The John Report: AEW Full Gear 2021 Review
AEW Full Gear is the fourth and final AEW pay-per-view event this year that is headlined by World Champion Kenny Omega defending the gold against “Hangman” Adam Page.
There are ten advertised matches on the Full Gear with one match on the pre-show and nine matches on the main show. They have some unique stipulations for some matches, there are titles on the line, there are tag team matches and it’s a pretty strong lineup overall.
Today is the 16-year anniversary of the death of Eddie Guerrero, who passed away tragically in 2005. Eddie died in the city of Minneapolis, which is where Full Gear is taking place. CM Punk tweeted: “Tonight is for Eddie.” We love and miss you, Eddie.
The Buy-In Pre-Show match saw Hikaru Shida and Thunder Rosa defeat Jamie Hayter and Nyla Rose in tag team action. It went 12:32. Since the main show is nearly four hours long, I usually don’t do the pre-show because it’s a lot of writing to do.
I ordered the show on Fite TV here in Canada. I’m happy to support AEW. Check out my past AEW PPV reviews right here on TJRWrestling. Let’s get to it.
AEW Full Gear
November 13, 2021
From Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means. The pyro went off on the stage as the announce team of Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone welcomed us to the show. They showed the crowd briefly and then did a rundown of the matches coming. The opener is Darby Allin vs. MJF.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance to boos from the crowd. MJF shoved ring announcer Justin Roberts, who had to announce that MJF can beat Darby with a headlock takeover. Darby Allin was shown driving a car that said “Loser” on it and then the car crashed. Darby got out of the car and threw something to light it on fire. It was like the car accident that Darby was in earlier in his life that claimed his uncle. That’s what Excalibur explained to us.
Darby Allin made his entrance with “uncle” Sting and Darby has a record of 28-3 in 2021. So why wasn’t he in the World Title Eliminator tournament? It’s not like there was logic to explain those choices. Sting went to the back.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Darby Allin
The crowd chanted for both guys even though they were booing MJF loudly five minutes earlier. They did some mat wrestling and some counters, but MJF landed on his feet. They locked hands, both guys were down and kicked out three times in a row. Allin hit a hurricanrana into a pin for two. MJF with a monkey flip, Allin to his feet, Allin missed a moonsault, they each did an armdrag and flipped. That looked like a very rehearsed routine, but it was also impressive since it was over one minute of action without a break. The referee wanted a clean break, so MJF decked Allin with a punch. MJF sent Allin out of the ring followed by a clothesline on the floor. MJF sent Allin into the ring, MJF yelled at a “fat boy” fan and Allin hit a suicide dive. Allin sent MJF into the steel steps. Allin put his boot across the throat while MJF was on the apron. Allin jumped off the top with Coffin Drop to the apron, but MJF moved and Allin hit the apron and fell to the floor. Ouch. MJF took advantage of an injured Darby with a backbreaker across the back. MJF with a hard whip into the turnbuckle two times in a row. Allin whipped MJF into the turnbuckle with MJF taking a sternum bump. MJF came back with a backbreaker along with a gutwrench suplex. MJF slammed Allin onto his own knee for a backbreaker with MJF selling his left knee. MJF did some biting, then Allin did some biting and they were on the top rope with Allin flipping over MJF for a Stunner off the ropes. Allin with a headbutt. Allin went up top, but MJF rolled across the ring. MJF with a headlock takeover, they ran the ropes, MJF caught him and hit a Powerbomb on the knee so it was like a Powerbomb backbreaker for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” about ten minutes into it.
MJF was striking Allin, who was on his knees and Allin dared him to keep going. Allin with punches, MJF did an eye poke and Allin hit a dropkick to the left knee. Allin wanted a Code Red, but MJF lifted him over and hit a Powerbomb for two. MJF applied the Sharpshooter, Allin grabbed the ankle to break free and MJF kicked Allin into the turnbuckle. Allin with a chop block to the back of MJF’s knee. MJF came back with a double foot stomp on the left arm. MJF with a leapfrog, he yelled “oh shit” to sell the left knee injury and MJF applied a Figure Four Leglock to work on the bad knee, then MJF turned it over and Allin got to the ropes to break it. They battled on the apron, MJF caught him and hit a Tombstone Piledriver on the apron. MJF’s knees hit the apron too, so he was screaming in pain. MJF got back in before the ten count, then Allin got back in right before ten as well. It’s AEW where they do countout spots sometimes and then they ignore counting out at other times. They both took their time getting back up, Allin got three nearfalls in a row and they did a spot rolling around the ring in an inside cradle position. That looked comical, yet the crowd was cheering it. They kept getting for pin attempts leading to nearfalls. MJF went for a Powerbomb, Allin slipped out of that and hit a Code Red for two. That was impressive. What a great sequence of moves there. Allin went up top, MJF rolled out to the floor and Allin hit the Coffin Drop on MJF on the floor. Back in the ring, Allin was up top and went for the Coffin Drop again, but MJF got the knees up to block. MJF was favoring the left knee again. Shawn Spears and Wardlow walked out to try to cause trouble, so Sting beat them up with a baseball bat and the chair that Spears brought out. Back in the ring, MJF and Allin got more nearfalls on eachother. MJF with a superkick leading to him selling the left knee again. MJF grabbed Allin’s skateboard, he slid it to Allin and wanted Allin to hit him in the head in front of the referee. Allin thought about it, Tony wanted Darby to do it and then Darby handed it to the referee, so then MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his hand, punched Allin (the referee never saw it due to putting the skateboard away) and did the side headlock takeover on MJF for the pinfall win at 22:06
Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Analysis: ****1/4 This was an awesome match with a cheap finish fitting for a heel like MJF. I thought they did a great job with all of the nearfalls, counters and entertaining sequences. I really was impressed by MJF a lot especially with the way he sold that left knee injury so well throughout the match. Allin did his usual crazy bumps and nearly won a few times. MJF got the win with the side headlock takeover just like he said he would although it was after he knocked out Allin with the diamond ring punch. I figured MJF would win because he needs it and I hope he gets to wrestle more often because he’s talented. Allin is too, but in MJF’s case they don’t put him in televised matches enough.
