By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Full Gear
Aired live November 19, 2022 on pay-per-view and B/R Live
Newark, New Jersey at Prudential Center
AEW Full Gear Zero Hour Pre-Show results: Eddie Kingston defeated Jun Akiyama in 10:30, Ricky Starks defeated Brian Cage in 10:00 to advance to the finals of the AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament, and Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, and Danhausen defeated QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Lee Johnson, Cole Karter, and Nick Comoroto in 11:55…
Pyro shot off on the stage while Excalibur, Jim Ross, and Taz checked in from the broadcast table to welcome viewers to the pay-per-view. They introduced the French broadcast team and then went to an ad from their daily fantasy sports partner… Justin Roberts was the ring announcer and said the only way to win the cage match was by pinfall or submission…
1. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry vs. Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) in a steel cage match. Luchasaurus caught Perry with a big boot and then hoisted him up and ran his head into the cage. Perry bled and Luchasaurus raked his head on the cage. Perry bled and Luchasaurus raked his head on the cage. Perry’s mom and sister were shown seated in the front row. A short time later, Luchasaurus tossed Perry off the top rope, then slammed him to the mat and covered him for a two count.
Luchasaurus backed the in-ring referee into the corner. Cage walked over and stole the cage keys from the ringside referee. Cage got the cage door open, but security came out and took him away. Luchasaurus went to ringside and took out a security guard. Perry followed and was eventually catapulted into the side of the cage by Luchasaurus, who then pulled a table out from underneath the ring.
Perry was shown lying on the ringside mat and had a crimson mask. Meanwhile, Luchasaurus grabbed a table and two chairs and threw them inside the cage. Luchasaurus slammed Perry’s head on the ring steps and then threw him back inside the cage. When Luchasaurus returned to the ring, Perry kicked the middle rope into his groin. Luchasaurus caught Perry with a big boot, but Perry came right back with a couple of dropkicks.
Perry performed a third dropkick that sent Luchasaurus into the cage. Perry used his foot to drive the head of Luchasaurus into the side of the cage several times. Perry went for a piledriver on the apron, but Luchasaurus countered with a back body drop. Luchasaurus set up a chair in the ring and then went for a chokeslam, but Perry slipped away. Perry ran the ropes and leapt off the chair and performed a Canadian Destroyer, which led to a one count.
Perry picked up a chair and drove it into the side of Lucasaurus’s head. Perry followed up with a Killswitch onto a chair and then got a two count. Perry ran the ropes and leapt off a chair, but Luchasurus grabbed him and chokeslammed him onto the chair and then covered him for a two count. Luchasaurus placed Perry on the top turnbuckle and joined him on the middle rope. Perry elbowed the head of Luchasaurus and then hit him with Sliced Bread. Luchasaurus sat up Undertaker style, then Perry did the same.
Both men got to their feet and then Luchasaurus put Perry down with a headbutt. Perry came right back and put Luchasaurus down with a piledriver, which led to a good near fall. Perry set up a table. Luchasaurus grabbed him by the throat, but Perry countered into a sleeper. Luchasaurus kicked the table over and then performed a Tombstone Piledriver. Luchasaurus held onto Perry and slammed him face first to the mat before covering him for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Luchasaurus set up the table and wanted to powerbomb Perry through it, but Perry countered into a sleeper hold. Perry placed Luchasaurus on the table and then hit him with a chair shot to the head (Luchasaurus wisely put his hands up). Perry went to the top of the cage and the crowd roared. Perry leapt from the top of the cage and put Luchasaurus through the table with an elbow drop. Perry put Luchasaurus in the Snare Trap and got the submission win.
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Luchasaurus in 18:40 in a steel cage match.
Afterward, Perry climbed to the top of the cage and celebrated his win. Once he climbed down, he hugged his mother and sister, who were both emotional. Ross said he didn’t know how a show could start better. Highlights of the match were shown…
Powell’s POV: A great opening match. There was no ambiguity when it came to the babyface/heel dynamic and they did a really good by having Perry work from underneath and eventually battle back to get the decisive win. This really was a terrific way to open the main card.
