On Sunday May 25, All Elite Wrestling celebrates six-years with Double or Nothing 2025. The show will feature two pick ’em matches in form of the finals of the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament between Hangman Page and Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter.
To predict Double or Nothing 2025, Pop Break’s Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin is joined by Kelvin Kately — senior editor at BCP+ and the main man at The DFPN, Kelvin Kately.
Men’s Owen Hart Tournament Final: “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
Kelvin’s Thoughts: I am truly conflicted with this match. Both men are capable of carrying the AEW championship and adding value to it. Hangman Adam Page has really been in limbo since the interaction with Christopher Daniels and needs a big win. You can easily say the same for Will Ospreay. Even though he has faced quality opponents, not having a title around his waist seems very much like a missed opportunity, considering the opponents he’s been in the ring with. This leaves both men in desperate need of being on a big stage competing for the AEW World Championship. However, I do believe that 2025 is the year of the Assassin. I fully expect that this match will end with Will Ospreay’s hand raised. I also fully expect that I will need a drink afterwards.
Prediction: Will Ospreay
Bill Bodkin: Kelvin is right, this match can go either way and make 100% logical sense. Both men are absolutely beloved by the fans. Both men are excellent candidates to defeat Jon Moxley for the World Title. Both men can be the face of AEW. However, like they say in the movie Highlander, “There can be only one.” Will Ospreay is great and given his promo asking for Hangman’s help (regardless of this match’s outcome) to take down The Deathriders, you’d think it’s a lock for “The Aerial Assassin.” But let’s not forget Hangman is the main character of AEW. A win at All in Texas would be absolutely, unequivocally massive. An emotional explosion will occur throughout the world as the man who embodies the anxiety and mental health struggles so many go through finally conquering his demons is what AEW needs.
Prediction: Hangman Page
Women’s Owen Hart Tournament Final: “The CEO” Mercedes Mone vs. Jamie Hayter
Kelvin’s Thoughts: Mercedes Mone has been on a mission as of late to gain the AEW Women’s Championship. Since her arrival, it has been all but inevitable that she would succeed in her quest. Standing in her way currently is one of AEW’s greatest former women’s champions and someone who has battled their way back to the title picture. This match has real show-stealing capability because both women have shown throughout this tournament that they absolutely want it. The segment they had on the go-home Dynamite was absolutely phenomenal and added another layer to why this isn’t just a tournament finale. This makes it another conflicting match for me because I don’t want either woman to lose.
Prediction: Mercedes Mone
Bill’s Thoughts: Kelvin is likely right, and for months I felt it was an absolute lock. But one word has clouded my thoughts … ATHENA. Recently, Mercedes Mone talked about Athena being on television more, and with All In Texas being in Athena’s home state, AND we just had that classic between them in Boston. I could see Round 2 of The CEO vs. The Fallen Goddess. This would allow for a Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm match — a rematch of their show-stealing classic at Full Gear 2023 in New Jersey. This way you’d now have at least two high profile, marquee women’s matches (with a Stat vs. Willow rematch on the card likely) on that show. I’m going with the darkhorse pick here as I sip on a tall cool glass of Hayterade.
Winner: Jamie Hayter
Tony Khan on Double or Nothing 2025, 6 Years of AEW, HBO Max’s Impact on the Audience & More
AEW World Tag Team Title Match: The Hurt Syndicate © w/MVP vs. The Sons of Texas
Kelvin’s Thoughts: The Hurt Syndicate/MJF angle has been one of the most compelling pieces of storytelling in AEW over the past couple of months. Now that MJF is officially a part of the group, he may prove his worth in this match. The opponents are interesting as well. At one point, Sammy Guevara was front and center as one of the pillars of AEW and is a day one member of the roster along with Dustin Rhodes. A win here would be very interesting for this duo. They made a compelling case for themselves on Dynamite. But this is a very tall mountain to climb. Pun intended for later use.
Prediction: And STILL… The Hurt Syndicate
Bill’s Thoughts: The Hurt Syndicate needs a signature PPV win. The last few PPV matches have ranged from woof (The Outrunners) to not bad (Big Bill & Bryan Keith). It’s a slam dunk that they win here as The Sons of Texas, while a good team, have no business defeating Shelton and Bobby. These two are destined for better. MJF is a wild card here, as I haven’t quite figured out the play here. He gets involved, likely helping his new stablemates score the W.
Prediction: And STILL… The Hurt Syndicate
Stretcher Match: Ricochet vs. Mark Briscoe
Kelvin’s Thoughts: Ricochet is doing the best work of his career with this AEW run. He has found his footing as a villain and the work is speaking volumes for him. Placing him in a stretcher match with Mark Briscoe may seem out of place. But if the goal is to establish that he is as durable as he is villainous, this match is a very smart move. Mark Briscoe is violent and loved for being so. If he were able to get the win in a match where the only way out is placing your opponent on a stretcher, then Ricochet is primed to challenge for a title. This is Mark Briscoe’s lane and beating someone so hated in Ricochet would also do wonders for him as a singles competitor, which he wants. This is another potential match of the night candidate.
Prediction: Ricochet
Bill’s Thoughts: Ricochet rules. When he signed with AEW it was like “Cool, but what are they going to do with him outside of some cool matchups?” What they did was allow him to become one of the best characters in all of wrestling. Mark Briscoe is the unsinkable babyface. He can lose a million matches, but you can never rule him out from winning a big one when you least expect. This match is going to absolutely rule and there’s no possible way Mark wins…unless Zach Gowen comes in to help exact revenge.
