‘AEW: Double or Nothing 2025’ PPV Review
It’s one of AEW’s biggest pay-per-views of the year: Double or Nothing 2025, which was broadcast live from Glendale, Arizona. The show had the usual surprises, appearances, and sheer craziness that comes with the company’s first (and flagship) PPV. This year’s Double or Nothing opened with the usual “Buy In” that saw Anna Jay and Harley Cameron pick up the surprise win against Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford; and AR Fox, Bandido, Komander and Hologram beat the team of Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, Lio Rush and Action Andretti. On with the main show…
Match #1: Owen Hart Cup Tournament Women’s Final – Mercedes Moné def. Jamie Hayter
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Early on, both competitors tested each other’s strength and agility. Hayter’s clear power advantage initially served her well, grounding Moné and leveraging heavy strikes and powerful clotheslines. However, Moné strategically targeted Hayter’s vulnerable lower back, relentlessly exploiting the previous injury with precise and punishing attacks. Throughout the grueling contest, Moné executed multiple backstabbers and various submissions aimed explicitly at Hayter’s back, demonstrating ruthless focus and intensity. Despite the persistent assault, Hayter displayed remarkable resilience, continually fighting back with impactful strikes, suplexes, and a dramatic missile dropkick sequence that temporarily swung momentum back in her favor. In the latter stages, both wrestlers executed their signature moves with increasing desperation. Mercedes applied her “Statement Maker” submission multiple times, nearly forcing Hayter to submit. Hayter, showcasing grit, managed to escape and even counter with her powerful “Haterade” lariat, seemingly securing victory only for Moné to narrowly survive the pinfall. The climax of the match came after an exhaustive exchange, as Hayter attempted another Haterade. Moné cleverly countered the maneuver into a devastating, match-ending DDT variation that led to a decisive three-count.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: FTR def. Nigel McGuinness and Daniel Garcia
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Garcia initially squared off with Cash Wheeler, showcasing technical wrestling and agility. Wheeler leveraged his strength advantage, but Garcia’s determination and swift offense kept him competitive early on. A major point of interest was McGuinness competing in his first high-profile tag team match in years. Nigel engaged in an aggressive confrontation with Dax Harwood, exchanging fierce chops and strikes, illustrating that he still possessed the skill and fire from his prime. However, FTR quickly turned their attention to isolating McGuinness, targeting him relentlessly and exploiting his ring rust and previous injuries. Nigel endured considerable punishment, notably suffering a brutal “Tower of London” executed by Cash Wheeler onto the apron, severely weakening him. Garcia, desperate to tag in and shift momentum, finally received the tag, igniting the crowd with fiery offense, briefly rallying against both members of FTR. Garcia’s speed and innovative counters temporarily turned the tide, but FTR’s superior teamwork eventually reasserted their dominance. In a chaotic sequence, FTR neutralized McGuinness outside the ring, delivering a devastating Shatter Machine onto the floor. Meanwhile, Garcia valiantly attempted to combat the duo alone inside the ring. Demonstrating incredible resilience, Garcia survived multiple high-impact maneuvers, including two consecutive piledrivers. Ultimately, however, Dax Harwood secured a tight Sharpshooter submission hold, and despite Garcia’s heroic refusal to tap, his body gave out, leading the referee to call the match for FTR.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Stretcher Match – Ricochet def. Mark Briscoe
