AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 is as perfect of a PPV that we could ever get. There wasn’t a match that sticks out as bad. The card really doesn’t have dull moments. A strong first match led to the second being well spaced and protected. Matches put in tough positions weren’t lacking in quality like the 2nd and the co main event. Atmosphere wise this was a very strong crowd that was off the charts for what seemed like every single match. All matches had logical reasons for being on the card and all matches had satisfying results. This was top to bottom one of the best AEW PPV’s ever.
Tonight at AEW Double Or Nothing, The Death Riders and Young Bucks battle Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland and The Opps in Anarchy In The Arena. The Owen Hart Cup Finals will also decide AEW’s Future heading into All In, with Mercedes Mone taking on Jamie Hayter while Will Ospreay takes on ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. Toni Storm will also defend her AEW Women’s Championship against frenemy Mina Shirakawa. Elsewhere on the card, Ricochet and Mark Briscoe go to war in a stretcher match, Mike Bailey attempts to prise the Continental Championship from Kazuchika Okada and Nigel McGuiness returns to the ring alongside Daniel Garcia to face FTR. Let’s get to it!
AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Buy In:
GOOD Anna Jay and Harley Cameron Vs Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford:
Fundamentals: 0.50
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
Reviewer Quotes:
“It’s nice to see a women’s tag match get good time on an AEW PPV, even if it is on the zero hour. Some impressive sequences here including an entertaining throw to the outside and a frankly bizarre but rather amusing usage of the derriere. The finish came rather from the blue with Harley pinning Ford, a result which I would’ve swapped to Bayne pinning Jay, but if this leads to Bayne getting her win back against Harley I am all for it. Messy, but entertaining and all involved worked hard, even if chemistry didn’t always click. ” – David Sheldon
“This was a crowd that was both very receptive to the face team. Harley is over and gets good reactions for her moments, including her hot tag. Megan Bayne has the presence and when she gets big power spots it works well. Ones like the back suplex from the apron into the ring, using Penelope as something to throw onto both Jay and Cameron. There is good tag team psychology but the match doesn’t really feel like it goes anywhere. Its a good match that doesn’t build to anything. The finish fell a little flat with Megan just on the outside of the ring, dealing with Anna and Harley gets the win on Ford.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Harley Cameron by Pinfall via Rolling Facebuster on Penelope Ford
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GREAT The Cru and RPG Vice Vs AR Fox, Bandido and Los Titanes Del Aire:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
Reviewer Quotes:
“This match did exactly what it needed to do, though it did somewhat drag in the middle as we cycled through a few hot tags. Some top quality high spots including the ever reliable AR Fox throwing himself towards anything that moved and a very creative sequence of moonsaults and suplexes towards the matches climax. Hope that Action Andretti’s face is okay as it appeared to be badly busted, but the rest of the match went off unscathed. Fun, consequence free action to hype the crowd. ” – David Sheldon
“Outside of not much story, this is just a very fun eight man tag. Its very much an undercard type of match where there are fun highlights and sequences. Several unison dives and top rope moves. The assisted 21 plex from the Bandido and his team was very cool and a good finish. Just a fun match as a whole. ” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Bandido by Pinfall via 21 Plex on Andretti
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Main Show:
MUST WATCH Mercedes Mone Vs Jamie Hayter – Women’s Owen Hart Cup Finals: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 1
Reviewer Quotes:
“A very intelligent opener centered around roll-ups, movement and technical prowess. It wasn’t always the cleanest or I would say the most captivating throughout, but it built well into the epic formula whereby actions matter. The ending was extremely innovative with a snap one armed DDT into a roll-up which looked positively brutal, as did several other sequences throughout. Not perfect, and honestly a little sloppy, but with a rabid crowd and strong psychology the match worked as a strong show opener that sets out a mouthwatering clash.” – David Sheldon