Team Taz was shown sitting in a skybox, so it was Taz, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs, Hook and then other people were there.
FTR made their entrance as the AAA Tag Team Champions with Tully Blanchard, but those titles are not on the line in this match. Lucha Brothers entered as the AEW Tag Team Champions with Alex Abrahantes joining them. Good pop for Lucha Bros as the babyfaces here.
AEW Tag Team Championships: Lucha Brothers – Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler (w/Tully Blanchard)
Penta and Harwood started with some aggressive strikes followed by some pin exchange sequences. Fenix faced off with Wheeler with each guy hitting chops. Penta tagged in, Lucha Brothers each hit moves and FTR regrouped on the floor. FTR avoided a charging Penta and sent him into the barricade. FTR caught a leaping Fenix and gave him a fallaway slam into Penta. Wheeler and Harwood made some quick tags working over Fenix in their corner. Fenix with a spin kick to Harwood, then Wheeler missed a dropkick and Penta was back in with a Slingblade on both guys. Fenix shoved the two FTR guys into eachother, Penta with a kick to Harwood and both FTR guys were against the turnbuckle, so Penta hit an assisted cannonball on both FTR guys. Penta and Fenix each hit superkicks for a two count. Penta stomped the left knee of Wheeler into the mat repeatedly. Lucha Bros each applied submissions in the ring until they let go. Penta worked over Harwood with punches and then Wheeler got involved for a double team stun gun into the ropes for two. FTR tied Penta’s mask to the bottom rope leading to some stomps. FTR with a catapult on Penta into the bottom rope. Harwood with a leg drop followed by a chinlock. Lucha Bros did a tag spot, but the referee was busy with FTR, so he didn’t see it. Penta fought out of a double team with a DDT on Harwood. Fenix tagged in with kicks to the body, a jumping knee strike by Fenix on Wheeler, Harwood punched Fenix, then a back flip by Fenix with a kick and a double Cutter by Fenix on both guys for a two count. Fenix walked the ropes leading to a running kick for two. Fenix is incredible. Harwood caught Fenix, then Penta kicked Harwood off the apron and Fenix went for a cover, but Harwood kicked him into Wheeler with the AAA Title. Harwood hit a brainbuster for just two! What a great nearfall. Wheeler was legal, Fenix fought off both guys with kicks and then Wheeler hit an assisted backdrop driver for a two count. Harwood to some fan at ringside: “Shut up, asshole.” Fun.
Penta tagged in, Fenix countered a double team move into a hurricanrana and Penta with a superkick on Harwood. Penta off the ropes, Blanchard grabbed the leg in front of the referee and Harwood capitalized with a punch to the face. Harwood with an Eddie Guerrero shake leading to two suplexes, but then Penta did the Eddie shake himself. Penta hit the Three Amigos splash and Fenix tagged in with a Frog Splash (Eddie’s finisher) off the top for a two count! Great spot. Fenix with a hook kick on Wheeler, Penta wanted a double team move and Wheeler tripped up Fenix on the ropes. Harwood punched Penta down. Harwood and Wheeler hit a spike piledriver for a two count on Fenix. Penta saved his brother from a double team move and Fenix got an inside cradle on Harwood for two. Fenix with a superkick. Fenix jumped off the top with a double foot stomp on Harwood, who was held by Penta and Penta drove Harwood into the mat for a two count. Fenix tried to pin Wheeler, but it was Penta pinning Harwood for two that counted. Wheeler put on a green mask from the Super Ranas match and Harwood put a green mask on too. Wheeler was illegal and tried a pin with his feet on the rope for two. Lucha Brothers hit the assisted DDT on Wheeler for the pinfall win at 18:36. Excalibur made the point that it was the illegal man that got pined.
Winners by pinfall: Lucha Brothers – Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix
Analysis: ***3/4 This was great as expected, but I thought the finish was a bit flat with the masks being put on and then Harwood wasn’t even there for the finish even though he was the legal man. The announcers put over the legal man issue, yet the wrestlers really didn’t bitch about it since they had to move on to the next match quickly. Lots of cool counter moves and tag team moves. Some moments in the match had too many illegal man spots that frustrated me, but it wasn’t that bad. I expected the champs to retain.
