By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Full Gear
Aired live November 23, 2024 on pay-per-view
Newark, New Jersey at Prudential Center
AEW Full Gear pre-show results: Anna Jay beat Deonna Purrazzo in 7:00, Buddy Matthews defeated Dante Martin, Komander, and The Beast Mortos in a four-way in 10:35, and Big Boom AJ beat QT Marshall in 11:45…
Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness, and Tony Schiavone were on commentary. Private Party made their entrance for the four-way match and had two lines of women on the entrance ramp. Their opponents made their entrances on the pre-show…
1. “Private Party” Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy vs. “Kings of the Black Throne” Malakai Black and Brody King vs. “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum vs. “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens (w/Billy Gunn) in a four-way for the AEW Tag Team Titles. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. The Outrunners were the fan favorites.
Black and King had a good run of early offense. Black took out a group of opponents with a moonsault from the apron. Black threw Quen in the ring and then he and King worked him over. Kassidy tried to help his partner, but he did a springboard into a punch and was also roughed up.
The Outrunners and The Acclaimed both entered the ring and went after Black and King. Black was cleared from the ring. The three teams worked over Black. Bowens performed Scissor Me Timbers on King while the other teams held King’s legs apart.
Floyd and Bowens set up for a scissors spot, but Caster hit Floyd with a cheap shot instead. Private Party hit stereo 450 splashes on The Outrunners for a near fall. The Outrunners put Private Party down and then did their handshake and elbow drop.
The Outrunners went for Total Recall on Kassidy, who slipped away, causing Floyd and Magnum to collide. King hit a Boss Man Slam on Bowens. King and Black both hit Bowens in the corner. They went for the same spot on Floyd, but he avoided it. The Outrunners went for a pin on King, but it was broken up by Caster.
Caster heeled it up for the crowd. Jersey native Bowens wasn’t pleased. Caster laid down and wanted Bowens to pin him, but others ran in. Bowens put Kassidy down with The Arrival and got upset with Caster for not performing the Mic Drop. Private Party hit Gin & Juice on Caster and then Kassidy pinned him.
Private Party defeated The Acclaimed, The Outrunners, and Kings of The Black Throne in a four-way in 13:25 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
Private Party hopped the barricade and celebrated their win in the crowd…
Powell’s POV: Good action. There was little mystery regarding the outcome given that Private Party recently won the tag titles, but there was some interesting drama involving Caster and Bowens. It looks like the split is finally going to happen soon.
Lexi Nair interviewed Orange Cassidy in the backstage area. Cassidy said The Death Riders sent a message on Dynamite, and tonight AEW would send one back. Cassidy said it started with Private Party. Cassidy said Private Party started five years ago and are now AEW Tag Team Champions. Cassidy said AEW is everything to them and him. Cassidy said Jon Moxley can’t understand that. Cassidy said he and Private Party wouldn’t exist without AEW. Cassidy said he would show that AEW doesn’t need Moxley when he wins the AEW World Championship later in the show…
A video package set up MJF vs. Roderick Strong and then Arkady Aura delivered the introductions for the match…
2. MJF vs. Roderick Strong. MJF rolled out of the ring once the bell rang to start the match. MJF grabbed a mic and said the people like Strong because he’s white trash just like they are. MJF called New Jersey the dumpster fire of the world. MJF boasted that he’s making millions shooting movies while Strong’s mommy is shooting his daddy.
MJF posed for the crowd. Strong snuck up behind him and punched him once he turned around. Strong chased MJF up the entrance ramp and then brought him back to ringside. Strong threw a chop that MJF ducked, and Strong ended up chopping the ring post. MJF put Strong’s hand inside the turnbuckle and wrenched on it.
Back inside the ring, Strong performed a Half Nelson Backbreaker and then sold his left hand. Strong hoisted up MJF and then tossed him into the corner. Strong hit a jumping knee strike and followed up with a suplex for a two count.
MJF came back momentarily, but Strong tossed him to ringside and then dropkicked him through the ropes. Strong went to the floor and ran MJF into the barricade and then picked him up and dropped him on the barricade.
Back in the ring, MJF caught Strong with a kick in the corner. MJF stood on the middle rope and yelled, “MJF Bay Bay.” Strong stood up and hit a backbreaker for a two count. MJF came back and performed a wicked DDT for a near fall.