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The bout began explosively, with Ricochet sneak-attacking Briscoe from behind before the bell even rang. Despite Ricochet’s agility and cunning, Briscoe quickly rallied, capitalizing on his extensive hardcore wrestling experience. Briscoe used the ringside environment effectively, battering Ricochet through the audience area, employing the stretcher itself as a weapon, and showcasing his trademark unorthodox style, which included attacks like driving the stretcher into Ricochet’s abdomen. Ricochet demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic acumen, countering Briscoe’s aggressive approach by creatively defending himself with various improvised weapons. A critical moment occurred when Ricochet attempted a daring shooting star press onto the stretcher, but Briscoe evaded, causing Ricochet a painful landing. Nevertheless, Ricochet soon regained the advantage by ingeniously using cleaning solution to temporarily blind Briscoe, severely lacerating him, and turning the match’s momentum dramatically. Despite substantial blood loss, Briscoe continued fighting aggressively, executing high-risk maneuvers such as a flying elbow drop from the barricade and landing a punishing Jay Driller. The turning point of the match occurred when Ricochet, who had covertly hidden scissors under the ring, employed them to viciously wound Briscoe further. Ricochet repeatedly gouged Briscoe’s forehead, intensifying the brutality. Briscoe, however, managed to resist valiantly, countering several attacks even amidst heavy bleeding. Ultimately, Ricochet’s calculated use of hidden weapons proved decisive. He delivered a devastating Spirit Gun to incapacitate Briscoe completely, finally placing him on the stretcher and securing him inside the ambulance to conclude the match.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Match #4: AEW World Tag Team Championship – The Hurt Syndicate def. Sons of Texas
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The match opened with Rhodes squaring off against Lashley, who quickly asserted dominance through raw power and heavy strikes. Dustin, showcasing his legendary resilience, fought back valiantly, attempting to match Lashley’s physical intensity. Shelton Benjamin soon entered, displaying his technical prowess by executing impressive moves, including a textbook German suplex on Rhodes. Throughout the match, The Hurt Syndicate utilized cohesive teamwork, systematically isolating Sammy Guevara and inflicting significant punishment. Guevara, noted for his agility and high-flying offense, briefly shifted momentum by executing quick aerial maneuvers and counters, including a perfectly timed cutter on Lashley. Yet, Lashley soon regained control, violently neutralizing Guevara with authoritative slams and strikes. Rhodes, fueled by veteran experience and determination, mounted a spirited comeback. He employed his signature moves, including a precise powerslam, the “Code Red,” and even an “Unnatural Kick.” Guevara supported Rhodes by delivering a dramatic shooting star press to the floor, momentarily incapacitating Benjamin and leading to a near fall after Rhodes executed the “Cross Rhodes.” However, interference and distractions played a pivotal role. MJF, the newest and controversial member of The Hurt Syndicate, attempted to influence the outcome but initially caused more harm than good. His missteps created opportunities for Sons of Texas to gain advantage temporarily. Tensions peaked outside the ring when Dustin confronted MJF, only to receive a punishing spear from Lashley that sent him crashing through the ringside barricade. In the climactic sequence, Guevara attempted a desperate aerial maneuver targeting Lashley and MJF, only to be intercepted dramatically by Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin then seized the moment, delivering a devastating knee strike followed by a decisive superkick to Guevara’s jaw. This powerful combination sealed the victory, allowing The Hurt Syndicate to successfully retain their AEW World Tag Team titles.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: AEW Continental Championship – Kazuchika Okada def. Speedball Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Early in the match, Bailey showcased his agility, executing swift strikes and using a spectacular Triangle Moonsault to momentarily stun Okada. However, Okada quickly took control after strategically attacking Bailey’s leg, capitalizing on an unfortunate miscalculation where Bailey kicked the steel ring steps, which clearly hampered Bailey’s agility and ability to execute his offense throughout the match. Okada, renowned for his methodical wrestling approach, meticulously targeted Bailey’s injured leg and back, employing a devastating DDT on the floor and a precise Dragon Screw leg whip. Despite Okada’s dominance, Bailey exhibited remarkable resilience, consistently fighting back with high-impact maneuvers like missile dropkicks and running shooting star presses. As the bout intensified, Bailey appeared to turn the tide with a series of breathtaking maneuvers, including a Falcon Arrow and several impactful knee drops targeting Okada’s midsection. A dramatic near-fall came after Bailey delivered his signature “Time Adventure,” nearly capturing the Continental Championship. Okada narrowly survived by grabbing the bottom rope at the very last moment. The match reached a dramatic climax when Bailey, looking to finish Okada from the top rope, made a critical miscalculation. Capitalizing instantly, Okada countered Bailey’s aerial attack mid-air with an impeccably timed and executed dropkick, followed immediately by his devastating “Rainmaker” lariat. This swift and decisive combination allowed Okada to secure the victory and retain the AEW Continental Championship.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #6: AEW Women’s World Championship – Toni Storm def. Mina Shirakawa
