The end of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, the promotion’s last major show before its upcoming Double or Nothing pay-per-view, ended with a wrestler who’d recently been hit by a bus evading arena security in order to wield a flamethrower. This proactive measure earned a fist bump from his real-life boss — who also happens to play a major managerial role for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Run-on sentences aside, pro wrestling is wonderful.
Darby Allin’s late-show heroics closed out a second-straight dynamite as he saved Bryan Danielson from a beating at the hands of the company’s nefarious executive vice presidents, Nicholas and Matthew Jackson (formerly, and still, the Young Bucks). Danielson, Allin and FTW will pair up to take on the Bucks, Jack Perry and Kazuchika Okada in an Anarchy in the Arena match that promises a bloody spectacle that will run through the aisles and concourses of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
That’s not the only high profile match slated for one of AEW’s biggest events. While we don’t yet know the full order of Double or Nothing’s lineup, here’s a breakdown of each match and where they may wind up. As always, the card is subject to change. And, since we’re limited to USA Today Sports’ miminal lineup of AEW photos, the pictures shown don’t necessarily reflect the matches themselves.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; AEW President Tony Khan during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a fine selection of openers to choose from — Toni Storm vs. Serena Deeb could wind up stealing the show, for instance. But none promise the athleticism and brutality of Death Triangle’s return, as Pac, Rey Fenix and Penta are all healthy at the same time for the first major event in years. Add Jay White and the picture perfect doofus-heel work of the Gunns (and maybe even a little Juice Robinson return) and you’ve got a perfect tone-setter for the night.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; AEW All Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy (jeans) and Wheeler Yuta (white pants) during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
A hyped crowd can watch Ospreay win his first AEW title in Las Vegas.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; AEW All Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy (jeans) and Wheeler Yuta (white pants) during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
A bit of a cool-down match between the former best friends and one of only two straight-up, title-free singles match on the card.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Wrestlers battle during a tag team battle royal during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Storm’s old-timey movie star character pushed her into a new stratosphere as a wrestler. Deeb is a master technician who can give her all she can handle. It’s a clash of styles, but AEW’s women’s division has been on fire as of late (and could really, really use more air time).
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Edge during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
This will be bloody, spooky and probably a little stupid. Which, in fairness, can describe many of wrestling’s best moments over the last four decades.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; John Moxley (black pants) and Evil Uno during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
If Takeshita wins, he gets a future shot at Moxley’s IWGP Heavyweight title. Expect Takeshita’s star to continue rising against AEW’s most dependable headliner.
Apr 10, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Sasha Banks (green attire) and Bianca Belair (silver attire) during their Smackdown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The former Sasha Banks finally makes her in-ring debut for AEW against the woman who beat her for the NJPW Strong Women’s title (and sent her to the injured list in the process). Moné’s run in the promotion so far has been lifeless. Getting her in the ring with Nightingale, in the midst of her finest year as a pro, should help remind the world of her talent. The only question is if this match gets top billing over AEW’s top women’s title and if it gets a slot before or after the obvious Chris Jericho cooldown match.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chris Jericho appears during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Alright, well, Shibata rules and Hook might be OK.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Jungle Boy (jeans) and Christian Cage (black pants/jacket) during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
20-plus minutes of violence punctuated by Darby Allin plummeting off something no stable human being would ever agree to either jump from or be thrown off.
Feb 22, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Jungle Boy (jeans) and Christian Cage (black pants/jacket) during AEW Dynamite at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Cage is 50 years old and doing some of the best work of his career. Swerve is 33 and, well, same. It may not be a pure five-star classic, but it should leave everyone thoroughly sports entertained.