All Elite Wrestling held its Full Gear pay-per-view event this Saturday from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Zero Hour (PRE-SHOW)

Orange Cassidy, Best Friends, Rocky Romero, and Danhausen def. The Factory

Zero Hour kicked off with a 10-man match as the AEW All-Atlantic champion Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor promised a very mysterious, very evil partner took on The Factory (Aaron Solow, Nick Comoroto, Lee Johnson, Cole Karter and QT Marshall).

The match starts with Cassidy, Romero, and the Best Friends coming down. Even with their very mysterious, very evil partner was missing, the good guys dominated for a while. However, being outnumbered, the Factory took over. When QT Marshall took Cassidy outside to perform a pile driver on Cassidy onto the steel steps, Danhausen’s music hit debuting a darker, more aggressive version of his character. He just came out and murdered folks with German suplexes. He poured a jar of teeth into the mouth of Nick Comoroto, hit him with a kick to the jaw, and pinned him for the win.

This was a fun, TV-level match that allowed everyone to get their stuff in and hyped the crowd up. Rocky Romero is super underrated. Danhausen got to showcase a new side of his character. We’ll see if this is just a one-time deal or if this is a new direction for the normally very nice (very evil) Danhausen.

Grade: 2.75 Stars

Title Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: Ricky Starks def. Brian Cage

Next up was Ricky Starks vs. Brian Cage for the opportunity to go up against Ethan Page next week on Dynamite in the finals of the Full Gear World Title Eliminator Tournament. The winner of the tournament gets a shot at the AEW World Championship at AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming.

Starks sold his injured ribs during the match. The injury was caused by Lance Archer and Brian Cage during Rampage. Cage walked down Starks and attacked the ribs with punches, kicks, and knee strikes. Ricky came back with a flurry of offense but Cage was just too strong and always seemed to have an answer. It wasn’t until a miscue by Cage when Starks hit a destroyer and the Rochambeau for the win.

Another solid match. I LOVE Ricky Starks and he is long overdue for a decent push.

Grade: 2.75 Stars

Eddie Kingston def. Jun Akiyama

Eddie Kingston did an emotional interview with Renee Paquette prior to his match. He talked about being 18 years old when he first saw Akiyama fight and said that’s the guy he wanted to fight and that’s the style he wants to fight in.

The two men beat the hell out of one another. There were tons of chops and elbow strikes. Akiyama hit a gnarly looking DDT onto Kingston on the apron along with a guillotine knee to the back of his head. Back in the ring they traded exploders with each no-selling the effects. Akiyama blocked the spinning back fist and hit Eddie with an exposed knee for a near fall. After some back and forth, Eddie hit a Northern Lights Bomb for a near fall. He allowed Akiyama to get back to his feet and hit him with the spinning back fist for the win.

This was exceptional. Eddie Kingston is all heart. It was clear how much this meant to him. It was clear how much the respect these men had for one another.

Grade: 3.75 Stars

Full Gear

Steel Cage Match: Jungle Boy def. Luchasaurus

Christian Cage’s betrayal and his influence on Luchasaurus has lead to this moment where the only way to settle the feud between childhood friends is in a steel cage. The big man beat the heck out of Jack Perry. He was bloodied early on in the match. Christian Cage stole the cage keys from a referee to open up the door to the cage. He was dragged away by security for his troubles.

After the dust settled, Luchasaurus introduced a table and some chairs into the cage. The two men returned to the cage. Jungle Boy fought from underneath but Luchasaurus continued to dominate. It wasn’t until Jack hit a destroyed off a chair and a Kill Switch for a near fall. Perry hit an elbow drop off the top of the cage onto Luchasaurus through a table. He then applied the Snare Trap as Luchasaurus taps for the win.

This was a great start to the event. This might’ve also been a star-making performance for Jack Perry. I really did enjoy the Jurassic Express. I was excited when they became tag champions but they never got the proper push. I know JR is hot on Jungle Boy. Looks like Perry is taking advantage of the opportunities being presented to him.

Grade: 3.5 Stars

AEW World Trios Championship Match: Death Triangle (c) def. The Elite 

The Elite are back! The trio returned from their suspension following the All Out brawl. They received a hero’s welcome from the crowd as they entered the arena to “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas. Being a Supernatural fan, I popped!

Kenny looked the best he’s looked in a long time. The Jacksons haven’t missed a beat. Kenny and Pac started things off. The two teams looked evenly matched early as the crowd chanted “Fuck CM Punk!” There was a really fun sequence where the four brothers attempted to hit superkicks with the Lucha Bros (and Pac) ending up on the losing end of that exchange.

