman hard to the mat with a fallaway drop. Cage set up a Buckshot Lariat. Taz said he didn’t know he was thinking of that. Cage went into the sequence, but Hangman countered and slammed Cage to the mat for a near fall. Cage avoided a Buckshot from Hangman, then gave him a buckle bomb. Hangman countered with a jackknife leverage near fall. Cage gave Hangman a spinning Ligerbomb for a near fall.
Ricky Starks and Hook (Taz’s son) came to ringside. Starks threw Cage a belt. Cage threw it back at Starks and said he didn’t need it. Cage threw Hangman over the top rope, then turned and yelled at Hook. Hangman then surprised Cage when he turned around with a Buckshot Lariat for the win. “Son of a bitch!” exclaimed Taz. He said he turned down the help after he was getting his ass kicked. Excalibur pushed back at Taz’s framing of the situation.
WINNER: “Hangman” Page in 12:00. (***1/2)
(Really good match, elevated with a red hot crowd. The hints of a Cage babyface turn took a big step in that direction.)
(2) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. JON MOXLEY & EDDIE KINGSTON
As Moxley and Kingston came out to “Wild Thing” and fans were going bonkers for them, it just feels like a red hot product with super-over star babyfaces. The Bucks came out, looking so much more polished as an act by far than at any prior time in AEW. Their ring gear is major league and their demeanor is pure obnoxious heel. Where were these guys the first 18 months of AEW’s time on TNT? Mox and Kingston jump-started the fight before the bell. Ross said if styles make fights, the styles really conflict between these two teams. Don Callis, who joined in on commentary, complained about the street fight style start to the match as the action stayed at ringside. Schiavone noted that the match hadn’t even officially started yet. With help from Brandon Cutler, the Bucks took control and brought the fight into the ring. The ref called for the bell.
Kingston took control pretty quickly. Fans chanted “Eddie! Eddie!” The Bucks eventually took over. Matt couldn’t have been more obnoxious with his gloating. Schiavone said he’s out of his mind. From ringside Mox tripped Matt running the ropes after extended showboating. Kingston hot-tagged Mox a minute later. Mox got a bulldog choke on Matt, but Nick broke it. Karl Anderson walked out and distracted Mox. Kingston saw Doc Gallows at ringside and leaped onto him. Frankie Kazarian attacked Anderson on the ramp.
The Bucks took control during the chaos by spraying Mox with the aerosol can. Mox came up bleeding from the forehead. The Bucks gave Mox a Meltzer Driver on the ramp. The Bucks continued to beat on a bloodied Mox before setting into a chinlock mid-ring. Mox came back with a surge of offense including suplexing both Bucks. He hot-tagged Kingston, got a big pop as he took it to both Bucks. “Eddie! Eddie!” chanted the fans. He put Mattin a stretch plum. Nick tried to break it up. Eddie no-sold it and kicked him. Matt took a cheap shot at him. They landed assisted sliced bread for a near fall.
Kingston tagged Mox back in, but the Bucks met him with a superkick. Mox surprised Matt with a sleeper. Nick landed a 450 splash on Mox. Ross complimented the offense, but noted it was illegal. Fans began chanting “This is awesome!” Nick from ringside yanked Mox to the floor. Mox dropped him over the ring apron. Kingston lifted Matt onto his shoulders and Mox clotheslined him off his shoulders off the top rope. Nick broke up the cover. A “Fight forever!” chant broke out. Mox stood and set up a Paradigm Shift on Nick, but Nick avoided it and applied a sharpshooter mid-ring. Mox crawled toward the bottom rope, but Nick pulled him back to the middle.
After a sequence of moves with all four in the ring, Moxley scored a very near fall, with Matt saving Nick. An “AEW!” chant broke out. The Bucks stereo superkicked Mox, but Mox took both Bucks down with clotheslines with each arm. The Bucks came back with superkicks. Mox kicked out at one. The crowd popped. The Bucks showed frustration. A loud “Moxley! Moxley!” chant broke out. The Bucks had a conference and superkicked Mox. Kingston returned to the ring, but he was kicked to the mat. They gave Mox four consecutive BTE Triggers to pin Mox. Excalibur said you have to give the devils their due.