“Exactly what the match needed to be. This was Mercedes Mone elevating Jamie Hayter back up after the long injury and the time away. Mercedes makes Jamie fight from below. Fighting to get her moments, including the lariats and Hayter’s tombstone. The crowd is very much into this match and thats part of what makes it so enjoyable. There is work with Jamie being able to avoid each Mone Maker attempt. Great technical work with the submissions and the counters within the match. The Hammerlock DDT finish is very scary with how Hayter is spiked. Its an abrupt counter and ending to a very solid match.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Mercedes Mone by Pinfall via Hammerlock Clutch Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
MUST WATCH FTR Vs Daniel Garcia and Nigel McGuinness:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Reviewer Quotes:
“Having followed this story on Collision, I was thoroughly invested through this match from start to finish. The wrestling, one or two minorly sloppy moments aside was very cleanly wrestled and the psychology and storytelling as FTR dissected McGuiness and then tried to kill Garcia too. Excellently worked match psychologically and a fantastic way to cap off this portion of the story with Nigel McGuiness” – David Sheldon
“Nigel is always gonna have a little rust while he stays in a part time role. As a whole this is just a damn good tag match from bell to bell. Both teams have great moments. Daniel going for three superplexes was pretty insane. FTR had good moments as a whole, while also having a handful of times where miscommunications occurred. Eventually FTR get their way, with a sharpshooter that drains the life out of Daniel with Nigel and Matt Menard unable to make the save. There are parallels to Nigel/Tony and Michael Cole/Pat with how Tony tried to support Nigel” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Dax Harwood by Submission via Sharpshooter on Garcia
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
MUST WATCH Mark Briscoe Vs Ricochet – Stretcher Match: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Bloodiest Match Of The Night
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 1
Reviewer Quotes:
“A wildly entertaining exploration of both the comedy and violence of hardcore, this match had a simply excellent dynamic to play with, with Ricochet the weasel getting his just desserts from the wild Briscoe. Very funny sequences involving cleaning produce upon a bald head makes way for buckets of blood, leading to a rather unsettling visual of Briscoe covered in crimson while scissors and blood pool on the floor outside the ambulance. Ricochet has quietly become one of the best heels in the business and Briscoe’s fire matched him with great skill. The Froggy Bow through the table was a thing of utter beauty! An excellent matchup ” – David Sheldon
“This was a lot more fun than it could have been predicted to be. A rabid hot crowd supporting Mark Briscoe and hating Ricochet. From Ricochet having his bald head washed by Mark to using the metal stretcher to bust Briscoe open. Mark does bleed a lot here and he has such a great visual with him looking like such. The Froggy Bow through the table was a great moment. Bringing in Ricochet’s scissors to have a vital role in the finish and match works. Ricochet kicks Mark low and uses another pair of scissors to damage his opponent enough to be able to close the ambulance door.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Ricochet by Closing The Ambulance via Spirit Gun
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
GREAT The Hurt Syndicate Vs The Sons Of Texas – AEW World Tag Team Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.50
Innovation: 0.50
Reviewer Quotes:
“Considering the relatively poor quality of The Hurt Syndicate’s title defences since winning the belt back in January, this was honestly one of their best. Guevara in particular worked really hard here, slinging himself around the ring to make Shelton and Lashley look as dominant as possible. Rhodes played his role well as per usual, though he was noticeably a slight step behind his compatriots. This was a well wrestled and emotionally satisfying match with MJF’s involvement teased throughout but the content of the wrestling did lose it’s shape and structure at various points leading to a series of spots happening in a manner more disjointed than I otherwise would like. Nonetheless, this had a hot crowd, some incredibly charismatic talent involved and so the mistakes (of which there were a few) were not left to linger.” – David Sheldon
“This was an enjoyable tag team title match. With MJF playing a vital role in keeping the crowd electric for it. Sammy makes Shelton and Bobby’s stuff look really well done. There is an overarching theme in MJF trying to use the easy way, wanting the Hurt Syndicate to use the diamond ring. Lashley does stop MJF but chooses to spear Dustin through the barricade anyway. Shelton’s running knee and thrust kick on Sammy was a great way to end the match.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Shelton Benjamin by Pinfall via Thrust Kick on Sammy
