by AEW and the entire wrestling world was handed a lemon in March of 2020 when fans were banned from sporting events. Unlike almost every other sporting industry that has sat on their hands and done nothing to entertain the fans who pay their million-dollar salaries, AEW stepped up and stood out big time!
There was never a bigger example of that then last year in the main event of their pay per view Double or Nothing. In perhaps the greatest “gimmick match” of all time, the Stadium Stampede entertained and excelled like never before. I hate to use the word “gimmick” because right away people fear the worst, but this different, much different.
They took full advantage of Tony Khans access to the Jacksonville Jaguar football stadium. They were smart, they took their time, planned out spots and this entire match had the handprints of the genius that is Matt Hardy and Chris Jericho written all over it.
Unlike the WWE who continues to have us listen to fake noise and awkward small talk between the wrestlers and announcers, this hit and hit big!
Rather than dissect everything that we saw, I thought it would be easier and more effective just to list the moments that stuck out and worked the most during 34 plus minutes of pure gold. Here are the 16 very best moments of the instant classic.
Both teams entering the stadium as football entrances
Hangman Page entering on a horse and proceeding to ride all the around the building on it until he found the bar.
The moonsault off the goal post from Matt Jackson with broken ribs.
Kenny Omega gets power bombed on the concrete.
Matt Hardy goes swimming and comes back as multiple characters from his past.
The Bar Room Brawl with Page and Hager, then doing shots with Omega.
It was clear it was filmed prior in segments, giving the performers time to rest and get ready for the next spot. Again, brilliant!
Jericho beats up the Jaguars Mascot.
Jericho pretending to be the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz. If you didn’t laugh your ass off at that, you have no soul.
The replay challenge of the pin with Jericho and the referee in the blue tent. See above comment about not having a soul..
100 yards of yards of suplexes between Nick Jackson and Sammy G.
The Jackson celebration getting called “Alex Wright esque” by Schiavone.
Jericho laying flat as the line marker goes over him
Sammy G getting caught in the sprinkler system
Omega and Hardy chasing down Sammy G in the golf cart again
The One Winged Angel to Sammy G from the stands for the win for The Elite.
Need sports? AEW was handed a lemon and gave everyone lemonade! With the exception of some very poor Matt Stryker like one liners and over hype from Excalibur, it was JR and Tony holding it down once again.