It’s Miro vs. Bryan Danielson up next in the finals of the World Title Eliminator Tournament. A video package aired Danielson won two matches to get to the finals while Miro won one since he replaced Jon Moxley in the tournament.
Miro was up first followed by Danielson, who got a big pop. Bryan is 8-0-1 in AEW.
AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament Finals: Miro vs. Bryan Danielson
Bryan wanted a handshake and the heel Miro declined. Miro had his right hamstring taped up. Miro used his power to shove Bryan down a few times. Bryan got some strikes in, but then Miro hit a knee to knock Bryan out of the ring. Bryan got back with kicks to the body. Miro charged, Bryan with a waistlock and Miro powered out with a running shoulder tackle. Bryan ran the ropes leading to a clothesline followed by a dropkick out of the ring. Bryan went for a suicide dive, but Miro hit him with a strike to the head and then a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Miro whipped Bryan into the steel steps. Miro with two suplexes for two. Miro with a chinlock for about a minute followed by kicks and punches against the turnbuckle. Miro with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Bryan with a running dropkick two times in a row, but Miro came back with a Samoan Drop for two. Miro sent Bryan out of the ring, Miro with a lift out there and Bryan shoved Miro into the ring post. Bryan with a running knee off the apron onto Miro on the floor. Back in the ring, Bryan with a shotgun missile dropkick off the top rope. Bryan with kicks to the chest, Miro caught him and Bryan managed to counter into a kneebar submission. Miro was nearly tapping out, but then Miro managed to get back up and powered Bryan into a gutwrench suplex. Miro with a release German Suplex.
Miro went for a suplex, Bryan landed on his feet and hit a roundhouse kick to the head for two. Bryan worked over Miro with knees to the head. Bryan stomped on Miro’s head repeatedly. Bryan went for the running knee, but Miro caught him and hit Powerbomb. Miro was pointing up as if he was communicating to his God and Miro was fired up. Miro went for the Game Over submission, but Bryan tried to fight it. Miro had the Game Over submission locked in and Bryan managed to crawl to get the bottom rope. Miro stomped on Bryan’s back and went for the Game Over again, but Bryan rolled over. Bryan managed to turn Miro over and applied the LeBell Lock to the left arm/head and Miro powered out of it with punches. This earned a “this is awesome” chant from the crowd. Bryan applied a Triangle Choke sleeper followed by elbows to the head, but Miro did some eye-gouging to break free. Bryan with some hard kicks to the body, Miro took those shots and kicked Bryan to the ribs. Bryan and Miro went to the turnbuckle, Bryan managed to hit a DDT off the top and then Bryan applied a tight headlock. Miro sold it like he was knocked out, so referee Aubrey Edwards called for the bell. It went 20:06.
Winner by submission: Bryan Danielson
The win means that Danielson gets a shot at the AEW World Title in the future.
Analysis: **** That was a physical match and a lot of fun to watch with the right guy getting the win. Another great match on this show. It seems like every Danielson match gets around four stars or higher as long as he gets a certain amount of time. The story worked with Miro using the power spots, he kept fighting out of Bryan’s submissions and then Bryan managed to find a way to win with the DDT off the ropes leading to the tight headlock for the submission win.
They were onto the next match right away. No replays or anything between the matches other than a quick shot of the announcers.
Analysis: I think they need to let people breathe a bit between matches. Show some replays or do a quick interview or something. It’s tough when it’s match onto match onto match. Then again my perspective is a guy writing a live review for four hours, so maybe that’s just me.
The Young Bucks were joined by Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa. The Young Bucks had purple mustaches/beards so Tony ripped on them for it. Adam Cole was up next with the fans chanting “Bay Bay” right on cue along with the “Boom” spot. The face team of Christian Cage, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy were up next. Good ovation for the faces.
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy vs. The SuperKliq – Adam Cole, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson
This will be insane since there are no tags, so I apologize if I miss some things. Boy did a spot with the Bucks with a backflip off the ropes leading to a double shoulder tackle by the Bucks. Luchasaurus with a double clothesline on the Bucks, Cole threw a chair at Luchasaurus and did a pump kick on Christian. Boy did a leapfrog over Cole leading to a chair toss to the face of Cole. Boy reversed both Bucks to send them out of the ring. Cole hit a running knee on Boy in the middle of the ring. Christian hit Cole with a reverse DDT on the steel chair. Nick with a bulldog, Luchasaurus with a knee and Luchasaurus beat up both Bucks with a double German Suplex at the same time. Cole with a trash can to knock Luchasaurus out of the ring. Boy with a German Suplex on Cole followed by a suicide dive on Cole. Boy hit another suicide dive on Cole, then he went for a somersault dive and the Bucks hit him with a dropkick. Christian kicked Nick down, then Matt knocked Christian down on the floor and Luchasaurus hit Matt on the floor for a two count. They had multiple referees for this match to count the pin. Luchasaurus superkick on Cole leading to Boy sending Cole onto a chair that was at ringside. Cole got back up with a bloody forehead, so there’s the first blade job of the show. Christian wanted Boy to do the Conchairto to Cole, Boy took way too long and the Bucks saved Cole. Boy worked over Cole with kicks. Christian and Nick went fighting backstage somewhere. Luchasaurus went for a move on Cole, but Cole slipped out and then there were three straight superkicks. Matt hit Luchasaurus with a superkick on the floor. Matt shoved Boy to the ropes, so Boy jumped over the top and did a hurricanrana to send Cole through a table. Matt went up top and hit an elbow drop on Luchasaurus through another table. Nice spots there!
The camera focused on Christian and Nick Jackson fighting in the upper concourse area. Christian bet up Cutler and Nakazawa a bit. Christian went up to another level and jumped onto Nick/Cutler/Nakazawa for a two count on Nick. Big dive by Christian there with the three guys doing a nice job of catching him. Christian and Nick were back at the ringside area. Matt whipped Christian’s legs into the steel steps. Boy hit a sliding dropkick on Matt. Cole caught Boy on the floor and hit a back suplex into the apron. Nick kicked Luchasaurus to knock him down on the floor. Cole brought in a black bag and Matt/Nick put some thumbtacks into Jungle Boy’s mouth. Young Bucks ran the ropes, kissed Cole on the cheek and hit the double superkick with Cole covering Boy for a two count because Christian made the save. Nick brought a ladder into the ring. Christian fought against three guys using a trash can to help and Christian gave Nick a DDT onto a ladder. Christian almost twisted his knee really bad, but I think he was okay. Luchasaurus hit moves on the three opponents including a slam on Cole onto the ladder. Luchasaurus kicked chairs into both Bucks and Luchasaurus gave Nick a Chokeslam onto a ladder followed by a moonsault for two because Matt broke it up with a trash can. Matt with a superkick for one on Luchasaurus. Matt was on the ramp and reached the top where Boy went for a Snare Trap submission, but Cole broke it up. Christian sent Cole into a steel bar near the entrance. Nick with a superkick on Christian. Luchasaurus grabbed both Bucks, Cole with a low blow on Luchasaurus, Cole with a low blow on Boy and Christian with a low blow on Cole. Christian sent Nick into a steel part of the entrance. Cole with a superkick on Christian. Matt with a somersault dive off the ramp onto Luchasaurus on the floor. Cole fought with Boy on the stage with Cole hitting the Panama Sunrise on Boy for a two count because Luchasaurus made the save. The three heels all delivered superkicks to Luchasaurus and then a triple superkick on Christian. Cole had thumbtack knee pads for himself and both Young Bucks, so they put them on their knees. Superkliq hit a three way BTE Trigger on Luchasaurus with the thumbtack knee pads for two because Boy broke up the pin! The fans chanted “AEW” for them. Boy hit a German Suplex on Nick and Christian hit a Spear on Matt. Luchasaurus gave Cole a Chokeslam off the stage onto Nick, Cutler and Nakazawa. Luchasaurus hit a Shooting Star Press off the ramp onto a bunch of guys on the floor. Jungle Boy had a shocked look on his face. Christian set up for a Conchairto on Matt, then Jungle Boy said he’ll do it and Jungle Boy did the Conchairto on Matt on the ramp. Jungle Boy covered Matt for the pinfall win at 22:35.
Winners by pinfall: Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy
Analysis: ****1/2 This was crazy, wild and fun. Another match around the four star level with some people maybe rating it higher than me if they are biased towards certain wrestlers. I really liked the way the match was put together with some of the unique spots they did. That spot by Luchasaurus jumping off the ramp with a Shooting Star Press was really impressive. I also liked the usage of the table spots early as well as the thumbtacks on the knee pads, so once again I have to applaud their creativity. It was one of the matches on the card where I didn’t know who was going to win, so I was buying into the nearfalls a lot. I thought Adam Cole would win in his PPV debut, but he did not and that’s fine because it was a big win for Jungle Boy as well as his team.
They showed some highlights of the match.
A quick video was shown for the tag team match between Andrade El Idolo & Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes & Pac. The four wrestlers made their entrances. It should be noted that when Cody made his entrance, there were some loud boos for him as we have seen regularly in the last few months.
Andrade El Idolo (w/Jose) & Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes (w/Arn Anderson) & Pac
Pac was going to start with Andrade, Cody tagged himself in and the fans booed. When Cody backed up near the corner, Pac tagged back in. Pac and Andrade exchanged moves with Pac getting a side headlock takedown. Black tagged in for a clothesline, but Pac countered into an armbar. Cody tagged in, Andrade tagged himself in and hit Cody with a forearm to the back. Cody with a shoulder tackle, Andrade fought out of a move with elbows and Cody battled Andrade on the apron. Jose grabbed Cody’s boot, so Andrade punched Cody off the apron. Cody was sent into the ropes, so he hit a suicide dive on Jose and Cody hit a powerslam on Andrade. Pac was cheered when tagging himself in and Black was the legal man with a running elbow. Andrade back in with kicks to the head, then Pac avoided a suplex and Cody tagged back in with a Cody Cutter off the ropes. Black shoved Cody into the ropes, Pac tagged in and Black hit a spinning kick on Cody. Pac sent Black to the floor followed by Pac hitting a headscissors on Andrade to the floor. Pac with a moonsault off the ropes onto both heels. Jose got in Arn’s face, so Arn did a gun motion leading to Arn punching Jose repeatedly. Arn and Jose went up the ramp to the back. Pac up top, Andrade shoved him down and Black got the boot up. Andrade with a twisting attack off the middle rope onto Pac on the floor. Andrade sent Pac into the barricade. Black was back in with kicks to the body that knocked down Pac against the turnbuckle. Andrade suplexed Pac into the turnbuckle. Andrade with a split-legged moonsault for a two count with Pac getting his hand on the bottom rope. Pac with a German Suplex across the ring. Pac went to his corner for a tag, but Cody was on the floor after taking that spin kick earlier. Pac was yelling at Cody to make a tag. Andrade with a running boot to Pac’s face and Andrade hit a pendulum DDT on the apron, which led to a two count in the ring.