Death Triangle (namely Pac) tried to slow things down by targeting Kenny but were unsuccessful as Matt scored the tag and performed his Nothern Lights spot on both Lucha Bros. Kenny tagged back in and hit some Snapdragon Suplexes on Death Triangle and flew out of the ring onto Pac and Penta.

Death Triangle took the advantage by hitting Tombstone Pile Drivers onto The Elite. Fenix hit the splash onto Omega off of Penta’s shoulders. Pentagon hit the Destroyer onto Matt Jackson. Fenix hit a cutter onto Nick Jackson. Pac hit a Black Arrow into the Brutalizer, but Nick broke it up.

Pac tosses the ring hammer to Rey Fenix, but he initially refuses wanting to win with honor. It wasn’t until Omega hoisted Fenix up for the One Winged Angel when Fenix hit Kenny in the head with the hammer and rolled him up for the win.

This match was great. The finish was a welcomed surprise. Nice to have The Elite back on television.

Goodness! I missed Kenny Omega so much. 😭😭😭 https://t.co/RDMkEwHeHp

— Eddie ✊🏼🇵🇷 (@EddiePotatoes) November 20, 2022

Grade: 4 Stars

TBS Championship Match: Jade Cargill (c) def. Nyla Rose 

Nyla Rose took on TBS Champion, Jade Cargill capping off the funnest builds within the women’s division this year. Nyla Rose stole the belt from Jade and the Baddies and has been holding it hostage.

Nyla Rose came down to the ring with Vickie Guerrero in a low rider paying homage to Vickie’s late husband, Eddie Guerrero. Jade Cargill came down dressed as Cheetara from the ThunderCats.

Nyla hit Kiera at ringside prior to the bell. Jade retaliated, threw Nyla into the ring, and the match started. Nyla dominated early hitting her signature knee drop to the back of Jade’s head as she draped over the top rope. Each competitor hit the other’s finisher on one another for near falls with Jade hitting the Beast Bomb on Nyla and Nyla hitting Jaded on Jade. After some rough spots, Jade hit the Pump Kick after a missed Swanton by Nyla, hit Jaded, and pinned her for the win.

It wasn’t the smoothest of matches. Jade is still quite green and Nyla isn’t the smoothest of in-ring performers. Kinda wanted this feud to continue on since Nyla is so good at trolling, but it is what it is. Jade remains undefeated.

Grade: 2 Stars

ROH World Championship Four-Way Match: Chris Jericho (c) def. Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Sammy Guevara

Ian Riccaboni joined the commentary table for this match. At the start of the match Jericho and Claudio went up against each other outside the ring. Danielson and Sammy squared off inside as the crowd chanted “Fuck you, Sammy!”

Danielson and Jericho exchanged chops before Claudio joins in to greet Jericho with some European Uppercuts. Once Sammy and Chris were thrown out of the ring, the two BCC members shook hands and started beating down one another by exchanging European uppercuts. The two exchanged rollups for near falls before Jericho interrupted.

Danielson and Castagnoli teamed up on Jericho before being interrupted by Sammy flying off the top rope and hitting a cutter on both men. Guevara and Jericho teamed up against Danielson and that’s when you first started seeing dissension between the two. Following a DVD, Jericho told Sammy to backoff as he attempted to pin Danielson.

Sammy hit a Spanish Fly onto Danielson. Jericho hopped up and hit a Lionsault onto both men. Castagnoli ate a Code Breaker from Jericho, but the pinball attempt was broken up by Sammy Guevara. The two exchange blows with Sammy hitting a Code Breaker on Jericho for a near fall. Jericho reversed an attempt by Sammy to put him in the Walls of Jericho.

Jericho puts the Walls onto Guevara with Danielson breaking it up. Claudio and Bryan team up to put Chris into a Sharpshooter/Lebell Lock combination. Sammy broke that up, lured Jericho into a GTH, and hit the Shooting Star Press for an incredible near fall.

Claudio put Guevara in the Swing, but Jericho dives in with a flying Judas Effect. Clauudio gets up, but eats another Judas Effect. Jericho pins Castagnoli and retains.

How can this match not be good? All the competitors in this match are amazing. Say what you want about Sammy, in between the ropes that man is gold. Felt like a turning point for his character. Feel like Jericho will hold onto the championship until an ROH TV deal is done.

Grade: 4.5 Stars

Saraya def. Dr. Britt Baker, DMD

This is the in-ring return of Saraya (fka Paige in WWE) after a 5 year hiatus.  Saraya’s brother is at ringside. Britt comes out solo. The two lock up with Saraya selling the neck following a shoulder block. There was a look of concern on Baker’s face, but it was all an act. Saraya hit a thrust kick to Britt knocking her to the outside. Britt catches Saraya with a twisting neck breaker from the apron to the floor. This is when I started to feel uncomfortable watching her take this punishment.

Britt took over working Saraya’s neck. The action spilled to the outside with Saraya hitting a diving crossbody to the floor. Back in the ring, Saraya counters a Fisherman’s Neck Breaker with a Knight Cap for a near fall. Britt attempted the Lockjaw, but that was broken up by Saraya getting her foot on the rope. Britt hit an Air Raid Crash for a near fall. She hit a Curb Stomp onto Saraya for another near fall. Saraya hit a Rampaige (?) DDT onto Britt for a near fall. Britt hit another Curb Stomp for yet another near fall. Saraya hits two consecutive Rampaige (?) DDT’s and pins Dr. Britt Baker, DMD for the win.

This was a decent match. Happy for Saraya to be back in wrestling. Sounds like she was in a dark place and good for her coming out on the other side of such dark times. Hopefully, this was a one-and-done. I want to see Britt move onto bigger things.

Grade: 2.5 Stars

AEW TNT Championship Three-Way Match: Samoa Joe def. Wardlow (c), Powerhouse Hobbs

To quote Big E, this match was just Big meaty men slapping meat!

Wardlow targets Samoa Joe out the gate. Hobbs hit an impressive delayed vertical suplex onto Wardlow with Joe attempted to take on Hobbs only to be laid out with a monster shoulder tackle. Hobbs dominated early on until he whipped Wardlow into the corner. Wardlow climbs to the top and flips onto both competitors with an awesome looking Whisper in the Wind.

Each man takes turns dominating. I’m amazed by how strong these dudes are. Wardlow picked up Hobbs like he was a child. Hobbs and Wardlow exchanged blows outside with Joe diving onto them wiping both men out. Hobbs hit a massive spine buster onto Wardlow for a near fall.

Wardlow hits the Powerbomb Symphony onto Powerhouse Hobbs. Some Joe breaks up the Symphony by hitting Wardlow in the back of the head with the belt. Joe put the Coquina Clutch on Hobbs choking him out for the win capturing the TNT Championship.

This match had some good moments. I question the booking. I question the cooling down of Powerhouse Hobbs. Not sure what’s next for Wardlow.

Grade: 2.75 Stars

No DQ, No Count Out: Darby Allin & Sting def. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal (w/ Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh) 

What year is this?

There was a lot of nonsense in this match including the guys following tag rules in a No DQ, No Count Out contest. The guys battled all around the arena. Sting did a couple of crazy spots.

Sting is 63 years old. #AEWFullGear pic.twitter.com/ehuBeMCjYl

— Eddie ✊🏼🇵🇷 (@EddiePotatoes) November 20, 2022

Satnam Singh ended up getting involved and the only way to take him out was with a Scorpion Death Drop/Coffin Drop combination from Sting and Darby Allin. Sting caught Jay Lethal’s attempt at a Lethal Injection with a Scorpion Death Drop. Darby hit the Coffin Drop onto Lethal and scored the pin for the win.

This shouldn’t have been on the PPV. It was fine, but could’ve been saved for TV. TK is a nostalgia nerd, which I can appreciate, but this dragged down the PPV.

Grade: 2 Stars

Interim AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Jamie Hayter def. Toni Storm (c) 

Jamie Hayter came to the ring by herself leaving Rebel and Britt Baker behind. The arena is chanting for Hayter as the two women stare each other down. The match kicks off with a tie up. Neither gain the advantage until Storm knocks Hayter out of the ring and follows it up with a hip attack knocking Hayter to the floor as she attempted to reenter the ring.

The two battled on the outside with Storm gaining the advantage until she missed with a chop and hit the ring post. Jamie worked over Toni. She has it out with the ref allowing Storm to get back into it and take back the advantage. The crowd boos anytime Toni takes control. It’s amazing how over Hayter is.

Storm hit a diving crossbody for a 2 count. Following some exchanges, Toni hit a headbutt to Hayter for a near fall. This is when Rebel came running down. She grabbed the belt and hit Storm with it while the referee’s back was turned. Jamie hit a neck breaker to Toni along with a sliding lariat for a near fall. The ref sees Rebel with the belt and ejects her.

Back in the ring, Storm hits the Hayterade ripcord lariat on Jamie Hayter for a 2-count. Storm misses with the hip attack and falls to the floor. This is when Dr. Britt Baker runs into frame hitting the Curb Stomp on Storm onto the belt. She threw Storm back into the ring. Hayter hit Storm Zero on her for a 2-count. The crowd was furious. lol

Hayter missed with the Hayterade ripcord lariat. Storm caught her with a German Suplex and hit the Storm Zero. Hayter kicked out. She went to put Jamie in a Texas Cloverleaf, but Baker provided enough distraction for Hayter to hit a backbreaker onto Storm for 2.