Strong caught MJF in a Cloverleaf and eventually released the hold while selling his hand and shoulder. MJF drilled Strong with a forearm and then went for a move and gave it up to sell his lower back. MJF grabbed Strong’s bad hand and headbutted it a few times.
Strong hit the End of the Heartache out of nowhere and covered MJF, who put his foot over the bottom rope to break the count. MJF exited the ring and sold back pain. Strong followed him to the floor and threw him back inside the ring.
MJF caught Strong in an inside cradle for a two count. Strong reversed it and got a two count of his own. Strong caught MJF with a kick to the back and then hit a backbreaker and a gut buster. Strong hit a Sick Kick and set up for his finisher, but MJF countered into a brainbuster.
Strong rolled over and draped his arm over MJF for a two count. MJF shot up and put Strong in the Salt of the Earth, which led to a quick submission.
MJF beat Roderick Strong in 13:40.
After the match, MJF wrapped Strong’s left arm in a chair and then stomped on it. Adam Cole’s entrance theme played and he ran to the ring while MJF exited through the crowd. Kyle O’Reilly, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett checked on Strong while Cole stood on the ropes and looked at MJF.
O’Reilly got up and shoved Cole to the mat and then yelled at him. O’Reilly helped Strong to the back while Schiavone said O’Reilly blames Cole for what happened to Strong…
Powell’s POV: This looked like a TV match on paper and felt that way in execution. They worked hard and it wasn’t a bad match, but it didn’t feel like the live crowd believed Strong could actually win. The post match angle continues the never ending drama involving The Undisputed Kingdom members that just won’t stop.
A video package set up the TBS Title match and then entrances for the match took place…
3. Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander for the TBS Championship. During the pre-show, Mone told Kamille to stay backstage. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match.
Mone said she puts the Boss in Boston. McGuinness said she’s proud of where she comes from and Schiavone would be too if he didn’t come from where he does. Funny.
Statlander picked up Mone and dropped her face first on the mat. Statlander performed a senton and a standing moonsault and got a two count. Both women ended up on the apron. Mone used a huracanrana to pull Statlander to the floor.
Mone used a meteora to pick up a near fall. Mone jumped from the middle rope and used a meteora to get another two count. Mone shrieked at referee Aubrey Edwards. Statlander powered up Mone, who countered into a neckbreaker that led to a two count. Cool spot.
Mone performed a sunset flip that sent Statlander into the corner. Mone hit double knees in the corner again and then covered Statlander for a two count. Mone showed concern over not getting the pin.
Mone went for a DDT from the middle rope, but Statlander tossed her across the ring. Mone went for another meteora, but Statlander caught her and performed a Buckle Bomb that left both women down.
Statlander put Mone down with a powerslam. Money got up and ate an elbow and a knee in the corner. Statlander performed the Chaos Theory suplex and covered Mone, who put her foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin.
Mone executed a Crucifix Bomb and then hooked in a submission hold that Statlander powered out of. Mone caught her with a Backstabber for a two count. Mone hit another meteora from the middle rope and then hooked the legs for another near fall.
Statlander rallied with a backbreaker and a clothesline for a near fall. Statlander sold her right knee. Statlander hit Saturday Night Fever for a near fall. Statlander picked up Mone, who DDT’d her for a near fall. Mone screamed in frustration over not getting the three count.
Mone performed the Three Amigos suplexes. Mone went up top and dove at Statlander, who caught her and hit an F5 style move for a good near fall. Statlander dragged Mone into position and then went up top.
Statlander attempted a 450 splash that Mone avoided. Statlander sold the right knee again. Mone targeted the knee with elbow drops and was booed loudly. Mone stepped on the bad knee and then followed up with a top rope splash onto Statlander’s legs for another near fall.
Mone waited for Statlander to stand up and then hit her with a Backstabber. Mone performed another Backstabber and then hit her finisher for another near fall. The crowd came to life when Statlander kicked out.
Mone slapped Statlander and set up for her finisher again, but Statlander caught her in a backslide for a two count. Statlander got Mone on her shoulders and dropped her face first on the mat. Statlander powered up Mone for her finisher, but Money punched and then bit Statlander’s bad knee. Mone performed a huracanrana that sent Statlander’s throat into the middle rope. Mone got the three count.
Mercedes Mone defeated Kris Statlander in 19:25 to retain the TBS Title.
After the match, Statlander was helped to the back by a ringside physician while Mone celebrated with her two title belts…
Powell’s POV: A very good match. The crowd was invested, yet slow to get into the match. They eventually got them there with Statlander kicking out so many times. It worked for this match, but there were a lot of near falls for the third match of the main card. I’ve become numb to near falls during some AEW pay-per-views and I could see it happening again tonight depending on how many we see during the remaining matches.
A video package set up Hangman Page vs. Jay White and then entrances for the match took place. White came out first with Juice Robinson, who did not accompany him to ringside. Page’s entrance followed and there were some “Cowboy Shit” chants as he walked to the ring…
4. Hangman Page vs. Jay White. Page used a belly-to-belly suplex to send White to ringside. White sold left ankle pain and then Page targeted it for the next few minutes. There were some dueling “Let’s Go Switchblade” and “Cowboy Shit” chants among the fans who chanted.
Page seated White on the top turnbuckle. Page stood on the middle rope and gave double birds to the crowd. Page followed up with a fallaway slam from the top rope and then covered White for a near fall.
White came back and wrenched Page’s left knee around the ring post twice. White sat Page on the top turnbuckle and then superplexed him. White covered Page for a two count.
Page clipped White’s bad leg and then White returned the favor. White used a flatliner and a suplex to get another two count. Page came back with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Page set up for a Deadeye on the apron, but White stuffed it and then half-and-half suplexed Page on the apron. White followed up with the same move at ringside.
Page put White’s bad ankle in between two sections of the barricade and then kicked it. Page put White in an ankle lock. The referee finally decided to count, so Page had to release the hold to get back to the ring. White barely beat the referee’s count.
Page went for a Buckshot Lariat that White stuffed. Page reapplied the ankle lock. White grabbed the bottom rope, but Page dragged him to the middle of the ring. White escaped the hold and then performed a dragon screw leg whip over the ropes.
White used a uranage slam to get a near fall. Page put White in the ankle lock again. White rolled out of it and then put Page in a leg lock that Excalibur said looked like an inverted figure four. Page eventually reached the bottom rope to break it.
White set up for a suplex, but Page stomped his bad foot. White used another dragon screw leg whip, but Page came right back with a Deadeye. Page hit a second Deadeye and then covered White for a near fall.
Page went for a Buckshot Lariat, but White stuffed it. They both reversed big moves and Page caught White in the ankle lock. White escaped it and hit the Bladerunner and scored the clean pin.
Jay White defeated Hangman Page 19:55.
After the match, White taunted Page over beating him five times. White left the ring. Page looked shocked. White fell down to sell his ankle. Page left the ring and hit White from behind.
Christopher Daniels and two referees came out. Daniels told Page to stop. Page punched Daniels in the face and headed to the back. Excalibur said there could be fines and suspensions in Page’s future…
Powell’s POV: I really liked the approach of having both men sell injuries throughout the match. White needed the win more than Page, so it was good to see him go over. Did Page turn babyface when he punched Daniels? Jokes aside, I do wonder if the loss and the punch will lead to Page taking another hiatus.
A video package set up the Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher match and then entrances for the match took place. Fletcher wore a crown when he came out and was accompanied by Don Callis…
5. Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. Don Callis sat in on commentary. Both men traded forearm strikes to start. They went to ringside where Fletcher ran Ospreay into the barricade. Fletcher played to the crowd for heat.
Fletcher moved the ring steps away from the ring post and went for a suplex. Ospreay tried to reverse it, but Fletcher blocked it. Fletcher tried to run Ospreay into the steps, but Ospreay dove over the steps and then hit Fletcher with a huracanrana.
Back in the ring, Ospreay threw chops at Fletcher, who came right back and put Ospreay down with a DDT. Fletcher threw punches to the back of Ospreay’s neck. Both men ended up on the apron. Fletcher got the better of it by hitting Ospreay’s head on the turnbuckle.
Fletcher executed a brainbuster at ringside. Ospreay sold neck pain. Fletcher got Ospreay back in the ring and made unsuccessful attempts to pin him. Moments later, Fletcher used a Draping DDT to get another near fall.
Ospreay caught Fletcher with a kick. Fletcher stuffed the next move and then put Ospreay down with a Michinoku Driver. Ospreay rallied with a kick that knocked Fletcher off the apron. Ospreay went up top and performed a sky twist press onto Fletcher on the floor. Ospreay shook his hand to sell numbness from the neck injury.
Ospreay rolled Fletcher back inside the ring and then hit him with a Phenomenal Forearm for a near fall. Both men traded chops in the middle of the ring. Ospreay put his hands behind his back. Fletcher wound up for a chop and then superkicked Ospreay, which drew good heat.
Ospreay came right back and hit a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Ospreay connected with a hook kick went for an OsCutter, but Fletcher caught him withe a neckbreaker in mid-air. Fletcher used a sit-out powerbomb to get a close near fall.
Ospreay hit Stundog Millionaire. Fletcher shoved Ospreay over the top rope. Ospreay skinned the cat and pulled Fletcher to the floor and hit him with a tombstone piledriver.
Schiavone plugged the Continental Classic starting on Wednesday’s Dynamite. He said tomorrow will be Selection Sunday and encouraged viewers to keep an eye on AEW social media.
Fletcher beat the referee’s ten count and was immediately drilled by Ospreay, who hit him with a corkscrew move from the ropes for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Fletcher ducked the Hidden Blade and caught Ospreay with a superkick, but Ospreay came right back with a standing Spanish Fly. Ospreay went for the Hidden Blade, but Fletcher caught him with a lariat. Ospreay hit a standing version of the Hidden Blade and both men stayed down while fans chanted AEW.
Fletcher cut off Ospreay on the ropes. Ospreay stuffed a move and then hit Fletcher with a Styles Clash for a near fall. Ospreay removed his elbow pad and then drilled Fletcher with a Hidden Blade and covered him for another near fall.
Ospreay threw punches at Fletcher, who covered up while lying on the apron. Ospreay joined him on the apron and made the throat slash gesture. Ospreay set up for a Storm Breaker, but Fletcher countered out of it and then performed a tombstone piledriver onto the ring steps. The fans chanted “holy shit” and rightfully so.
Fletcher jawed at Ospreay, who was holding his own neck. Fletcher told Ospreay that he’s better than him and then rolled him back inside the ring. Fletcher hit a running knee strike and a the Grimstone for a near fall.
Fletcher set up Ospreay for another move, but Ospreay hooked him into a pin for a two count. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade, but Fletcher shrugged it off because Ospreay didn’t have anything behind it due to his injury.
Fletcher blasted Ospreay with a clothesline and then hit him with a running boot to the back of the head. Fletcher threw a Helluva Kick and then stood on the middle rope and hit a brainbuster on the turnbuckle. Fletcher covered Ospreay and got the pin.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Will Ospreay in 24:15.
After the match, Fletcher stood over Ospreay and let out a primal scream. Mark Davis ran out and checked on Ospreay while Fletcher and Callis left the ring. “You deserve each other,” Fletcher said from the ramp…
Powell’s POV: No Mark Davis or Don Callis involvement the finish. No screwdriver bullshit. Just a clean pinfall victory for Fletcher. They told a great story. Ospreay was weakened coming into the match. Fletcher exploited the injury until Ospreay had nothing left. Fletcher has world champion upside, so I love that he went over in a no nonsense way. This should be a tremendous feud.
Mina Shirakawa hosted the champagne celebration. There were pictures of Shirakawa and Mariah May on the stage along with a table that had the AEW Women’s Title belt on it. Shirakawa introduced May as the love of her life.
Maria May came out and hugged Shirakawa. May said this was the celebration that she always deserved. May said no woman can touch her. Shirakawa toasted May and said “long may she reign.” Both women drank champagne.
May said they should celebrate and then both women danced on the stage. May grabbed a bottle and swung it at Shirakawa, who ducked. Shirakawa kicked the bottle that shattered. May spat at Shirkawa, who speared her off the stage. The slid across one table and hit another that broke. Shirawawa had blood in her mouth and then wiped it all over May’s forehead…
Powell’s POV: I think most of us were expecting Toni Storm’s return. Rather, they set up May vs. Shirakawa. Say what you will about the segment (and it was weird), but I like it when AEW has a non-wrestling segment on their pay-per-views to give fans a brief break from the match after match approach.
A video package set up the TNT Title match. A “finish what you started” video on Daniel Garcia aired before he made his entrance. Jack Perry came out wearing a goat head mask…
6. Jack Perry vs. Daniel Garcia for the TNT Title. Perry did a lot of stalling as the match got underway. Matt Menard sat in on commentary. Garcia finally got his hands on Perry and ran him into the barricade twice. Garcia threw forearm strikes and then sent Perry over the barricade with a big boot.