A video package aired on Death Triangle vs. The Elite… Entrances for the Trios Title match took place. Death Triangle came out first. A fan held up a sign noting that he came from Singapore to see The Elite. The arena lights went out and then there was a message on the big screen. The crowd cheered loudly and then The Elite trio made their entrance to “Carry on Wayward Son” and received a strong reaction from the live crowd. They were joined on the stage by Don Callis, Michael Nakazawa, and Brandon Cutler, and then they all headed to the ring…
2. “Death Triangle” Pac, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix vs. “The Elite” Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson (w/Brandon Cutler, Michael Nakazawa) for the AEW Trios Titles. Rick Knox was the referee (of course). Don Callis sat in on commentary. There was a loud “welcome back” chant. A loud “F— CM Punk” chant broke out. The crowd followed that with a tamer “Colt Cabana” chant. In the ring, Pac spat in the face of Omega and then scurried to ringside.
Later, Nick performed a dive onto Pac at ringside. He got a drink from a fan and asked what was in it before he took a swig. Omega checked in later and performed a snap dragon suplexes on Pac and Penta, then followed up with a flip dive onto both men at ringside and landed on his feet. Matt performed a DDT on Fenix on the apron. Yikes. Nick caught Penta on the ropes and then performed a huracanrana that sent Penta onto a group of wrestlers at ringside, which drew “holy shit” chants.
Back in the ring, Death Triangle caught all three Elite members and performed simultaneous tombstone pildrivers. Fenox splashed Omega. Penta took out Matt with a Destroyer. Fenix took out Nick with a cutter. A bloody Pac performed a corkscrew dive onto Omega and then locked him in the Brutalizer. Nick returned to break up the submission hold. Moments later, the Lucha Bros performed stereo dives onto the Bucks at ringside.
Fenix returned to the ring. Pac tossed him the ring bell hammer. Fenix threw it back to Pac and then ate a V-Trigger knee from Omega. Matt held Pac at ringside while Omega got a near fall on Fenix. A “fight forever” chant broke out. The Elite members hit a Triple BTE Trigger on Fenix and had him beat, but Pac returned to break up the pin.
Pac grabbed the ring bell hammer and was about to hit Omega with it when Nick took out Pac with a superkick. Nick dove onto Pac at ringside. Matt performed a top rope moonsault onto Penta on the floor. I the ring, Omega hit a V-Trigger on Fenix. Pac passed the ring bell hammer to Fenix. Omega hoisted up Fenix for the One Winged Angel, but this time Fenix hit Omega with the hammer and then rolled him into a pin and got the three count.
“Death Triangle” Pac, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix defeated “The Elite” Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson in 18:40 to retain the AEW Trios Titles.
After the match, Excalibur said Fenix appeared to be upset with himself. However, Pac spoke to Fenix, who was then all smiles…
Powell’s POV: I took the usual sit back and enjoy the action rather than even trying to keep up with the in-ring craziness from these six. I hit the key moments, but this was wild spot fest that you had to know it would be. This crowed loved The Elite. I can’t help but wonder if some of these fans would have had anti-Elite chants had Punk been the one working this show while The Elite members were left at home, but we’ll never know. The match was entertaining and I liked the finish in that it keeps The Elite in chase mode rather than just having them regain the titles on night one. It will be very interesting to see what type of reaction Omega and The Young Bucks get when Dynamite is in Chicago on Wednesday. Either way, the EVPs were over huge in this match and it was a successful return for the trio. I didn’t catch what happened to Pac, but it’s possible he broke his nose.
A video package set up the TBS Title match…
Nyla Rose, Vickie Guerrero, and Marina Shafir made their entrance in a low rider. Jade dressed like Cheetara of ThunderCats (yes, I’m old and had to look it up)…
3. Jade Cargill (w/Kiera Hogan, Leila Grey) vs. Nyla Rose (w/Vickie Guerrero, Marina Shafir) for the TBS Title. Before the match, Rose hit Hogan at ringside. Cargill attacked Rose and then threw her inside the ring to start the match. Rose eventually took offense control and performed a running splash that led to a two count. Rose followed up with a cannonball splash in the corner.
Cargill rallied and then went to the ropes. Cargill leapt from the middle rope, but Rose put her boot up. Rose put Cargill down with a neckbreaker and got another two count. Rose had Cargill draped over the top rope when she performed a knee drop from the ropes. Rose covered Cargill for another two count.
Cargill came back by hitting Rose with her own Beast Bomb move and got a two count. Cargill went for Jade, but Rose rolled through. Cargill did the same and got a two count. Ross said it was bowling shoe ugly, but Cargill got a near fall out of it. Rose came right back with Cargill’s Jaded finisher for a good near fall. Rose went up top went for a Swanton, which Cargill avoided. Cargill hit Rose with a big boot and then hit Jaded and got the three count…
Jade Cargill defeated Nyla Rose in 8:00 to retain the TBS Title.
