AEW Double or Nothing Predictions: Can Hangman Page Topple CM Punk?
Plus, The Winners of the Owen Hart Tournament Are Crowned
Three years removed from their first show, AEW returns home. Las Vegas is the host to this year’s Double or Nothing, and the crowd is as stacked as it was the first night of the company’s existence. Four title matches, as well as two Owen Hart Tournament Finals, will take place on Sunday night from T-Mobile Arena. Who do I have winning the championship matches, as well as the Owen Hart Cup? Here are my predictions for 2022’s Double or Nothing.
Buy-In: Hookhausen (Hook and Danhausen) vs. Tony Nese and “Smart” Mark Sterling
Two of the most over acts in AEW are Hook and Danhausen, and they have their first match as a team against Tony Nese and Mark Sterling on Sunday. Sterling is better known for his role as Jade Cargill’s manager (and we’ll get to her later). Honestly, it’s a layup to have Hook and Danhausen come out victorious, but I’m more curious as to what the long-term plans for Hook are. His style does not mesh well with Danhausen’s comedy, and although I love both, I don’t see this team as a longer solution. Also, please don’t have Nese take the pin.
Prediction: Hook and Danhausen via pinfall
House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) vs. Death Triangle (PAC, Penta Oscuro, and Rey Fenix)
In a perfect world, this match would have some form of stipulation added to it. Even though fans have returned, I would love to see this get the cinematic treatment, as all six men have a dark persona to their characters. A six man tag should still deliver, however. Death Triangle have racked up several wins as of late, so I think the House of Black is due. I’d have Matthews get the pin and build him up a little bit more as well. Let’s give Malakai and crew the win in a sleeper affair.
Prediction: House of Black via pinfall
AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Anna Jay
The last prediction piece I wrote, Cargill went into her match against Tay Conti with a perfect record. On Sunday, that undefeated record is still in tact, as she takes on Conti’s former tag team partner, Anna Jay. This time, Cargill has her “baddies,” Red Velvet and Kiera Hogan. Eventually, the right woman will come around to take the belt off of Jade. It’s not Anna Jay, though. The inaugural TBS Champion keeps her belt after pinning the Dark Order member with Jaded.
Prediction: Jade Cargill via pinfall to retain the TBS Championship
Men’s Owen Hart Cup Final: Samoa Joe vs. Adam Cole
For the past number of weeks, the men and women of AEW have competed for the right to win the Owen Hart Cup. The winners each get a trophy, and will instantly be thrust into AEW’s main event scene. Only two men remain with a chance at the trophy: Samoa Joe and Adam Cole. The longtime friends and bitter rivals will collide at Double or Nothing. Joe defeated Max Caster, Johnny Elite, and Kyle O’Reilly on his way to the finals, while Cole toppled Tomohiro Ishii, Dax Harwood, and the cinderella run of Jeff Hardy. While Cole already had his opportunity in the main event, Joe has not. The Samoan Submission Machine defeats the Undisputed Elite leader with a Muscle Buster, claiming the trophy for himself.
Winner: Samoa Joe via pinfall
Women’s Owen Hart Cup Final: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. vs. Ruby Soho/Kris Statlander
While the men have been putting on instant classics every tournament match, the women have been stars on Rampage. As of this writing, Soho and Statlander still have to compete on this Friday’s episode, with the winner taking on Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. at Double or Nothing. Therefore, this is a double prediction. I believe Ruby Soho picks up the victory, although Statlander’s new character has some momentum to it. I’ll even “double” down (see what I did there?) and say that Soho wins the tournament. I’m tantalized by the idea of seeing Soho winning the AEW Women’s World Championship some point down the line.
Prediction: Ruby Soho via pinfall
Anarchy in the Arena: Jericho Appreciation Society vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz
A Stadium Stampede match would be tough to execute, given the fact that Double or Nothing is taking place at T-Mobile Arena. With that said, a match offsite at Allegiant Stadium would be quite entertaining. Nonetheless, the feud between the J.A.S and the BCC and crew escalated for several weeks. I expect something similar to Stadium Stampedes of the past, with wacky spots and fun weapons throughout. As for who wins, we’ve seen the J.A.S. on top quite a bit, so let’s give Kingston’s squad a victory to make him 2-0 against the Sports Entertainer.
Prediction: Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, and Blackpool Combat Club via pinfall
Triple Threat Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships: Jurassic Express (c) vs. Team Taz vs. Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland
I love this match for one reason in particular: there is a legitimate claim for each team in this match to come out on top. Jurassic Express have been very impressive in their five-month reign as Tag Team Champions. Lee and Strickland have not lost since their AEW arrivals. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks of Team Taz have been on a roll of their own. Jungle Boy and Starks may be two of AEW’s most underrated talents, and I think one of them leaves with the tag title around his shoulder. Unfortunately for Jurassic Express, I have Team Taz winning. Imagine Hobbs and Starks feuding with the top babyface teams in AEW, such as the Lucha Bros and FTR. In my first title change of the night, Team Taz comes out on top.
Prediction: Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks (Team Taz) via pinfall to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships
MJF vs. Wardlow
The amount of hoops that Wardlow has had to jump through just to face MJF is astounding. First, he had to have a security accompaniment every time he wanted to enter the arena. Next, he had to take ten lashes from the Scum of the Earth (which he did not react to, by the way). Finally, a match with Shawn Spears on this past Wednesday’s Dynamite. In traditional wrestling storylines, this is usually where the babyface comes out on top. With that said, MJF is one of the strongest booked heels over the past few years, and he’s going to be hard to top. Wardlow is over enough to make it work, though. He gives MJF a Powerbomb Symphony to the delight of the Vegas crowd.
Prediction: Wardlow via pinfall
AEW Women’s World Championship: Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Serena Deeb
I’m so glad that Deeb is getting the first pay-per-view title match against Thunder Rosa. For the first time in a while, it feels like someone different is in the main event championship picture. Deeb’s five minute challenges culminated in this opportunity, as well as the top spot in the AEW Women’s Rankings. It won’t be enough, however. Rosa just recently won the belt and I don’t see her losing it this quickly. I do have Deeb tapping out, though.
Prediction: Thunder Rosa via submission to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship
The Hardys vs. The Young Bucks
A dream match for the ages. Two of my favorite tag teams of all time will collide at Double or Nothing, and this match should go at least 20 minutes. For selfish reasons, I’d love to see Christian Cage in the corner of the Hardys to combat Brandon Cutler, who will be on the side of the Bucks. Matt and Jeff can still hang with some of the best tag teams in the world, and this bout against the Bucks should be no exception. Jeff was two matches away from the Owen Hart Cup, and after his run, the Hardys have the momentum. With that said, AEW’s tag team division runs through Matt and Nick Jackson. They pick up the victory over Team Xtreme in an instant classic.
Prediction: The Young Bucks via pinfall
AEW World Championship: Hangman Page (c) vs. CM Punk
In each of my AEW World Championship predictions, I’ve had a difficult time picking who I think will come out on top. While the match between Page and Punk should be a great main event, the winner, in my opinion, is pretty cut and dry. Punk winning would work here (especially if he turns heel), but AEW can create their next superstar in Hangman Adam Page with a clean victory over the Best in the World. Sure, some may argue he’s already on that level, but he’ll hit Omega levels of popularity if he comes out on top against Punk. As much as I would love to see my favorite Superstar of the past 20 years win another World Championship, Page wins with a single Buckshot Lariat.
Prediction: “Hangman” Adam Page via pinfall to retain the AEW World Championship