Garcia pulled Perry back to ringside. Garcia tried to get Perry back in the ring, but Perry blocked it and put Garcia down a Draping DDT from the apron. Perry followed up with a missile dropkick to the back of Garcia and then covered him for a two count. The crowd was quiet.
Perry put Garcia in the Snare Trap, but Garcia reached the ropes to break the hold. Perry dumped Garcia on the apron and then jawed at Menard. Garcia powerbombed him over the barricade and through a table in the timekeepers area and then threw trash on him.
Menard got up and shouted encouragement to Garcia, who pulled himself up and beat the referee’s count. Perry smiled and then toyed with Garcia by throwing light kicks at him. Perry slapped Garcia, who came back with a big boot and a lariat.
Garcia went on a run of offense and suplexed Perry in a corner of the ring. Perry bounced back and lawn darted Garcia into the middle turnbuckle. Perry picked up a near fall and then went to ringside and returned with his title belt.
Perry dropped the title belt in front of Garcia and then dropped to his knees and struck the crucifix pose. Garcia picked up the belt and through about hitting Perry with it, but he handed the belt to the referee instead.
Perry low-blowed Garcia and then hit him with a running knee strike for a near fall. Perry set up for another knee strike, but Garcia fell over. Perry got him back on his knees and tried again, but Garcia shot up and rolled him into a pin for a near fall.
Garcia caught a kick attempt and then put Perry down with a package piledriver for a near fall. Perry slapped Garcia, who fired up and blasted him with several chops to the chest and a slap to the face.
Perry smiled at Garcia. and held his arms open. Garcia grabbed him and put him down with a piledriver. Garcia put Perry in a Sharpshooter. Perry nearly reached the ropes, but Garcia pulled him back to the middle of the ring and then wrenched back and forced him to submit.
Daniel Garcia defeated Jack Perry in 18:25 to win the TNT Title.
Powell’s POV: These two had a touch act to follow and I don’t mean the champagne celebration. The crowd was quiet for the body of the match, but they came to life for the finish and the title change. I’m surprised they went with the title change here rather than having him win it at the end of a lengthy feud with Perry.
A video package set up the AEW International Championship match. Ricochet made his entrance first and then Konosuke Takeshita came out with Don Callis…
7. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Ricochet for the AEW International Championship. Don Callis sat in on commentary again. The broadcast team noted that Jim Ross would join them for the last two matches.
Takeshita dumped Ricochet on a table in the timekeepers area. Back in the ring, Takeshita remained on the offensive and ran Ricochet into the corner. Takeshita hovered over Ricochet and smiled before getting him back to his knees. Takeshita kicked Ricochet.
Ricochet battled back, but he sold back pain and was unable to perform a springboard move. Ricochet went up top instead and was cut off by Takeshita, who tossed him to the mat.
Ricochet came back and let out a primal scream. The crowd waited a second and then cheered. Ricochet sold his back before trying to pick up Takeshita on his shoulders like a schmuck. Ricochet kicked Takeshita to ringside and then performed a handspring over the top rope into a dive on Takeshita. Ricochet rolled Takeshita back in the ring and then hit him with a springboard 450 splash.
Callis took off his headset and pounded on the mat while a “f— Don Callis” chant broke out. Takeshita stuffed a Ricochet move and then put him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
A short time later, Ricochet went to the ropes and was cut off. Takeshita went up behind him and performed a release German suplex. Takeshita followed up with a big lariat for a near fall. Takeshita drilled Ricochet with a knee strike for another near fall.
Ricochet put Takeshita down and then hit him with a Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Ricochet went for Vertigo, but Takeshita powered him up for an inverted piledriver for a near fall.
Takeshita lowered his kneepad and went for a knee strike that Ricochet avoided. Ricochet hit a brainbuster and an overhead kick for another near fall. Ricochet went up top and was cut off and drilled with a knee strike. Takeshita performed a Broken Arrow style move from the middle rope and got the clean pin…
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Ricochet in 19:15 to retain the AEW International Championship.
Powell’s POV: A good match with a clean finish. It happened. It felt like having so many near falls throughout the night really took their toll on this match, as the live crowd just wasn’t buying into most of them. They’ve seen wrestlers kick out of damn near everything tonight, so it’s hardly a surprise. Again, though, I love the idea of giving Takeshita a clean win.
