Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including fallout from AEW Full Gear, more Tony Khan press conference notes, Kenny Omega working the Tokyo Dome, AEW and NXT line-ups, Stardom and New Japan weekend notes, Royal Rumble breaks records, the Rock, RAW report for the week and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps
Start: Fallout from Full Gear
14:40: Stardom/NJPW notes
24:54: Royal Rumble breaks records
29:08: NXT/AEW previews
33:45: Cain Velasquez asks judge to allow him to wrestle
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with TONS TONS TONS to talk about including a full recap of Full Gear, the finish to the MJF match, Dynamite Wednesday, NXT and RAW the next few days, WWE breaking attendance records, all the latest from the weekend and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
OMG the Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show is on the air and it’s a very special show as we’ve not only got our AEW Full Gear recap from Saturday night with thoughts on all the matches, title changes, MJF’s AEW Championship win and more, but we’re also joined by guest host DRAGGOR~! to run it all down!
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The main event finish with William Regal handing MJF Brass Knux was Tony Khan’s idea and you can look back at the last several weeks of the build-up and see the signs leading to it. It appears from the press conference that MJF and Regal will be a heel champion pairing not unlike Kenny Omega and Don Callis.
There was another finish brought up by several of the most influential wrestlers. We don’t know what it was although I presume MJF winning was not the question and it was just a different way to get there. It was an alternative way of getting there. Khan was strong on his finish that the direction this goes.
Regarding the PPV number, Khan noted to us regarding his comments last night that it was based on what they have now. It looks to be similar to All Out, which I’d consider to be a success if it ends up in that realm without C.M. Punk. All Out was 140,000 buys. It was below last year’s Full Gear, which did 155,000 buys. Most did not expect this year’s show to have a shot at beating last year’s numbers. The two other Full Gear shows were about 90,000 and 100.000 buys.
The numbers he had last night were very preliminary and based a lot on advance order numbers, but the company would have a better idea today or tomorrow on streaming numbers. Television PPV numbers don’t come in for 90 days but we usually get very strong estimates later in the week. With Thanksgiving that could be delayed a little.
The point is the number is a very early estimate and could vary significantly but right now the best info is a positive.
The show was announced on the air as a sellout and standing room only. It was actually a near sellout, about 600 shy of what would have been a full sellout for the PPV set up at the Prudential Center. As noted, the show just topped $1 million, hitting that mark the morning of the show and ending at $1,040,000.
WWE tops this on every PPV show as well these days, and greatly topped it for shows like Clash at the Castle and WrestleMania that topped $8 million. But historically, aside from the five AEW seven figure gates this year, there has only been one other non-WWE $1 million gate in U.S. pro wrestling history. That was the 2019 MSG show that New Japan and ROH put on,.
Adjusting for inflation there are others, including a few WCW shows during the glory period of that company in 1998 and January 1999, and a few of the most historic matches in the early days of the business.
Just for confirmation since there have been a number of questions about it, the trios titles are not up every match in the best-of seven series. It’s been confirmed that Death Triangle will be champions until or unless The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega win a fourth match from them. A number of people thought it would be up in all seven matches based on consistency, in the sense last night’s match was for the title and was the first match of the later announced best-of-seven.
Jim Ross only doing the first half of the show was a decision made before the show. Tony Khan decided to use Ross for the first half and Tony Schiavone for the second half.
The song “Wayward Sun” by Kansas that the Elite used last night will be their trios entrance music. If won’t be used if they are in regular tags or singles matches.
The Young Bucks have wanted to use the song for a long time as they and their father were big fans of that song and that style of music. The thoughts by people that it had to do with the situation of the past two months was something that they were aware of but the decision to use that song preceded that and in actuality has nothing to do with it.
The Young Bucks actually used that song as their entrance music when they did their own backyard wrestling as teenagers.
I agree with Dave Meltzer’s statement that it really doesn’t matter how long a show is, as long as the pacing and match quality delivers, then there’s no need to argue about show length. Some of the best NJPW and AEW shows have hit past the five hour mark, yet were still great because everything delivered.
