Grappler's Choice #28 - AEW Double Or Nothing
Hi everyone, it's been awhile!
I had to write about this event, but I wanted to keep my thoughts short and sweet, because I really feel as though people should just go and watch this straight away. Wrestling is art, and art is subjective, but in my opinion, AEW Double Or Nothing was nothing short of spectacular.
I went into the PPV with an open mind, but I didn't truly know what to expect. There are many different types of wrestling available in 2019, each catering to a different part of the wrestling community. Some wrestling companies focus solely on one particular style, while others blend and try to cater to different types of interests.
I've always been a WWE fan, even when it's been poor, because there is something in the presentation of the product, together with the mixture of wrestling and storylines that to me, delivers the ideal mix. However, I feel that WWE has not consistently delivered this in more recent times (in comparison with the attitude era and the ruthless aggression era, where they did seem to be more consistent). But this is just my opinion, and while others may share it, it comes down to preference at the end of the day - you like what you like.
With that in mind, I have watched other promotions on occasion (e.g. Impact wrestling, New Japan) and have always found the wrestling to be excellent, but I did not enjoy the way the products were presented, and when I compared them with what I am used to watching on WWE, they did not seem to offer enough.
For me, this all changed after watching AEW's debut PPV - Double Or Nothing. This PPV was fantastic, and seemed to tick every single box. I felt like I was watching a WWE PPV from 15-20 years ago, and I loved every minute of it!
AEW Double Or Nothing
There are so many positives to discuss, and I could talk endlessly about this PPV, but I'll try and keep it short and sweet. The main thing I loved above all else was the fact that the PPV had a fantastic upward build, and that by the time we reached the main event, I was still excited and engaged in the action.
I had my favorites, but even the matches that I was less interested in delivered excellent, high-quality wrestling. I discovered talents I was unfamiliar with and I became enamored with certain characters because of their image, believe-ability, and wrestling skill. Wrestlers such as Hangman Adam Page and MJF really stuck out to me. I was aware of them, but after seeing them in this PPV, I am now completely sold on them.
I thought that nothing could top the excitement and emotion that was captured in the Cody vs Dustin Rhodes match (a classic, 5 star wrestling match), and was happily proven wrong with the rest of the matches that followed. Every match also successfully set up potential feuds moving forward, and left you with questions with regards to what might happen next between these wrestlers.
AEW - A Viable Alternative?
AEW Double Or Nothing is in my opinion, the alternative that many wrestling fans (myself included) have been clamoring for. Will I keep watching WWE? probably yes, will I check out other promotions? probably yes, will I keep watching AEW? ABSOLUTELY!
AEW presents a genuine alternative to WWE, but does feel to me to be nothing like WCW in the slightest. In all honesty, it felt like a huge PPV with the vibe you might expect from a major WWE PPV like the Royal Rumble. The whole event felt special, and there were no 'sleeper matches' at all. I struggled to find any negatives with the PPV (not that I was looking for any) and am genuinely excited about what AEW will present next!
If you haven't watched AEW Double Or Nothing yet, I highly recommend it. I have always loved wrestling, and now I'm super excited about what could happen in all the major promotions as a result of this. AEW has presented a viable, awe-inspiring alternative, and this might just make all the other promotions step up their game (which for us - the fans - is the absolute best possible scenario!)
- Christian Reeve
