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AEW FULL GEAR PPV REPORT
NOVEMBER 23, 2024
NEWARK, N.J. AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today 10,197 tickets had been distributed. They sold 4,000 tickets in the last few days for a nice late rush.
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[PRE-SHOW] (“Zero Hour”)
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Matt Menard
(A) DEONNA PURRAZZO (w/Taya Valkyrie) vs. ANNA JAY
Excalibur said fans were still filing into the arena as many empty seats were visible. When Valkyrie speared Jay at ringside, the ref sent her to the back. Purrazzo then gave Jay her finishing armbar, but Jay countered for a leverage three count.
WINNER: Anna Jay in 7:00.
(B) KOMANDER (w/Alex Abrahantes) cs. BUDDY MATTHEWS vs. BEAST MORTOS vs. DANTE MARTIN
For the finish, they went into a rapid-fire sequence. Komander gave Mortos a Poison Rana. Dante then landed a top rope splash on Mortos. Matthews stomped Dante and covered him for the win.
WINNER: Matthews in 11:00.
-Paul Wight (“Big Show”) came out to join in on commentary. The Rizzler (a kid) came out as guest ring announcer.
(C) BIG BOOM A.J. (w/Big Justice) vs. Q.T. MARSHALL
Fans were into Boom and Justice. Marshall applied an early headlock and asked the ref to “ask him!” (if he quit). Eventually, Boom landed a superplex. Big Justice landed a spear which got a big pop from the crowd. Boom followed with a powerbomb for the win.
WINNER: Boom in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd was into it, and that was essential for this to work.)
-Mercedes Moné was verbally abusive to Kamille backsage. “Did I say you could speak?” she asked her. She told her to watch her match from the back to see how real women get the job done.
-The Guns ‘n’ Roses “November Rain” video previewing Full Gear aired.
-The House of Black made their ring entrance as a live band played their song.
-The Acclaimed made their way to the ring. Max Caster rapped insults about House of Black’s live band and said he’d stain the couch cushions or the Outlanders and something about someone’s mothers, of course.
[MAIN SHOW]
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness
-They cut to there arena which filled nicely since the pre-show began.
(1) PRIVATE PARTY (Marq Quen.& Isiah Kassidy) vs. MALAKAI BLACK & BRODY KING vs. THE OUTRUNNERS (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) vs. THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) – AEW Tag Team Title match
The Outrunners got a nice pop for their ring entrance. Black & Brody got in early offense. The crowd popped for The Outrunner’s flurry of offense.
Late in the match, Caster acted heelish toward the fans. Bowens, who’s from the area, took exception. Bowens gave Kassidy the Arrival, but Caster didn’t follow up with the Mic Drop. Private Party then landed Gin & Juice on Caster for the win. Private Party celebrated with the fans in the stands.
WINNERS: Private Party in 14:00 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: Exactly the match you’d expect with these four teams. This was the most dissension yet between Bowens and Caster. Who will break up first, The Acclaimed or New Day?)
-Lexi Nair interviewed Orange Cassidy who said AEW is sending a message back to the Death Riders. He touted Private Party winning the AEW Tag Team Titles after five years. He said AEW means the world to them and it means the world to him. He said he and Private Party wouldn’t exist without AEW. He said he’s taking the power and symbol of everything AEW represents out of Jon Moxley’s briefcase and into his backpack.
(2) RODERICK STRONG vs. MJF
A video package recapped the set-up for this match. MJF insulted the crowd and said the fans like Roderick because he’s white trash like them. He when he’s not wrestling in AEW (he insulted the company), he’s making millions shooting movies. He said meanwhile, his mother is shooting his father.
MJF took it to Strong at ringside early. He powerbombed him onto the ring apron early in the match. Back in the ring, MJF worked over Strong’s arm to mitigate his ability to chop him. He grounded him a few minutes in. A “Let’s Go Roddy! / MJF!” dueling chant broke out.
Strong hit MJF with a wrecking ball kick. He dropped him back-first on the ringside barricade. MJF made a comeback in the ring, but Strong caught him gloating and gave him a backbreaker off the second rope.
MJF and Strong battled back and forth, trading brief stretches of offense. Strong caught MJF with End of Heartache for a two count. Strong followed with more moves including a gut buster and a running kick to the face. MJF countered with a brainbuster suplex. Both were down and slow to get up. They went to a wide shot of the arena.
When Strong draped his arm over MJF’s chest, MJF applied his Salt of the Earth armbar for the tapout win. Nigel said Strong tapped out so quickly, he must’ve broken his finger.
WINNER: MJF in 12:00.
-Afterward, MJF brought a chair into the ring. he put Strong’s wrist in it. Excalibur said he was going to try to permanently incapacitate him. MJF stomped the chair. Cole’s music played and he ran out. MJF fled the scene. Kyle O’Reilly, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett joined in. O’Reilly shoved Cole down. The announcers said O’Reilly blames Cole for Strong being in the crosshairs of MJF. Bennett and Taven seemed surprised by O’Reilly’s outburst. Cole looked stunned.
(Keller’s Analysis: The match itself wasn’t all that memorable, but okay for this stage of the story they’re telling, assuming you can accept they’re still telling a story about MJF and Undisputed Era. The O’Reilly twist adds a new dimension.)
(3) MERCEDES MONE vs. KRIS STATLANDER – TBS Title match
A video package previewed this match. Mercedes told the camera after ring introductions, “That’s right, I’m putting the Boss in Boston, baby.” The bell rang 47 minutes into the first hour. Mercedes went on early offense. She mounted Statlander and punched away at her.
Statlander made a comeback and press slammed Mercedes. She followed with a standing moonsault press for a two count at 2:00. They battled on the ring apron next. Mercedes countered a suplex attempt with a head scissors to the floor. She followed up with a Meteora. She landed running double knees into Statlander against the ringside steps.
Mercedes tried to score a pin by grabbing the bottom rope for leverage. When the ref stopped the count because of it, she stood and screamed in the face of the ref. She followed up with a chokeslam onto her knee for a two count, then let out more screams after Statlander kicked out.
At 8:00, Statlander countered a Mercedes and slammed her to the mat and powerbombed her into the corner turnbuckle. The ref checked to see if Mercedes could stand. Mercedes came back with a crucifix bomb and then tried for a submission. Statlander stood her up, but Mercedes countered into a backstabber for a two count.
Statlander kipped up but immediately Mercedes landed a Meteora off the second rope for a near fall. She threw a fit after the kickout. Statlander hit a discus lariat a minute later for a near fall at 12:00. Statlander landed Saturday Night Fever for a near fall next.
Mercedes rallied next. She launched off the top rope, but Statlander caught her and drove her to the mat. Excalibur announced they had a new champion as the ref was counting, so therefore Mercedes inevitably kicked out at two. Statlander positioned Mercedes on the mat for a top rope move. She went for a 450, but Mercedes moved.
Mercedes leaped off the top rope with a splash on Statlander’s knees from behind, then rolled her over and scored a two count.
Mercedes slapped Statlander and trash-talked her. Statlander countered into a backslide, but Mercedes rolled her up. Mercedes lifted Statlander, but Statlander countered and set u a tombstone. Mercedes bit her leg and then sent Statlander throat-first into the middle rope and scored a three count.
Mercedes was exhausted on the floor and hugged her belts and declared that she is the best. The ringside doctor checked on Statlander and helped her to the back.
WINNER: Mercedes in 20:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match which showed some of Mercedes’ strengths as an in-ring performer, which is good since he character work has been below part since her arrival.)
(4) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. JAY WHITE
The bell rang to start the match 13 minutes into the hour. Excalibur talked about White’s winning streak against Hangman until their last match. Hangman took over offense with methodical offense early. Excalibur said the tone of the match is different than expected.
White made a comeback at 6:00 and landed a running uppercut in the corner. Hangman fought back and took Jay off the top rope with a fallaway slam for a two count. White came back with a top rope superplex a minute later for a two count. A scattered “Cowboy Shit” almost started from a crowd that wasn’t reacting much to the match otherwise. White worked over Hangman’s leg. Nigel said that could weaken his ability to do an effective Buckshot Lariat.
White scored a two count with a German suplex into a bridge. With both down, Excalibur hyped a new era starting on Jan. 1 with Dynamite airing on both TBS and Max. They battled on the ring apron. White suplexed Hangman on the edge of the ring apron. White clutched his left ankle, but then pursued Hangman and delivered a snap suplex on the ramp. White rolled into the ring to break the ref’s count. A “Let’s Go Switchblade! / Cowboy Shit” dueling chant broke out.
White went for a suplex on the stage, but White’s left leg gave way. Hangman shoved White into the ringside barricade. Hangman clutched his knee as White clutched his ankle.
