Full Gear (2023)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Full Gear
Promotion
All Elite Wrestling
DateNovember 18, 2023
CityInglewood, California
VenueKia Forum
Attendance12,904[1]
Buy rate122,000 - 140,000[2]
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The 2023 Full Gear was the fifth annual Full Gear professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It took place on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Kia Forum in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, California.

Eleven matches were contested at the event, including three on the "Zero Hour" pre-show. In the main event,

Texas Death match
.

The event was also notable for the signing of international wrestler Will Ospreay to AEW full-time. Ospreay had been competing on AEW programming while he was under contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He officially joined the AEW roster in February 2024 after his NJPW contract expired.

Production

Background

The 2023 Full Gear took place at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

Full Gear is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event held annually in November by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) since 2019, generally around the week of Veterans Day. It is one of AEW's "Big Four" PPVs, which includes Double or Nothing, All Out, and Revolution, their four biggest domestic events produced quarterly. Out of the four, Full Gear is AEW's only pay-per-view to be traditionally held on a Saturday.[3] During the All In post-event media scrum on August 27, 2023, it was announced that the fifth Full Gear event would take place on November 18, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.[4] Tickets went on sale on September 8, 2023.[5] AEW also partnered with Joe Hand Promotions to air Full Gear in select theaters across the United States and in select out-of-home establishments (e.g., restaurants) across North America.[6]

Due to the event taking place in

Eastern Time (ET)—Collision is AEW's third weekly program that launched in June.[7] This did not affect AEW's regular Friday program, Rampage, which also aired live that same night from the same venue at its normal 10 p.m. ET slot.[8]

Storylines

Full Gear featured

professional wrestling matches that were the result of pre-existing feuds and storylines, with results being predetermined by AEW's writers. Storylines were produced on AEW's weekly television programs, Dynamite
, Collision, and Rampage.

On the September 27 episode of Dynamite,

The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn), attacked MJF. White subsequently stole the AEW World Championship belt and challenged MJF for the title at Full Gear and MJF accepted.[10] Additionally, on the October 24 episode, The Gunns stated they wanted a match against MJF for the ROH World Tag Team Championship at Full Gear, which MJF accepted.[11] On October 30, it was announced that MJF and a mystery partner would defend the tag title against The Gunns during the Full Gear Zero Hour pre-show—MJF's championship partner Cole suffered a broken foot in late September.[12] Samoa Joe offered to be his partner in exchange for a future AEW World Championship match, but MJF declined until the November 17 episode of Rampage when he accepted after Joe saved him from a beat down.[13]

At

trios match at Full Gear, which Sting accepted. Later during a backstage interview, Copeland said he refused to fight Cage, but then Sting and Allin appeared and told him that Cage could not be trusted.[11] The following week, after Cage, Luchasaurus, and Wayne attacked Copeland, he was saved by Sting and Allin. Copeland then stated he would be their partner at Full Gear.[15] Cage's faction would later be known as The Patriarchy.[16]

At

Rey Fenix due to a legitimate concussion incurred during the match.[18] Cassidy then regained the title from Fenix at Dynamite: Title Tuesday.[19] After Cassidy retained the title against Moxley's Blackpool Combat Club stablemate Claudio Castagnoli on the November 1 episode, Moxley came to the ring and was attacked by Cassidy. Later, Moxley challenged Cassidy for the International Championship at Full Gear,[15] which was later confirmed.[20]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role Name
Commentators
 Excalibur (Pre-show and PPV)
Nigel McGuinness (Pre-show and PPV)
Tony Schiavone (Pre-show and PPV)
Taz (PPV)
Don Callis (The Golden Jets vs. The Young Bucks)
Ring announcers Justin Roberts
Dasha Gonzalez
Bobby Cruise
Referees Aubrey Edwards
Bryce Remsburg
Paul Turner
Rick Knox
Stephon Smith
Brandon Martinez
Pre-show hosts Renee Paquette
RJ City
Stokely Hathaway

Pre-show

There were three matches that took place on the Zero Hour pre-show. In the first match, Eddie Kingston defended the ROH World Championship against Jay Lethal (accompanied by Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Karen Jarrett, and Satnam Singh). During the match, Kingston performed an exploder suplex on Lethal for a nearfall. Kingston then delivered a hurricarana to Lethal for a nearfall. In the end, as Lethal attempted the Lethal Injection, Kingston caught him and countered with a half-and-half suplex and the Backfist to the Future to retain his title. Following the match, Kingston and Ortiz thanked the crowd.[21]

