All Elite Wrestling is back on Nov. 22 with their annual fall PPV — Full Gear! This year’s edition, the seventh, comes our way from Newark, New Jersey at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Including a televised pre-show that starts an hour earlier, the event will feature 13 total matches — 6 of them with championships on the line, two with big purses up for grabs, and more!
It’s a lot to process. But our motley crew is back to make predictions about the matches coming our way Saturday night from the Prudential Center,
and muse about all things AEW along the way.
Let’s get to it.
AEW FULL GEAR PREDICTIONS
Hangman Page (c) vs. Samoa Joe in a Steel Cage match for the AEW World championship
Sean Rueter: Season two of Twisted Metal is a lot of fun. Looking forward to season three… which I imagine Joe will head off to film within the next few months, giving us another reason he’s not becoming a two-time AEW World champ tonight. Pick: Hangman Page
Claire Elizabeth: I truly do not know if there is any length that Hangman will not go to in order to win this match. Pick: “Hangman” Adam Page
Cain A. Knight: Hangman said he will ruin Samoa, and I believe him. When is Swerve Strickland coming back? Pick: Hangman Page
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Hangman is going to pop Samoa Joe like a piñata. Pick: Hangman Page
Marcus Benjamin: I’m looking forward to the physicality in this one. Both of these cats know how to lay it in in reference to the story. Joe is a huge test for the Hangman but I don’t see him stumbling. Pick: Hangman Adam Page
Kyle Decker: This should be a good one but the outcome leaves little doubt. Pick: Hangman Adam Page
Kris Statlander (c) vs. Mercedes Moné for the AEW Women’s World title
Sean Rueter: The CEO walks a fine line between best in the world and overconfident heel, and to keep walking it it’s important she keep failing to capture AEW’s big one. She’ll win it, maybe after a face turn in a year or two? Stat is actually walking a similar line, but this isn’t the spot where her arrogant tweener gets humbled. Pick: Kris Statlander
Claire Elizabeth: Kris Stat hit the nail on the head with that promo about focus. Mercedes is on top of her game, better than ever… and used to picking off indie champs that just aren’t on the level of the world champion. I think Mone does win the title within the next year, but here she’s gonna get her nose bloodied and learn a lesson or two about coming for the champ. Pick: Kris Statlander
Cain A. Knight: I think Statlander gets her win back on Mone after losing their two PPV matches at the end of last year that really helped Mercedes hit her stride in AEW. Pick: Kris Statlander
Manolo H. Pizzazz: StatDaddy will knock the Moné train off the tracks. Pick: Kris Statlander
Marcus Benjamin: You know what? I’m going to pick my girl even though it makes no sense. But I want her to have all the belts. Sue me. Pick: Mercedes Mone
Kyle Decker: Mercedes already holds two victories over Statlander. A third here would be rather back breaking unless they’re going to go hard on another Kris heel turn. I don’t think they should. Pick: Kris Statlander
Brodido (c) vs. FTR for the AEW Tag Team championship
Sean Rueter: We haven’t seen any signs that Dax & Cash’s next big rivals are on their way back just yet, so Let’s say this program continues until at least World’s End. Also, Brodido rules, so… Pick: Brodido
Claire Elizabeth: The thing that sucks about FTR is they’re so very often right. They’re probably the best tag team in the world today and incredibly likely to be a candidate for best ever for some time to come. Brodido have the fight and they’ve got the fire, but I think FTR are gonna walk out three-time champs here. Pick: FTR
Cain A. Knight: FTR should be champions by the time Adam Copeland returns. Pick: FTR
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Nobody would be shocked if FTR wins, but Brodido are so great as plucky babyfaces. I don’t want that ride to end yet. Pick: Brodido
Marcus Benjamin: FTR need these belts for down the line. Brodido is already made and can get them back but for a larger story, yeah do the right thing here. Pick: FTR
Kyle Decker: I have a feeling Cope is on his way back so they’re going to defrost that program with FTR. It’d have a little more juice Cage & Cope could eventually challenge for the titles, even if it doesn’t explicitly needs it. Pick: FTR
Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express vs. The Young Bucks & Josh Alexander for $1 million
Sean Rueter: Ben calling the Matt & Nick face turn for a while, so I can’t back out now. Pick: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express
