AEW Full Gear took place for the 6th time on Saturday, November 23rd.
One of the landmark pay-per-views on the calendar, the show saw Orange Cassidy look to end Jon Moxley’s reign of terror in the main event. Additionally, following his brief in-ring debut on the go-home episode of Dynamite, Bobby Lashley competed in his first major match against Swerve Strickland.
While not a match, the Champagne Celebration with Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa did not go as many intended at AEW Full Gear. While many expected to see “Timeless” Toni Storm return, there was no sign of the former AEW Women’s Champion. Instead, May attempted to ambush Shirakawa but Shirakawa speared May through a table instead.
AEW Full Gear 2024 Review And Ratings
Private party defeated The Outrunners, Kings of the Black Throne and The Acclaimed to retain the AEW Tag Team Championships – A fun opener that focused on the inevitable split of The Acclaimed with multiple points of contention throughout. At one point Max Caster attempted to pin Anthony Bowens to take advantage of the rules. The Outrunners were very over once again. Private Party hit the Gin and Juice to win the match – ***
MJF defeated Roderick Strong – Looking to be hated by the crowd as much as possible, MJF flipped off and insulted the crowd right from the off. Strong started off the match on top but MJF took control and slowed the pace. Strong made a brief comeback with a dive to the outside. MJF attempted to mock Adam Cole but was cut off by Strong. Strong attempted to apply the Texas Cloverleaf but the damage sustained meant he couldn’t keep the hold on. Strong hit the End of Heartache but MJF got his foot on the rope. MJF applied the armbar to get the win. After the match, MJF used a chair to attack Strong before Cole made the save. The match itself felt flat as MJF has been absent for most of the build. MJF tried to get heat but this felt more like a TV match – **1/2
Mercedes Mone defeated Kris Statlander to retain the TBS Championship – Mone hit a Hurricanrana off the apron and a Meteora in the early stages of the match. Mone hit an improvised powerbomb counter that was impressive along with a sunset flip bomb. Mone continued the big moves but was unable to put Statlander away. Mone hit the 3 Amigos but Statlander countered the frog splash into a huge slam that caused a great near fall. Mone drove Statlander into the middle rope throat first to win the match. This was the match that Mone fans have been waiting for and easily her best match in AEW – ****
Jay White defeated Adam Page – Page started the match off targeting White’s ankle and leg. White attempted to get back in the match but Page continued the assault. The pace picked up with an avalanche fallaway slam and assault on the outside. Both men were out of the ring for a long time with Page applying the ankle lock on the outside. Both men just beat the count to get back. White countered the Buckshot Lariat but was unable to counter 2 Dead Eyes. White kicked out of the Dead Eyes. White hit a Bladerunner out of nowhere to win the match. Page attacked White after the match and it’s clear this rivalry is far from over – ***
Kyle Fletcher defeated Will Ospreay – Starting out fast-paced and barely showing down, Ospreay first hit a flurry of offence before Fletcher took over. Ospreay used the steps for an assisted Hurricanrana. Fletcher continued the assault on Ospreay, targeting the areas where medical tape was present. Ospreay hit a huge corkscrew dive from the top to the outside to take out Fletcher. Ospreay attempted the Os Cutter but Fletcher countered, knowing his former friend too well. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade but was unable to capitalise. Ospreay hit the Styles Clash but was unable to capitalise. Another Hidden Blade and Fletcher kicked out. Fletcher hit a Tombstone onto the steel steps in a move that left the crowd stunned. Fletcher hit a brainbuster on the turnbuckle to win the match in what was a star-making performance and the biggest win of his career. Match of the night – ****
Daniel Garcia defeated Jack Perry to become the new TNT Champion – Perry ducked Garcia in the opening stages of the match. A brawl took place on the outside with Perry taking advantage. Back on the outside and Garcia was driven onto the apron. Matt Menard attempted to get up from commentary but was stopped by the rest of the team. Garcia was powerbombed through the timekeeper’s table. Garcia got back in the ring and Perry grabbed the TNT Championship. Perry urged Garia to strike him with the title to get the DQ win but hit a low blow while the referee was distracted but Garcia kicked out. Garcia hit multiple piledrivers and locked in the sharpshooter to get the submission victory – ***1/2
Konosuke Takesita defeated Ricochet to retain the International Championship – Like a lot of matches throughout the night, both men went to the outside quickly. Takeshita continued to use his power advantage over Ricochet. Takeshita continued to target the back and slowed down the pace. With Takeshita on the outside, Ricochet hit a backflip dive to the outside and a 450 but Takeshita kicked out. Don Callis made his way to ringside and the crowd let their feelings be known. Takeshita hit a blue thunder bomb but Ricochet kicked out. A strike exchange ensued with Takeshita hitting a lariat, resulting in a very weak kick out from Ricochet. Ricochet hit a shooting star press but Takeshita kicked out. Takeshita hit a top rope Flacon Arrow to win the match. Whether it’s because the rivalry has to continue but considering the calibre of both athletes it felt like something was missing here, almost like they were both holding something back – ***
Bobby Lashley defeated Swerve Strickland – Jim Ross joined the commentary team for this match and the main event. Lashley was dominant from the off, hitting the dominator and lifting Strickland’s shoulder up to stop the count. Lashley continued to dominate despite Prince Nana attempting to get the crowd into it. Strickland countered a charge from Lashley but was sent to the outside following a distraction from Shelton Benjamin. Strickland got back into the match with the help of the steel steps and a DDT onto the apron. Strickland used the step to hit a Swerve Stomp onto Lashley through the Spanish announce desk. Strickland hit the House Call and the Swrve Stomp but Lashley kicked out. Lashley hit a spear through the barricade, a spear in the ring and locked in The Hurt Lock to win – ***1/2
Jon Moxley defeated Orange Cassidy to retain the AEW World Championship – Orange Cassidy hit 3 Orange Punches within seconds of the opening bell and sent Moxley to the outside. At this point the outside brawling within seconds of the opening bell has gotten a bit old, especially with the inconsistent count outs. The brawl made its way to the crowd. Cassidy was busted open on the outside and driven into the steel steps. Finally back in the ring and Moxley started biting Cassidy. Moxley hit a piledriver but Cassidy kicked out. Cassidy was sent out of the ring again and made his way back in. Cassidy had a few flurries of offence but Moxley kicked out. The rest of The Death Riders made their way to ringside but The Conglomeration fought them off. Marina Shafir attempted to get involved but Willow Nightingale neutralised this. Cassidy hit Mox with the briefcase but Mox kicked out. Wheeler Yuta snuck in to allow Moxley to capitalise and win the match. Considering the build, this should have been a No DQ match but there will likely be a rematch, potentially on Dynamite – ***1/2
Overall Full Gear had some bright moments with Kyle Fletcher’s victory over Will Opsreay and a long-awaited good match from Mercedes Mone, but considering this is one of the landmark shows it felt rather underwhelming when all was said and done.
Featured image: AEW