Prediction: Ricochet
AEW Women’s World Title Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm w/Luther vs. Mina Shirakawa
Kelvin’s Thoughts: This should be the main event point blank, period. AEW’s women have been an anchor for the company for at least the past year. A lot of that is owed to Toni Storm and what she’s been able to accomplish. Mina Shirakawa is a new signee, but she is very familiar to the AEW audience. This match presents a very unique opportunity to complete a long term story and possibly reignite a feud. That’s right, the link between these ladies is none other than Mariah May, who we haven’t seen for quite some time. This may be a long shot, but I am willing to say shenanigans will be at play and Mariah will cost the “Timeless” one her championship. This will set up the All In rematch between Mariah and Toni. This will also set up Mina vs Mercedes, which will be a banger.
Prediction: And NEW… Mina Shirakawa
Bill’s Thoughts: They’ve done this dance before, namely at Forbidden Door 2024, and that was a good match. However, both these women have leveled up their game so much since then. This will be a physical battle, but ultimately The Timeless One will reign supreme.
Prediction: “And Still” Timeless Toni Storm
Anarchy in the Arena: Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Matthew Jackson, Nicholas Jackson vs. Samoa Joe, Willow Nightingale, Will Hobbs, Katsuyori Shibata, Swerve Strickland, Kenny Omega
Kelvin’s Thoughts: The Death Riders/Elite pairing has been odd to say the least. In the realm of storytelling, this has been chaotic and often hard to follow. I would have loved for Anarchy in the Arena to have been those two groups squaring off against each other for the soul of AEW. However, this is what we have. This does have potential. The Opps have formed into a great trio and the additions of Swerve, Kenny and Willow to help even the odds will make for some carnage that will delight the crowd. I could actually see them winning this match.
Prediction: Samoa Joe, Willow Nightingale, Will Hobbs, Katsuyori Shibata, Swerve Strickland, Kenny Omega
Bill’s Thoughts: Eddie Kingston. His return to AEW will be such a massive moment. Yes, Anarchy in the Arena will rule because you have a bunch of sickos who are going to bleed buckets (and yes, that does include Willow Nightingale). However, once Gabe Kidd gets in there, Eddie is coming out and the place is going to erupt. Much like Hangman, Eddie is an emotional touchstone in AEW, and the fans are primed for The Mad King to return.
Prediction: Samoa Joe, Willow Nightingale, Will Hobbs, Katsuyori Shibata, Swerve Strickland, Kenny Omega
Continental Title Match: “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Kelvin’s Thoughts: Speedball Mike Bailey has been the breath of fresh air that AEW desperately needed. He really has been operating as a Swiss army knife being that you can literally use him anywhere and it will make both sense and a great match. That’s why I am super excited to see him in this match with Okada, a guy who could make the Continental title scene a very intriguing one if he were given the chance. This match offers a unique opportunity for AEW to reset the mid card, and make the title pictures mean that much more. There are some great matches on the Double or Nothing card. If this match goes on first, the bar for the remainder of the night will be incredibly high. This is my pick for the match of the night.
Prediction: And…. NEW!! “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Bill’s Thoughts: Speedball has been such a dynamic addition to AEW. He fits in perfectly with his lovable oddness and of course his penchant for being really good at wrestling. With all that said, Ol’ Kazu is not losing to everyone’s favorite man with the mullet. I wholeheartedly believe we’re Kenny Omega vs. Okada in a unification match of the Continental and International Championships at All In Texas.
Prediction: “And Still” Okada
Paragon (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly) vs. The Don Callis Family (Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher)
Kelvin’s Thoughts: I had high hopes for Paragon. Not really a fan of the name change, but let’s face it. The Undisputed Kingdom didn’t really shake foundations. That being said, they are in a bad situation with The Don Callis Family. The addition of “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander has really made them look strong. With this group, I believe you have the future of AEW’s main scene. I fully expect this to be a defining moment for them.
Prediction: The Don Callis Family
Bill’s Thoughts: Don Callis Family for the W here. This is not just because the DCF is red hot right (which they are). My theory here is that they’re going to build an Adam Cole vs. Kyle Fletcher match for the TNT Title at either All In Texas or Forbidden Door in England. Kyle O’Reilly likely eats the pin here.
Prediction: The Don Callis Family
Anna Jay & Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
Kelvin’s Thoughts: Though this match is on the Buy-In, I think this is a very exciting match up. The true underdog in the group is Penelope Ford. However, I suspect she will have the biggest impact. She has been an unsung hero, ushering in Megan Bayne and drawing attention to her. Megan has seemed to capitalize on this as well. This makes the duo very dangerous! Anna Jay and Harley Cameron have been a really entertaining, yet very formidable pairing. I would love to see both chasing after titles. Can we get some Women’s Tag Titles? Am I asking for too much? Hopefully, this match will serve as a taste test to introduce them!
Predictions: Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne
Bill’s Thoughts: Yeah, we’re getting those women’s tag titles in 2025 aren’t we? AS WE SHOULD. I think Bayne and Ford pick up the win here, but would it shock me if Harley gets the pin on Penelope? No. It’s a 50/50 match for me here. So I’ll go chalk and take Team Megasus.
Predictions: Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne
