Full Gear marked the final AEW pay-per-view of the 2020 calendar year, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The AEW Championship was on the line as Jon Moxley defended his title against Eddie Kingston in a brutal “I Quit Match.” Kingston literally threw everything but the kitchen sink at Moxley including thumb tacks, rubbing alcohol and barbed wire. Moxley certainly showed his vicious side by using a piece of barbed wire to aid his patented bulldog choke and Kingston eventually uttered the words “I Quit.” Now Moxley will move on to face Kenny Omega, who became the No. 1 contender following his victory over “Hangman” Adam Page in the AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament final.
Arguably one of the best matches in quite some time featured FTR defending their AEW tag team championship against the Young Bucks. Entering the matchup, the Young Bucks put an abundance of pressure on themselves and said that they’d never challenge for the AEW tag titles again if they lost to FTR. This match featured constant action and a pair of injury storylines with Dax Harwood having a hurt hand Matt Jackson dealing with a leg injury. This was nearly a half hour of absolute chaos, and it culminated with Matt Jackson hitting a superkick to win the tag team titles for the Young Bucks for the first time in AEW.
Another match with large ramifications was MJF facing Chris Jericho. If MJF was able to come away with a win, he’d be allowed to join the Inner Circle. The match itself definitely had its moments, but the storytelling at the end was phenomenal. MJF attempted to nail Jericho with the “Dynamite Diamond Ring,” which Wardlow brought down to the ring. However, Jake Hager ran interference and tossed Jericho his baseball bat, “Floyd.” While the referee was distracted, MJF acted as though Jericho hit him with the bat and dropped to the canvas. Jericho pled his case to the referee, and while he was doing so, MJF rolled Jericho up (with a handful of tights) and scored the pinfall. After the match, Jericho made good on his promise and stated that MJF and Wardlow could join the Inner Circle.
Read on below for detailed match recaps and grades from AEW Full Gear on Saturday night.
AEW Full Gear results, grades
NWA Women’s World Championship — Serena Deeb (c) vs. Allysin Kay: Deeb took control with a clinic of technical wrestling following the opening bell. After Kay got a host of kicks in on Deeb in the corner, Deeb was able to catch Kay with her head between the ropes and connected with a brutal neck-breaker. Kay was able to turn the tide and began focusing on the neck of Deeb with multiple sleeper holds. Kay followed that up with an Alabama Slam that resulted in a long two-count. However, Deeb rolled out of the ring after Kay hit an AK-47, which is one of Kay’s signature moves. Kay went out to get Deeb on the outside and when the two were attempting to get back into the ring, Deeb was able to gain control via a Dragon Screw in the ropes. Deeb attempted to pin Kay, but Kay got her leg on the bottom rope. Just seconds later, Deeb pulled Kay into the center of the ring and locked in the Serenity Lock to win the match. Following the conclusion of the match, Thunder Rosa came out and had some words for Deeb before exiting the ring. Serena Deeb def. Allysin Kay via submission to retain the title. Grade: C+
AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament Final — Kenny Omega vs. “Hangman” Adam Page: Omega and Page came out very physical at the start of the match. Page gained the upper hand in the early going as he hit Omega with a big boot followed by a fall-away slam. Page produced the first near fall of the matchup after he hit a superplex from the middle rope on Omega. Omega was able to reverse the course of the match when he leapt up on the guardrail on the outside of the ring following an Irish whip from Page. Omega was able to take out Page with a flip and took control when the action returned inside the ring. There were several moments throughout the match where Omega and Page knew what the other one was going to do. Omega attempted to go for the One-Winged Angel, but Page countered the move and attempted to set Omega up for a One-Winged Angel of his own before Omega wiggled out. The two made their way onto the entrance ramp where Page hit a thunderous pop-up powerbomb. Page brought Omega back into the ring and got a long two-count before Omega kicked out. Shortly after Page’s flurry of offense, Omega hit a tremendous move of his own when he connected with a Tiger Driver ’98 in which Page barely kicked out at two. Page ended up returning the favor in the terms of a near fall when he hit Dead Eye for a long two-count. Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Omega saw it coming. Omega was able to hit back-to-back V-Triggers. Omega then followed that offensive onslaught up with a One-Winged Angel to get the victory.
This match was an absolute war from beginning to end, and certainly didn’t disappoint. From a booking standpoint, it makes sense that Omega came away with the win after his transformation back into “The Cleaner.” It’s very possible that we get an Omega/Jon Moxley rematch assuming Moxley defeats Eddie Kingston later tonight. Kenny Omega def. “Hangman” Adam Page via pinfall. Grade: A
Orange Cassidy vs. John “4” Silver: One of the more interesting moments of the match took place in the early going when Silver ripped the pockets out of Cassidy’s pants. Silver took control and ended up tossing Cassidy across the ring on multiple occasions. Silver certainly took his time to showboat throughout the match and made sure the crowd knew that he was firmly in control. Silver also showed off his power during the match with a thunderous Irish whip. Cassidy was finally able to change his fortunes when Silver went for one too many Irish whips. Cassidy hit a cross body and followed it up with a swinging tornado DDT. A short time later, Cassidy hit an impressive Michinoku Driver and got a near fall. The two countered each other at one point in the match, and Silver ended up hitting a Spin Doctor to get get a long two-count. Silver was looking for Dark Order leader Brodie Lee’s discus clothesline, but instead, Cassidy ducked and hit the Orange Punch. He followed it up with a Beach Break to give the three count. It definitely wasn’t a surprise to see Cassidy come away with the win. After all, he was gone through a bit of a losing streak with two losses to Cody in TNT Championship matches as of late. He gets back on track here at Full Gear. Orange Cassidy def. John Silver via pinfall. Grade: A
AEW TNT Championship — Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Darby Allin: Before the match got underway, ring announcer Justin Roberts referred to Cody as “Cody Rhodes” for the first time in AEW. This comes after WWE canceled trademarks for the name “Cody Rhodes” earlier this week. Allin certainly got off to a great start and forced Rhodes to duck out of the ring twice in the minutes following the opening bell. Rhodes was finally able to gain control when he tossed Allin onto the entrance ramp after the two were tied up in a hammer lock position. He grounded Allin on several occasions throughout the match with submission holds, but the tide turned when Allin moved out of the way of a moonsault from Rhodes. Moments later, the turnbuckle pad came off the middle rope and Rhodes’ face bounced off of it. Allin got a long two-count before Rhodes just kicked out. Rhodes and Allin found themselves on the top rope moments later and Rhodes hit an Avalanche Cross Rhodes off the top rope. He went for the pin, but Allin’s arm was under the rope to stop the pinball. Rhodes kept scoop slamming Allin while trying to put the challenger away. Rhodes even grabbed his American Belt and Allin used it to trip up Rhodes in order to pin the champion. Rhodes barely kicked out of the pinning combination. Minutes later, Allin was able to connect on the Coffin Drop from the top rope, but Rhodes kicked out at the last possible second. After the two traded pinning combinations, Allin got the upper hand and pinned Rhodes to win the match.
After Rhodes was congratulating Allin, Taz came out and distracted Rhodes and Allin on the mic while Brian Cage and Ricky Starks attacked both from behind. Cage and Starks attempted to shut Allin’s arm in the door of the car Allin arrived in, but Will Hobbs appeared with a steel chair at the last minute to make the save. This match had exciting moments throughout and Allin showed off his fearless demeanor. Considering that Rhodes won their previous encounters, it made a lot of sense to put the TNT Championship on a young star like Allin. Darby Allin def. Cody Rhodes via pinfall to win the title. Grade: B+
AEW Women’s Championship — Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Nyla Rose: Shida came out of the gate with a flurry of offense as she attempted to stun Rose in the early going. The champ hit a running knee while Rose was laying on the ring apron to continue her offensive attack. With Shida in control, Rose’s manager, Vickie Guerrero, grabbed a kendo stick and hit Shida right on the knee to give Rose the upper hand. Rose began focusing on Shida’s injured knee and wrenched it on the steel frame of the ring. Rose followed that up by snapping Shida’s leg on the ring post. Rose attempted to hit a splash on Shida, but Shida rolled out of the way. Moments later, Rose found herself perched on the top rope but Shida was able to deliver a kick that knocked Rose to the outside. Shida hit a missile dropkick inside the ring but only got a two-count. Rose ended up gaining control a short while later and nailed a powerbomb on Shida. The champion later hit a running knee strike and then placed Rose on the top rope. Shida hit an Avalanche Falcon Arrow from the top rope and attempted to pin Rose before pulling her up off the canvas. Shida stood back up and went off the ropes before Guerrero grabbed Shida’s leg. While Shida and Rose were outside the ring, Shida shoved Rose into Guerrero. Shida eventually got Rose back into the ring while Guerrero was knocked down. Shida hit a Tamashii kick on Rose but couldn’t fully get the cover at first. However, Shida hit a second Tamashii and earned the three-count. This match had its fair moments of action, but the outcome wasn’t an expected one. Since Shida has held the title for a while and Rose aligned herself with Guerrero, it was surprising to see Shida hold on to the title. It’s certainly going to be interesting to see who Shida feuds with next. Hikaru Shida def. Nyla Rose via pinfall to retain the title. Grade: C+