Next, Claudio Castagnoli faced Buddy Matthews. In the closing stages, Matthews delivered an uppercut and diving knee strikes to Castagnoli. Matthews then performed a Tenryu powerbomb and the Jackhammer for a nearfall. In the end, Castagnoli then delivered a pop-up uppercut, a Ricola bomb, and applied in the Sharpshooter on Matthews, who submitted, giving Castagnoli the victory.[21]

In the final pre-show match, MJF and Samoa Joe defended the ROH World Tag Team Championship against The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn). During the match, as The Gunns attempted the 3:10 to Joe, MJF intercepted them with a double DDT. The Gunns then delivered 3:10 to Joe only for MJF to break up the pin attempt. Adam Cole then made his return and distracted Austin, allowing Joe to apply in the Coquina Clutch on Colten who submitted, thus MJF and Joe retained the title. Following the match, as MJF embraced Cole, The Gunns attacked MJF with a chair and attacked his leg several times with chairs. Medical personnel tended to MJF who was taken on a stretcher and in an ambulance, thus MJF was deemed unable to defend the AEW World Championship against Jay White in the main event. Cole then stated that he would defend the title on behalf of MJF.[21]

Preliminary matches

The main card opened with Sting, Adam Copeland, and Darby Allin (accompanied by

low blow. Cage then accidentally struck Luchasaurus with the AEW TNT Championship belt and then left the arena. Sting then delivered a Stinger Splash on Luchasaurus, followed by Copeland performing a Spear. In the end, Allin performed the Coffin Drop to Luchasaurus to win the match.[22][23][24][25]

Next, Orange Cassidy (accompanied by Hook) defended the AEW International Championship against Jon Moxley (accompanied by Wheeler Yuta). During the match, Moxley delivered a Bossman slam and applied in the Texas Cloverleaf on Cassidy, who managed to escape. Cassidy then performed a superplex and a satellite DDT to Moxley for a nearfall. As Moxley attempted the Death Rider, Cassidy countered it into an attempted Stundog Millionaire; however, Moxley countered into a bulldog choke on Cassidy who escaped. As Cassidy then attempted the Orange Punch, Moxley countered Cassidy with an Ace Crusher in mid-air. Moxley then performed a Gotch-style Piledriver on Cassidy for a nearfall. Cassidy then delivered three consecutive Orange Punches to Moxley and used a victory roll pin resulting in a nearfall. In the climax, Cassidy then performed two more Orange Punches and a Beach Break before pinning Moxley to retain the title.[22][23][24][25]

After that,

"Timeless" Toni Storm (accompanied by Luther). During the match, Shida delivered a jumping knee strike and Storm Zero on Storm for a nearfall. Shida then performed a Falcon Arrow on Storm for a nearfall. As Shida then attempted a Michinoku Driver, Storm avoided and applied in an ankle lock on Shida, however, Shida escaped. As Shida attacked Luther with a kendo stick, Storm performed a deadlift German suplex and a running hip attack (later revealed to be a frying pan hidden in Storm's tights that was unbeknownst to the referee) on Shida to win the AEW Women's World Championship for a record-tying third time.[22][23][24][25]

In the fourth match,

four-way tag team ladder match. During the match, Black delivered a moonsault from the top of the ladder onto the other competitors. Rush then performed a punt kick to Wheeler. Wheeler then attacked Black with a low blow and performed a piledriver on Black onto a ladder. Dralístico then performed a dropkick on Wheeler, whose head was wedged in a ladder. Starks then delivered a spear to Rush and a tornado DDT to Wheeler. King then performed a back body drop to Harwood through a ladder. Dralístico delivered a springboard Codebreaker to Bill, who immediately performed a chokeslam to Dralístico. Rush performed Bull's Horns to Bill with a ladder. As Dralístico delivered a poisonrana to Black, King performed a Ganso Bomb to Dralístico through a ladder. Wheeler then delivered a diving splash on King through a ladder and Black performed Black Mass to Harwood. In the end, as Starks and Wheeler as ascended the ladder, Bill caught Wheeler and intercepted him, allowing Starks to unhook the titles to retain.[22][23][24][25]

In the next match, Kris Statlander defended the AEW TBS Championship against Julia Hart and Skye Blue. During the match, Statlander delivered a back suplex to Blue for a nearfall. Statlander and Blue performed a roundhouse kick/neckbreaker combination to Hart. Blue performed a superkick and a powerbomb to Hart for a nearfall. As Statlander attempted a powerbomb, Blue countered into Code Blue on Statlander for a nearfall. In the end, as Statlander attempted a pin on Blue, Hart clotheslined Statlander and pinned Blue to win the TBS Championship.[22][23][24][25]

After that was a

knockout.[22][23][24][25]

