By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Double Or Nothing Pre-Show
Queens, New York, at Louis Armstrong Stadium
Streamed live May 24, 2026, on AEW YouTube and HBO Max
-Renee Paquette stood in the ring and introduced Mick Foley, who made his entrance to a big ovation. Once in the ring, Foley pointed out his daughter, Noelle, in the crowd. Paquette asked what brought Foley to AEW. He said he took a break a couple of years ago, but he started watching again. Foley credited AEW with making him fall in love with wrestling again. Foley said he had lunch with Tony Khan fifteen years ago and has considered him a friend ever since. Foley said that when Khan expressed interest, he let him know that he was interested in being a part of something.
-Excalibur, Nigel McGuiness, and Tony Schiavone checked in from the broadcast table.
-Ring announcer Arkady Aura delivered the introductions while the entrances for the opening match took place.
1. AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Megan Bayne and Lena Kross vs. Viva Van and Zayda Steel (w/Christopher Daniels) in a five-minute championship eliminator. Steel started the match for her team. She went to ringside for a moment to stall. Once she returned to the ring, she tried to roll up Bayne, who didn’t budge. Steel went to the floor to stall again. Bayne followed. Van tagged in once Steel was back inside the ring. Van clotheslined Bayne over the top rope, but Kross dropped her with a kick on the floor.
A short time later, and with one minute remaining, Steel put Kross down with a DDT, but she couldn’t pin her. Kross and Bayne hit running kicks. Bayne put Steel down with an exploder suplex, and then she and Kross hit their double chokeslam finisher. Bayne covered Steel for the three count.
AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Megan Bayne and Lena Kross beat Viva Van and Zayda Steel in 4:46 in a five-minute championship eliminator.
After the match, Daniels entered the ring and was dropped by a Bayne kick. Bayne and Kross hit their double chokeslam finisher on Van. Anna Jay and Tay Melo came out with a board and a pipe. Bayne and Kross exited the ring…
Powell’s POV: There was no mystery regarding the outcome despite the match ending with only 14 seconds remaining in the time limit. That has everything to do with the challengers not being established, and that won’t be an issue if Jay and Melo end up challenging Bayne and Kross. By the way, there are still plenty of open seats, but the show sold out, so it’s just late-arriving fans. The venue looks cool with a lot of natural sunlight.
-The Death Riders trio made their entrance through the crowd with Marina Shafir, and then the three Opps members entered via the stage.
2. Hook, Anthony Bowens, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and Danial Garcia (w/Marina Shafir). A few minutes in, Shibata tagged in and motioned for Castagnoli to do the same. Castagnoli obliged and then traded rolling elbows. Castagnoli got the better of it, but Shibata caught him with a running kick to take offensive control.
A short time later, Hook was isolated by the Death Riders. Hook suplexed Garcia and Yuta, and then rolled under a double clothesline to tag out. Bowens worked over all three opponents and hit a twisting DDT on Yuta, but Castagnoli broke up the pin attempt that followed.
Castagnoli popped up Bowens and let him fall to the mat. Yuta and Garcia mauled Bowens with punches and then picked him up. Yuta and Garcia held Bowens while Castagnoli hit him with a running uppercut. Castagnoli covered Bowens and got the three count…
Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and Danial Garcia defeated Hook, Anthony Bowens, and Katsuyori Shibata in 10:35.
Powell’s POV: The Death Riders aren’t full-fledged babyfaces despite their alliance with Will Ospreay. Garcia mounted one of his opponents and threw nine punches while the fans counted along, but then he stopped and soaked up the boos for not throwing the tenth punch. The fans were into the match and basically reacted to moves.
-Paquette and Foley spoke on the stage. Foley mentioned his friendship with Owen Hart before putting over the tournament as a great tribute.
-Shane Taylor Promotions made their entrance. Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, and Roderick Strong came out with Harley Cameron and The Rizzler. They all stood on the stage, and then Big Boom AJ and QT Marshall came out with Big Justice, before they all headed to the ring.
3. Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Roderick Strong, Big Boom AJ, and QT Marshall (w/Harley Cameron, The Rizzler, Big Justice) vs. Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean, and Anthony Agogo (w/Christyan XO) in a ten-man tag. There was a mascot at ringside representing “the official hydration partner of Double or Nothing.” Ugh.
Be the first to comment