A video package set up Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley. Swerve and Prince Nana made their entrance and pyro shot off. Bobby Lashley made his entrance with MVP and Shelton Benjamin…
8. Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Bobby Lashley (w/MVP, Shelton Benjamin). Jim Ross joined the broadcast team for the last two matches. Lashley was dominant to start and could have pinned Swerve 90 seconds into the match, but he opted to pick him up instead.
Lashley held up Swerve for a vertical suplex with one arm and flexed his other arm before following through with the move. Swerve showed some life by headbutting Lashley and throwing punches at him. Lashley shut him down with a double thrust to the throat. Lashley powerslammed Swerve for a near fall.
Swerve had Lashley down and went up top, but he was distracted by Benjamin on the apron. Lashley sent Swerve to ringside and followed. Lashley knocked Swerve down and then posed. The referee caught Benjamin trying to trip Swerve moments later and ejected him from ringside.
Lashley slammed Swerve on the ring apron and then ran him into the barricade. Lashley set up for a powerslam on the ring steps, but Swerve escaped and ran him into the ring post. Swerve slammed Lashley’s head on the steps repeatedly.
Swerve DDT’d Lashley on the apron. Excalibur had to point out that Lashley’s head didn’t actually hit the apron. Lashley ended up in front of the Spanish broadcast table. Swerve ran up the ring steps and then double stomped Lashley through the table. Great spot.
Back in the ring, Swerve hit the House Call kick. Swerve went up top for his finisher, looked to the crowd, and then hit the Swerve Stomp for a near fall. Lashley rolled to the floor where MVP encouraged him to get up.
Swerve approached MVP, who wounded up with his cane. Swerve stared MVP down until MVP moved aside. Lashley suplexed Swerve on the floor. When Swerve stood up, Lashley speared him through a piece of the barricade, which drew a “holy shit” chant.
Lashley speared Swerve once they were back inside the ring. Lashley put Swerve in the Hurt Lock. The referee checked Swerve’s arm and then called for the bell. The broadcast team said Swerve passed out while in the Hurt Lock.
Bobby Lashley defeated Swerve Strickland in 13:35.
After the match, Benjamin ran back to the ring to celebrate with Lashley and MVP. MVP tossed Nana inside the ring. Lashley put Nana in the Hurt Lock. Swerve laid on the mat and grabbed Lashley’s leg. Lashley released the hold and left Swerve and Nana lying side by side in the ring…
Powell’s POV: I’ve applauded all of the clean finishes tonight so I’m not going to stop now, but this one is the most questionable. The former AEW World Champion passed out after only a few seconds in the Hurt Lock. It’s not a good look, but we’ll see where the feud goes from here.
A video package set up the AEW World Championship match. The Death Riders were shown arriving in their pickup truck. Wheeler Yuta was not with them. Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir entered through the crowd.
Orange Cassidy made his entrance via the stage and brought his backpack with him. Two little pyro flares shot off. Shafir gave referee Bryce Remsburg the briefcase containing the AEW World Championship…
9. Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Orange Cassidy for the AEW World Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Cassidy hit Moxley with an Orange Punch during the introductions and the referee rewarded him for it by calling for the bell. Cassidy hit two more Orange Punches and the Moxley tumbled to the floor.
Cassidy tossed Moxley on the broadcast table and threw punches at him. Cassidy bit Moxley’s forehead. Moxley caught Cassidy with a kick and then raked his eyes before crotching him on the barricade. Moxley took Cassidy into the crowd and ran him into the first wall on the main floor.
Cassidy threw body shots at Moxley, who responded with knees to the gut. Moxley sat Cassidy on a chair and threw punches at him and then hit him with a boot to the head. Moxley no-sold a punch and then dropped Cassidy with a forearm. Moxley stomped Cassidy’s head on the ring steps. A “freshly squeezed” chant broke out.
Cassidy bled from the forehead and was thrown back inside the ring. Moxley took him back to ringside and performed a DDT on the ring steps. The referee checked on Cassidy and then returned to the ring and spoke to Moxley. Shafir took advantage of the distraction by kicking Cassidy.
Back in the ring, Moxley bit Cassidy’s bloody forehead. Moxley performed a Gotch style piledriver. Moxley covered Cassidy, who kicked out aggressively at two. Moxley threw punches and forearms at Cassidy and then tossed him to ringside.
