AEW Double or Nothing 2026 takes place in the rowdy Queens, NY, with a sold-out crowd at the Louis-Armstrong Arena. A completely loaded card promises some high-stakes and intense-action. Championship matches led to some title changes, surprise appearances, and even more surprising were some outcomes.
Pre-show:
How can you not love the draw of pro-wrestling? Well, opening the show with Renee Paquette bringing out the LEGEND himself: Mick Foley! The Hardcore Icon has arrived in All Elite Wrestling, and in his promo confesses a loss of passion for the wrestling business until he began to follow AEW. Sure, some might feel this is an over-the-top plug, but this isn’t a rare story. There have been others who fell out of enjoying pro-wrestling until an alternative came along.
Foley’s interactions throughout the pre-show were fantastic, and his face-to-face with MJF might very well become the stuff of legend. Despite the younger main eventer verbally assaulting him, Foley fires back with some deep cuts, with the reference of being shaved bald later tonight. MJF, incensed, resorts to a groin kick to end his involvement, but doesn’t stop Foley from putting over Darby Allin as the future of the wrestling business.
Is it just me, or has Darby become the automatic protege of any legend who shows up.
Divine Dominion defeat the team of Viva Van and Zayda Steel in the Five-Minute Eliminator Challenge
It came down to the last 14 seconds, but Van and Steel gave it their all. It was a good match, but the novelty of the jobber-style matches is wearing off. While in the 80’s and 90’s it was fine, but at this point they need an occasion legit match. The return of TayJay should provide that opportunity, but I certainly hope they aren’t thrown to the wolves so to speak.
The Death Riders (Claudio, Garcia, Yuta) defeated The Opps (Shibata, Hook, Bowens)
Lots of pops for both sides, however it sounded as though Hook was the least favored of all six. While not clear on faces or heels, this match provided the perfect example that fans appreciate good wrestling matches as both teams were cheered (and booed appropriately) throughout. The exchange between Shibata and Claudio was built up and executed perfectly. Bowens looked exceptionally good, despite taking the pin for his team.
The Death Riders continue to enjoy a resurgence, while The Opps, despite the tagline on their shirt, appear to be lacking in the winning department. Is it just me, or did it feel like when Hobbs left at the same time Joe was out for injury, the Opps lost some of its luster? Perhaps new members are sorely needed.
Boom & Doom & The Conglomeration defeated Shane Taylor Promotions
While many groan at the over-the-top comedy shtick, the long-term story is present. STP continues to have beef with B&D. I expected the kids to be more involved, but it seems after their last physical encounter they might have had second thoughts. Lots of interference, the Rizzler hitting on all the women at ringside, a near disaster when QT fell off the corner, but despite all this, it was a fun match with some wild spots. The babyfaces pick up the win and are joined by Eddie Kingston and Ortiz to drive off STP and company.
It is absolutely criminal Eddie Kingston and Ortiz were not in a match on either pre-show or main card. They are the essence of New York. Are they injured?
The main show kicks off huge with Copeland & Cage defeating FTR for the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championships
What a wild start to the show. In a no-rules environment it seemed both teams would have chosen death before saying the dreaded words of “I Quit” in defeat. Some pretty funny moments where Christian chose some colorful language when approached with the microphone. A number of heavy drivers and slams through tables and chairs would have felled a lesser man, but these four would not stop for anything. Dax set a table on fire in an effort to intimidate the challengers, but instead Beth Phoenix made sure Stokley went through it instead. Cage and Cope locked Dax in dual submissions, but it was when Beth brought out their pet, Spike, into the ring, Dax immediately signaled defeat.
Cope and Cage or Cage and Cope, whichever your preference, are finally your AEW Men’s World Tag Team Champions.
The list of potential challengers is incredible. If they can hold the titles for about another 60 days, one can only imagine the challengers. Young Bucks, RPG Vice, Bang Bang Gang, Hurt Syndicate, The Dogs, and others. Who knows? Maybe Motor City Machine Guns and a pairing of KOFI and Austin Creed perhaps?
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kazuchika Okada to become a Two-Time AEW International Champion
Something to appreciate is how wrestlers in AEW are becoming multiple-time champions. The feud between Takeshita and Okada has been built for close to a year. The jealousy, the one-upmanship, the constant berating. Don Callis played it up very well as internal competition within the stable, but all fans knew better than to fall for this ruse. These two cultivated a captivating long-term story of hate and venom. This culminated in a fantastic wrestling match with Takeshita constantly showing fighting spirit and firing up after Okada threw everything he had at him. Okada might have been cocky and overconfident going in, but his attitude quickly dropped to anger and frustration. Takeshita decisively won the match and the championship. Potential MOTY contender.
After the match, it appeared the Don Callis Family would then turn on the new champion, until Kyle Fletcher made his return, standing in solidarity with Takeshita. Protoshita is back! That is, until Kyle levels him! He crushes Takeshita with his brainbuster, thus ending their friendship. The Don Callis Family leaves in smiles, but it would seem Takeshita is ready and eager for vengeance.
Athena defeated Mina Shirakawa to advance in the Women’s Brackets of the Owen Hart Memorial
Very good match. Athena winning felt like the right call. While she is a major figure for the Ring of Honor brand and legitimately their “forever” champion, she needs more exposure on AEW programming. Mina is a winner regardless. She’s fun, very entertaining, and even while a defeat is disappointing to watch, fans never tire of the dancing goddess. Athena taking a loss would have done more harm than good. We need Athena as a major part of this tournament.