Full Gear was not one of those shows.
Not to say it was a bad show by any means, as there was some tremendous wrestling on the show. It was better than most of Crown Jewel, for example. It’s just that by the end of the show, I was glad it was over. It’s all about pacing, folks.
MJF ended the show as AEW World Champion, a finish that was absolutely the right, and perhaps only, choice to make. In the end, after all the questions regarding if MJF would win the title the right way, he fooled us all yet again by joining forces with William Regal and knocking out Jon Moxley with brass knuckles to secure the championship at 26 years old. The match was good, but the story was the highlight, with MJF officially cementing himself as the top star of the company.Re
MJF has all the tools to become one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling. The work is there, and he has quickly reached the point where no one, including in WWE, can touch him in terms of promos. The question is, who is next? With Regal’s turn, someone in the Blackpool Combat Club (or whatever it may be now) makes sense. Danielson, maybe?
The good stuff on All Out was really damn good. The best match of the night easily went to Death Triangle beating The Elite in their big return match to retain the Trios titles. A surprise for sure, but given that the six will wrestle possibly six more times in a best of seven series, it makes the most sense for Death Triangle to win the first match. The match was about what you would expect in an Elite match: an awesome spectacle filled with cool moves and excellent synchronicity.
In the pre-show, Eddie Kingson defeated Jun Akiyama in what was very clearly a dream match for Kingston. The match itself was hard-hitting and very good, but the standout was Kingston’s interviews before and after the match. Kingston is someone that wears his heart on his sleeve, and it didn’t take much to realize that the match that took place really meant a lot to him. This was cool to see Kingston’s dream of wrestling someone from All Japan Pro Wrestling’s golden era come to life.
The ROH Championship match started slow, but picked up big time by the end largely thanks to two things: the drama between Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara, and the excellent back and forth between Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson. With Jericho’s win, that leaves the question of what we will be seeing in just a few weeks at Final Battle. I feel like they could do another Danielson match, but the question is how they get there. The match has already been done, but it feels like the next champion after Jericho should probably be Danielson.
Here is the tweet I wrote about the steel cage match:
i officially dare any wrestling promotion in the world to do a cage match where:
a) no one interferes, so the announcers don't have to go "but the cage is supposed to prevent that!" b) they don't do spots outside the ring
Ok, now getting that out of the way, this match was great. The two had terrific heat and Jungle Boy came off like a star with the big submission win over his former tag team partner. This all leads to the eventualy match with Christian Cage, whenever he gets cleared.
The Women’s World title match between Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter ended up being great, a real stiff back and forth match. These two had terrific chemistry and the crowd, who wanted Hayter to win, reacted big to all the nearfalls. It seems clear that a split between Hayter and Baker is coming based on the finish. And with Revolution not until March, there’s plenty of time to build to it.
Speaking of Baker, her match with Saraya was a match where I waited for things to pick up, and they never quite did. Saraya has been gone for five years, and it showed. I don’t want to say this was a bad match, but it went too long and the crowd never really seemed to get into the match, leading to a flat finish when Saraya scored the win. I was expecting a bit more here, but it is good to see Saraya back and doing things on her own terms.
Let’s do quick hits on the rest of this card, as there were THIRTEEN matches on this five-hour program:
The AEW World Tag Team title match between The Acclaimed and Swerve in Our Glory was fine, but the match from All Out was worlds better. The true story of Saturday’s match was Keith Lee walking out on Swerve Strickland and the likely fallout that will occur.
The ten man tag that opened the show was good, and the crowd was hot for it, so good stuff! Danhausen coming out in very evil form and clearing house was cute.
Ricky Starks defeated Brian Cage in a short, but good match. Starks advances to the finals against Ethan Page, which I see him winning. That means the next immediate title program will likely be Starks and MJF, which should end up being a fascinating promo battle.