Black was back in for his team, Pac got an inside cradle and Pac hit a superkick. Cody was back on the apron ready to tag in. Cody tagged in against Andrade with a Dusty-like elbow to the head, Cody kicked Black off the apron, Andrade with a boot and Cody dropped Andrade on the top rope. Cody gave Andrade a reverse superplex off the top for two. Cody with a running clothesline on Black on the floor. Andrade with a backbreaker on Cody. Andrade went for a Figure Four Leglock, Cody fought out of that and Cody applied his own Figure Four Leglock. Pac tagged in and hit a Black Arrow splash off the top for a two count on Andrade. Black was legal, Pac sent him out of the ring and Pac went for a twisting dive over the top, so Black pulled Cody in front and Pac hit Cody by accident. Andrade kicked Pac. Black with a knee and German Suplex for two with Cody breaking it up. Cody suplexed Black out of the ring and Black hit a running kick to knock both of them over the barricade into the crowd. Andrade and Pac were legal, Pac sent him into the turnbuckle and hit a Poison Rana. Pac went up top and hit the Black Arrow splash onto Andrade for the pinfall win at 16:52.
Winners by pinfall: Cody Rhodes & Pac
Analysis: ***1/4 It was pretty good although it had some rough moments where they didn’t communicate well. I know that was part of the story, but it did hurt the match too. Pac getting the win was a bit of a surprise because I thought Andrade/Black would win. It didn’t matter that much who won because all four guys are at the same level pretty much. I just figured they would want the newer guys like Andrade/Black to win to show they are threats in AEW.
After the match, Cash Wheeler and Tully Blanchard went into the ring to get in some cheap shots on Pac and Cody. Black got in some shots too. The heels left.
A video aired for Britt Baker’s title defense against Tay Conti. The entrances took place for both women after that. I needed a bathroom break and to get some water, so I missed a few minutes.
AEW Women’s Championship: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (w/Rebel & Jamie Hayter) vs. Tay Conti
Baker was in control with repeated knee lifts to the head. When Conti tried to fight back, Baker decked her with a punch to the head. Baker hit a twisting suplex into a neckbreaker for a two count. Conti hit the right hand of Baker was broken earlier in the year. Conti with a running knee. Conti with two clotheslines followed by a pump kick three times in a row. Conti jumped off the top with a cross body block for a two count. Conti with a jumping kick and then a release German Suplex for a two count. Conti to the turnbuckle, Baker kicked the leg and hit a neckbreaker for two. Conti tried a move, Baker got out of it and Baker hit a Curb Stomp for a two count. Rebel put Baker’s glove on the right hand. Conti came back with a Cutter for two. They went to the apron and Baker hit an Air Raid Crash slam on the apron! Ouch. That got a two count. Baker went for a weak looking kick, Conti blocked it and they each went for nearfalls. Conti broke free after they were locked up and hit a Tay-KO lifting knee for a two count. Baker with a superkick, Conti with a pump kick and Conti hit a Gotch Style Piledriver for a two count. Baker got a rollup for two. Hayter pulled Conti out of the ring while Rebel distracted the referee and Hayter threw Conti into the steel steps. Baker hit the Curb Stomp on the steel steps and the Curb Stomp in the ring. Baker applied the Lockjaw submission, but Conti rolled to the ropes. Baker went for another Stomp by the apron, Conti avoided it and Conti with another kick that sent Baker out of the ring. Conti went up top and she hit Hayter/Rebel…sort of. I don’t think that looked very good, but it’s a risky move. Conti hit a spinning slam on Baker on the floor. Back in the ring, Coni hit a DD-Tay for the two count. Conti with a hard kick to the chest. Baker countered Conti doing a move, Baker wanted a Lockjaw submission, Conti fought out of it and Baker got a cradle pin for the pinfall win at 15:25.
Winner by pinfall: Britt Baker
Analysis: ***1/4 The champ retains as expected. The crowd wasn’t into this match like the others, but they did get into it a bit more as it progressed. Conti hit Baker with everything for two counts and then Baker wasn’t able to apply her submission, so it ended up being a cradle pin for the win. I think Baker has had better matches although this was fine. Some of the spots wit the women on the floor didn’t look great, so that hurt a bit too. I did appreciate Conti’s effort and she has improved a lot. Baker’s long reign continues until she loses to Thunder Rosa or somebody else next year.
