Jimmy Van's AEW Double or Nothing Notes

Pre-show notes
* Didn't air on AEW's YouTube channel despite multiple test streams so it went up on TNT's channel instead
* Went off the air before end of the promo due to time constraints
* I thought Excalibur did a good job handling the play-by-play but he has to lose the stupid mask to be taken seriously in that role.  I get it, he was a wrestler.  But in this role he's not a color personality, he's play-by-play so ditch the mask.
* Alex Marvez, though I understand their attempt to make him a Mike Tenay type with historical references and wrestler background information, just isn't meant to be a color guy.  He's too stiff, soft spoken and low energy.  I'd pull him from the show and either make it JR/Excalibur or add another third.
* The stage presentation looked top notch, as did the venue (obviously) and lighting.  I also liked the dual ramps so opponents entered from different directions.
* Camera work reminded me of WCW - they had "DoN" chip props which the camera scanned over a lot like they used to for the WCW and Nitro logos
* Not a lot of room between the ring and the barricade at ringside

Battle royal
* I didn't think the concept worked well; it looked odd having five guys run out together
* The significance of the last man entering wasn't pushed enough plus they inexplicably had a 22nd man (Orange Cassidy) enter anyway
* MJF looked strong and is primed to be an upper-card heel here
* Had a little bit of everything, even hardcore with Jimmy Havoc's staple gun and Tommy Dreamer
* I think Luchasaurus has a great look but he sells and goes down too easily for a guy his size

Main show

* Bit awkward when JR got out there at first in that he and Excalibur both wanted to do play-by-play and sometimes one would interrupt the other. Excalibur carried it though and as the show went on JR adapted and rolled with it.
* JR used a lot of generic statements like "well executed" and "high elevation" and "no wasted motion" and "what athleticism" instead of naming some moves, but Excalibur would call them so that was their dynamic.

Opening six-man tag
* This was all action
* Lindaman was impressive for OWE

Women's match
* Kylie Rae is Bayley on speed
* Unique that they called Britt Baker Dr. DMD
* I liked Brandi's tease in her gear
* Allie positioned Brandi as a heel less than an hour after Brandi was part of the opening babyface promo
* Awesome Kong was a nice surprise but did almost nothing, spending a lot of the match on the floor
* Kylie did the Chad Gable roll through into the German suplex on Britt - struggled but got it done
* Britt is clearly the face of the division

Best friends vs Jack Evans and Angelico
* Was dead air during entrances (inexperience maybe) so JR broke the silence by saying, "Alex you having fun?"
* They allow a 10 count on a tag, not 5
* The neon green and yellow gear worn by Evans and Angelic was horrific
* Great acrobatics by Evans
* More vintage JR references like "tough as a $2 steak" and "the smallest dog in the fight"
* For my taste, too many kickouts on double team moves that should have ended it - that being said, a lot of big moves
* The guy that ran in in the mask with the "human throne" minions… weird but different

Marvez listed the wrong on sale date for All Out. He's gotta go.

Japanese women's tag
* Aja Kong is very slow in the ring but still has presence and can be pretty stiff
* Riho was impressive; strong for a small young girl and very fast and agile
* Ryo is excellent at playing the crowd
* Aja dumped Riho on her head with a side suplex
* The metal can and kendo stick spots were weird
* Bell rang on a 2 count; massive boos and "you fucked up" chant

Cody vs Dustin
* Cody destroyed a Triple H-esque throne with a sledgehammer - symbolism.  The irony is that he and Brandi both pulled a Triple H (and Stephanie) by working the show as heels after appearing on the pre-show as babyfaces.
* Dustin in Goldust style gear, only red instead of gold and half the face painted
* Cody's belt said "attitude killer" and JR acknowledged the Attitude Era
* Crowd ate up all of Cody's stuff including Stardust mannerisms
* Dustin looked good physically and moved around extremely well, including a seated senton off the apron
* Earl Hebner at 70 yrs old refereed the match. He got down pretty quick especially for his age but was slower getting up, especially towards the end
* Dustin bled buckets (first time in who knows how many years)
* What a match. It had everything. Dustin was positioned as the grizzled aging veteran/underdog. Crowd was electric. Great emotion post-match.  Match of the night.
* Top rope superplex and crossroads for a big near fall by Dustin
* Canvas and Cody were covered in Dustin's blood by the end

Belt Presentation Segment
* Nice to see Bret Hart; adds prestige to the title
* MJF lives the asshole gimmick and is great at it
* If the segment was any indication, Jungle Boy and Jimmy Havoc will be getting play

Tag match - AAA tag titles
* What an exchange between Fenix and Nick Jackson early. Fenix is a hell of an athlete
* High risk, creative double team spot fest. Not much in the way of psychology really but a lot of innovative and dangerous offense and near falls both ways
* the Destroyer on the apron was nuts

Jericho vs Omega
* Loved Jericho's entrance paying homage to his various personas over the years
* Two Winnipeggers headline Tokyo and Vegas, how about that
* Quite the Cracker Barrel product placement
* Hey ref - the ropes will bend, the apron won't.  Good job Jericho.
* Omega gets a bloody nose and they didn't call an audible and go into a quick awkward finish.  That's a plus.
* Hard fought, slow build. Not as good as their first match in Japan. Omega attempted the Angel's Wings several times, never got it. That was a good story.  The Judas Effect ends it.
* I loved the post-match. Jericho's promo was funny. Moxley surprise appearance marks the first real shots fired at WWE and the industry needs this. And Omega fighting back vs. taking the DDT in the ring sets the stage for a hot new program.