The three-way for the TNT Championship was perfectly fine, though I thought it was time to put the title on Hobbs. That is probably the eventual result, it’s just a question of when. Final Battle?
The TBS Championship match wasn’t good, and there’s not much to say about it. The program just never clicked in any way, shape, or form.
Sting and Darby Allin defeated Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal in a match I could see being planned out in my sleep. Not a bad thing at all — Darby did cool stuff and Sting did his cool obligatory dive. They also highlighted Satnam Singh here and I thought he looked good doing his spots.
With Revolution not taking place until March, that leaves plenty of time for new programs to build. Hopefully Revolution will be a more little tighter than Full Gear here.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including a full recap of AEW Full Gear, all the matches and angles, MJF as champion and the various finishes they could have done, where they go from here with the top storylines, press conference notes, news and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Saraya made a triumphant return to in-ring action at Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, earning a victory in her first match in nearly five years.
Saraya defeated Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. at Full Gear after hitting two cradle DDTs in her first bout since a neck injury forced a pause to her career at a WWE house show in December 2017.
Saraya signed with AEW and made her first appearance for the company at Dynamite Grand Slam on September 21 of this year. She engaged in physicality in an angle with Baker on the October 5 Dynamite, then revealed that she had been fully medically cleared to return to the ring on the November 9 Dynamite, announcing the Full Gear match with Baker.
As Paige in WWE, Saraya was the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion, as well as a two-time WWE Divas Champion. After the neck injury paused her in-ring career, she served as an on-air authority figure on the SmackDown brand. Later, she worked as a panelist on FS1’s WWE Backstage alongside Renee Paquette.
The Elite are back in AEW — but Death Triangle are still the Trios Champions.
In their first match in more than two months, Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks unsuccessfully challenged for the AEW Trios titles at Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view. PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix retained after Fenix gave in and cheated to get the win.
After initially refusing to use a hammer when PAC wanted him to, Fenix struck Omega with the hammer and pinned him to get the victory. Omega was going for the One Winged Angel, but PAC put the hammer in Fenix’s hand. When Omega lifted Fenix up, Fenix hit him with the hammer.
Death Triangle became AEW Trios Champions after The Elite were stripped of the titles this September. The Elite were crowned the inaugural champions at All Out, but they had to vacate the titles following their involvement in the post-All Out brawl.
AEW’s investigation into CM Punk and The Elite’s backstage fight concluded last month with The Elite being brought back but CM Punk expected to exit the company.
At Full Gear, The Young Bucks & Omega entered to the song “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas. The Young Bucks filed a trademark for “The Wayward Sons” on November 3, but they recently abandoned the trademark application.
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 & Kenny Omega) will make their first appearance since being stripped of the AEW Trios titles as they face 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 while TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs in a three-way.
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 & Darby Allin.
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry faces 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 & Tony Schiavone and runs down the card.
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, Rocky Romero & Danhausen defeated QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Nick Comoroto, Lee Johnson & Cole Karter
(Party match kicked things off, as this was a way to really introduce a more serious demeanor to Danhausen.)
The very mysterious, very evil mystery partner of Best Friends didn’t show up in the early going of this one. Taylor & Trent took turns having their way with Solo and Johnson suffered the same fate with Roppongi Vice. Romero hit his forever clotheslines in the corner, as Marshall was ping ponged around with punches. The Factory robbed Excalibur of hitting his line for a Best Friends group hug, as Taz stole it, while The Factory hugged Marshall.
Trent was isolated momentarily until he got knees up to avoid a Karter frog splash and laid out Marshall with a back suplex. Cassidy lit up Comoroto with his little kicks. Used his speed to thwart Karter, Solo & Johnson and delivered ten buckle shots to Marshall. Cassidy tried a satellite DDT, but Marshall put on the brakes into a pop up punch. Trent countered a Cutter into a Tornado DDT, as everyone took turns hitting their big moves until Cassidy starched Johnson with a satellite DDT. Karter wiped out all three of his teammates on a dive, as Rocky, Taylor & Trent hit triple dives. Marshall countered Orange Punch into a Cutter and was about to piledrive Cassidy on the ring steps.