Claire Elizabeth: A million dollars is a LOT of money. A lot. Maybe not so much if you’re Nick “One-Armed Bandit” Jackson, but still. A lot of money, a lot of motivation, a lot of being willing to tolerate Callis family shenanigans. Honestly my big question here is Don can manage to keep from overplaying his hand— if he tries to hand the win to the Bucks on a silver platter I think they choose friendship, but if he trusts the Walking Weapon to help them get it done the right way (with maybe only a few cheap shots from the peanut gallery), he might just keep them in orbit a little bit longer. Trusting Don Callis to be subtle? Yeeeeahhhhh… Pick: Jurassic Express & Kenny Omega
Cain A. Knight: The Young Bucks will choose friendship over money as they turn babyface. Pick: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express
Manolo H. Pizzazz: The Young Bucks will hesitate to finish Omega, and that should cost them one million dollars. I’m not saying the Bucks will turn babyface. I think the wishy-washy soap opera drama continues without a firm stand by the Jackson boys. Pick: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express
Marcus Benjamin: This feels like the time for the official Young Bucks face turn. Or at least the start of it. Pick: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express
Kyle Decker: The Don Callis family is ever big and ever expanding, but I actually don’t think the Bucks join them. Instead I think they turn their backs on Don and reunite with Kenny and Jungle Jack, even if it means they’re still broke. Pick: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express
Casino Gauntlet for the National title
Sean Rueter: When TK needs a new belt established, there’s only one man for the job. Pick: Orange Cassidy
Claire Elizabeth: Big Bad Bob is gonna go the distance and end this bad boy within five entrants. Pick: Bobby Lashley
Cain A. Knight: Ricochet’s great heel run in AEW has been missing championship gold, so I assume Tony Khan created a brand new belt to fix that issue. Pick: Ricochet
Manolo H. Pizzazz: NWA national champion Mike Mondo storms the ring to take the new title for an invasion angle. Pick: Spirit Squad 4 life. Just kidding. Ricochet will finally taste gold in AEW. Pick: Ricochet
Marcus Benjamin: ALMIGHTY Pick: Bobby Lashley
Kyle Decker: It’s motherf****ing time. Pick: The Blade
Full Gear can be purchased on PPV.com, HBO Max, Amazon, and YouTube in the United States, as well as on traditional PPV.
Internationally, it’s on Triller TV, and may be available via those providers as well.
Darby Allin vs. PAC
Sean Rueter: This is probably a heart over head pick, but the past week has reminded me how much I love a promo from evil PAC, so… Pick: PAC
Claire Elizabeth: Listen here Mr. the Bastard sir, I watched Evolve, alright? I saw Darby go from a dude who got ragdolled in two minutes by Ethan Page to a guy who beat WALTER on the mat at his own game. You might think you’ve got the advantage in a straight wrestling match, and you might even be right, but Allin ain’t as far behind you as you think. Pick: Darby Allin
Cain A. Knight: You don’t make Jon Moxley quit on PPV only to lose against someone who ranks lower than him in the Death Riders. Pick: Darby Allin
Manolo H. Pizzazz: This feud has legs. It’s too soon to brush PAC aside. Besides, Gabe Kidd might be on the prowl. Pick: PAC
Marcus Benjamin: PAC shouldn’t win this match but I think he will. Even if it’s just to get some mojo back for his crew. Pick: PAC
Kyle Decker: Love PAC but there’s no way he should win this match. Pick: Darby Allin
Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly in a No Holds Barred match
Sean Rueter: Really, really, really want Kool Kyle to win, but I think the long-teased Roddy turn happens here to start that feud and (kinda) get Mox off the schneid. Pick: Jon Moxley
Claire Elizabeth: Serious wrestling boy Kyle O’Reilly is gonna snap Jon Moxley’s ankle like a twig and send him home for the rest of the year. Pick: Kyle O’Reilly
Cain A. Knight: I would have been scratching my head one month ago if you told me that Moxley vs. KOR was a PPV match in AEW, so kudos to all involved for killing it in this angle. Pick: Jon Moxley
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Doesn’t No Holds Barred always turn into No DQ chaos? In that case, Moxley will have his bases covered. Pick: Jon Moxley
Marcus Benjamin: Based on everything story wise, I’m going with the underdog. Mox did the Lord’s work at Blood & Guts so let’s keep it going and make another guy. Pick: KOR
Kyle Decker: This should be KOR given the story they’re telling, but it feels too much like a way for Mox to get his win back. Pick: Jon Moxley
Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mark Briscoe for the TNT championship
Sean Rueter: Actually looking for to that crazy chicken farmer f***ing with The Family from the inside. Pick: Kyle Fletcher
Claire Elizabeth: Honestly this feels like a “be careful what you wish for” situation for the Callis Family. You can bring Chicken in the house, but you can’t take Chicken out of the coop, if you catch my meaning. I’m setting the over/under for how long it takes Don to snap and let Mark out of his contract at two weeks, and I think I’m being quite generous. Pick: Kyle Fletcher