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
PERFECT Kazuchika Okada Vs Speedball Mike Bailey – AEW Continental Championship: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Top Match Of The Night
“This match turned me into a child on Christmas Day. The inventiveness and energy of this match, when you consider it broadly revolved around one type of move, the kick, blows my mind. This had the perfect combination of charismatic character dynamic, thoughtful psychology and top draw wrestling. Of course this match will probably be best remembered for the dropkick out of an Ultima Weapon attempt, but the match was just littered with similarly inventive counters and sequences, at times resembling a fight scene from a Hollywood martial arts film. Okada may not always wrestle at the top of his game week on week, but when the switch is flipped he can produce magic like no one else with the right dance partner, and Bailey more than got the best out of him tonight. The perfect midcard title match” – David Sheldon
“Easily Okada’s best match since Worlds End Vs Will. This is very well done with Speedball having great offense. With knowing a possible direction for Okada thats been teased since Worlds End, they really do great in selling us on the uncertainty of Okada’s retention. The straight jacket sunset flip was a brilliant near fall that fooled the viewer and the in person audience. Great psychology with Okada working on the ankle/knee of Speedball, and Speedball fighting through the pain of it. The finish is off the charts with the dropkick countering the ultima weapon into a great rainmaker. Absolutely one of the matches of the night.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Kazuchika Okada by Pinfall via Rainmaker
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 5.00 Stars
AMAZING Toni Storm Vs Mina Shirakawa – AEW World Women’s Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Reviewer Quotes:
“I suspect in the slieu of top matches this evening this one will slip the net of conversation, a shame as there is much positive to discuss here. An improvement over their last match at Forbidden Door, this combined the impeccable chemistry of Toni and Mina, a level of captivating madness I couldn’t look away from and an excellent piece of psychology underpinning the match in the targeting of Toni’s knee. Not only is this a smart way to show Mina’s ring intelligence and provide adequate adversity for Toni to overcome, but it also proves the logical follow on from Mina injuring the knee on the go-home Dynamite, giving chronology from the television product.
The match is largely the blend of comedy and wrestling you would expect, albeit much cleaner and more satisfying than the last time around, and the kiss between the pair after the match was a nice conclusion. Curious to see where Mina goes next, unless there is indeed a Mariah around the corner once more” – David Sheldon
“This has parallels to Mina Vs Mone from Wrestle Dynasty working on the leg of Toni. That’s really the big highlight of the match, brilliant leg work, psychology surrounding the knee of Toni. There are great counters and sequences that revolve Mina locking in figure fours and just working the knee. It is always is a great way to show pain when you are trying something but spot from the pain, Toni failing to run works. A far more enjoyable match comparatively to last years Forbidden Door match between the two.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Toni Storm by Pinfall via Storm Zero
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
MUST WATCH Anarchy In The Arena: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Craziest Match
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 1
Reviewer Quotes:
“This match, as it is every year, is the apex of wrestling excess. 35 Minutes Long with approximately 150 false finishes, double the big moves and half the time between selling them. With that said, for all of those reasons, I had an absolute blast here. The criticisms I have had with previous Anarchy matches revolving around production issues and headache-inducing camera work were astronomically improved by a four way split screen that allowed me to mostly see what was happening clearly in the moments of chaos without making my head explode. The comedy was also improved this year, with a lot of the early violence feeling more Looney Tunes than Horror, though of that there was plenty. For every padlocked earlobe or stapled tongue however there was a Captain America Bin Lid or heightened gurning from the ‘Founding Father’ Bucks or the general presence of the music of the Pointer Sisters. I couldn’t help but just keep smiling.