Before Marshall could do it, Danhausen, with new ring gear, entrance and has a jar of teeth and spike. A slingshot German on Marshall, release Northern Lights on Karter, lariat to Solo, snap German to Johnson led to Cassidy hitting a Orange Punch on Comoroto. Danhausen poured the loose teeth into Comoroto’s mouth and hit a pump kick 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 on Rampage and happy to be back in America. He thanks Tony Khan & the fan, as this is his dream as he’s officially moved to America.
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Ricky Starks defeated Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) to advance in the Title Eliminator Tournament
(A good semi-final match that really had Cage in control for a majority of this, as Starks was selling his ribs almost the whole time. Starks has had to go through two monsters in two days, so the toll is being taken on his body.)
Ethan Page joined commentary for this match, as Cage attacked at the bell, but Starks turned it into a slug fest that spilled outside. Cage hit a superplex from the ring apron back inside and posed for the crowd. Starks tried a comeback, but was quickly beaten down in the corner. Cage really zoned in on the ribs until Starks got a boot up in the corner and followed up with leaping back elbows and a clothesline. Starks tried a cross body off the top, but Cage caught him into a back breaker for two. Starks countered a reverse DDT into a Tornado DDT of his own, tried Roshambo, but the ribs were injured. Cage tried Weapon-X, but Starks got a roll up for a super close two. Starks answered with a Spear for a near fall of his own. Cage hit a powerbomb, buckle bomb and discus lariat, but again Starks kicked out. Starks avoided a top rope elbow, Cage looked for a F-5, but Starks countered into a Destroyer then Roshambo for the win. Page stared down Starks from the ramp, as the finals for the Title Eliminator Tournament is set for Dynamite.
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A video package on Saraya’s return to the ring in 5 years is shown ahead of 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 he doesn’t want to talk right now, but 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 strengthened by Kingston’s respect and admiration for Akiyama.)
Massive ovation for Kingston, as Akiyama ran through a chop, while Kingston blocked a high knee to start. Both men jockeyed for position before Kingston got a full nelson, Akiyama got the ropes and ate a Kingston chop that echoed. A chop & forearm exchange rang loud as Akiyama’s chest is beat red. Akiyama was sent outside, as Kingston went after, looking for a half & half on the apron, but Akiyama countered into a DDT and guillotine knee on the apron. With the arms locked, Akiyama hit a violent curb stomp and piledriver for two.
Akiyama again was cut off in the ropes, as Kingston bit him and nailed a superplex. Machine gun chops from Kingston, as Akiyama absorbed them and hit machine gun forearms. Kingston answered with more chops and hit a half and half. Both men popped up to deliver Exploder suplexes before Akiyama hit a charging knee for the double down. Kingston avoided another Exploder and hit a perfect DDT of his own. Spinning back fist crumbled Akiyama, who blocked a second one into an Exploder and charging exposed knee for a close two. Kingston fought back with a Northern Lights Bomb and hit another spinning back fist to put away Akiyama for three. Kingston was brought to tears, as this was the biggest win of his career with the amount of respect he has for Jun Akiyama. Kingston bowed and shook hands with Akiyama, as he gave Akiyama the ring to cheers in a very classy move.
Kingston took the mic post match and said not to thank 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 & Antonio Inoki and hopes he made them all proud. He went to run down the PPV card himself, but got cut off, so he just said bye and left, which was pretty hilarious.
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AEW All Out
Excalibur & Taz are joined by Jim Ross to comprise the announce team for the show.
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) in a Steel Cage Match
(A war of an opener that led to one of Perry’s biggest wins of his career. This was an excellent opening contest.)
