7 Surprises At AEW Double Or Nothing 2026

AEW

On Sunday, May 24, All Elite Wrestling will present their latest pay-per-view with AEW Double Or Nothing 2026.

The evening in New York City will see a stacked lineup of matches, but there could also be some intriguing surprises throughout the show.

From betrayals to huge returns, these surprises could make Double Or Nothing 2026 one of the most memorable major events of the year.

Here are seven potential surprises at AEW Double Or Nothing 2026.

7. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. Returns To Defeat Willow Nightingale For TBS Championship

Over the past couple of months, fans have seen Willow Nightingale adopting the moniker of “The Comeback Killer.”

In his most recent defenses as TBS Champion, Nightingale has defeated the returning Hikaru Shida, Queen Aminata, Kamille and Anna Jay.

This could lead to Willow facing off with another returning star at the upcoming AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 pay-per-view.

Nightingale having an open challenge could see Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. making her return to answer the call for a shot at the TBS Championship on May 24.

6. Swerve Strickland Reveals His New Embassy

Swerve Strickland recently made his first appearance on AEW TV in a month when he called out Bandido during a vignette.

It looks like this is setting the stage for the former AEW World Champion challenging Bandido in a singles showdown at Double Or Nothing 2026.

With this bout at the PPV, Strickland could use this opportunity to reveal a brand new stable in the Embassy.

Joining forces with the likes of Kevin Knight, Private Party or anyone else on the roster, Swerve could introduce the Embassy at AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 in New York City.

5. Don Callis Turns On Konosuke Takeshita To Cost Him AEW International Championship Against Kazuchika Okada

The AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 will see Kazuchika Okada defending the AEW International Championship against his fellow Don Callis Family member Konosuke Takeshita.

In a rematch from the Continental Classic, Okada and Takeshita will look to settle their issues once and for all.

With tensions now at an all-time high, this should lead to a very intriguing title bout between the two Don Callis Family members in New York City.

Considering he is in the middle, Callis has the chance to show his true colors by turning on his first official member of the Family in Takeshita to display his loyalty to Okada, costing “The Alpha” the AEW International Championship.

4. Jay White Reunites With The Bang Bang Gang

It has been well over a year since Jay White has appeared on AEW television after suffering a broken hand.

Recently, The Gunns make their return to reunite with Juice Robinson and Ace Austin.

This means that the Bang Bang Gang is nearly complete and needs just “The Switchblade” to make his comeback to the company.

White returning to reunite with the Bang Bang Gang could be a memorable moment at the AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 event that fans will not soon forget.

3. Charlie Makes Her Debut

In May 2025, Dakota Kai was released from WWE during a mass talent cut after an eight-year run with the promotion.

Since then, Kai recently made her in-ring return as Charlie against Kris Statlander at the EVE: Wrestle Queendom VIII show.

After this bout and her most recent match against Shotzi Blackheart at HOG Culture Clash, Charlie might be ready to sign with a major promotion sooner rather than later.

Following a stamp of approval from Will Ospreay, Charlie could be brought in for the AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 to make her debut with the company in NYC.

2. Mercedes Moné Returns To Confront The AEW Women’s World Champion

After losing the TBS Championship at the very end of 2025, Mercedes Mone took some time off from All Elite Wrestling.

Over her months off from AEW TV, Mone has gone on to lose her coveted collection of championship gold in multiple promotions all over the world.

“The CEO” could be ready to make her return and win the one title that has eluded her throughout her time in AEW.

Mone making her return at Double Or Nothing 2026 could see her confronting the winner of the four-way for the AEW Women’s World Championship, whether it be Thekla, Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander or Hikaru Shida.

1. Darby Allin Beats MJF To Shave Him Bald

On the April 15 Spring BreakThru special of AEW Dynamite, Darby Allin defeated MJF to win the AEW World Championship.

Over the past few weeks, Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been desperate to get his rematch for the gold with Allin turning him down by saying that he needs to put something on the line for his opportunity.

Then on the May 6 edition of AEW Dynamite and Collision, Allin finally revealed what he wanted was for MJF to put his hair on the line for his title shot at AEW Double Or Nothing 2026.

The result that would shock the world could be for Darby to pull out the victory and shave MJF’s head bald in front of a sold-out crowd in the Louis Armstrong Stadium on May 24.

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• AEW
• Double or Nothing

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