I cannot give this 5 in good consciousness because there are objective psychology issues I would be a liar and hypocrite to overlook but of all the Anarchy matches I have seen, this perfected both the look and blend of the action to create, truthfully, one of the finest encapsulations of AEW as a brand and a match only they could put together.” – David Sheldon
Reviewer Quotes 2:
“This is every bit of chaos and more. Too many spots to make note of. The theme being changed is used one again. The innovation is clear and expected from minds like The Young Bucks, Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe, Claudio, Jon Moxley, Willow and more. Everyone has at least one stand out spot. Willow and Marina do get involved with the mens actions and take bumps, like Willow getting a Mox cutter and Marina being dragon suplexed by Kenny. The founding fathers stuff from the Jacksons was amazing. Swerve getting the win makes me think his issues with the Bucks might be over. Death Riders being trapped in the ambulance was a fun moment. Gabe Kidd of course showed up but a Blood stained Mark Briscoe evened the odds.
Off the charts fun and enjoyment. Very tough to rate on the WR system but psychology is the weak point with strong atmosphere, clear innovation and nothing outright going wrong.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Swerve Strickland by Pinfall via Thumbtack Shoe Assisted Swerve Stomp
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
GREAT The Paragon Adam, Kyle and Roderick Vs The Don Callis Family, Josh, Kyle and Takeshita: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Semi Main Event
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.50
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
Reviewer Quotes:
“This match didn’t have a prayer in following Anarchy and was sent out to die a death and bridge between the spectacle match and the main event. That is not to say the work isn’t great here with talents of the calibre of Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Adam Cole and many others. One Kyle gets the win over another here as Fletcher pins O’Reilly to place him one step closer to Adam Cole’s TNT Title. The post match saw an appearance by Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii and Hiroshi Tanahashi in a nice moment to pop the crowd, likely setting up Forbidden Door. A good match here, albeit one fighting a losing battle given it’s card placement ” – David Sheldon
“With the talent in this match, its tough to go, yeah this was just there. But that’s what it was. Its not a match that is lacking in anything, no quality declines. Very well wrestled, great tag psychology. Some fun sequences as well as giving Kyle Fletcher a win. The Don Callis Family beating down The Paragon was met with Brody King, Ishii and President Tanahashi. Odd but fun moment.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Kyle Fletcher by Pinfall via Brainbuster on O’Reilly
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
PERFECT Hangman Adam Page Vs Will Ospreay – Mens Owen Hart Cup Finals: AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Main Event
Reviewer Quotes:
“The level of hype going into this main event was stratospheric,so the fact it was able to meet that standard is testament to the talent of the workers involved. This is a deeply rich text to unpack, somewhat reverent to the best of AEW and New Japan’s main event style, as both traded strikes and holds early to build the epic feel before amping up the kickouts and drama. Both men narrowly avoiding each others finishers, ducking and weaving with such skill and even going for the moves of their enemies in an effort to channel the spirit of their own adversity.
It’s a magnificent match and the victory for Hangman, while surprising, is a fantastic step towards Page finishing the story set for him at All In, or having his heart once again shattered. Nonetheless, this is the epitome of what main event storytelling should be in AEW, two wrestlers in athletic competition who will fight to the death for glory. Magnificent work from both men ” – David Sheldon
“Best main event of the year, best main event since All In 2024. This is Will Ospreay and Hangman Adam Page delivering a classic. Phenomenal sequences, great psychology. The crowd is off the charts for it. Aside from the table collapsing mid set up for the deadeye, this was an amazing match from bell to bell. Hangman gets the win in what I believe is the right call.” – Coby Galenzoski
Results: Hangman Adam Page by Pinfall via Buckshot Lariat
Coby Galenzoski and David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 5.00 Stars
AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 Overall…
AEW Double Or Nothing 2025 is as perfect of a PPV that we could ever get. There wasn’t a match that sticks out as bad. The card really doesn’t have dull moments. A strong first match led to the second being well spaced and protected. Matches put in tough positions weren’t lacking in quality like the 2nd and the co main event. Atmosphere wise this was a very strong crowd that was off the charts for what seemed like every single match. All matches had logical reasons for being on the card and all matches had satisfying results. This was top to bottom one of the best AEW PPV’s ever.
Matches: 1/1 Stars
Show Structure: 1/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 1/1 Stars
Storytelling: 1/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: AEW – May 25 2025
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
