AEW Full Gear is this Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. The future direction of AEW is on the line in the main event, along with some other promising matchups. Let’s break it down.
Roderick Strong has won his way to a match against MJF. With nothing on the line, and the story seeming to involve Adam Cole more then Roderick Strong, I’m not sure where this is going. As far as the match goes, Roderick Strong is one of the more underrated talents on the roster, whereas MJF relies more on clever heel tactics. MJF is certainly the bigger star for AEW, so I see him finding a shady way to pull out the win.
“Switchblade” Jay White is set to face off against “Hangman” Adam Page. This match is sure to be amazing, with two great wrestlers. They both bring a great pace, reversals, and intensity. One, or both, of these men will be bleeding at the end of this one. You can also expect some of the best false finishes imaginable. Hangman is much more of an AEW guy, and I see him getting the push in this one.
The AEW World Tag Team Championship is on the line in a four-way tag team match. Private Party will be defending against The Outrunners, King of the Black Throne, and The Acclaimed. Kings of the Black Throne are by far the best talent in the match, but Private Party and The Acclaimed can deliver exciting spots. Private Party’s recent tag run has been pretty stale, and they have yet to evolve their gimmick or character. Kings of the Black Throne have been winning as of late, are great talents, and are my prediction to win this match. That being said, it really could be anyone except The Outrunners in my opinion.
Mercedes Mone will defend the AEW TBS Championship against Kris Statlander. Since coming to AEW and very quickly winning the TBS Championship, Mone and her run have been mediocre at best. While Statlander is clearly the better athlete, Mone seems to have a lot of pull in AEW. I see them giving Statlander the dignity of losing due to interference from Kamille.
Swerve Strickland is set to face off against Bobby Lashley of The Hurt Syndicate. Swerve is clearly the better talent of the two, but he’s in tough for this one. After losing his championship, he has gone on to have great matches to put over the likes of Adam Page. Lashley and The Hurt Syndicate on the other hand, are fresh from WWE, and AEW’s newest flashy toy. Swerve is going to steal the show, but Lashly will have The Hurt Syndicate to make sure he’s victorious.
Jack Perry will be defending his AEW TNT Championship against Daniel Garcia. Jack Perry is another person under-delivering on a title run. There has been little development or depth to his character, and outside a few hardcore moments, has not delivered a great wrestling match. This one is difficult to decide, as Jack Perry is an AEW guy who they have been trying to push, but I would argue Garcia is both more over with the crowd and a better in-ring talent. Perry’s run has been long enough to give him a solid shot at getting over, while also being booked on TV more dominantly, hitting him in the back with the title and defeating his friend, Action Andretti. While I’m not predicting a wrestling clinic, I think this match will have some good spots and probably some color. I’m going to take the more popular talent, I’m going to take the babyface comeback story, give me Daniel Garcia.
The next match is my personal selection for match of the night prediction, Will Ospreay versus Kyle Fletcher. Fletcher has put on some muscle and some power moves to his arsenault, in addition to his already incredible moves and abilities. Will Ospreay is arguably the best in-ring talent on the roster. Pair that with how well these two know each other, this one is sure to impress. Pace, striking, reversals, false finishes, expect it all. Will The Don Callis Family help Fletcher win, or will Ospreay overcome? That is the big question for me. With no title involved, I can see Will Ospreay putting over his good friend, Kyle Fletcher. I also believe The Don Callis family will get involved after a fantastic match.
The main event is for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Jon Moxley defending his title against Orange Cassidy. Moxley is certainly the more hardcore of the two, and is a great wrestler to boot. Orange on the hand, may be more your style if you prefer highspots and some lighter, more entertainment focused spots. Jon Moxley and his Deathriders have been dominant both backstage and in-ring after rebranding, and it’s hard to imagine Orange Cassidy grabbing the AEW World Heavyweight Championship from Mox.
Howe Fresh
The Wrasslin Corner