Baker’s celebration was barely shown because it was onto the next match.
The video package aired for CM Punk’s match against Eddie Kingston.
Eddie Kingston was up first followed by CM Punk. The fans were fired up for this. Punk was wrestling in shorts instead of trunks. Kingston hit Punk with a spinning back fist before the match began! Eddie laughed about it. Punk gave Kingston a middle finger and the match began.
CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston
The crowd was chanting for both guys. Kingston went after Punk on the floor for a bit, then they went back into the ring and Kingston hit an overhead suplex. Punk came back with a clothesline off the middle turnbuckle. Some fans were booing Punk for some reason. They went to the apron with Punk kicking Kingston and then a running kick. There were “CM Punk” chants after that. Punk slammed Kingston’s hand into the steel steps. Punk went after Kingston on the floor and Eddie shoved Punk into the ring post, so Punk was busted open. It’s been a long time since CM Punk did a blade job in a match. Kingston wiped some of Punk’s blood on his own face. Punk with a back body drop on Kingston the floor. Punk did the running shoulder blocks and the spinning slam like John Cena. Punk held up his hand like Cena did, then gave Kingston a middle finger and they exchanged punches. Punk hit the Three Amigos suplexes on Kingston and did an Eddie shake as well. Kingston went to Punk on the apron, he gave him the middle finger and the fans cheered as Kingston punched Punk repeatedly. Kingston delivered a superplex with one foot on the top and one foot on the middle rope, but it looked great. The fans were chanting for both guys again. They did that many times during the match. They were across the ring, then pulled eachother back up and exchanged punches. Punk with a hard slap, Kingston with a boot and an enziguri kick. Kingston did a Go To Sleep taunt, then an obscene hand gesture, but then Punk lifted up Kingston and hit a Go To Sleep sending Kingston into the ropes. Punk was too hurt to cover, so he sat up against the ropes. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Punk worked over Kingston with elbows to the head, then knees and the fans were booing Punk for that. Punk hit the Go To Sleep knee on Kingston again for the pinfall win at 10:57.
Winner by pinfall: CM Punk
Analysis: **** This lived up to the hype as a vicious fight. I don’t go four stars for ten minute matches that often, but they told the story very well with their actions, facial expressions and everything else they did. I really enjoyed it with Punk getting the win as expected since he’s going to continue to be booked strong in AEW. Kingston put up a valiant effort, came close to winning a few times and then Punk had to hit the GTS twice to win. I was definitely surprised by the fans booing Punk on multiple occasions, so I wonder if Punk mentions that in the future or if it’s ignored because the announcers chose to ignore it.
After the match, Punk took a while to get back up and so did Kingston. Punk walked over to Kingston for a handshake, but Kingston didn’t want to do that and he left.
Analysis: That’s fitting for Kingston. I would love to see a rematch.
The video package aired for Inner Circle facing American Top Team that has been built up for about two months.
They showed pro wrestling legend Baron Von Raschke in the crowd.
The American Top Team of Dan Lambert, Ethan Page, Scorpio Sky, Andrei Arlovski and Junior Dos Santos entered first. Lambert had a blue jumpsuit and a headband. The Inner Circle was up next with the fans singing “Judas” for Chris Jericho’s group.
Minneapolis Street Fight: Inner Circle – Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, Jake Hager & Sammy Guevara vs. American Top Team – Dan Lambert, Junior Dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski, Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page.
This is a Minneapolis Street Fight, yet for some reason they are standing on the apron to do tags in this match. Sammy worked over Sky for a bit and then Santana/Ortiz did some cool double team moves including a senton splash for Ortiz. Santana and Ortiz hit a double suplex. Hager tagged in with a slam. Arlovski and Hager traded punches, Arlovski got out of an Ankle Lock and Arlovski hit a Samoan Drop. Dos Santos knocked down Hager with a shoulder tackle. Jericho faced off against Dos Santos, who caught Jericho and Junior hit a powerslam. Junior hit a vertical suplex. Junior hit a standing moonsault press that wasn’t perfect, but good enough. Lambert tagged in in his blue jumpsuit, he slapped Jericho in the face and Jericho shoved Lambert into the ropes. That led to the ten guys getting into a brawl a bit with Inner Circle clearing the ring. Ethan hit Jericho with hockey sticks to the back. Sammy hit a twisting dive onto Ethan on the floor. Sky took care of Sammy on the floor. Santana/Ortiz hit dives onto Sky/Ethan on the floor. Hager went up top with an elbow smash on a pile of wrestlers on the floor. Hager ran over Dos Santos with a trash can to the head. Lambert had a pipe in hand. Jericho had a Prince sign form under the ring since Prince was a Minnesota legend. Jericho hit Sky with the sign and fans chanted “Purple Rain” for Prince. Sky hit Ortiz with a clothesline. Ethan and Sky sent Ortiz into the barricade. Hager hit Arlovski with a toaster. Ethan put a chair on Ortiz’s throat and sent it into the ring post. Sky with a hockey stick to the ribs of Ortiz. If this was all legal then why would they spend five minutes doing tags? Strange. Santana fought back against Ethan and Sky with some kicks along with clotheslines as Ortiz got back up with a kick into a trash can that was on Ethan. Santana/Ortiz used hockey sticks to hit the trash can that was on Ethan. Santana and Ortiz each applied submissions to Sky/Page at the same time. Sammy threw a football at Sky while he was in the hold. Ethan got back into it with a shoulder tackle on Santana and kick on Ortiz. Arlovski with a flying splash on Ortiz, Ethan with a kick and Arlovski with a spinebuster. Hager broke up the pin with a toaster! There was a brief “toaster” chant. Good job. Jericho back in with a water ski to knock down Ethan and Sky a few times. Jericho into the ropes, Lambert pulled Jericho out of the ring and Lambert tried to run away from Jericho. Sammy with a springboard Cutter on Sky and Ethan. Dos Santos sent Jericho into the steel steps. Sammy hit a Senton Bomb on Sky for a two count.
