By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Full Gear Zero Hour Pre-Show
Aired live November 23, 2024 on AEW social media platforms
Newark, New Jersey at Prudential Center
-Renee Paquette, Jeff Jarrett, RJ City, and Paul Walter Hauser hosted the pre-show from a desk set up on the main floor.
-Ring announcer Arkady Aura handled the introductions for the first pre-show match.
1. Deonna Purrazzo (w/Taya Valkyrie) vs. Anna Jay. Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Matt Menard were on commentary. There were a lot of empty seats. Excalibur noted that fans were still arriving. Jay performed an early neckbreaker for a two count.
Jay went to the apron and was held by Valkyrie while the referee was distracted. Purrazzo hit Jay and took offensive control. Purrazzo performed a Flatliner and went for the pin, but Jay reversed it and got a two count. Strange sequence.
Jay went on the offensive and got Purrazzo seated on the top turnbuckle before pulling her to the mat and covering her for a two count. Jay performed an neckbreaker through the ropes.
Valkyrie pulled Jay to ringside and speared her. The referee watched it play out and then ejected Valkyrie. Purrazzo caught Jay in her armbar finisher, but Jay countered into a pin while still in the hold and got the three count…
Anna Jay beat Deonna Purrazzo in 7:00.
Powell’s POV: A solid match. The atmosphere was lousy due to the crowd not showing up in time for the start of the pre-show (not that I can blame them).
-Lexi Nair interviewed Billie Starkz about being in a qualifier for a spot in the match for the International Women’s Cup at WrestleDynasty at the Tokyo Dome. Starkz said it’s the second chance she’s been waiting for.
Red Velvet showed up and said she would also be in the match. Leila Hirsch arrived and said she knows she could beat Starkz. Athena showed up and questioned why she had to qualify because she’s beaten all three women.
-Lexi Nair interviewed QT Marshall in the backstage area. Mashall spoke about being in his home state of New Jersey, then turned on his home state by saying he’s reminded of why he left. Marshall took other shots at New Jersey.
-Paquette spoke with the panel about Jon Moxley. She said she’s seen him through many different iterations and she’s never seen him as laser focused as he is now. Paquette said it’s not about him, it’s about the company. City mentioned that Moxley promised something heinous, which has him worried. Jarrett said he thinks we’ll find out the Moxley’s true mission statement by the end of the night.
-An ad aired for the January 1 AEW Dynamite with the Fight For The Fallen theme being the first to be simulcast on the Max streaming service.
2. Dante Martin vs. The Beast Mortos vs. Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. Buddy Matthews in a four-way. Darius Martin and Action Andretti walked out with Dante during his entrance, but they did not accompany him to ringside. There were still some empty seats opposite the hard camera as the match started.
Mortos and Matthews teased a showdown that was broken up by the other wrestlers. Dante launched Komander, who then performed a huracanrana on Matthews. Mortos did knuckle locks on Dante and Komander, who eventually kicked their way free.
Matthews kicked Dante off the apron. Mortos performed a spinning dive onto Dante at ringside. Matthews followed up with a dive of his own onto both men. Komander ran the ropes and hit his big flip dive onto all three opponents.
Back inside the ring, Mortos hit a lung blower on Komander and then followed up with a popup Samoan Drop on Dante. Matthews pulled Mortos through the ropes and DDT’d him. Matthews launched Komander into the abdomen of Dante. Matthews performed a Jackhammer on Dante and went for the pin, but Mortos broke it up.
Matthews performed a meteora on Dante. Komander DDT’d Matthews. Mortos hit a crucifix bomb on Komander. Martin hit a springboard clothesline on Mortos. All four men stayed down and a faint “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Komander performed a Posion Ran on Mortos. Dante followed up with a top rope splash on Mortos. The referee was counting the pin when Matthews Stomped Dante and then pinned him to win the match…
Buddy Matthews defeated Dante Martin, Komander, and The Beast Mortos in a four-way in 10:35.