Powell’s POV: You had to feel sorry for these two being asked to follow those first two matches. The match was rough in spots. Rose got more offense in on Cargill than anyone else has. It’s a shame they did such a lousy build to this match that focussed on a stolen title belt and a stolen car rather than making Rose feel like a monster and the biggest threat to Cargill. Cargill got more near falls than anyone on Cargill, but the only one the fans seemed to buy into was when she hit Cargill with Jaded, which was a well executed near fall.
A video package set up the ROH Championship match…
4. Chris Jericho vs. Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Sammy Guevara in a four-way for the ROH Championship. Bobby Cruise was the ring announcer for the ROH match. Ian Riccaboni sat in on commentary. Guevara came out dressed in a cape that Danhausen probably would have rejected. That dude from The Masked Singer entered to “Judas” and brought his baseball bat to the ring with him.
Danielson and Castagnoli ended up clearing the ring and shook hands before blasting each other with uppercuts. They ended up going for back and forth pins until Jericho returned to the ring and broke one up with a kick to Castagnoli’s head. Danielson and Castagnoli put Jericho in a two-man Boston Crab. Guevara went up top and then Danielson and Castagnoli awkwardly stood and watched as he jumped off and hit them with a double cutter on the way down. Jericho hugged Guevara, who received some “f— you, Sammy” chants.
Jericho targeted the injured eye of Danielson. Guevara shoved Danielson to Jericho, who performed a Death Valley Driver. Jericho pointed at Guevara, who stood and watched while Jericho covered Danielson for a two count. Jericho worked over Danielson in the corner. Guevara moved Jericho aside and then took his turn working over Danielson, which Jericho applauded. Jericho whipped Guevara into Danielson. They tried it a second time, but Danielson moved and then put both men on their knees and threw kicks at them. Danielson connected with his grand finale kicks on both men and covered Guevara for a two count.
Guevara put Danielson down with a standing Spanish Fly. Jericho hit both men with a Lionsault and then covered Danielson for a near fall. Castagnoli returned and put Jericho down with a gut wrench suplex. Castagnoli went for a springboard move, but Jericho hit him with a Codebreaker on the way down. Jericho covered Castagnoli and then Guevara returned to the ring and pulled Jericho off of Castagnoli.
Jericho got up and shoved Guevara, who shoved him back. They traded forearm shots and then Guevara lit up Jericho with chops in the corner. Guevara ran into a big boot, but he came right back by putting Jericho down with a Codebreaker that led to a near fall. Guevara tried to put Jericho in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho spun out of the hold and then put Jericho in the Walls of Jericho instead. Danielson leapt from the top rope, but Jericho released the hold and caught Danielson the way down and put him in the Walls of Jericho.
Castagnoli returned to the ring and threw a running boot at Jericho, who didn’t release the hold. Catagnoli kicked Jericho again, but Jericho maintained the hold. Castagnoli finally made Jericho break the hold and then put him in a Sharpshooter. While locked in the hold, Jericho crawled over and covered Danielson, who sat up at two and then put Jericho in the LeBell Lock while Castagnoli still had the Sharpshooter applied. Guevara returned and kicked Castagnoli and Danielson to break the holds.
Jericho stood up and hugged Guevara, who then hoisted up Jericho and hit him with the GTH. Guevara followed up with a shooting star press from the top rope for a great near fall. Guevara threw elbows to the neck of Danielson, who no-sold them and stood up. Danielson slapped Guevara and then shot him over to Castagnoli, who pressed Guevara and tossed him onto Jericho at ringside. Danielson blasted Castagnoli with a running knee and then covered him for another great near fall.
Danielson threw elbows to the side of Castagnoli’s head, but Castagnoli caught his arm. Castagnoli threw elbows at Danielson, who countered into a position to throw more elbows. Castagnoli came right back with a popup uppercut attempt, but Danielson hooked him in a backslide for a near fall. Castanoli turned Danielson inside out with a lariat and got a near fall. Both men stayed down and the crowd applauded.
Danielson and Castagnoli ended up fighting for position on the ropes. Guevara returned and hit a cutter on Castagnoli. Guevara performed a top rope Spanish Fly on Danielson, who countered into the LeBell Lock. Jericho returned to the ring and broke the hold by hitting Danielson. Jericho performed a springboard dropkick that sent Danielson to the floor. Castagnoli clotheslined Jericho over the ropes and they both tumbled to ringside. Castagnoli ran Jericho into the barricade and followed him with uppercuts. Danielson dove off the apron at Castagnoli, who caught him and gave him a Neutralizer on the floor.