AEW Tag Team Championship — FTR (c) vs. Young Bucks: The injured leg of Matt Jackson was emphasized quite a bit in the early going. However, that didn’t stop him from going for several dropkicks in the opening minutes of the match. Dax Harwood attempted to hit Matt with a thunderous right hand on the outside, but Jackson moved out of the way and Harwood bounced his hand off the ring post. Following Harwood’s misfire, the Young Bucks focused on Harwood’s hands and even kicked it repeatedly in the corner. Finally, Harwood was able to get back in control after he launched Matt off the bottom rope. Harwood ended up getting his hand wrapped in the middle of the match. Once Harwood got back into the ring, he went back to focusing on the injured leg of Matt as FTR made frequent tags. While both Harwood and Matt Jackson were dealing with their injuries, Jackson executed a small package and Harwood barely kicked out at two. FTR spent the majority of the match isolating Matt due to his injury. Finally, Nick Jackson got the hot tag and was moving around the ring like a man possessed. Nick executed several kicks to FTR and took control of the match. Matt made a blind tag, and the Young Bucks were able to get a near fall on a huge kick to the face of Wheeler from Matt Jackson. FTR responded with a tandem bulldog off the top rope and Wheeler went and speared Nick off the apron. Harwood only got a two-count on the quick cover. The Young Bucks got momentum right back when they hit a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb to take a page of the Hardy Boyz’s book. With Nick Jackson and Wheeler laid out outside the ring, Matt Jackson put Harwood in a sharpshooter. Nick ended up putting Wheeler in a sharpshooter on the entrance ramp. Matt Jackson’s leg finally gave out due to his injury. Nick Jackson hit a rising knee strike on Harwood in the corner and the Young Bucks followed it up with a BTE Trigger. Wheeler came from out of nowhere to break up the pinfall attempt, though. FTR was able to hit the Mind Breaker spike piledriver combination, but Matt Jackson got his leg on the bottom rope to break the pinfall. FTR became incensed and took Matt’s boot off of his leg to inflict maximum damage. With Matt nearly knocked out, Wheeler elected to attempt a 450 splash but missed. Matt was able to get up and connect on a superkick to win the match.
This was one of the best tag team matches in quite some time. Both teams absolutely threw caution to the wind and showed what tag teams have influenced them over the years with a wide array of tandem moves. It’s not a huge surprise to see the Young Bucks win the titles. Considering the stipulation of not challenging again for the titles if they lost, this was one that the Young Bucks weren’t losing. Young Bucks def. FTR via pinfall to win the titles. Grade: A
Matt Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara (Elite Deletion Match): The match began with Guevara arriving at the Hardy Compound in a golf cart. Hardy came out and crushed Guevara’s golf cart with a monster truck. However, Guevara took control in the early going by utilizing a trash can and bouncing Hardy off the tree. After fighting throughout Hardy’s front yard, Guevara dunked Hardy in a fountain before Hardy turned the tides with a scepter. The two made their way to a ring where Hardy hits a Side Effect for a two-count. Hardy set up a table and powerbombed Guevara through the table. Hardy attempted to cover Guevara, but Santana and Ortiz interfered to make it a 3-on-1 equation. Following Santana and Ortiz arriving, Private Party made their way to the Hardy Compound and involved themselves in the match. Hardy then rained projectile fireworks all around the ring. Guevara did the very same, and the two exchanged fireworks throughout the Hardy Compound. Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on Guevara before a hooded figure appeared holding Hurricane Helms. The figure turned out to be Gangrel, who took out Private Party. Hurricane Helms was thrown into the Lake of Reincarnation by Guevara. Guevara sidestepped a Twist of Fate attempt and superkicked Hardy. Gangrel, The Hurricane, Private Party, Santana and Ortiz, Hardy and Guevara all reconvened in the ring and engaged in an all-out slugfest. Guevara and his group chased Hardy into the “Dome of Deletion,” but Hardy was able to shut the garage door, locking just himself and Guevara inside. Inside the “Dome of Deletion” was a ring and Guevara ended up hitting a Swanton Bomb off a ladder through a table. However, Hardy kicked out at two and hit a Twist of Fate on Guevara. Hardy followed it up with a spear through two tables that were set up outside the ring. Hardy ended up bashing Guevara’s head against the concrete with a steel chair and earned the pinfall. Following the match, Private Party helped Hardy load Guevara into a garbage can and loaded it into the back of a truck, which Senor Benjamin drove away from the Hardy Compound. The “Elite Deletion” was definitely one of the more interesting things that we’ve seen. The return of Hurricane Helms and Gangrel was a pretty cool touch for the older generation of wrestling fans. These cinematic matches aren’t usually for me, but this one was fairly solid. Matt Hardy def. Sammy Guevara via pinfall. Grade: B-
MJF vs. Chris Jericho: MJF came out of the gate strong before Jericho got the upper hand on the outside of the ring. Jericho even trolled MJF as he grabbed the camera and mocked him. Jericho injured his arm early in the match and MJF made it a point to attack Jericho’s arm throughout the match. Jericho was able to turn the tide and connected on a Lionsault from the middle rope. Jericho followed that up with a Frankensteiner from the top rope. MJF was able to change momentum when he knocked Jericho off the top rope. MJF also taunted Jericho by slapping him around when he was groggy. Jericho was forced to use his left arm to deliver knife edge chops. Jericho was able to put MJF into the Walls of Jericho, but MJF crawled to the ropes to break the hold. MJF later tried to land a Lionsault of his own, but Jericho was able to dodge it and hit a Codebreaker. Moments later, Jericho went for the Judas Effect, but MJF was able to counter into his Fujiwara Armbar. Jericho, however, escaped the move. Wardlow came down to hand MJF the “Dynamite Diamond Ring,” but MJF missed Jericho. Jake Hager also came down to the ring and threw Jericho his bat, “Floyd.” MJF acted as though Jericho hit him with the bat. While the referee was scolding Jericho, MJF rolled him up and got the pinfall. The match itself had its moments but wasn’t quite as impressive as many may have hoped. It was pretty cool to see MJF beat Jericho at his own game and score a questionable pinfall of the “Demogod.” It’ll be interesting to see how this storyline will unfold in the coming weeks. MJF def. Chris Jericho via pinfall. Grade: C+
AEW World Championship — Jon Moxley (c) vs. Eddie Kingston (I Quit Match): The match began as a slugfest in which Moxley and Kingston exchanged punches and knife edge chops. While the two were outside the ring, Moxley threw a chair at Kingston and tossed him into the guard rail. Moxley continued his offensive onslaught and suplexed Kingston on the concrete on the outside. Moxley fished a barbed wire bat out from underneath the ring and struck Kingston with it multiples times. The AEW champion also rolled the barbed wire bat across Kingston’s face to bust him open. Kingston was finally able to change his fortunes as he threw Moxley on the barbed wire bat that was laying in the ring. Kingston also wrapped a piece of the barbed wire around his fist and repeatedly pummeled Moxley from a mounted position. Kingston put Moxley in a wrist lock submission, but Moxley bit Kingston’s leg in order to break the hold. Kingston set up two tables to suplex Moxley, but Moxley blocked it and dished out a suplex of his own to Kingston. Kingston dumped a bag of thumb tacks in the ring and was looking to use them on Moxley. The champion went for a Paradigm Shift on Kingston, but Kingston reversed it and suplexed Moxley back-first onto the thumb tacks. Moments later, Kingston got rubbing alcohol from the timekeeper’s area and poured it all over Moxley’s back. Kingston responded by throwing tacks into the face of Moxley. He attempted a bulldog choke, which was the same move that Moxley beat Kingston with on an episode of Dynamite last month. Moxley was able to counter into a sleeper hold before transitioning into a piledriver. Following the piledriver, Moxley drove Kingston’s head directly into the mat with a Paradigm Shift. Moxley used a piece of barbed wire to help aid him in a bulldog choke. After a few moments, Kingston uttered the words “I Quit.” Following the conclusion of the match, Kenny Omega made his way down to the ring to exchange some pleasantries with Moxley. With Omega defeating “Hangman” Adam Page earlier in the night to become the No. 1 contender for the AEW Championship, he’ll face Moxley in the near future.
As should come as no surprise, this match was absolutely brutal with everything for barbed wire to thumb tacks to rubbing alcohol. Kingston definitely looked great throughout the matchup and pushed Moxley to his limit. It wasn’t the match of the year, but it was definitely entertaining and made for a great feud with one of the best trash talkers in wrestling in Kingston. Jon Moxley def. Eddie Kingston to retain the title. Grade: B+