In the penultimate match, The Golden Jets (

Nick Jackson) with the stipulation that if The Golden Jets won, they would receive The Young Bucks' AEW World Tag Team Championship opportunity, but if The Young Bucks won, The Golden Jets would have to disband as a team. During the match, Matt performed double northern lights suplexes to Jericho and Omega. Nick then performed a senton atomico to Jericho, however, Omega broke up the pin attempt. The Young Bucks then delivered the BTE Trigger to Jericho for a nearfall. Jericho then attacked Nick with a low blow as the referee was distracted by Omega. Nick delivered a poisonrana to Jericho, while Matt performed the One-Winged Angel on Omega for another nearfall. As The Young Bucks attempted the Meltzer Driver, Jericho responded by performing a Codebreaker on Nick. In the end, Jericho delivered the Judas Effect to Nick, while Omega performed a ripcord V-Trigger and the One-Winged Angel on Matt to win the match, thus Omega and Jericho earned The Young Bucks' future AEW World Tag Team Championship opportunity.[22][23][24][25]

Main event

In the main event, Adam Cole came out to defend the AEW World Championship against Jay White (accompanied by Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) on behalf of MJF due to MJF suffering an injury on the pre-show; however, MJF was shown driving the ambulance to the arena, thus MJF defended his title. During the match, as The Gunns attempted to attack MJF again with a chair, the referee noticed and ejected them from ringside. MJF bit White in the face and delivered a Kangaroo Kick. White then performed an uranage on MJF for a nearfall. As MJF placed White on the announce table, the table collapsed, but MJF still performed a diving elbow drop on White onto the remnants of the table. White then performed a dragon screw to MJF in between the ropes and an uranage for a nearfall. White then delivered a Complete Shot and a deadlift German suplex to MJF for a nearfall. As White attempted the Bladerunner, MJF countered it with a schoolboy pin for a nearfall. MJF delivered a tombstone piledriver and a running cutter to the outside to White for another nearfall. White then applied the figure four leglock on MJF, however, MJF reversed it and White escaped. Unbeknownst to the referee, White collected the ROH World Tag Team Championship belt and struck MJF with it for a nearfall. As White then kicked MJF's leg repeatedly, the referee tried to stop White, after which, White stumbled and accidentally incapacitated the referee. As Cole then inadvertently slid the

AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring to White, MJF delivered a low blow on White. Austin and Colten then returned, they were tossed out of the ring by MJF. In the end, MJF then attacked White with the Dynamite Diamond Ring to retain the title and go a full year as AEW World Champion.[22]

Reception

The event received positive reviews. Steve Cook of

411Mania wrote "main matches were good & entertaining, and my complaints aren't anything new to regular AEW viewers".[26]

During the Swerve-Page match, there was a spot where Page laid under Swerve, who was bleeding heavily, and drank his blood before spitting it out.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson called the spot "disgusting and never should have happened",[27] while Dave Scherer said it was "horrific and disgusting".[28] Other websites pointed that the spot was "hard to watch" and "sickened" the viewers.[29][30] AEW commentator Jim Ross praised the match, pointing it reminded him of "the old ECW".[31] The match was given a five star rating from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Strickland pointed that, after the match, he is "immortalized" [32] Answering Jim Cornette, who criticized the match, he answered "It's like telling kids there's a new insane horror movie out, don't go see it!".[33]

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
Singles match for the AEW World Championship[44]
29:45
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Notes

  1. ^ Samoa Joe substituted for co-champion Adam Cole, who was injured with a broken ankle.