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
From the start, Shirakawa employed a focused strategy, aggressively targeting Storm’s knee, which she previously injured in their interactions leading up to the event. Mina quickly attempted submissions, particularly the figure-four leg lock, aiming to capitalize on Storm’s weakened limb. Storm, resilient and experienced, responded with her trademark offense, employing headlocks, snap suplexes, and stiff strikes to counter Mina’s relentless assault. Despite noticeable discomfort from her knee injury, Storm displayed impressive resilience, repeatedly fending off Mina’s figure-four attempts and aggressive leg attacks. Throughout the match, the interference of Storm’s associate, Luther, played a comical yet minimal role, inadvertently providing Mina with leverage for high-impact moves, such as a memorable tornado DDT from Luther’s back. The action intensified dramatically as both competitors exchanged powerful strikes, suplexes, and submission attempts. Mina nearly secured victory several times with expertly applied figure-four leg locks, repeatedly wrenching the champion’s already compromised knee. Storm, however, showcased remarkable grit, frequently reaching the ropes to break holds despite significant pain. The climax saw Mina deliver her “Glamorous Driver,” leading to a dramatic near-fall. Storm barely survived, rallying courageously despite her visibly severe knee pain. After a series of reversals and counters, including multiple exchanges of inside cradles, Storm executed a sudden and decisive headbutt followed swiftly by her devastating “Storm Zero,” successfully pinning Shirakawa to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #7: Anarchy in the Arena
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
From the start, chaos reigned as the competitors spread across the Desert Diamond Arena, engaging in fierce, simultaneous battles throughout the concourse, ringside, and backstage areas. Samoa Joe initially appeared absent, only to strategically emerge later from the crowd to swing momentum for his team, surprising the Death Riders and briefly gaining an advantage. Early highlights included Moxley’s brutal use of a fork on Powerhouse Hobbs, viciously carving at his forehead and causing severe bleeding. Concurrently, Willow Nightingale, resilient despite severe punishment, fought relentlessly against Marina Shafir, including an innovative sequence involving a frying pan from catering. Significant brutality ensued as Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta viciously engaged Shibata and Omega, with violent exchanges involving weapons like trash cans, chairs, and barbed wire. The Young Bucks notably targeted opponents with high-impact maneuvers and taunting antics, parodying opponents and mocking their signature moves. Amidst the mayhem, an unforgettable, cringe-inducing moment occurred as Marina Shafir used a staple gun against opponents, including stapling tongues in a graphic display. Willow Nightingale was gruesomely chained by her earlobe to a ring post, dramatically incapacitating her temporarily. Late in the match, Mark Briscoe dramatically returned, still bloodied from his earlier stretcher match against Ricochet, to provide crucial assistance against the Death Riders. However, Gabe Kidd made a critical intervention as a surprise wildcard, brutally assaulting opponents and significantly shifting momentum back toward Moxley’s team. The climax involved an electrifying series of sequences, including multiple devastating table spots, a forklift-assisted dive by Takeshita, thumbtacks being forcibly inserted into mouths before vicious knee strikes, and an array of finishers delivered amidst the destruction. Ultimately, Swerve Strickland emerged as a pivotal figure, executing a modified Swerve Stomp with thumbtack-adorned shoes onto Nicholas Jackson, sealing the brutal and unforgettable victory.