Powell’s POV: The match felt random and insignificant, but there was good action from bell to bell and it was well received by those in attendance. There have been a couple of brief technical issues that appear to be satellite related. Hopefully it’s just a couple of glitches and it won’t be an issue during the main show.
-The panel spoke about Big Boom AJ vs. QT Marshall. Jarrett said he’ll be watching for The Rizzler and intends to hit him with a guitar for some reason. Hauser predicted a Rizzler heel turn. Big Boom AJ was shown in his locker room and there were cheers. QT Marshall was shown in his dressing room and the fans booed.
-A video package set up Big Boom AJ vs. QT Marshall.
-Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced Paul “No More BS” Wight as the guest commentator. Wight walked out and pointed to the entrance area. The Rizzler was introduced as the guest timekeeper. Wight held Rizzler’s hand as they walked down the ramp. QT Marshall made his entrance with “Doom” all over his robe and gear. Big Boom AJ and Big Justice were cheered during their entrance. AJ slapped hands with a lot of ringside fans…
3. Big Boom AJ (w/Big Justice) vs. QT Marshall. Marshall tried to give his “Doom” weight belt to AJ’s family, but they didn’t want it. Marshall gave the belt to his wife and they shared a quick kiss.
The fans chanted “F— him up, AJ” early in the match and followed up with a “You still got it” chant. Marshall teased a test of strength and then kicked AJ and put him in a headlock. AJ shot Marshall into the ropes. Marshall went for a shoulder block, but AJ didn’t budge. Rinse and repeat.
Marshall ran the ropes and was powerslammed for a two count. AJ backdropped Marshall and then clotheslined him over the top rope. Marshall had a group of “security guards” dressed in Doom t-shirts. Marshall went for a dive on AJ, who moved, causing Marshall to take out his crew.
A chant broke out for The Rizzler. AJ put Marshall down with a spinebuster. AJ went up top and clotheslined Marshall on the way down. AJ powerslammed Marshall for a near fall.
Marshall came back with a kick and then put AJ down with a Diamond Cutter for a near fall. Marshall acted stunned by AJ kicking out. Marshall went to ringside and was confronted by Wight. Marshall backed off and returned to the ring.
Marshall went to the ropes and was cut off by AJ, who then superplexed him. Marshall clearly spoke to AJ, who then played to the crowd. AJ set up for a powerbomb, but he was distracted.
Aaron Solo stood on the ropes and was punched by AJ. Marshall caught AJ with a pump kick. Marshall signaled for another Diamond Cutter. Big Justice entered the ring and speared Marshall. AJ followed up with a powerbomb for the win…
Big Boom AJ defeated QT Marshall in 11:45.
After the match, Big Justice and The Rizzler entered the ring and celebrated with AJ…
Powell’s POV: Well, that went better than I anticipated both in terms of the match and the crowd’s reaction to the TikTok stars. I guess Jersey loves their own. AJ did more than I would have predicted, and the match also went longer than I expected. Marshall deserves a ton of credit for making this work as well as it did.
-Mercedes Mone and Kamille were shown walking backstage. Kamille still had her left arm in a sling. Mone said it was embarrassing that Kamille pandered to the crowd for sympathy. Kamille got in her face. “Did I say you could speak?” Mone asked. Mone big timed Kamille and then told her that she could watch her match from the back and see how a real woman gets the job done…
-Tony Khan is getting his money’s worth out of licensing GNR’s “November Rain.” They played the full video again.
-Entrances for the four-way match for the AEW Tag Team Titles took place. A band played the House of Black duo to the ring. Max Caster rapped as part of The Acclaimed entrance. Caster tossed the mic and it hit or nearly hit Anthony Bowens, who looked annoyed before he picked it up and delivered his usual lines.
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If Paul Wight had something to do with it, I trust him..QT is a quality trainer as well So is fats magoo going to be a part of AEW or not?