WINNERS: The Young Bucks in 21:00 to retain the AEW World Tag Team Titles. (****1/2)
(First of all, great tag match. The crowd ate it up all the way. Yes, there were some instances of ridiculous recoveries and no-selling major moves, but in this case it really was within the flow leading the climactic clean finish and it worked. Interesting that Mox took the fall rather than Kingston, who is the lesser star of the two by far. Eddie looked like he belonged in there and added to the match.)
(3) CASINO BATTLE ROYALE
Big Show came out to do guest commentary. Christian, Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, and Max Caster came out as the first group of five. Caster rapped that Christian used to be cool, but only when he had an edge. He told Dustin he’s so ugly he should paint his whole face. He made fun of Sydal for trippin’ and slippin’. Big Show said he just made himself a prime target. Dustin nearly eliminated Caster in the opening seconds. Caster eliminated SYDAL (#1) at 2:00. Christian battled Caster in one corner as Hobbs and Dustin battled in another. Christian tossed CASTER (#2) over the top rope onto the ramp, and then he dropped to the floor to be eliminated.
The next five out were: Matt Hardy, Preston, Vance, Nick Comoroto, and Serpentico. Vance beat up Hardy and Isaiah Kassidy on the ramp before entering the ring. Vance eliminated SERPENTICO (#3). Comoroto speared Vance. Dustin then dumped both COMOROTO (#4) and VANCE (#5). Comoroto hit Dustin with a cow bell out of frustration. Schiavone asked where Matt Hardy went. Hobbs then dumped DUSTIN (#6). Christian then gave Hobbs the Kill Switch. Hardy returned to the ring and squared off with Christian. The fans popped. Kassidy attacked Christian.
The next five out were Brian Pillman Jr., Griff Garrison, Anthony Bowens, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Colt Cabana. Garrison and Pillman beat up Hardy first. Kassidy eliminated CABANA (#7). Garrison and Pillman threw BOWENS (#8) out next. Hardy eliminated GARRISON (#9).
The next five out were: Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, Evil Uno, Lee Johnson. The fans got to sing along to JB’s theme song. Penta shoved him in the face. JB and Penta had a rapid-fire exchange. JB eliminated PENTA. Hobbs leaped back into the ring after he was out of commission from the Kill Switch. He went after Private Party and JB and then Christian. Christian avoided a Hobbs splash in the corner, then dumped HOBBS over the top. It came down to JB and Christian squaring off against Private Party and Hardy.
The final mystery entrant was Lio Rush. Ross said he’s talented and has been waiting a while. Schiavone called him one of the great high-flyers. Rush out-quicked Private Party. Hardy went after RUSH next and eliminated him. It came down to JB, Christian, and Hardy. Hardy tried to strike a deal with Christian to double-team JB. Christian pretended to agree, but then threw HARDY over the top rope. Christian squared off with JB. Christian was limping. He went after JB and tried to toss him over the top rope, but JB resisted. Fans sang JB’s song. Christian landed a flying uppercut off the middle rope. JB caught a charging Christian on his shoulders and almost eliminated him. Christian resisted. They battled on the ring apron. JB blocked a Kill Switch attempt with a back elbow. JB then backdropped CHRISTIAN to win. The crowd popped for Jungle Boy’s win. Ross said the place came unglued.
As Jungle Boy was celebrating with Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt, Christian approached him. He got in his face and seemed upset, but it turned into a pep talk and a hug.
WINNER: Jungle Boy in 24:00.
(Really fun battle royal. Just enough and not too much in terms of “moments” and key spots. Really well laid out and executed. The crowd was very much on JB’s side when it came down to him and Christian, which AEW certainly knew when they booked those two as the final two in this match. Having Christian congratulate him rather than turn on him can help fans who haven’t yet warm up to Christian as not getting overpushed and in the way of the someone they like more. Needless to say at this point, paying for rights to the Jungle Boy entrance theme was worthy every penny. Same for Moxley’s “Wild Thing.” The crowds have always been a big part of AEW’s brand and vibe, and tonight is reminding everyone of that. I’ll fill in some of elimination later when I review the match again. It was fast-paced.)