There was a lot of fighting going on outside the ring. Sammy set up a table on the floor. Hager hit Arlovski with a cake pan. Hager sent Arlovski into the barricade. Jericho went after Ethan on the floor. Dos Santos went up top, but Ortiz stopped him there. Santana went up with Ortiz on against Dos Santos and superplexed Dos Santos. Sammy climbed up a huge ladder that was up against the table on the floor. It was a huge ladder about five 15 feet high. Sammy jumped off the top with a Senton Bomb style bump onto Sky through the table! That was impressive. Ortiz hit Page with a chair and then Ethan gave the Ego’s Edge slam on Ortiz on the floor. Ethan asked Jake Hager’s wife if she enjoyed this and Baron gave Ethan the claw! Santana sent Ethan over the barricade and Santana jumped ff a security guy with a flip onto Ethan in the crowd. Lambert celebrated in the ring, Jericho appeared behind him and hit some chops. Jericho went for a Lionsault, then called out for Junior and Junior was a bit slow, but he hit Jericho with a punch to knock him down. Lambert covered for two. Lambert went for a Boston Crab, but Jericho hit him with a kendo stick. Jericho hit Dos Santos with kendo stick shots as well. Jericho had a stapler, he hit Lambert low with it like a low blow and Jericho hit a clothesline. Jericho did an Eddie shake for Eddie Guerrero since Jericho was so close with him. Jericho hit a Frog Splash for the pinfall win at 19:51.
Winners by pinfall: Inner Circle – Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, Jake Hager & Sammy Guevara
Analysis: *** It was a gimmicky brawl by the end, but not the whole way. There were cool moments in the match. The first part was weird when they were standing on the apron waiting to do tags in a match that had Street Fight rules. I just don’t get why they structured it that way. Anyway, once things broke down, they had a lot of cool things planned and it was fun to watch. I thought the MMA guys Dos Santos and Arlovski fit in very well while Lambert was mostly there just to get beat. Santana/Ortiz had a lot of awesome tag team moves and then Sammy had the highspot of the match with the dive off the ladder through the table.
Post match, Jericho pointed to the sky and you could see him saying: “I love you Eddie.” They were good friends that had a lot of matches together and against eachother. Jericho celebrated with his buddies.
Tony Schiavone was on the stage for a special announcement. Tony introduced Jay Lethal, who is a great wrestler from Ring of Honor and Lethal said he has walked through the Forbidden Door and he’s All Elite now. Lethal challenged Sammy Guevara to a TNT Title match on Dynamite this week. Sammy walked up to him and told Lethal he is on.
Analysis: Great addition to the AEW roster. Lethal is so talented, he’s got a lot of experience and is another veteran on this roster that is going to make people better around him. Lethal spent a lot of time in Ring of Honor after Impact Wrestling, so it makes sense for Lethal to join AEW.
A video package aired for the AEW World Title match between champion Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page covering their long journey over the last two years.
There was a video shown from outside the Target Center and the streets of Minnesota where “Hangman” Adam Page was riding a white horse down the street. While Page was slowly going on the horse, they showed clips of moments from Page’s career. It said “Cowboy Shit” on a street sign and then Page was shown arriving to the Target Center. The fans were chanting “Cowboy Shit” for Page as well.
Analysis: They taped that late at night in the days leading up to this show. That’s cool. It’s a unique entrance for a popular guy.
“Hangman” Adam Page made his entrance with a 12-1 record in 2021 and he got a big pop as usual. Kenny Omega was up next as the AEW World Champion with Don Callis joining him. It said Omega’s singles record is 22-3-1. It feels like that total number of singles matches is low. The wrestlers stood in the ring for the championship introduction from Justin Roberts. They had a face off before the match.
AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (w/Don Callis) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
Omega and Page exchanged chops with Page taking control with some hard chops. Page with a corner whip followed by a clothesline. Omega with a whip into the ropes, Callis grabbed Page’s foot and Omega hit Page in the back with a forearm. Omega put his boot to the throat of Page, then the referee was looking at Omega and Callis choked Page against the middle rope. Page sent Omega to the apron, Page jumped off the middle ropes with a clothesline followed by a slingshot dive over the top onto Omega on the floor. Omega drove Page to the barricade, then into the ring apron and into the barricade again. Page hit a suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, Page hit a cross body block off the top for two. Omega came back with a running palm strike to the face for two. Omega and Page exchanged forearms, Omega with a whip into the turnbuckle and a running splash against the turnbuckle. Omega distracted the referee, so Callis got in some cheap shots on Page. Omega sent Page into the steel steps. Omega teased a springboard move, then changed his mind and Page hit punches. Omega with a hurricanrana that sent Page out of the ring. Omega hit a somersault dive over the top onto Page on the floor. Back in the ring, Omega with a rolling senton and a moonsault attempt off the ropes, but Page got the knees up to block. Omega charged right into a boot to the face by Page. Omega ran the ropes, Page caught him and hit a fallaway slam followed by a ki-up with the fans cheering. Page with a suicide dive that sent Kenny into the barricade. Page hit a moonsault off the top onto Omega on the floor. It looked better than others that did that move on this show.
They were back in the ring with Page hitting a brainbuster for two. Page set up Omega on the top rope, but Omega fight back and even hit a few palm strikes. Omega jumped off the top rope with a Powerbomb off the ropes! That was crazy and executed well. Omega with a Snapdragon Suplex two times in a row. They went to the apron where Omega hit another Snapdragon Suplex there. Omega with a V-Trigger knee to the back and Page avoided a One Winged Angel leading to Page hitting a German Suplex. Omega with a Tiger Driver for a two count. The fans chanted “Let’s Go Hangman” to support Hangman while Omega punched and bit Page. Omega went up top, Page tripped him up there and bit Omega a bit. Omega hit an Avalanche Blockbuster off the top for a two count. Omega was on the floor, Page went to the top ringpost and Page jumped off the top of the ring post with a clothesline that sent Omega through a table that was at ringside. Page may have hurt his knee a bit there. Back in the ring, Omega collapsed to the ropes to avoid a Buckshot Lariat attempt. Page went for a knee, Omega with a suplex attempt. Page with a forearm, a Popup Powerbomb and then Page went for a Buckshot Lariat, but Omega pulled referee Paul Turner in front, so Page clotheslined Turner. Callis brought the AEW World Title into the ring. Page punched Callis down and then Page avoided an attack with the title. Page hit the Deadeye, he covered, here comes referee Aubrey Edwards and she counted one…two…and no. Page put the title down. Page and Omega exchanged punches, Omega with punches to take control and then a knee to the face. Omega went for the V-Trigger knee, Page caught the leg and then Omega hit a V-Trigger knee. Page with a rolling elbow strike. Omega with some kicks to the face that didn’t look very strong and Page came back with a huge clothesline with Kenny selling it with a flip bump. The Young Bucks slowly made their way down to the ring although they were going slowly due to their match earlier. Omega with headbutts and a Backdrop Driver. Page hit his own Backdrop Driver. Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, Omega avoided it, Omega went for the One Winged Angel, Page got out of that and Page did his own One Winged Angel for one…two…no. Great nearfall. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat that hit Omega in the back of the head. Page was on the apron again, Matt looked at him, Matt nodded at page and then Page hit the Buckshot Lariat again and covered Omega for the pinfall win at 25:38.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Champion: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ****1/2 It was an outstanding match as expected and arguably the match of the night. I don’t know if I can rate it higher than that because of the ref bump stuff and some other minor things, but definitely one of the best singles matches in Hangman’s career in what was the biggest moment of his career as well. I really didn’t think that Omega was going to win because I have faith in AEW booking this the right way and that’s what they did. It needed to be a clean win for Page, which is exactly what it was. The Young Bucks were out there to possibly interfere on Kenny’s behalf, but then they didn’t do it and Hangman was able to finish off Omega with the Buckshot Lariat twice. I like that it was a Buckshot Lariat to the back followed by a Buckshot Lariat to the front because it should take a lot to beat Omega and that’s exactly what happened. I’m happy for Page, Omega was an awesome champion and now it’s time for the Cowboy Shit Champion to rule in AEW as the top guy. It’s well deserved.
“Hangman” Adam Page celebrated with the AEW World Championship. The Dark Order group appeared on the stage and Page invited them to come down to the ring with them. Page hugged everybody in the Dark Order group. The Dark Order lifted up Page with the AEW World Title and the fans cheered some more. The show ended there.
Analysis: That was a cool moment. Long journey for Hangman Page with the Dark Order guys, so it was fitting for them to be there to celebrate with him. I liked that ending a lot.
AEW Full Gear had a runtime of 3 hours, 58 minutes.
What a moment.
What a match.
What a show.#AEWFullGear@theAdamPagepic.twitter.com/ErcxYvafsg— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) November 14, 2021
Five Stars of the Show
- “Hangman” Adam Page
- Kenny Omega
- The six guys in the six-man tag.
- Bryan Danielson
- MJF/Darby Allin
Way more than five stars. I cheat sometimes on great shows like this.
Final Thoughts
It gets a 9 out of 10 from me.
That was an outstanding show. I have a tough time rating it higher than All Out, but I think it was excellent from start to finish and delivered the goods all night long.
AEW PPV Rankings in 2021 So Far (Rated out of 10)
All Out – 9.5
Full Gear – 9
Revolution – 7.25
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