Hangman applied an anklelock on White in the ring. White escaped, but Hangman set up a Buckshot. White moved and then gave Hangman a Dragon Screw in the ropes. White landed a uranage for a near fall at 17:00.
Hangman caught White with an anklelock. White reversed on the mat into his own leglock. Hangman crawled to the bottom rope to force a break. White released the hold. Nigel called the match “a game of strategy” and noted Gordon Solie called pro wrestling a “human game of chess.”
Hangman surprised White with a sudden Dead Eye. He delivered a second one for a near fall at 19:00. Hangman pulled himself into position for a Buckshot, but White blocked it and setup a Blade Runner. Hangman blocked that. White rolled up Hangman, but Hangman went for an anklelock. White quickly countered with a Blade Runner for the win.
White smiled and flashed five fingers at him. Excalibur said the one win Hangman had over White has a big asterisk next to it. Hangman got up, bug-eyed mad at the outcome as White gloated from the ramp.
Hangman attacked White on the stage afterward. Christopher Daniels ran out and told Hangman to stop. Hangman hit him. Excalibur said that could results in fines and perhaps suspensions.
WINNER: White in 21:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: The action was good throughout, but built slowly. The crowd didn’t really seem to be invested much emotionally, but didn’t seem bored, either. Their interest picked up as the match progressed. Each wrestler selling a leg injury was a key theme of the match.)
(5) KYLE FLETCHER (w/Don Callis) vs. WILL OSPREAY
Ospreay made his entrance first. Fletcher came out wearing a crown and new ring gear that looked pretty high end. They had a staredown mid-ring as they removed their ring outfits. Fans sang “Olé!” Calls joined in on commentary 41 minutes into the hour.
Fletcher got in some offense at ringside, then taunted the crowd. He set up the ringside steps and whopped Ospreay toward them. Ospreay somersaulted over them and then leaped off the steps with a huracanrana. Callis said he never said Ospreay wasn’t a great athlete, but he thinks Fletcher is ready. Callis said he’s never liked kids, but if he had one, he’d want him to look exactly like Fletcher. “What a stud!” he said.
Ospreay and Fletcher battled on the ring apron and then to ringside. Fletcher took control and methodically worked over Ospreay in the ring. Callis said Fletcher has prepared all year for this eventuality. Ospreay attempted a comeback, but collapsed and grabbed his neck and shoulder. Fletcher then went on the attack and scored a near fall.
Ospreay made a comeback and landed a sky twister dive off the top turnbuckle onto Fletcher on the floor. Ospreay threw Fletcher into the ring and landed a leaping elbow strike.
Ospreay chopped Fletcher’s chest. Fletcher countered with a superkick to the chin. Ospreay lifted Fletcher and landed a sitout powerbomb for a two count at 11:00. Ospreay went for a Hidden Blade, but Fletcher blocked it. Ospreay went for a Oscutter, but Fletcher countered mid-air and high leaping sitout powerbombed Ospreay for a near fall. Schiavone said fans were going “bananas” after that sequence and chanting “AEW!”
Ospreay pulled Fletcher over the top rope with his legs and then landed a piledriver. Both were down and slow to get up at ringside. When Fletcher leaped into the ring at the count of nine, Ospreay landed a dropkick and then scored a two count. Both were slow to get up. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Fletcher ducked a Hidden Blade and went for a powerbomb. Ospreay slipped free and hit a Spanish Fly. He charged, but Fletcher clotheslined him.
Ospreay landed a non-Hidden Blade. Both men were down. The fans loudly chanted, “AEW! AEW!” Nigel said, “Where the best wrestle, and two of them are in the middle of the ring right now.” Schiavone said this has been the show-stealer so far.
Ospreay stood and set up an Oscutter, but Fletcher knocked him off balance on the top rope. Ospreay back-elbowed Fletcher. Fletcher kicked him and went for a suplex. Ospreay turenmd it into a leaping powerbomb attempt, but he shifted into a Styles Clash for a near fall. Ospreay hit Fletcher with a Hidden Blade for a dramatic near fall at 18:00. Fans chanted “Fight forever!”
Ospreay went for a move on the ring apron, but Fletcher countered and delivered a tombstone off the ring apron onto the ringside steps. They cut to a fan with his hands held up to his head wide-eyed. “You sick f—!” chanted the crowd.