Excalibur informs us pinfalls or submissions only in this cage match. Perry used his speed in the early going to avoid the clutches of Luchasaurus, springing off the cage and hitting a missile dropkick. Luchasaurus got his grips on Perry and lawn darted him into the cage and already busting him open. Luchasaurus picked Perry apart, launching him into the cage repeatedly and delivered a Razor’s Edge into the cage for two. Perry countered a corner chokeslam into an arm bar, but was cut off on the top with a massive choke slam by Luchasaurus, who followed with the Cutthroat for two.
Luchasaurus got in the face of referee Bryce, which allowed Christian to pick the pocket of referee Mike Posey, who had the keys to the cage door. The door is open, as security went to escort Christian away, but Luchasaurus cleared them away. Perry nailed a dive from the ring to the floor, but Luchasaurus blocked another dive and slingshot Perry into the cage. Luchasaurus threw a table, two chairs and Perry himself into the ring. Luchasaurus took too long and Perry hit a series of dropkicks and kicked Luchasaurus’ face into the cage. Perry was backdropped on the apron, as Luchasaurus tried a chokeslam through a chair, but Perry countered into a step up Destroyer off the chair and Killswitch onto the chair for two.
Perry went for another launch off the chair, but this time Luchasaurus blocked it into a chokeslam through the chair. While in the corner, Perry fought free and hit an avalanche Sliced Bread, as both men sat up like the Undertaker that led to a slug fest., as Perry refused to stay down, as he dropped Luchasaurus with a stalling piledriver for a near fall. Perry got a sleeper, but Luchasaurus countered into multiple Tombstone’s, but Perry wouldn’t quit. Luchasaurus tried a Cutthroat through the table, but Perry got a sleeper, sat Luchasaurus on the table and swung a chair at his face. Perry climbed the cage, gave a kiss to his late father and hit a huge elbow drop through the table. Snare Trap was applied and Luchasarus submitted. Post match, Perry climbed over the cage and hugged his mother and sister ringside.
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The Elite’s entrance had a video shown that ended saying “Carry On” that led to Kansas ‘Carry on Wayward Son’ playing to an amazing entrance from Omega & The Bucks. The crowd sang along, Taz did the guitar riffs; this was a sight to see.
Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) w/Don Callis, Michael Nakazawa & Brandon Cutler) to retain the AEW Trios Titles
(My goodness, I tried to cover as much as I could in this match, but this was unreal action, which is exactly what you expected out of these six men. You also had a great call back to PAC constantly wanting Fenix to use the hammer. This was one of the most action packed matches I’ve seen in quite a while.)
Don Callis joined commentary, as the crowd immediately did a F*ck CM Punk and Colt Cabana chant. Omega & PAC started fast with Omega trying his jump over face buster, but PAC landed on his feet and spat in the face of Omega. Fenix & Nick jumped in and went a mile a minute with their offense before trading high kicks until Penta & Matt joined and we had a crazy series of kicks that led to a face off. The crowd went nuts, as The Bucks hit superkicks on everyone to stand tall. Penta was taken out with corner kicks from the Bucks and hurricanrana by Omega, who dished one out to Fenix as well. Nick hit a twisting dive on PAC and took a sip from a fans soda ringside, as he asked it if was diet.
Omega went for You Can’t Escape on Penta, but his leg was wiped out by PAC, who pounced on the downed Omega. Death Triangle hit a triple dropkick on Omega for a near fall. PAC, whose nose was busted open from the dive by Nick Jackson, missed a dive and Omega pie faced him down. Matt did locomotion Northern Lights on the Lucha Bros, but Fenix did a cazadora and Penta did a double stomp off the top to the groin. Matt remained isolated until he hit a cazadora face buster to make the Nick hot tag.
Nick did a subtle Punk reference by doing a step up corner knee and running bulldog out of the corner as Omega tagged in, hit a Snap Dragon on Penta & PAC and wiped them both out with his Terminator dive. Fenix & Nick had a back and forth, but led to Matt hitting a springboard DDT on the apron, as Fenix took a gnarly neck bump. Nick & Penta fought up to the top and Nick hit a super hurricanrana and wiped out everyone on the floor. Back inside, Omega hit a leg trap neckbreaker on the knee for two on PAC. Omega signaled for V-Trigger, but PAC countered into a snap German. The Elite went for a Tombstone on PAC, but Lucha Bros stopped it and Death Triangle hit triple Tombstone’s.
