AEW Double or Nothing 2019 predictions

Sporting News Staff

AEW Double or Nothing 2019 predictions image

All Elite Wrestling's debut event, Double or Nothing, hits the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET, PPV and B/R Live).

The main event is a rematch between former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega and former WWE champion Chris Jericho. In the co-main event, The Young Bucks take on The Lucha Bros (Pentagon, Jr. and Fenix) and that's just some of the action.

Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year

Our SN pro wrestling experts make their Double or Nothing predictions below.

Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho

Andreas Hale: With Jericho heading to NJPW to challenge Kazuchika Okada, it makes sense for the former WWE champion to even the score against Omega and come in hot for his showdown with Okada for the IWGP heavyweight title. Not to mention that having Jericho holding the All Elite Wrestling world title heading into their debut on TNT isn’t a bad idea for bringing casual fans into the product.

Prediction: Chris Jericho

Steven Muehlhausen: A lot of pressure is on the two Canadians from Winnipeg. The world will be watching to see whether AEW sinks or swims. While there's great matches on the show, Omega and Jericho have to deliver in a bigger way than their January 2018 Wrestle Kingdom classic that was one of the best matches of the year. Omega is perhaps the best overall talent in the world and even at 48, Jericho is putting on some of his best performances of his career. Considering he's set to face current IWGP champion Kazuchika Okada on June 8 at New Japan's Dominion, Jericho should get the nod here. 

Prediction: Chris Jericho

Brian Fritz: Both of these guys are big game performers and will step up. While each has star power, it's Omega who the company should build around as its top star. The winner here is expected to face the winner of the battle royal to crown the first-ever AEW world champion (probably at the next All In event during Labor Day weekend) and an Omega vs. Moxley match feels like the right match for the occasion.

Winner: Kenny Omega

The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Bros

Hale: Two of the best tag teams in the world are heading into a match where we fully expect the house to be torn all the way down. Although a lot of people expect The Elite to book themselves strong, I can totally see the Lucha Bros reclaiming and getting one back against the team that took their titles from them a month ago. And, let’s be honest, nobody really cares who wins as much as we care about how awesome this match is about to be.

Prediction: The Lucha Bros

Muehlhausen: Quite arguably the two best tag teams on the planet get the chance to show their chops to a worldwide audience. A cool thing about the match is that all four guys are legitimate brothers. One of AEW's proclamations has been putting an emphasis on tag team wrestling and having this one as the co-main event is living up to that. This should easily be the best tag team match of the year. I expect The Bucks to retain the AAA tag team titles as they face Pentago and Fenix next month in Mexico. 

Prediction: The Young Bucks

Fritz: You know that both of these teams will be going all out and will not disappoint. Good luck keeping up with the action in this thriller that could be the match of the night. Sooner or later, the Lucha Bros are going to win the AAA titles back, but this isn't the night.

Winner: The Young Bucks

Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes

Hale: I don’t think this will be the last we see of Dustin Rhodes. Because of that, I believe this angle might be extended with Cody thinking he has ended the Attitude Era by escaping with a victory against his older brother. Instead, we’ll likely get a full heel turn from Dustin which can stretch this sibling rivalry out over the summer.

Prediction: Cody

Muehlhausen: Looking forward to this one more than anything else on the show. The promos have been great and have really given it a big match buzz that it rightfully should have had when they wrestled in WWE. The brothers have a point to prove and they should deliver a great "old school" match. I envision Cody winning, the brothers embracing and going on to be a tag team down the line.

Predicition: Cody

Fritz: The brothers will finally get to tell a story in the ring that they've wanted to do for years. I'd expect a straightforward, psychological match with Cody one-upping his blood.

Winner: Cody

Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae

Hale: I’m a firm believer that a monster heel carrying the title, while the babyfaces give chase is an almost failproof angle. Nyla Rose will walk out of this match in the pole position to become the first AEW women’s champion by defeating the two babyfaces.

Prediction: Nyla Rose

Muehlhausen: Can see any of these three winning here, as a valid case can be made for all of them. But Baker should get the nod. She's going to be get the mega push and it starts here.