References

  1. ^ "AEW Full Gear 2023". Cagematch. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "AEW Full Gear 2023 Estimated Buyrate". wrestlingheadlines.com. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  3. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 8, 2020). "Tony Khan Likes AEW's 'Big Four' Pay-Per-View Schedule, Announces 'Beach Break' Special For January". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 27, 2023). "AEW WrestleDream Announced For October 1, AEW Full Gear To Take Place On November 18". Fightful. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. PWMania. Archived
    from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  6. 411Mania
    . Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  7. PWMania. Archived
    from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  8. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived
    from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Powell, Jason (September 27, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (9/27): Powell's live review of Penta vs. Matt Jackson vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Austin Gunn, Willow Nightingale vs. Julia Hart, MJF and Adam Cole speak, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page contract signing". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Powell, Jason (October 4, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (10/4): Powell's live review of Adam Copeland's debut, Rey Fenix vs. Nick Jackson for the AEW International Title, Konosuke Takeshita and Sammy Guevara vs. Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Powell, Jason (October 25, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (10/24): Powell's live review of Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kazuchika Okada and Orange Cassidy, MJF vs. Juice Robinson for the Dynamite Diamond Ring". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  12. 411Mania. Archived
    from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  13. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online
    . Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Powell, Jason (October 1, 2023). "AEW WrestleDream results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage in a best of three falls match for the TNT Title, Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Powell, Jason (November 1, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (11/1): Powell's live review of Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the AEW International Title, Hikaru Shida vs. Willow Nightingale for the AEW Women's Title, Tony Khan's announcement". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Pulido, Luis (2023-11-17). "AEW Collision (11/17/2023) Results: Dax Harwood vs. RUSH, Miro vs Daniel Garcia, Outcasts, More Set | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  17. ^ Powell, Jason (September 3, 2023). "AEW All Out results: Powell's live review of Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW International Title, Luchasaurus vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title, Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks in a strap match, Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  18. ^ Powell, Jason (September 20, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (9/20): Powell's live review of MJF vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW World Title, Saraya vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston in a title vs. title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Powell, Jason (October 10, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (10/10): Powell's live review of Adam Copeland vs. Luchasaurus, Rey Fenix vs. Adam Copeland for the AEW International Title, Jay White vs. Hangman Page, Chris Jericho vs. Powerhouse Hobbs". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Russell, Skylar (November 1, 2023). "Jon Moxley Challenges Orange Cassidy To AEW International Title Match At AEW Full Gear". Fightful. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (November 18, 2023). "AEW Full Gear Zero Hour pre-show results: MJF and Samoa Joe vs. Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn for the ROH Tag Titles, Eddie Kingston vs. Jay Lethal for the ROH Title, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Buddy Matthews". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i Powell, Jason (November 18, 2023). "AEW Full Gear results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Jay White for the AEW World Championship, Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Brandon, Leclair (November 18, 2023). "Leclair's AEW Full Gear 2023 Report: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of MJF vs. White, Page vs. Strickland, Cassidy vs. Moxley, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g Keller, Wade (November 18, 2023). "AEW Full Gear PPV results (11/18): Keller's report on MJF vs. Jay White, Cassidy vs. Moxley, Omega & Jericho vs. Young Bucks, Shida vs. Toni Storm, Sting & Darby & Copeland vs. Christian & Wayne & Luchasaurus, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g Pulido, Luis (November 18, 2023). "AEW Full Gear (11/18/2023) Results: MJF vs Jay White, Texas Death Match, Young Bucks vs Golden Jets". Fightful. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  26. 411Mania
    . Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  27. PWInsider
    . Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  28. PWInsider
    . Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Bilderbeck, Poppy (November 20, 2023). "Viewers left sickened after wrestler drinks opponent's blood during match". Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  30. ^ McGeorge, Alistair (November 19, 2023). "Wrestler literally drinks opponent's blood and fans are absolutely sickened". Metro. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Ato, Antonio Rubio (November 23, 2023). "Jim Ross asegura que Swerve Strickland y Adam Page subieron el listón en AEW Full Gear". Solo Wrestling. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  32. ^ Russell, Skylar; Tessier, Colin (November 29, 2023). "Swerve Strickland Says He Is Immortalized After Texas Death Match At AEW Full Gear". Fightful. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  33. ^ Toolan, Jamie (November 21, 2023). "Swerve Strickland responds to Jim Cornette criticism of AEW Full Gear Texas Death Match". WrestleTalk. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Eddie Kingston Retains The ROH World Title With Help From Ortiz At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  35. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Claudio Castagnoli Taps Out Buddy Matthews, Does 'You Can't See Me' Gesture At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  36. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2023). "Adam Cole Makes An Appearance, Helps MJF And Samoa Joe Retain ROH Tag Team Titles At AEW Full Gear". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  37. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2023). "Sting, Darby Allin, And Adam Copeland Victorious At AEW Full Gear, Ric Flair Gets Hit In The Dick". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  38. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Orange Cassidy Retains AEW International Championship Against Jon Moxley At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  39. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2023). "Toni Storm Wins AEW Women's Title At AEW Full Gear, Gets Her Flowers From Mariah May". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  40. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Ricky Starks And Big Bill Retain AEW Tag Team Titles In Ladder Match At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  41. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2023). "Julia Hart Wins AEW TBS Title At AEW Full Gear". Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  42. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Swerve Strickland Hangs Hangman Page, Wins Brutal Texas Death Match At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  43. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2023). "Kenny Omega And Chris Jericho Earn AEW Tag Team Title Match With Win Over Young Bucks At AEW Full Gear". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  44. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 19, 2023). "MJF Hits One-Year Mark As AEW World Champion, Defeats Jay White At AEW Full Gear 2023". Fightful. Retrieved November 19, 2023.

External links

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