Back in the ring, Ospreay delivered a Grimstone piledriver for a near fall. Fletcher smiled and clapped, figuring he still had Ospreay where he wanted him. Fletch set up another move, but Ospreay leveraged his shoulders down for a near fall.
Fletcher held Ospreay’s numb left arm and smiled as Ospreay flailed. he then clotheslined him onto his head. He leaned Ospreay in the corner and charged with a running kick. He followed with a top rope brainbuster suplex onto the to turnbuckle for the clean win.
WINNER: Fletcher in 24:00.
-Mark Davis came out and checked on Ospreay. As Callis and Fletcher walked away, Fletcher yelled, “You two deserve each other.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Great match and great finish. If you’re going to get behind elevating someone, giving them that kind of win makes a real statement. You could argue whether Ospreay should be losing if the plan is to build around him, but there’s a lot they can do to build rematches off of that match down the line.)
-Mina Shirakawa introduced Mariah May as the love of her life. Maria came out and said there is not a single woman alive who can touch her. She turned to Shirakawa and called her “my one true friend” and said she couldn’t have done it without her. Shirakawa handed her a class of champagne. They drank.
Mariah said it was time to celebrate. They then began to dance. Mariah swung a bottle at Shirakawa, but Shirakawa ducked and kicked the bottle out of her hands. It shattered. Shirakawa speared Mariah off the ramp through a table below. Officials ran over to check on her. “This love affair is over, seemingly,” Nigel said. Shirakawa stood with blood flowing from her mouth. She then wiped the blood all over Mariah’s forehead.
(6) JACK PERRY vs. DANIEL GARCIA – TNT Title match
A video package aired before the match with Garcia wearing headphones and walking around the city as a voicemail from his mom played where she talked about being proud of him and him doing things the right way. Garcia then made his ring entrance followed by Perry. The bell rang 21 minutes into the third hour.
When Garcia pushed Perry into the corner of the ring, Perry shoved him in the face and dropped to ringside. Garcia attacked Perry aggressively a minute later and knocked him over the ringside barricade into the crowd. Then he dragged him back over the barricade.
Perry made a comeback by DDT’ing Garcia off the ring apron to the floor at 4:00. Perry threw Garcia into the ringside barricade. Back in the ring, Perry continued to beat down Garcia until Garcia landed a Saito suplex to slow Perry. Perry came back with a snare trap. Garcia crawled over to the bottom rope. Perry then dropped Garcia onto the edge of the ring apron. Perry walked over to Menard and asked how he could do what he did to him. Menard stood. Perry powerbombed Garcia through a table at ringside. Nigel said he heard Garcia’s mother scream at ringside.
Garcia beat the countout and made a spirited comeback. He kicked away at Perry in the corner. Schiavone said that sometimes emotions can serve you well. Garcia butterfly suplexed Perry into the corner. Perry fought back and drove Garcia into the middle turnbuckle lawn dart style. He slammed Garcia to the mat and scored a near fall at 13:00.
Perry dropped to ringside and grabbed his TNT Title belt. Excalibur said Perr would retain the belt if he lost by DQ for using it. Perry dropped the belt in front of Garcia and then invited him to hit him with it. Gacia picxked up the belt and wound up, but stopped short. As the ref dropped the belt off outside the ring, Perry gave Garcia a low blow and then a knee strike for a near fall.
Perry set up a knee strike, but Garcia collapsed. Garcia surprised Perry with a jack knife cover for a near fall. Garcia landed a leaping leg-capture piledriver for a near fall.
Perry slapped away at Garcia. Garcia absorbed them and then chopped away at Perry with intensity. Perry smiled and approached Garcia wit his arms extended. Garcia seized the opening with a piledriver. Garcia then put Perry in a sharpshooter mid-ring. Perry tried to reach the bottom rope, but Garcia pulled him back to the center and cinched on the hold. Perry tapped. The crowd popped. “What a moment in AEW history,” said Schiavone.
WINNER: Garcia in 18:00 to capture the TNT Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good match with two of the young stars of AEW’s second tier. Garcia’s win was tainted a bit by Perry leaving himself vulnerable as part of his mind games, but the fans loved it when Garcia took advantage of it and seized the opportunity.)
(7) KONOSUKE TAKESHITA vs. RICOCHET – AEW International Championship match
After a video package, Ricochet made his entrance. Then Callis accompanied Takeshita. Excalibur said he can’t wait for Jim Ross to join them later, in particular because it means Callis won’t be with them on commentary. Callis then joined them on commentary and he called Takeshita “the best bell-to-bell wrestlers on the planet.” The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour.
