AEW will present the seventh edition of its Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25.
For the first time, the show will take place outside of Las Vegas or Jacksonville, coming from the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona.
The event is set to be headlined by the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament final between “Hangman” Adam Page and Will Ospreay – an in-ring classic in the making – alongside the always chaotic Anarchy in the Arena match.
While the card is already stacked, AEW is known for surprises – here are some stars who could make unexpected appearances on the night.
8. Cedric Alexander
The Hurt Syndicate continues to be one of the most featured and over factions on AEW programming.
On the May 21 edition of Dynamite, the group embraced a new member – welcoming MJF after a long-running and well-executed storyline.
But with the faction growing, the question now is: is there room for one more member?
Released from his WWE contract in February and now free to appear elsewhere, original Hurt Business member Cedric Alexander could rejoin the fold at Double or Nothing.
Click the next page button below for more
7. Gabe Kidd
While not yet officially announced, it seems likely that Gabe Kidd will feature in the Anarchy in the Arena match after aligning with Jon Moxley and the Death Riders on the Beach Break edition of Dynamite.
This wouldn’t be a debut in AEW per se, but it would mark the NJPW star’s debut appearance on a non-cross-branded AEW pay-per-view.
The 28-year-old Brit is one of the hottest rising stars in wrestling and earned widespread acclaim for his brutal classic against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in January – picking up this very feud in AEW.
At this point, Kidd’s presence at Double or Nothing feels all but guaranteed.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Good Brothers
The Good Brothers were released from their second stint with WWE (Gallows’ third) back in February.
With their non-compete clauses now expired, the highly decorated veteran tag team returned to their roots, appearing at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s US event Resurgence on May 9.
There, they reunited with Bullet Club partners and AEW MVPs, The Young Bucks.
Having previously appeared in AEW during the pandemic-era TNA crossover, their reunion with the Bucks may be a sign of a full-time return – possibly as soon as the Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Matt Mako
The night before Double or Nothing on May 24, Ring of Honor will co-produce a special event with independent promotion Action Wrestling, in tribute to the late Dean Rasmussen of the Death Valley Driver message board – where Tony Khan used to post as a teenager.
In the main event, former pro MMA fighter and Bellator veteran Matt Mako will challenge Lee Moriarty for the ROH Pure Championship.
A strong showing from Mako could open the door for potentially signing with ROH or AEW.
With the Zero Hour matches for Double or Nothing still unannounced, perhaps we could see Mako make a surprise appearance on the pay-per-view.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Blair Davenport / Bea Priestley
After being released from her WWE contract in February, Blair Davenport returned to the ring under her former name, Bea Priestley, appearing at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s US event Resurgence on May 9.
Underutilised in WWE, Priestley is a hard-hitting, rugged in-ring performer who seems poised to return to Japan, where she first made her name.
That said, there’s every chance she could turn up in AEW – particularly given her history in Stardom with Toni Storm, a former rival for the World of Stardom title.
With Storm set to face another Stardom alum, Mina Shirakawa, for the AEW Women’s Championship, maybe we’ll see a debuting Priestley make her title intentions known at Double or Nothing.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Michael Oku
RevPro British Heavyweight Champion Michael Oku wrestled a dark match for AEW at a Dynamite taping in Cardiff, Wales, last year.
The incredibly talented British performer delivered one of the most celebrated matches of 2024 in the UK’s biggest independent promotion, RevPro – against AEW’s Will Ospreay.
At the time of his AEW appearance, strong rumours suggested the 32-year-old was on the verge of signing with the company.
While news has since gone quiet, the question remains: could Oku finally make his AEW debut at Double or Nothing?
Click the next page button below for more
2. Baron Corbin
As one of the biggest names to have recently hit the free agency market from WWE, there has been speculation about Baron Corbin potentially joining AEW for a while now.
Having rebranded himself as Bishop Dyer, he has already been active post-WWE in promotions like GCW and MLP.
With many fans noting that his close friendship with MJF could lead to a potential alliance as a way to bring him in, Double or Nothing could be the stage.
MJF’s infiltration of the Hurt Syndicate could be part of a bigger plan – or he could at least have Corbin on standby in case the Syndicate try to turn on him first.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Thekla
For the past number of weeks, small teases have been spotted ahead of the AEW arrival of Thekla.
The teases have come in the form of a small spider graphic appearing on the screen during different matches and segments, as the Austrian is known as ‘The Toxic Spider’.
Thekla is confirmed to be AEW-bound and now it’s just a question of when she’ll show up, and Double Or Nothing could be the perfect place.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…