AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will defend against MJF in the main event of Saturday’s AEW Full Gear from Newark, New Jersey.
The Elite (Young Bucks and Kenny Omega) will make their first appearance since being stripped of the AEW Trios titles as they face off in the Death Triangle for the titles.
In the trilogy, AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed defend against Swerve in our Glory.
Interim AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend against Jamie Hayter while TBS Champion Jade Cargill will defend against Nyla Rose.
ROH Champion Chris Jericho defends against Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson and Sammy Guevara in a four-way match, while TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs in a three-way match.
In her first match in five years, Saraya returns to the ring against Britt Baker while Jeff Jarrett makes his AEW in-ring debut, teaming with Jay Lethal against Sting and Darby Allin.
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry takes on Luchasaurus in a cage match to round out the main card.
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Zero Hour
Excalibur welcomes us to the pre-show alongside Taz and Tony Schiavone and runs down the card.
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, Rocky Romero and Danhausen defeated QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Nick Comoroto, Lee Johnson and Cole Karter
(The party game started as this was a way to really introduce a more serious demeanor to Danhausen.)
The mysterious and very evil Best Friends mystery companion didn’t appear at the beginning of this one. Taylor and Trent took turns with Solo and Johnson suffered the same fate with Roppongi Vice. Romero hit his clotheslines for good in the corner, while Marshall was ping-ponging with punches. The Factory stole Excalibur from getting a Best Friends group hug, as Taz stole it, while The Factory hugged Marshall.
Trent was momentarily isolated until he rose to his knees to avoid a Karter Frog Splash and laid Marshall out with a back suplex. Cassidy lit up Comoroto with his little kicks. He used his speed to thwart Karter, Solo & Johnson and fired ten buckle shots at Marshall. Cassidy tried a satellite DDT, but Marshall countered into a pop-up punch. Trent countered a Cutter into a Tornado DDT as they all took turns hitting their big moves until Cassidy floored Johnson with a satellite DDT. Karter finished with all three of his teammates in one dive as Rocky, Taylor and Trent triple dived. Marshall countered Orange Punch into a Cutter and was about to pile Cassidy on the ring steps.
Before Marshall can do this, Danhausen, with a new crown, enters and has a jar of teeth and spike. German slingshot on Marshall, Northern Lights drop on Karter, lariat on Solo, click German on Johnson led to Cassidy hitting an Orange Punch on Comoroto. Danhausen poured loose teeth into Comoroto’s mouth and hit a powerbomb for the win.
-Backstage Renee Paquette is with the newest member of the AEW roster, Konosuke Takeshita. He was happy with his performance last night at Rampage and happy to be back in America. He thanks Tony Khan and the fan as this is his dream as he has officially moved to America.
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Ricky Starks defeated Brian Cage (with Prince Nana) to advance to the title elimination tournament.
(A good semi-final match that actually had Cage in control for most of it, as Starks was selling his chops almost the entire time. Starks has had to go through two monsters in two days, so he it’s taking its toll on your body.)
Ethan Page joined in on commentary for this match, as Cage attacked at the bell, but Starks turned it into a slugfest that spilled out. Cage hit a superplex from the ring apron to the inside and laid for the crowd. Starks attempted a comeback, but was quickly taken down in the corner. Cage really went for the ribs until Starks took a boot in the corner and followed up with back elbows and a clothesline. Starks tried a crossbody off the top, but Cage caught him in a headlock for two. Starks countered a reverse DDT into a Tornado DDT of his own, Roshambo tried, but the ribs were injured. Cage tried the X-Weapon, but Starks got a two-up. Starks responded with a Spear for a near fall. Cage hit a powerbomb, a bucklebomb and a discus lariat, but again Starks kicked out. Starks avoided a top rope elbow, Cage went for an F-5, but Starks countered into a Destroyer and then Roshambo for the win. Page stared down Starks from the ramp as the finals of the title elimination tournament is set for Dynamite.
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A video package is shown about Saraya’s return to the ring in 5 years before her match with Britt Baker tonight.
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-Backstage Renee Paquette is with Eddie Kingston, who is moments away from his dream match. He tells Renee that he doesn’t want to talk right now, but that he was 18 when he saw Akiyama and can’t put into words how he feels about this match. You can hear the crowd chanting for Eddie.
Eddie Kingston defeated Jun Akiyama
(A fantastic back and forth battle only enhanced by Kingston’s respect and admiration for Akiyama.)
Massive ovation for Kingston as Akiyama ran in for a slam, while Kingston blocked a high knee to start. The two men jockeyed for position before Kingston hit a full nelson, Akiyama grabbed the ropes and ate a chop from Kingston that echoed. An exchange of jabs and forearms rang out loudly as Akiyama’s chest throbbed red. Akiyama was sent outside, as Kingston went after, looking for a half and half on the apron, but Akiyama countered into a DDT and a guillotine knee on the apron. With his arms locked, Akiyama hit a violent sidewalk slam and a piledriver for two.
Akiyama was chopped into the ropes again, as Kingston bit him and nailed a superplex. Machinegun chops by Kingston, as Akiyama absorbs them and hits machinegun forearms. Kingston answered with more chops and hit half and half. Both men popped up to deliver Exploder suplexes before Akiyama hit a charging knee for the double. Kingston avoided another Exploder and hit a perfect DDT. The spinning backfist crumbled Akiyama, who blocked a second into an Exploder and charged the exposed knee for a close two. Kingston fought back with a Northern Lights Bomb and hit another spinning back fist to put Akiyama away for the three count. Kingston cried as this was the biggest win of his career with the respect he has for Jun Akiyama. Kingston bowed and shook Akiyama’s hand, handing the ring to Akiyama to applaud in a very classy move.
Kingston took the mic after the match and said it’s not about thanking him, it’s about thanking the fans for showing up and thanking Jun Akiyama. Kingston shows respect to Giant Baba, Rikidozan, Mitsuharu Misawa, Jumbo Tsuruta and Antonio Inoki and hopes to make them all proud. He went to run the PPV card himself, but got cut, so he said goodbye and left, which was pretty hilarious.
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