Guevara performed a shooting star press off the top rope onto Castagnoli on the floor. Guevara threw Castagtnoli back inside the ring and performed a dive onto him. Castagnoli caught Guevara and hit him with a popup uppercut that led to another two count. Castagnoli set up for a move, but Guevara caught him in a pin and used the ropes for leverage, but Castagnoli still kicked out. Castagnoli performed The Swing on Guevara. Jericho returned and ended up going for the Judas Effect and landed on Guevara. Jericho got up and performed the Judas Effect on Castagnoli and then pinned him…
Chris Jericho defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson, and Sammy Guevara in a four-way in 21:30 to retain the ROH Championship.
Powell’s POV: A hell of a four-way match. It looked like the finish may have been botched and they improvised by having Jericho hit the Judas Effect on Castagnoli a second time. Even if that’s the case, it didn’t look bad because Jericho landed on Guevara the first time, which played into their friction, and it looked like he may have grazed Castagnoli with the elbow, but it was hard to tell from the camera angle. Whatever they had in mind may have been cooler had they pulled it off, but it really didn’t take away from the match. This was really fun and all four wrestlers really delivered.
A video package set up the Saraya vs. Britt Baker match…
5. Saraya vs. Britt Baker. Saraya’s brother Zak Zodiac was shown in the crowd prior to the match. There was a “welcome back” chant. Baker put Saraya down with a shoulder block. Saraya held the back of her neck. She then held her left arm at her side and shook her hand. Baker smirked, but then Saraya stood up and smiled before locking up again.
Saraya caught Baker with a kick. Baker rolled to the floor. Saraya went for a slide kick that Baker avoided. Baker pulled Saraya under the bottom rope and gave her a draping neckbreaker on the floor. Zodiac shouted encouragement to his sister from his nearby seat. Baker picked up Saraya and dragged her toward Zodiac to taunt him. Baker threw Saraya back inside the ring and then blew a kiss to the camera. Baker covered Saraya for a two count.
Baker remained on the offensive and pulled out a glove for her finisher. Saraya threw some punches at Baker, who then put her down with a neckbreaker. Baker threw shots to Sarya’s neck and then choked her. Saraya escaped and rolled to the floor. Baker stood on the apron and looked to the crowed. Saraya caught Baker in the electric chair position and dropped her face first onto the mat. Saraya dove off the apron at Baker on the floor, and then rolled her back inside the ring and covered her for a two count.
Baker remained on the offensive and pulled out a glove for her finisher. Saraya threw some punches at Baker, who then put her down with a neckbreaker. Baker threw shots to Sarya’s neck and then choked her. Saraya escaped and rolled to the floor. Baker stood on the apron and looked to the crowed. Saraya caught Baker in the electric chair position and dropped her face first onto the mat. Saraya dove off the apron at Baker on the floor, and then rolled her back inside the ring and covered her for a two count.
Baker eventually regained offensive control and stomped Saraya to the mat before covering her for a two count. Baker put Saraya on the top turnbuckle and then went to the middle rope. Saraya fought back and ended up performing a sunset bomb for a two count. Saraya followed up with a nice DDT for a near fall.
A short time later, Baker performed a ripcord elbow strike and then Baker performed another neckbreaker. Baker performed the Stomp and then covered Baker for another near fall. Saraya rallied with a running knee to the head and got a two count. Saraya performed two more DDTs and then covered Baker for the win.
Saraya defeated Britt Baker in 12:30.
After the match, Saraya was emotional and she went to ringside and hugged her brother. She also stopped and shook hands with a smiling Doc Sampson at ringside. Saraya went to the stage and took a bow before heading to the back…
Powell’s POV: Well, the important thing is that Saraya was able to return to the ring and seemed to make it through without any issues. Unfortunately, the match was nothing special and the crowd wasn’t nearly as hot as it should have been. The match quality probably had something to do it it, but I also blame the terrible build. This was such an easy story to tell with Saraya returning to the ring after a five-year injury layoff to face the top heel in the division. But then the top heel felt the need to portray herself as a babyface during her promos, presumably because she felt slighted by Saraya downplaying her accomplishments. No matter the cause, they blurred the lines, made it feel like it was WWE vs. AEW for some reason, and made this much more confusing for fans than it ever should have been. Too bad.