Prediction: Britt Baker

Fritz: AEW is very high on Baker to the point where she was part of the team representing the brand recently at the WarnerMedia upfront presentation. I'd give her the nod, which will make Hermie the Dentist very happy.

Prediction: Britt Baker

SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky) vs. Strong Hearts (Cima, T-Hawk, and El Lindaman)

Hale: SCU are made men and nearly bulletproof, whereas a stateside audience will get to see OWE’s Strong Hearts for the first time. It doesn’t make sense to bury the new kids on the block, so I anticipate a showcase that finds Cima and the OWE crew making a huge statement at Double or Nothing.

Prediction: Strong Hearts

Muehlhausen: Strong Hearts come in from OWE in China due to the new partnership with AEW. Having them in the ring with SCU is a good way to introduce them to the American audience as all three guys are extremely talented. A good high-flying affair with the new guys from OWE going over strong.

Prediction: Strong Hearts

Fritz: Expect some cool acrobatics from the Strong Hearts, but SCU leaves victorious.

Prediction: SCU

Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, and Emi Sakura vs. Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Ryo Mizunami

Hale: Riho is awesome. This match will be awesome. But Riho will formally announce her arrival on the scene in a match that will exceed expectations.

Prediction: Hikaru Shida, Riho and Ryo Mizunami

Muehlhausen: I agree with Andreas. If you've never seen Riho, don't leave the area where you're watching Double or Nothing. She's one of the best in the world and always a delight to watch. Having a women's legend like Kong will make it fun to watch and better than many expect.

Prediction: Hikaru Shida, Riho and Ryo Mizunami

Fritz: Aja Kong is the biggest name in this match and who fans are most excited to see. So, she might as well leave fans happy with a win.

Prediction: Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, and Emi Sakura

Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) vs Angélico and Jack Evans

Hale: If you haven’t seen Angelico and Jack Evans team up, you’re in for a treat. There will certainly be some comedy in this match, but both teams will bring it. A hotly-contested match that will see Angelico get a big victory for his team.

Prediction: Angelico and Jack Evans

Muehlhausen: A fun match between four talented guys to have early on in the show to get the crowd excited. Sure, we'll see comedy, but all four guys will put on a fun one. 

Prediction: Angelico and Jack Evans

Fritz: Taylor and Baretta might be best friends, but Angelico and Evans are one heck of an awesome tag team.

Prediction: Angelico and Jack Evans

MORE: Inside the mind of MJF and why he's the most hated pro wrestler today

The Casino Battle Royale (pre-show match)

Hale: Look, we know there are more people being added to this match, so there’s the possibility of a big surprise that will throw this whole thing out of wack. But going with what we know, MJF is just too easy to hate and arguably the biggest star of the announced bunch. If anybody is going to challenge for a world title, it’s him.

Prediction: MJF

Muehlhausen: Some good talent in this one, with Joey Janela and MJF at the top of the list. No disrespect to them as they are great talents, but the person who comes out last at 21 is going to be the winner. AEW wants to make a splash and there's not a better way to get fans to buy the pay-per-view show than for that man to be Jon Moxley (aka Dean Ambrose). Moxley comes in, cleans house and eliminates MJF to earn a shot at the winner of the main event to crown the first AEW world heavyweight champion.

Prediction: Jon Moxley

Fritz: I'd expect some surprises here and considering that the winner will get a shot at the AEW championship, it needs to be a big one. The biggest one I can think of that would excite fans is Jon Moxley (formerly Dean Ambrose) entering the battle royal and getting the win.

Winner: Jon Moxley

MORE: How All Elite Wrestling can compete with WWE

Kip Sabian vs. Sammy Guevara (pre-show match)

Hale: This will be fun as Guevara continues to hone in on his heel persona. But Sammy should take this one.

Prediction: Sammy Guevara

Muehlhausen: Guevara has star potential written all over him. He should take it here.

Prediction: Sammy Guevara

Fritz: Guevara gets the victory and some content for his vlog.

Prediction: Sammy Guevara
 

Sporting News Staff