Takeshita got the majority of the offense in during the first nine minutes. Ricochet ten rallied. He landed a flying clothesline. He ducked a charging Takeshita and then sent Takeshita to ringside with an enzuigiri. He followed with a running backflip corkscrew dive over the top rope onto Takeshita. He threw Takeshita back into the ring and then landed a springboard 450 for a near fall.
Callis stood up and took off his headset and walked to the ring. He yelled encouragement to Takeshita. “F— off, Callis!” chanted the crowd. Takeshita surprised Ricochet with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall at 12:00.
Takeshita took Ricochet off the top rope with a German suplex leading to a near fall. Takeshita charged with a running knee for a two count at 15:00. He stomped away at Ricochet and then landed a leaping senton. When Takeshita leaped to the top rope, Ricochet took him down with a huracanrana and a poison rana. He then leaped off the top rope with a shooting star press for a near fall. Callis teased leaping onto the ring apron to break up the cover.
Takeshita came back with a leaping package piledriver for a near fall. Ricochet came back and landed a lift-and-drop enzuigiri for a two count. Ricochet made a labored climb to the top rope. Takeshita rose and knocked Ricochet off balance and then drove a knee into his back. He followed with a top rope Jackhammer for the clean win.
WINNER: Takeshita in 20:00 to retain the International Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another really good match. By this point it felt a bit like being served a third or fourth course that was just a bit too similar to the prior courses, though, even if they were all very good. A clean win for Takeshita was welcome here, not because Ricochet isn’t at his level necessarily, but that it was an affirmation that an AEW wrestler who fans have wanted to climb the card and get a better push was given a clean win over a WWE upper-mid-carder with more mainstream name value. That’s better use of Ricochet than booking him to be better than Takeshita.)
(8) “SWERVE” STRICKLAND (w/Prince Nana) vs. BOBBY LASHLEY (w/MVP, Shelton Benjamin)
A video preview aired for this match. Swerve came out first with Nana. Jim Ross joined in on commentary. He talked about how he signed Lashley to his first pro wrestling contract and they were lucky he didn’t go right into MMA given his strong amateur background. Lashley came out next with Shelton and MVP. The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour.
Lashley took early control with his power. He settled into a chinlock on the mat at 2:00. Swerve caught a charging Lashley with boots tot he face. Swerve had to deal with a pestering MVP at ringside, giving Lashley an opening. Nana walked over and yelled at MVP and Shelton. Lashley then charged and knocked Swerve into the side of the ring.
Shelton swiped at Swerve’s boot as he ran the ropes. The ref saw him and ordered him to the back. Lashley, meanwhile, went on the attack on Swerve, tossing him into the ringside barricade. Lashley positioned the steps at ringside for a running powerslam, but Swerve slipped free and shoved Lashley into the ringside steps. Swerve rammed Lashley into the ringside steps over and over, then played to the crowd.
Swerve went for a DDT on the ring apron, although the announcers talked about how Lashley tried to avoid it and might’ve put himself in more peril. As Lashley stumbled backwards toward the Spanish announce desk, Swerve leaped off the ringside steps and double-stomped Lashley through the table.
As Swerve stalked Lashley in the ring, fans chanted, “Swerve’s house!” Swerve landed a House Call. He leaped off the top rope with a Swerve Stomp for a near fall at 10:00. MVP went over to check on Lashley. Swerve spun MVP around and stared at him. Lashley got up and tossed Swerve aside and then speared Swerve through the ringside barricade. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!”
Lashley then hit a spear in the ring. “That should do it,” said Ross, matter-of-factly. Lashley then applied a Hurt Lock mid-ring. The ref called for the bell.
WINNER: Lashley in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: So while Takeshita got the clean win over one former WWE wrestler, newly signed Lashley gets a clean win over Swerve, a recent AEW Champion. Interesting booking decision, but the other choices had downsides – a tainted finish or having Swerve beat Lashley and define Lashley down right as he entered as a big signing. This finish can’t be fairly evaluated until we see where Lashley’s journey takes him over the next six months relative to Swerve’s. The match itself was a change of pace from the prior four – not a “better match,” but a needed change of pace and style.)
-Lashley put Nana in the Hurt Lock afterward. He released a limp-bodied Nana and dropped him next to Swerve.
(9) JON MOXLEY vs. ORANGE CASSIDY – AEW World Title match
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