Jon Moxley was shown warming up with Wheeler Yuta while William Regal watched… A video package set up the TNT Title match…
6. Wardlow vs. Samoa Joe vs. Powerhouse Hobbs in a three-way for the TNT Title. Several minutes into the match, Joe dove onto both opponents, who were on the floor. Joe set up for a move on Wardlow, but Hobbs performed a running shoulder block that drove Joe into the barricade. Back inside the ring, Hobbs put Wardlow down with a spinebuster for a near fall.
Hobbs tried to hoist up Wardlow, who slipped away. Wardlow powerbombed Hobbs twice. Wardlow looked to the crowd and then down at Samoa Joe, who was at ringside, and powerbombed Hobbs again. Wardlow went for another powerbomb, but Joe returned and hit him from behind. Joe put Hobbs in the Coquina Clutch and got the win.
Samoa Joe defeated Powerhouse Hobbs and Wardlow in 9:55 to win the TNT Championship.
After the match, Joe put the TNT Championship on one shoulder and his ROH TV Title on the other before heading to the back…
Powell’s POV: I was really hoping that Hobbs getting the title shot meant that he was in for a strong push, but it turned out that he was there to take the pin. Joe becoming a double champion is an interesting choice. I wish they would have just merged those title belts, but it will be interesting to see what Joe holding titles in AEW and ROH leads to. I’m also curious to see what comes next for Wardlow now that he dropped the TNT Title.
Backstage, Tony Schiavone interviewed Chris Jericho, who had Jake Hager standing behind him. Schiavone brought up the dissension between Jericho and Guevara. Jericho called it competitiveness and said he expected it and appreciates it. Jericho labeled Guevara a future world champion. Jericho said he’s still the greatest ROH Champion of all-time.
Orange Cassidy and Danhausen entered the picture. Cassidy said his good friend Tomohiro Ishii wants a title shot and has earned it, and wants to face Jericho on AEW Dynamite. Jericho looked into the camera and said Ishii should carry his luggage and shine his shoes. Jericho said he still thinks of Ishii as a young boy and said that if wants a shot, he has it. After Jericho walked away, Hager asked Cassidy what was in his bag. Cassidy pulled out the AEW All-Atlantic Championship belt and told Hager to come after it this week…
A video package set up the next tag team match… Entrances for the match took place. Jay Lethal came out first, and then Jeff Jarrett had several hooded men wearing Sting masks follow him to the ring. Jarrett jawed with a fan and then shoved him before heading to the ring. The lights went out for a moment and then there was a bodybag on the stage. Lethal and the masked guys headed to the stage. Allin’s music played. When Lethal got to the bodybag, the smoke machines went off. Allin ran out and worked over Lethal and the masked men with his skateboard.
7. Sting and Darby Allin vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal (w/Sonjay Dutt) in a no count-out, no disqualification match. Sting popped up in the ring behind Jarrett, who begged off. Sting and Allin roughed up Jarrett for a moment and then Lethal made his way to the ring. Sting tossed Lethal off the top rope onto the edge of the apron for a PCO bump. Allin and Jarrett brawled into the crowd, and then Sting and Lethal did the same.
Allin suplexed Jarrett in the area below the stage. Allin went to the back and brought back a ladder, which he set up on the stage. Allin climbed the ladder and went for a Coffin Drop, but Satnam Singh caught him and then brought him to the stage and slammed him down. A short time later, Sting threw Lethal from the area above the main floor, but Singh caught him. Sting dove off the handrail onto Singh. Jarrett brought Allin to ringside and ran him into the ring steps. Sting dragged Lethal back to the ring.
Singh got involved again by chokeslamming Sting in the middle of the ring. Allin fought with Lethal while Sting recovered in his corner. Jarrett wanted to hit Allin with a guitar, but he stopped short when Allin put Lethal in front of him. Allin put Lethal down and went for a Coffin Drop, but Jarrett hit him with the guitar on the way down. Allin kipped up and pounded his chest, which got a rise out of the crowd. Allin worked over Jarrett and Lethal and hit them with a springboard double elbow move.
Sting got back to his feet. Singh returned to the ring and went for a splash, but Sting moved. Sting struggled to get the big man down for a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went to the ropes and dove onto Singh, who then took the Scorpion Death Drop. Lethal went for a Lethal Injection, but Sting caught him with a rough Scorpion Death Drop on the way down. Allin hit a Coffin Drop on Lethal and pinned him…
Sting and Darby Allin beat Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal in 11:00 in a no count-out, no disqualification match.