Moxley placed Cassidy on the Spanish broadcast table and bit his fingers. Cassidy stuck his thumbs in Moxley’s eyes. Moxley came right back with a kick and threw Cassidy into the ring steps.
Moxley brought Cassidy back inside the ring and threw kicks at his head. Cassidy got to his knees and called for more, so Moxley obliged. Moxley picked up Cassidy in suplex position and then let him fall to the mat. Moxley went for a double wrist lock. Cassidy reached the ropes with his feet to break it.
Cassidy rolled to the apron and then Moxley knocked him off it and sent him crashing into the barricade. The referee counted to seven. Cassidy motioned for him to back off and then returned to the ring and threw forearms at Moxley, who called for more. Moxley dropped Cassidy with a forearm.
Moxley sat Cassidy on the top turnbuckle and then joined him and raked his back until it bled. Cassidy returned the favor. Cassidy jumped from the ropes into a punch from Moxley, who covered him for a two count.
Moxley and Cassidy traded forearm strikes. Cassidy motioned for Moxley to stop and then put his hands in his pockets and threw the light leg kicks. Cassidy avoided a clothesline and then hit an Orange Punch.
Cassidy hit another Orange Punch and then rolled up Moxley for a two count. Moxley dropped Cassidy with a clothesline. Cassidy kipped up and hit another Orange Punch and Beach Break for a near fall.
Claudio Castagnoli and Pac hopped the barricade and then stood on opposite sides of the ring. Both men climbed on the apron while the referee warned them. Castagnoli started to enter the ring.
Kyle O’Reilly, Tomohiro Ishii, and Rocky Romero came out and fought with Castagnoli and Pac. Romero went up top and dove onto all four men on the floor. In the ring, Shafir had the briefcase, but Willow Nightingale ran out and speared her and then they fought at ringside.
Cassidy picked up the briefcase and slammed it over the head of Moxley while the referee was distracted. Cassidy covered Moxley for a good near fall. Cassidy set up for another while the referee checked on a wobbly Moxley.
Wheeler Yuta, who showed up during the earlier brawl, entered the ring and hit Cassidy with a Busaiku Knee while the referee was tied up with Moxley. Moxley hit the Death Rider and covered Cassidy for the three count.
Jon Moxley defeated Orange Cassidy in 19:20 to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, Moxley held Cassidy while Yuta poured some type of cleaning liquid on him. Hangman Page entered the ring and jabbed Yuta with a chair to the head to clear him from the ring. Moxley turned around and was surprised to see Page. Moxley pointed at his head to tell Page to think about it.
Christian Cage ran in and put Moxley down with the Killswitch. Page had the contract case and eventually handed it to Cage. The feed was off for a moment, but then it came back. Cage teased handing the contract to the referee.
Jay White ran in and hit the Bladerunner on Cage, who exited the ring. Castagnoli and Pac attacked White and then scurried while they showed Shafir helping Moxley. Castagnoli and Pac met up with Moxley and Shafir and said they had to go.
White picked up a chair and walked backstage. A camera crew showed The Death Riders approaching their truck when a painted car slammed into it. Pac kicked the valet and then they grabbed keys. They hopped in a white SUV that was already started and drove away.
Darby Allin exited the car and yelled where the f— are you going. “Let’s end this shit right now,” Allin said. Allin climbed onto the hood of the Death Riders car and smashed the window skateboard. A bunch of random people showed up to talk Allin down…
Powell’s POV: A gritty match. Cassidy took a lot of abuse and the crowd was hot for his comeback at the end of the match. I guess this helps explain why AEW went with so many clean finishes. I’m actually fine with the heels cheating in this case, but they shouldn’t make it a habit in pay-per-view main events.
The post match angle felt like the end of a television show rather than the end of a pay-per-view. The most intriguing part was Hangman Page coming out and I’m curious to see where that goes. I’ve said before that I could see the Death Riders being such a threat that it forces Page and Swerve Strickland to work together to stop them at some point, but Swerve is obviously tied up with The Hurt Syndicate at the moment.
Overall, a good pay-per-view with the usual strong match quality. I will be back later tonight with Jake Barnett and Will Pruett for a Dot Net Triple Threat audio review of AEW Full Gear. If you’re not a member, check the main page to find out how you can join us for just $1 for one month. Let us know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading the overall show below.
Any word on ticket sales? (Either hard numbers or appearance on the show?)
Wrestletix says it went just over 10k distributed today.