AEW Double or Nothing 2022: 3 wrestlers who must win

The fourth annual AEW Double or Nothing takes place in Nevada this Sunday.

Double or Nothing is one of AEW’s “big four” pay-per-views – it is only their second of the year – so these events feel special.

AEW has taken over the Las Vegas strip for the weekend, the area will be buzzing. People will be able to get up close with their heroes at a meet and greet, and a fan fest is also taking place. The show will be screened in selected movie theaters across the country for those who cannot attend.

The main card consists of 10 bouts – with one episode of Rampage remaining before Sunday – so more could be added.

Matches include The Hardys against The Young Bucks, Anna Jay challenging Jade Cargill for the TBS Championship, and the Owen Hart Cup Tournament Finals. It is a night of high stakes.

Bearing that in mind, below are three superstars who have to leave the T-Mobile Arena with their hands raised.

3. Thunder Rosa

The AEW Women’s World Championship has been in Thunder Rosa’s possession since March 16th, but her run has been underwhelming. Since toppling Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. at St. Patrick’s Day Slam – ‘La Mera Mera’ has featured for less than an hour on AEW programming – that is not enough, considering Dynamite is three hours, and Rampage is an hour shorter.

Rosa’s feud with Serena Deeb heated up on May 4th – when the latter confronted the champion – claiming she was on “another level” and vowed to make Rosa’s reign the shortest in company history. Deeb blindsided Rosa with the title belt during an interview with Tony Schiavone and Dustin Rhodes, two weeks later. As Rhodes helped the champion to her feet – Deeb lifted the gold in the air – making her intentions crystal clear.

The Mexican is one of the most popular superstars in AEW, but she has not been booked that way since winning the title.  Tony Khan has the chance to press the reset button on her reign, Rosa needs an emphatic win over  ‘The Professor’ at Double or Nothing.

Rosa should feature prominently every week. Once she puts Deeb in her rear-view mirror – rivalries with Toni Storm, Kris Statlander, and even TBS Champion Jade Cargill await. Hopefully, those matchups will give Rosa the spotlight she deserves.

2. Wardlow 

AEW has done a brilliant job building to this collision between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Wardlow.

Wardlow became MJF’s bodyguard in November 2019, and everything was plain sailing until the Ohio native’s popularity grew last year. As Wardlow’s pops got louder – MJF’s jealously also increased – the tension was growing. MJF consistently reminding Wardlow he “owned” him did not help matters. The “Powerbomb Symphony” conductor was becoming tired of his antics.

The animosity between the duo went up a notch after MJF inadvertently eliminated ‘Mr. Mayhem’ from the 2022 Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale – three months later – Wardlow helped CM Punk defeat his boss at Revolution. Wardlow made it clear he was through with MJF – but the latter was not done him – not by a long shot.

After Wardlow cost MJF the match with Punk – ‘The Salt of the Earth’ refused to let the big man out of his contract – that was until Wardlow began making his life hell. MJF changed his mind, but freedom would not come easy for the former Pinnacle member. He had to face several opponents, receive ten lashes and survive a Steel Cage Match with Shawn Spears to have the chance of getting his one-on-one match with MJF at Double or Nothing.

Tony Khan deserves credit for not rushing this feud, it has been executed to perfection. Fans have been waiting for Wardlow to kick MJF’s a** for over a year. The ovation from the live crowd when Wardlow hits his foe with the first Powerbomb will be deafening.

This storyline is similar to Batista breaking away from Triple H in 2005. If Wardlow has the career ‘The Animal’ did, he will be delighted.

Wardlow is so over. He has to continue riding this momentum by winning at the pay-per-view.

1. CM Punk

The most anticipated encounter at Double or Nothing is CM Punk challenging ‘Hangman’ Adam Page for the AEW World Championship.

Both men are popular babyfaces, there is sure to be a split reaction from the fans inside the T-Mobile Arena. The atmosphere will be electric for the main event.

The build to this battle has been interesting. Punk and Page have teased turning heel, but neither went all the way.

Page has held AEW’s richest prize since last November – beating the likes of Lance Archer, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole in brilliant matches during that time – but all good things must come to an end. The master of the Buck Shot Lariat has not been a bad champion, however, Punk brings star power ‘The Cowboy’ does not possess.

After seven years away from wrestling – we all know how miserable he was at the end of his run in World Wrestling Entertainment – Punk is enjoying himself in Jacksonville.

The world championship picture in AEW needs refreshing – ‘The Best in the World’ – is the man to bring the company forward. It is time he held his first title since 2013.