Powell’s POV: A mildly entertaining garbage match brawl. The fans still love Sting. I thought the heels would go over to give Sting and Allin something to avenge. I’m still guessing we haven’t seen the last of this feud.
A video package set up the Interim AEW Women’s Championship match…
8. Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter for the Interim AEW Women’s Championship. The broadcast team noted that Hayter wanted to do things on her own, so Britt Baker would not be in her corner for the match. There were dueling chants for both wrestlers with the Hayter chants winning out. Storm and Hayter had a nice early exchange where they both avoided big move attempts.
Storm dropkicked Hater, who ended up on the apron. Storm hit her with a hip attack that knocked Hayer to ringside. Storm followed to the floor and got the better of Hayter. Storm threw two chops at Hayter, who avoided the third, causing Storm to chop the ring post. Hayter rolled Storm inside the ring and went on the offensive.
Hayter threw Storm to the mat. The referee called Hayter on pulling Storm’s hair. Hayter took a swipe at referee Paul Turner’s hair, then shook his hand while using her foot to do more damage to Storm. The tide turned and Storm hit a hip attack in the corner. Storm followed up with a crossbody block from the ropes for a two count. Storm bled from the nose or mouth.
Rebel ran out. Hayter got Storm down near the ropes and threw punches at her. when the referee pulled Hayter back, Rebel hit Storm with the title belt. Hayter hit Storm with a sliding lariat for a near fall. Rebel climbed onto the apron with the title belt. The referee ejected Rebel from ringside. Storm put Hayter down with a lariat and got a near fall.
Storm went for a hip attack, but Hayter moved, causing Storm to tumble to the floor. Britt Baker showed up and stomped Hayter on the title belt. Baker rolled Storm back inside the ring. Hayter hit Storm with her own Storm Zero finisher for a good near fall. Fans booed over Hayter not getting the pin. Storm came back with a Storm Zero of her own, but Hayter also kicked out.
Baker climbed onto the apron. Storm was setting up for a Texas cloverleaf, but she opted to knock Baker off the apron instead. Hayter performed a uranage slam onto her knee and covered Storm for another good near fall. A short time later, Baker removed one of the turnbuckle pads. Storm sent Hayter into the corner and Hayter collided with Baker. Storm grabbed Hayter from behind, but Hayter countered and shoved Storm into the exposed turnbuckle. Hayter hit a ripcord lariat and scored the pin.
Jamie Hayter defeated Toni Storm in roughly 15:00 to win the Interim AEW Women’s Championship.
Hayter celebrated with Baker and Rebel after the match…
Powell’s POV: An entertaining match with a lot of believable near falls. The crowd popped big for Hayter going over. It will be interesting to see to see what they do with Hayter creatively since she’s getting cheered more as a heel than any of AEW’s female babyfaces.
Separate shots of Jon Moxley and MJF were shown… A video package recapped the tag team title feud… Entrances for the tag title match took place. Billy Gunn did no accompany his team to the ring. Max Caster rapped on his way to the ring…
9. “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens vs. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee for the AEW Tag Titles. The broadcast team explained that Gunn had a vendetta with Strickland and didn’t want his issues to cost his team. They also spoke about Bowens’ storyline arm injury from the Strickland match on Dynamite.
At one point, Bowens attempted to pick up Strickland, but his arm gave out. Strickland ran Bowens into Caster to knock Caster off the apron. Caster returned and ended up diving from the top rope onto Lee, who took the bump onto a pice of the ringside barricade that was propped up against the ring. Strickland worked over Bowens, who continued to sell the shoulder injury.
Swerve eventually missed a top rope double stomp and landed on his feet. Bowens slammed Swerve to the match and tagged out. Caster hit the Mic Drop and had the pin, but Lee returned to break it up. The Acclaimed set up for a double team move on Strickland, but Bowens’ arm gave out again. Strickland got free and tagged out.
Lee entered the match and dominated both opponents. The live crowd started chanting “asshole” over something that was happening in the arena. Taz pointed out on commentary that they were chanting about someone being ejected from the building. The fans started cheering and Excalibur said it was in support of The Acclaimed even though the vast majority of fans were still watching whatever was happening with the fan.
Strickland and Caster ended up at ringside. Strickland pulled out his pliers and wanted to use them on Caster’s fingers. Billy Gunn ran out. A group of referees stopped Gunn from getting involved. Strickland entered the ring and handed the pliers to Lee, who tossed them aside and said he couldn’t win that way. Strickland slapped Lee across the face and then barked at him. Lee picked up Bowens and patted him on the back, and then Lee left the ring.