My Score: 5 out of 5
Match #8: The Don Callis Family def. Paragon
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The match opened with Adam Cole, the reigning TNT Champion, squaring off against Konosuke Takeshita, immediately showcasing high-level technique and hard-hitting offense. Both sides displayed strategic teamwork early, frequently tagging in and out to maintain a fresh advantage. Early tactics saw the Don Callis Family aggressively targeting Roderick Strong, isolating him with a punishing offensive onslaught both inside and outside the ring, aided by timely interference from Don Callis himself. Strong valiantly fought back, executing counters like a remarkable reversal of Takeshita’s Blue Thunder Bomb. However, the constant interference from Don Callis and his associate Lance Archer at ringside continually swayed momentum back to the Callis Family, highlighting their ruthless approach. Paragon rallied impressively midway through, particularly with Adam Cole unleashing a rapid offensive flurry including precise strikes and a Backstabber on Josh Alexander. Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong further energized their team with technical maneuvers and submission holds, notably O’Reilly’s fluid transitions into submission attempts and a fierce exchange of ankle locks between O’Reilly and Alexander. The match built toward an exciting climax filled with near falls and dramatic interventions. Notably, Kyle Fletcher, despite an earlier injury to his leg caused by a targeted kick, impressively executed a high-impact brainbuster on Kyle O’Reilly. Despite visibly struggling with his leg injury, Fletcher secured a critical pinfall victory for the Don Callis Family, demonstrating his toughness and resilience.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #9: Owen Hart Cup Tournament Men’s Final – Hangman Adam Page def. Will Ospreay
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The bout opened with palpable emotion, with Ospreay visibly more fired-up and restless, contrasted by Hangman’s composed demeanor. Initially, both athletes showcased impressive chain wrestling and technical counters, each trying to establish an early advantage. Early momentum swung back and forth with neither competitor gaining sustained control, emphasizing their familiarity and extensive scouting of each other’s strategies. The match intensified dramatically as Hangman focused his offense strategically on Ospreay’s vulnerable lower back, exploiting damage inflicted early when Ospreay awkwardly landed during an aerial maneuver. Despite visible pain, Ospreay demonstrated remarkable resilience and aerial precision, executing high-risk offense such as the Sasuke Special and the Sky Twister Press, maintaining a fierce pace despite his growing physical toll. The turning point came as both competitors exchanged devastating strikes on the ring apron, a dangerous territory. Ospreay delivered a harrowing OsCutter onto the apron, severely spiking Hangman’s head. This vicious maneuver momentarily incapacitated Page and nearly led to a count-out victory for Ospreay. However, Hangman dramatically beat the referee’s count at nine, only to narrowly survive a subsequent brutal Hidden Blade elbow strike. A visibly frustrated Ospreay aggressively slammed Hangman’s head into the announce table, displaying a ruthless edge rarely seen from him. The violence escalated further when Hangman executed a Dead Eye piledriver onto a collapsing announce table, devastating Ospreay and severely exacerbating his back injury. In the final explosive moments, Ospreay invoked Kenny Omega by attempting Omega’s signature One-Winged Angel—a symbolic act referencing their shared history. However, Hangman escaped, responding by paying homage to Swerve Strickland with a dramatic counter of his own. Ultimately, Hangman landed a thunderous Buckshot Lariat—arguably the most powerful he’s ever executed—finally securing the three-count and victory in an unforgettable climax.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 5/5
This year’s Double or Nothing delivered an unforgettable night of action, emotion, and spectacle, standing tall as one of the greatest pay-per-views in company history. From top to bottom, the event was a flawless blend of storytelling and athleticism, cementing AEW’s reputation as a leader in professional wrestling. The crown jewel of the night was the Anarchy in the Arena match—without question, the best one ever in the six-year history of Double or Nothing. This year’s instalment elevated the concept to new heights, combining sheer brutality, inventive spots, and a visceral, unrelenting pace that kept the crowd on their feet from start to finish. The teams tore through the arena with reckless abandon, using the unique environment to its fullest potential. It was violent, creative, unpredictable, and absolutely captivating. This match didn’t just raise the bar for Anarchy in the Arena; it redefined it. The rest of the card was packed with emotional highs and breakout performances. “Hangman” Adam Page’s victory in the Owen Hart Foundation Cup was a career-reaffirming moment, setting him on a collision course for the AEW World Championship. Mercedes Moné also shone brightly, capturing the Women’s Owen Cup and proving once again why she is one of the most dynamic stars in the business. Champions across the board held their ground in thrilling fashion. Kazuchika Okada and Toni Storm delivered standout performances in their respective title defences, continuing to build their legacies with dominant showings. Every match felt important, every moment felt earned. Double or Nothing 2025 wasn’t just a pay-per-view; it was a celebration of everything that makes AEW special. The perfect mix of chaos, heart, and world-class wrestling made this event an instant classic. If you’re a fan of pro wrestling, this show was a love letter to the sport and proved once again that when it comes to delivering unforgettable wrestling moments, AEW is in a league of its own.
