Let’s talk some All Elite Wrestling Full Gear On this edition of Blogs Count Anywhere! AEW closes out it’s Pay Per View schedule of 2021 with a very solid card. Full Gear is talking place from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota starting the Buy-in preview show at 7pm EST. The ODPH Podcast & 607TWS each had great previews of this card, but for this blog, I want to deep dive into the 3 matches that make this a must-buy card! Let’s get the blog started, shall we?
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
FTR vs. LUCHA BROS. (c) - AEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
This will probably be the match of the night. The Lucha Bros. finally won the tag team titles from the Young Bucks at All Out in September. Since then, the door’s been wide open for the tag division. First ones walking thru were FTR, who have been one team vastly overlooked for the title picture since they wrestled the Young Bucks way back when. This feud has built some good steam behind it with FTR stealing the AAA tag titles via a “unique” alliance with Andrade. This storyline has spawned off another match on this card with Pac/Rhodeslander vs. Andrade/Malakai Black. Proof that what these 4 are doing is working very well.
As for the match tonight, I fully bank on these 4 stealing the show. If fans need a reminder on how great tag team wrestling can be, look no further. Both teams bring a different ring style to this match & have great in-ring chemistry. Plus, the Lucha Bros. always go the extra mile on PPV’s. AEW doesn’t like doing short title reigns so seeing #AndNew as the outcome, but the fans are the winners in the end.
Winner: Lucha Bros.
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
CM PUNK vs. EDDIE KINGSTON
Who would have thought that the biggest moment out of the ending of AEW Revolution wasn’t the botched mine explosion (…”wrestling), but the evolution of Eddie Kingston as the heart & soul of AEW since. No one waives the brand’s flag harder & higher than the Mad King. IMO, they missed a great opportunity to give him the AEW TNT Championship at All Out, but he’s still in the mix of great storylines since then.
On the other hand, the CM Punk return to wrestling has been met with mixed results (until this feud). Since coming back after 7 years away from pro-wrestling, Punk has been on a “honeymoon” phase doing more good PR promos than reminding everyone he’s the “Best In The World”. Fans have seen some flashes that the phase might be over soon (ie: his last AEW Rampage commentary night) but a backstage interview was interrupted & we finally might get the real return.
Their promo battle on AEW Rampage was good, but Kingston won that round easily. Punk looked like he was finally challenged (which is a good thing). Kingston spoke from the heart & that’s his biggest strength: he connects with fans like few people can. If he’s the voice of AEW, Punk finally heard it.
One promo segment sold me on this match. I’m not expecting anything classic as far as technical holds. I’m expecting Kingston to fight until his body can’t anymore. I also expect him to push Punk into deep waters and remind him of what he could be, and not what he should be right now.
Winner: CM Punk
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
“HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE VS. KENNY OMEGA (C) - AEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
The history between these two harbors the history of AEW. From it’s opening card, Page has been thought of as the face of what AEW should be (along with MJF). After being defeated by Chris Jericho for the inaugural world championship, Page’s AEW tenure has been steered away from the singles titles. His only taste of AEW gold was in the tag team ranks. Otherwise, it’s been a man who likes his drinks more than his wrestling which wasn’t the Hangman screaming Cowboy Shit opening night.
Omega coming to AEW was huge at the time. After leaving a noteworthy stay in New Japan Pro Wrestling, his initial start with AEW didn’t set the wrestling world on fire. Forgettable matches putting over other talent until being paired with Adam Page & winning the tag titles. Their storyline was great with Omega doing the eventual turn. Page disappeared & Omega finally became “The Best Bout Machine” again by winning the world title from Jon Moxley. From that point on, Omega has led a new “version” of the Elite (Young Bucks, Good Bros. Adam Cole “BayBay”) into the forefront of AEW.
Page started making a push towards the belt & all eyes looked to All Out as the moment where Page got back on track. However, there was a change in plans & that moment didn’t happen. Page was away from AEW but returned in a big way winning a world title shot after having his original one taken away during a Dark Order/Elite stipulation match. Saturday is finally the day this story gets settled.
Honestly, this one isn’t as cut and dry to call a winner as some might think. While Page was away, Bryan Danielson debuted with AEW & has been the hottest wrestler on the roster with high-profile wins over Bobby Fish & Minoru Suzuki along with a time limit draw with Omega at the bug NYC Dynamite show. Danielson is now in the finals of a world title tourney, which the winner gets a title shot. the same tourney Omega defeated Page in a year ago to start his title reign.
Factoring in all that, I’m going to leave my prediction as follows:
Who SHOULD Win & I’m rooting for: Hangman Adam Page
Who WILL Win: Kenny Omega, only to face Bryan Danielson at the final TNT AEW Dynamite taping
That all said, let me know on Twitter your predictions for AEW Full Gear. Also remember to follow 607podcasts on Twitch as we live react to the card on Saturday Night. As always, thanks for reading!