Bowens rolled up Strickland for a near fall. Bowens went for another tag, but Strickland kicked out and Caster made a blind tag. Caster hit a springboard move and then tagged Bowens. The Acclaimed set up for their finisher. Bowens sold his shoulder again, but Caster encouraged him and they hit the move and got the win…
“The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens beat Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee in 19:40 to retain the AEW Tag Titles.
After the match, Excalibur announced that The Elite will face Death Triangle in the second match of a best of seven series on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. He also hyped Orange Cassidy vs. Jake Hager for the AEW All-Atlantic Title, Ethan Page vs. Ricky Starks in the AEW World Championship Elimination Tournament final, and Chris Jericho vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the ROH Championship for Wednesday night…
Powell’s POV: The tag title match was entertaining. It wasn’t as hot as their previous matches, but the dynamic was different with The Acclaimed holding the titles rather than being in chase mode. I’m actually disappointed to see Lee and Strickland split up because they became a quality tag team act. On the bright side, both wrestlers have singles upside, and maybe FTR will finally get another AEW Tag Team Title shot. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether The Elite vs. Death Triangle matches perform well in the ratings. The Elite had a pair of AEW Trios Title tournament matches that were given roughly the last 30 minutes of back to back Dynamite shows and both matches lost a lot of viewers. I’m curious to see if things are different given everything that’s transpired and with Death Triangle as their opponents.
A video package set up the main event… Entrances for the main event took place. MJF entered via the stage, while Jon Moxley and William Regal entered through through the crowd. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the match. MJF was cheered, Regal was booed, and Moxley was booed. Moxley flipped off MJF, who returned the favor…
9. Jon Moxley vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship. Moxley started the match by punching MJF in the mouth. Moxley and MJF went nose to nose. MJF slapped Moxley, who responded with a forearm to the head. Moxley whipped MJF into the ropes and did a drop down. MJF stepped over Moxley and strutted. Moxley charged MJF, who held the top rope down, causing Moxley to fall to the floor. MJF ran the ropes repeatedly and then stopped and played to the crowd rather than going for a dive.
Moxley returned to the ring and shoved MJF into the corner and then bit his head while some fans booed. Moxley looked to the crowd and gave them a double bird, which drew loud boos. MJF put Moxley down in the corner and put the boots to him. Moxley stood up and knocked MJF down with a clothesline, then laid on his side to taunt the crowd. A “f— you, Moxley” chant broke out.
Moxley continued to be booed as he worked over MJF for the bulk of the next few minutes. Moxley set up for a piledriver on the apron, but MJF fought out of it. MJF nearly slipped, but he powered up Moxley and performed a tombstone piledriver on the apron. MJF sold knee pain after performing the move. Excalibur said it looked like MJF’s kneepad slid off his patella tendon. MJF set up for another piledriver on the apron, but he let it go and sold knee pain.
Moxley hit MJF from behind and then performed a piledriver off the apron and through a table that was set up on the floor. Moxley returned to the ring. MJF struggled to get back to his feet and then beat the count by returning to the ring at nine. Moxley kicked MJF and put him down with a Paradigm Shift that led to a two count. Moxley stood up and repeatedly kicked MJF’s bad knee. Moxley applied a figure four leg lock. Moxley bridged up Figure 8 style and the referee counted when MJF’s shoulders were down, but he got them up to avoid being pinned.
MJF eventually rolled over the figure four, but Moxley grabbed the ropes to break it. MJF got up and performed a piledriver on Moxley, who was hanging over the ropes. MJF covered Moxley for a two count, then hit his own bad knee a few times. MJF set up for another pildriver, but Moxley avoided it and chop blocked the bad knee and continued to work it over. Moxley went to the ropes. MJF reached out and grabbed the ropes to pull himself up, causing Moxley to slip and crotch himself. MJF went for a move from the ropes, but Moxley blocked it and hit him with repeated elbows.
Moxley performed an Avalanche Paradigm Shift. Moxley covered MJF, who reached out and grabbed the bottom rope to break it. Moxley let MJF stand up and then said, “Hit me motherf—er.” MJF spat at Moxley, who slapped him. The wrestlers traded punches. Moxley kicked the bad knee and then ran the ropes, but MJF pulled referee Bryce Remsburg in front of him. REF BUMP!!!
