Double or Nothing 2023 Predictions

 

Predictions for AEW Double or Nothing 2023

 

Pillars Four-Way for the AEW World Title Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry vs. MJF (c)

It is hard to see anyone but MJF going over here. While AEW has been prepping Jungle Boy for a more mainstream presence ever since they began incorporating the Jack Perry into his moniker, there doesn’t seem to be enough story behind a win, especially a first world title, yet. It seems more likely that there will be an extended run between Jack and MJF to see how he handles the spotlight for an extended period before giving him his run. Darby has done plenty to earn the belt, and his place as the face of the company, but he is so over with the fans that the title doesn’t enhance him much as an attraction. Fans love Darby for Darby, not because he is champion. Sammy was featured heavily during the AEW backstage show, and certainly has the looks and charisma to be the face of the company. He has paid his dues in the company and has shown he can draw heat or pops. Sammy, like the rest of the pillars is just lacking the story hook that should be rallying the fans against or behind him for the belt. No doubt, Sammy is a future champion, but not quite yet. I suspect there will be tons of high spots and closes finishes before MJF capitalizes on some mistake or interference and gets the win. In a perfect world, it is CM Punk that causes MJF to win, setting up their rematch at Wembley stadium, but that seems like a long shot.
Winner: AEW World Champion MJF 

 

AEW Women’s World Title Match Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter (c)

There is going to be a tornado of interference from all sides on this one. You can see the rivalry building to an “outcasts” vs “originals” showdown. That being said, with Jamie having been injured the last few weeks / months, it seems like the perfect time to get the belt off of her. It also helps add heat to the “outcasts” and they can give Toni a legitimate run as “non-interim” women’s champion. It would be perfect for Thunderosa to come out immediately after the victory to challenge Toni and to have to side with her former enmities in Britt and Jamie.
Winner: New AEW Woman’s champion, Toni Storm.

 

AEW World Tag Team Titles Match Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood) (c) Special Guest Referee: Mark Briscoe

I have gone back and forth on this match. I can see it going down so many different ways. Jeff and Jay would be great heel tag champions, the crowd HATES them already and the belts will make them that much more deplorable. Then again, FTR are the best tag team in the United States, if not the world and they are very over with the AEW crowd. Obviously Mark Briscoe will be the determining factor in how the match goes. He can turn heel by looking the other way when Jay or Jeff cheat, he could turn face by intervening when they try to cheat, or he could be oblivious to some shenanigans leading to be team's victory. I’ll go with FTR, but it is a coin toss.
Winner: AEW Tag Team Champions, FTR

 

21-Man Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Title The Butcher vs. The Blade vs. Dustin Rhodes vs. Keith Lee vs. Bandido vs. Dralistico vs. Chuck Taylor vs. Trent Beretta vs. Kip Sabian vs. Jay White vs. Juice Robinson vs. Ricky Starks vs. ROH World Tag Team Champion Rey Fenix vs. ROH World Tag Team Champion Penta El Zero M vs. Big Bill vs. Lee Moriarty vs. Tony Nese vs. Ari Daivari vs. ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Brian Cage vs. Swerve Strickland vs. Orange Cassidy (c)

AEW has been making a big deal about how beat up Orange Cassidy is and how he has been relentlessly defending the International title, so this seems like the perfect excuse to get the belt off Orange. You can eliminate most of the tag teams right off the bat. I can see it coming down to Orange, sentimental favorite Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Starks, Jay White, Keith Lee, and Swerve Strickland. From that bunch, I can see Swerve eliminating Keith Lee for the win to add some fuel to that rivalry.
Winner: New AEW International Champion, Swerve Strickland

 

Ladder Match for the AEW TNT Title Christian Cage vs. Wardlow (c)

Christian is the consummate heel and is a heat magnet. The ladder stipulation is there to add credibility to him being able to defeat someone like Wardlow. I’m sure there will be plenty of high impact spots. Christian will be able to do a lot in the ring to make Wardlow look great, but ultimately this is all to build to Luchasaurus vs Wardlow. 
Winner: TNT Champion Wardlow

 

AEW TBS Title Match Taya Valkyrie vs. Jade Cargill (c)

Jade Cargill is being given the undefeated Goldberg push. They’ve tried to build Taya as a real threat to Jade’s title, but it doesn’t seem like now is the time to end her winning streak or for her to drop the belt. 

Winner: AEW TBS Champion, Jade Cargill 

Anarchy In The Arena Match The Blackpool Combat Club (ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, Jon Moxley) vs. The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Adam Page)

This is going to be a bloody, violent, and chaotic match that will see a blizzard of weapons, improvised or otherwise, employed with ruthless aggression. I hope the violence and bloodshed doesn’t result in any long term injuries for any of the competitors. From a story perspective, the Elite are due to get a win over on the BCC, so I expect them to get the “W” but honestly, in matches like this, who knows what happens. Also, matches of this type are ripe for surprise appearances, so who knows if someone shows up out of nowhere.

Winner: The Elite.

 

Unsanctioned Match Chris Jericho vs. Adam Cole Special Guest Ringside Enforcer: Sabu.

Like the Anarchy in the Arena match, this is a difficult call. From a story point of view, Adam needs to get his victory over Jericho for the attack earlier this year. On the other hand, Strong just beat The Ocho the other week, so another loss isn’t doing Jericho any favors either. If they want this feud to last the summer, then give the victory to Adam, but in such a way that Chris can claim he was cheated. Let Jericho keep one upping Cole until they build to a big match in Wembly. I have no idea what Sabu is gonna do in this match, but it was worth it just to hear Taz call Sabu’s appearance.

Winner: Adam Cole

 

The Hardys (Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy) and Isiah Kassidy vs. The Gunns (Colten Gunn, Austin Gunn) and Ethan Page If Team Hardy wins, they get control of Page’s contract.

There isn’t much to say about this match. I thought it would have been over with the cinamatic match at the Hardy compound. I have to think if they are resuscitating this “control of his contract” stipulation that Matt has a plan to help get Ethan Page over in the long term and for the Hardys to get on the path to the AEW tag team titles.

Winner: The Hardys (Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy) and Isiah Kassidy