Jamie attacked Toni in the corner while Baker was taking off the turnbuckle pad. Storm threw Jamie into the exposed turnbuckle, but Britt was still there and absorbed the blow. Storm was then sent into the corner by Hayter. Jamie Hayter hit the Hayterade, got the 3-count, and we now have a new Interim World Women’s  Champion!

This was awesome! I enjoyed every moment of it. The right call was made.

I will say, though, I agree with Shawn Spears:

This “interim” stuff is bullshit.

You’re either the Champion, or you’re not.

— Shawn Spears™️ (@ShawnSpears) November 20, 2022

Grade: 4.5 Stars

AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: The Acclaimed (c) def. Swerve in Our Glory 

Swerve and Lee came out first. Swerve stops Keith Lee at the top of the ramp asking for a fist bump. Lee reluctantly bumps Swerve and the two march out to the ring together. Caster and Bowens then come out with Max dropping bars on Twitter, Ye, and Trump.

Bowens right shoulder was heavily taped up and he sold it throughout the match. The Acclaimed worked over Swerve with Bowens hitting the Scissor Me Timbers onto him. Swerve set up a barricade section on the outside for later use. Lee wasn’t pleased but Swerve told him to focus on Bowens. Swerve tried to suplex Bowens onto the rail. Bowens reversed it. Bowens got worked over but eventually hit Max for the hot tag.

Caster ran wild, but Keith Lee was just too strong. Lee caught Caster on the ropes and went for a suplex but Caster fought him off and hit a leg drop off the top rope to the back of Lee’s head. Bowens knocked Swerve to apron in front of the propped up guardrail. He attempted to kick Swerve onto the rail but Keith Lee made the save. Max Caster went to the top rope and hit a crossbody onto Keith Lee through the guardrail.

Bowens hits The Arrival onto Strickland. He tagged in Max Caster who hit the Mic Drop but Keith Lee broke up the pinning attempt at the last second. Lee throws around The Acclaimed. Lee and Strickland set up Caster for the Fall from Glory but he kicks out at 2. Lee set had Caster up for the Spirit Bomb, but Bowens tried to intervene. Lee swung Caster into Bowens and power bombed him onto Bowens’ back.

Swerve went to use the pliers on Max Caster when Billy Gunn runs down for the save. While the referees walk Gunn to the back, Strickland runs back into the ring and tried to convince Keith Lee to use the pliers on Caster. Keith Lee tossed the pliers to the side and walks out on Strickland after he slapped Lee. The Acclaimed hit the combination sit-out driver for the win.

Fun match. Had its moments. Didn’t come close to capturing the magic from their first encounter back at All Out.

Grade: 3.5 Stars

AEW World Championship Match: MJF def. Jon Moxley (c) (w/ William Regal)

The two exchanged blows early on with MJF strutting, low bridging Moxley, and sending him to the outside. Mox took the advantage and flipped off the crowd as they chanted “Fuck you, Moxley!”

MJF continued to fight from underneath but Moxley continued to out wrestle and out brawl him. Mox strutted around ringside holding the title up when MJF spit a drink into his face giving him the advantage for a brief moment. Mox fought him off and sent him into the steel steps ribs first.

MJF took it to Moxley but he took too long setting up a table on the outside. Mox hit a cutter on MJF to massive boos from the crowd. MJF hit a Tombstone on the apron but he immediately started selling his knee. MJF went for a second piledriver but Moxley countered this time and hit the piledriver onto MJF through the table that MJF introduced earlier.

Back in the ring, Moxley puts a Figure Four onto MJF. MJF turned it over reversing the pressure. Mox reached for the ropes forcing the break. The two men traded blows in the middle of the ring but when Mox went in for a clothesline, MJF pulled the ref in the way. With the referee knocked out, MJF dug in his trunks for the Dynamite Ring.

Regal screamed at MJF imploring him not to use the ring. MJF threw the ring at Regal and flipped him off. Following a second ref bump, Moxley put the Bulldog choke onto MJF and scored the visual tap. Regal screamed at Moxley to wake up the ref. While Moxley was getting the referee, Regal slipped the brass knuckles to MJF. MJF knocked Mox out and got the win.

New Champ! Many expected this. Not sure if I agree with the booking. However, it was a good match. One ref bump was enough. Two was a bit much. Newark loves MJF and he’s now the youngest AEW World Champion in AEW’s history.

Wait, what just happened?

Watch #AEWFullGear LIVE on PPV right now
🔗https://t.co/ufkkXQTkk6 pic.twitter.com/YnqHgrmS3J

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) November 20, 2022

Grade: 4.25 Stars