Jon Moxley retains the AEW Continental Championship against Kyle O’Reilly with Good Ol’ Jim Ross on Commentary
It seemed pretty clear Mox was going to finally overcome his toughest obstacle. But let’s focus on this for a moment. Kyle O’Reilly. The Violent Artist. He was the foil for Moxley. Not MJF, not Hangman, not Swerve, not Ospreay, not Samoa Joe, not even Bryan Danielson.
It. Is. KYLE.
A guy who by appearances in mid-carding, but yet one-third of the AEW World Trios Champions. A guy who made Mox tap out at Blood and Guts. He made his tap again at Full Gear back in November of 2025. It would have really been something had Kyle won and taken the title. This would cement O’Reilly as THAT GUY whom Mox cannot defeat. It felt as though this would have been the better story. The story of how there would always be one man whom Mox could not overcome.
Unfortunately, this story is over. It was a good match, lots of moments where it believably looked as though Kyle could have won. Very disappointing he did not.
At least after the match, both the Conglomeration and Death Riders respectfully stood by as both Mox and O’Reilly shook hands.
Will Ospreay defeated Samoa Joe to advance in the Owen Hart Memorial
The Men’s Owen Memorial kicked off in spectacular style with Ospreay and Joe. The dueling chants of “Joe is gonna kill you” and “**** him up Ospreay” were so ECW. Joe walking away from an Oz-Cutter was great. See? Doesn’t always have to be off the top turnbuckle! Despite Joe’s clear size and strength advantage, Ospreay fought him in ways Dean Malenko and William Regal would be proud of. Ospreay, able to take Joe for a Styles Clash, looked ungodly. A number of Hidden Blade strikes sealed victory for Ospreay, but Joe did not make it easy at all.
The Opps seemingly on a losing streak doesn’t bode well. We need both new blood and wins.
Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido to advance in the Owen Hart Memorial
Swerve winning seemed to be the clear choice, although Bandido going over would have been certainly the upset victory. Bandido is deceptively strong and managed to outclass and out maneuver Swerve for a while, until Swerve launched Bandido with a German Suplex into the corner. Swerve when stands on Bandido’s shoulders and connects with a standing House Call. Later on, Bandido nearly murders Swerve with a Poisonrana off the apron down to the arena floor. Holy hell these guys are bonkers. Bandido attempts the 21-GunPlex finish, but Swerve counters it into the Vertebreaker followed by the house call for the win.
Fantastic match. Could Bandido have believably won? Sure, but Swerve fits better in the tournament as a believable threat.
Where does Bandido go from here?
Thekla retains the AEW Women’s World Championship against Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, and Jamie Hayter
If Jim Ross was calling this, he would have called it a barnburner. Wow, what a marathon of fantastic wrestling. Thekla brought the cynical comedy, name calling and almost doing her own commentary. Very MJF-like. I was surprised to see Statlander take the pinfall, but as throughout the match all other opponents seemed to target her based on being outmatched, it made sense. Shida’s channeling of her dark side was very much present, while Hayter simply brutalized her opponents. Thekla’s reign continues to dominate, and it is absolutely amazing how someone many did not think would rise to the top tier so soon, as proven doubters wrong and converted them into a loyal following.
Honestly, let’s keep her champ for a few more months, shall we?
The Elite, Chris Jericho, and The Hurt Syndicate defeated The Demand, The Don Callis Family, and The Dogs
Simply fun, wild, crazy, and outright wonderful to watch. There was wrestling, spots, dives, car crashes, table spots, wild spots, water spots, all the spots. Then came the craziness. Andrade pissing off Satnam Singh, Jack Perry unleashed baking powder and an assault with a bag of onions. Cry a river, get it? Everyone got their spotlights of mayhem, even Blackheart Lio Rush got in on the action. How can you not love some carnage?
Maxwell Jacob Friedman defeated Darby Allin to become a Three-Time AEW Men’s World Heavyweight Champion
They immediately tried going for headlock takedown pinfalls, but neither could pull it off. MJF’s facial expressions tell the story of anger and intensity. Darby’s tells the story of fatigue, drive, and willingness to do or die trying. This is what played out for the rest of the night. Darby early on missed a dive through the ropes with a horrifying landing. Planned or not, this certainly will be talked about for the next few weeks. Despite the commentary team rehashing Darby’s multi-week title defenses, he wrestled like his life depended on it, and MJF did the exact same thing. Usually, we see MJF taking shortcuts and bravado, but these were nowhere to be found as it was all anger and venom in every slam, strike, and driver. MJF dominated for some time before Darby would find the crack in the offense and completely overwhelm the challenger. Lots of near-fall and near-submission moments where it seemed Darby would retain, but it was not meant to be. Allin took one too many risks, which ultimately allowed MJF to hit a top rope Tombstone piledriver, followed by the ol’ headlock takeover to pin and reclaim the championship.
MJF and Darby are both winners. MJF wins being back as the primary antagonist champion of the company. Darby is a winner because he busted what is left of his body to be the fighting champion he wanted to represent in AEW. The story being told is that his body finally gave out, but yet this match saw more of MJF being able to outlast and outsmart Darby.
Darby is going to be world champ once again; this I will promise.
After the match, Darby agreed to be stretchered out. MJF began to attack his fallen foe, until Kevin Knight rushed out for the save. Standing atop the turnbuckles, he wards off MJF to gloat away his victory… Until Knight leaps off and splashes Darby on the stretcher, then flips it over!
Let’s be honest, the past few appearances of those long-winded promos by Knight seemed to have some sarcasm and pandering. Knight as a heel will have ripple effects over the next week or so. He’ll have to explain himself to Speedball and others.
AEW Double or Nothing 2026 was an excellent PPV which will propel us forward to both Forbidden Door and All In.
