AEW Double or Nothing was a show with something for everyone

AEW Double or Nothing 2024 was a show that left the wrestling community talking. From Mercedes Mone’s first AEW match, Jack Perry getting set on fire, Darby Allin impersonating a sleeping bat, MJF’s big return, and Juice Robinson being Juice Robinson – there was something for everyone. That seems to be the space that AEW is trying to fill for the professional wrestling community. The place where they can find some aspect of the industry they love.

Professional wrestling versus Sports Entertainment is one of the many “debates” in the IWC that happens on a daily basis, while it makes almost zero sense. Sports are inherently entertaining, and professional wrestling is a simulated combat sport. The two shouldn’t be directly compared, but it’s one that happens when tribalism tries to prove one is better than the other. However, when it comes to wrestling it’s clear that the perfect solution is a mix between the two.

AEW Double or Nothing brought out some great professional wrestling. Will Ospreay versus Roderick Strong is yet another amazing entry into Ospreay’s ever-growing catalog of fantastic wrestling. They battled for nearly 20 minutes, with the outcome being Ospreay getting his first AEW title. Fantastic professional wrestling from start to finish.

The same could be said about both women’s matches. Toni Storm versus Serena Deeb and Mercedes Mone versus Willow Nightingale were great professional wrestling matches. Both experienced more of a sports entertainment-like build along the way. Orange Cassidy versus Trent Beretta was another entry into the “pro wrestling first” category on this show. A well-built match that was delivered from start to finish.

There was also a healthy amount of heavy sports entertainment on the show. Yes, the same type of sports entertainment would be more commonplace on WWE programming. Chris Jericho versus Hook versus Katsuyori Shibata, Adam Copeland versus Malakai Black. Anarchy in the Arena – all of those are excellent examples of sports entertainment in AEW. Did it look a lot like what WWE has put on television for years? Yes. Was it done so in a way that a contingent of AEW fans are enjoying? Also, yes. There’s a place for both. As many say, “two things can be true.”

All Elite Wrestling tries to put itself in a position to present as much great professional wrestling and sports entertainment to the wrestling community. Want to see excellent lucha libre? There’s a spot on AEW for that. Stars from Japan? There’s a spot for that as well. Character-driven performances? Yes, there’s Toni Storm, The Young Bucks, Chris Jericho, and others to fulfill that need. Performers who want to do nothing else but compete to be the best. There’s some of that too – see Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Hikaru Shida, and several others. There’s nearly something for everyone. (Except those who want to see more women’s wrestling, but that’s neither here nor there.)

It is understandable to talk about some of the issues within AEW, but the frequent opining that the promotion is crumbling is far from the truth. The organization is in a positive position at this time by outward metrics and a new television deal would go a long way in furthering that conversation. Take what you want from AEW to enjoy it, the same way one would do any other entertainment product. There’s a lot to take from this promotion and it is certainly working hard to be something to everyone.