Cain A. Knight: The last thing the Callis family needs is a new member. Pick: Mark Briscoe
Manolo H. Pizzazz: This feud had momentum then lost steam. It’s more like a competitive wager than a grudge match. For that reason, let the Protostar continue racking up wins. Say his full name. Pick: Kyle Fletcher
Kyle Decker: My theme for the night is the Don Callis family doesn’t get bigger. Briscoe deserves a title run and Fletcher won’t be hurt with an L, especially if Callis Family dissension plays a part. Pick: Mark Briscoe
Babes of Wrath vs. Sisters of Sin vs. Timeless Love Bombs vs. Megan Bayne and Marina Shafir
Sean Rueter: I just want to see that “apartment wrestling” Toni was talking about. Sounds sick. Pick: Timeless Love Bombs
Claire Elizabeth: I’m a simple woman— I sing my wife a little song when I bring her her coffee in the morning, I put my petticoat on one leg at a time like anybody else, I don’t go outside without my face on, and if one tag team in a match where the winners get to pick a stipulation promise me a Taipei Taped Fist Deathmatch, well, I’m picking them. Pick: Timeless Love Bombs
Cain A. Knight: They might as well give Toni and Mina a bigger hurdle to overcome in the tag tournament by having Bayne and Shafir win this match. Pick: Megan Bayne & Marina Shafir
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Thekla makes the difference. Pick: Sisters of Sin
Marcus Benjamin: You all know I never pick against Harley. Pick: Babes of Wrath
Kyle Decker: Cain’s reasoning makes sense to me. Pick: Megan Bayne & Marina Shafir
Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Neon (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita & Hechicero for the CMLL world trios title
Sean Rueter: No full blown explosion yet… I think that’s coming in the C2… but Don is gonna have his hands full after this one. Pick: Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Neon
Claire Elizabeth: Hechicero is gonna have a hell of a time being the glue, y’all. Pick: Sky Team
Cain A. Knight: I’d probably pick Okada and Takeshita if $200K was on the line. Pick: Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Neon
Manolo H. Pizzazz: This will finally be the night that Okada and Takeshita implode, and that sets up the Continental Classic tournament. Pick: Sky Team
Marcus Benjamin: Don’s family is bigger than Sly Stone’s at this point. They gotta start taking Ls and culling the herd. Pick: Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Neon
Kyle Decker: The theme of a bad night for the Callis Family continues Pick: Pick: Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Neon
Anthony Bowens & Max Caster vs. Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. The Outrunners for $200K
Sean Rueter: They don’t have much else going for them since their mentor abandoned them. Let’s give them some cash… Pick: The Learning Tree Big Bill & Bryan Keith
Claire Elizabeth: I’m gonna be $200,000 honest, this is just because I liked their $200,000 promo on the $200,000 go home show Pick: Bang Bang Gang
Cain A. Knight: All it takes is $200K to unite people who don’t like each other. Pick: Anthony Bowens & Max Caster
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd are sexual tyrannosauruses. Pick: The Outrunners
Marcus Benjamin: I can’t pick against The Acclaimed back together even if they’re not fully there yet. Pick: Anthony Bowens & Max Caster
Kyle Decker: Bang Bang Gang are probably the most legit team here (given The Acclaimed hate each other). Pick: Bang Bang Gang
Eddie Kingston & HOOK vs. The Workhorsemen
Sean Rueter: This team is not working for me at all, and I like both guys. They’re winning here, but they also gotta figure something out. Pick: Eddie Kingston & HOOK
Claire Elizabeth: I gotta pick my boys, y’all. They’re my boys. Pick: The Workhorsemen
Cain A. Knight: Another easy pre-show win for Eddie & HOOK, although this one might take seven minutes instead of three. Pick: Eddie Kingston & HOOK
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Where’s the after-party? Pick: Eddie Kingston & Hook
Marcus Benjamin: This is the easiest thing I will do today. And that includes sleeping. Pick: Eddie Kingston & Hook
Kyle Decker: C’mon now. Pick: Eddie Kingston & HOOK
“Big Boom” AJ & Q.T. Marshall vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta
Sean Rueter: Sign me up for dumb pro wrestling fun. Pick: BOOM AND DOOM
Claire Elizabeth: Sorry Roppongi. Pick: “Big Boom” AJ & QT Marshall
Cain A. Knight: The Costco Guy isn’t losing in AEW, at least not in these pre-show matches. Pick: “Big Boom” AJ & QT Marshall
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Double chuck chocolate cookie. Pick: AJ & QT
Marcus Benjamin: I refuse. Do I have to? Sigh. Fine. Pick: Big Boom AJ & QT Marshall
Kyle Decker: Big Boom AJ has the same number of losses as Sting did in AEW and I don’t expect that to change here. Pick: “Big Boom” AJ & QT Marshall
That’s who we’ve got. Who are you taking, Cagesiders?