MJF pulled out the Dynamite Diamond Ring and looked at it. William Regal walked to ringside and told MJF to put the ring down. MJF dropped the ring and then flipped off Regal. Moxley put MJF in a sleeper. MJF pushed off the ropes into a pin. A second referee, Paul Turner, made a two count. Moxley maintained the hold, but MJF backed him into Turner. ANOTHER REF BUMP!!!
Moxley put MJF in the Bulldog Choke. MJF tapped out, but both referees were down. Moxley released the hold and acted like he thought he won the match. Regal told him to wake up the referee. When Moxley went to the referee, Regal slipped his brass knuckles to MJF. Moxley turned around and MJF hit him with the brass knuckles and then shoved them in his tights. Referee Remsburg turned around and made the three count.
MJF defeated Jon Moxley in 23:15 to win the AEW World Championship.
MJF and Regal smiled at one another. MJF celebrated with the title belt while the broadcast team said he stunned the wrestling world. MJF left the ring and a security guard helped him to the ramp while he sold knee pain. MJF turned and looked to the crowd, then shoved the security guard away. MJF sat down on the stage with the title belt and made snow angles while laughing to close the show…
Powell’s POV: Regal helping MJF was among the more popular predictions for the match finish. The live crowd came to life for the ref bump, so I think everyone had their guard up for something along these lines. And I don’t consider that to be a negative because the end result appears to be that MJF won the championship and will be staying heel, but I guess we’ll find out on Dynamite. The match was fine. It won’t be remembered as one of the great AEW pay-per-view main events by any means and yet it was still memorable in its own way thanks to the title change and the beginning of the MJF era.
Overall, this was a good pay-per-view. The show started really strong with those first two matches. There was no way they could maintain that pace, but the four-way delivered and they closed the night with a few entertaining matches that included two newsworthy title changes. I will have more to say about Full Gear when Jake Barnett and I team up shortly for our same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Full Gear by voting for the best match and grading the overall show below.
Why should the crowd have been hot for Baker and Saraya? Britt is about 3% as over as she was 2 years ago and Paige has never been a star outside of the movie that was made about her. The crowd, as small as it is (tons of pics of empty seats all over the place), was right to sit on their hands for 12 minutes of two people who don’t have the ability to put together a compelling 12 minute match.
I think you might be missing my point. The best chance the match had at having an engaged crowd was to stick with the traditional babyface vs. heel format they started with. Saraya should have been a sympathetic figure coming back from the long injury layoff, and Baker is supposed to be the top heel in the division. But they made this a confusing mess when Baker decided to make herself the babyface in her Dynamite promo while portraying Saraya as the WWE invader. It made zero sense and my guess remains that Britt got legit upset because she felt slighted by Saraya downplaying her three-year career.
7 trios spotfests, and Tony thinks that’s a good thing?
Hopefully Moxley finally gets that vacation he had to give up a few months back. Fun main event and enough intrigue from the ending that I’ll at least keep tabs on things Wednesday.
Wow who could have seen the Regal turn coming? Stevie Wonder maybe. Wardlow loses his title and Hobbs is forced to take the loss and mid 40’s out of shape, injury prone Samoa Joe has 2 titles that mean absolutely nothing. Jay Lethal taking the pinfall loss instead of Jarrett. Jericho burying everyone and Cesaro is in the same position he was in in WWE. The insufferable elite is back and they take the loss so they can win the best of 7 series. Tony Khan makes Vince Russo look like a genius. But it’s AEW so it’s all good
The greatest idiot has weighed in with his superior wrestling knowledge!
What did your mom make for dinner tonight buddy?
Honestly, the Chicago crowd chanting “CM Punk” is the best outcome AEW can hope for… because the alternative is the crowd no-shows, or dies attend, and is completely apathetic to the Elite EVPs, sitting on their hands in silence. The audience will no-sell and bury them.
Saraya’s entire return has been mishandled.
She made a surprise return, that people needed to be reminded of her real name.
They should have done video packages re-introducing her, showing her training, talking about getting out toxic relationships, saying she was mentally and physically ready to compete.
Britt would have made great heel, but, as you said, gave a face promo. AEW doesn’t know how to produce segments. Egos go off script to the bwnefit of nobody.
I legitimately enjoyed this show almost from beginning to end. Surprised, but probably shouldn’t be, about all the negative comments. Then again I guess that’s the point. Personally looking forward to the Elite vs Death Triangle best of 7.
It is bull crap what MJF done to Jon Moxley Jon Moxley should be champion
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