Fenix hit a splash off his brother’s shoulders out of the corner, hit a diving Destroyer, while PAC hit Black Arrow into the Brutalizer on Omega. The Bucks made the save, as the Lucha Bros wiped out The Bucks outside yet again. Fenix hit a spin corner kick, spinning arm drag and double stomp on Omega’s ribs. PAC tossed the ring hammer to Fenix, who refused again to use it, as Omega laid him out with a V-Trigger. Omaga hit a Tiger Driver 98, but Fenix kicked out to the sound of Fight Forever chants.
Sling Blades dished out to everyone by Penta, but he ran into triple superkicks. Nick hit Fenix with a Poison Rana and laid out by BTE Trigger, but PAC broke it up. PAC went for the hammer shot on Omega, but ate a superkick. Nick wiped out PAC with a dive, Matt hit a moonsault off the top, while Omega hit Fenix with V-Trigger. PAC slid Fenix the hammer, as Omega raised him up for One Winged Angel, but Fenix had no choice, used the hammer and rolled up Omega for the win. Fenix was upset with himself; while PAC was proud he finally used the hammer.
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Jade Cargill (w/Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey) defeated Nyla Rose (w/Vickie Guerrero & Marina Shafir) to retain the TBS Title
(Well, these two had the death spot following an insane six man tag. They tried their best, but the crowd was dead for a majority of this one, really only reacting to the Beast Bombs and Jaded finish.)
Nyla made her entrance in a low rider with Vickie & Marina joining her, while Jade’s gear is inspired by Cheetara. Before the bell, Rose attacked Hogan outside, who had possession of the TBS title. Cargill took the fight to Rose for the match to officially begin as she hit a pump kick that sent Rose over the barricade. Rose was able to regain control in the ring and hit a leaping splash for two. Cargill got a boot up in the corner, leapt off the second rope, but Rose got a boot up of her own. Rose blocked a pump kick, both tried suplexes and Rose hit the knee drop to a hung up Cargill for two.
Cargill avoided a Beast Bomb into a forearm for a double down. Cargill was able to power Rose up into a Beast Bomb of her own for a close two. Rose rolled through Jaded and hit one of her own for a near fall. Rose went up top, but missed a senton, as Cargill hit a pump kick and Jaded to retain her title and go 42-0.
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Bobby Cruise is doing ring introductions, while Ian Riccaboni joined commentary for our upcoming ROH Title match.
Chris Jericho defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson & Sammy Guevara to retain the ROH World Title
(This was an excellent four way battle, with the crowd on their feet for a majority of this match. They played off the stable mates fighting each other, giving everyone near falls, while really cranking up the action towards the second half.)
Jericho & Castagnoli began outside, while Danielson & Guevara paired off in the ring before Guevara was sent outside and Danielson hit a dive. Jericho quickly rammed Danielson into the steps. Back inside, Jericho ate some Danielson chops and ping ponged with uppercuts by the Blackpool Combat Club before Guevara made the save. Castagnoli & Danielson hit charging corner attacks, shook hands and started swinging at one another. Rolling arm bar by Danielson, but Castagnoli powered up into a series of near falls. Jericho fought off both men, but was planted with double flapjack into a double single leg crab. Guevara put a stop to it with a double cutter and tried stealing the pin. Jericho & Guevara posed for the crowd, dispatched of Castagnoli and delivered a delayed suplex on Danielson, as both went to the bad eye.
Jericho & Guevara took turns lighting Danielson up with chops before the tables were turned and Danielson dished out kicks aplenty. Guevara landed on his feet after a super hurricanrana by Danielson and hit his standing Spanish Fly. Jericho nailed a Lionsault and landed on both men as a result. Castagnoli returned and hit a charging double stomp on Jericho for two. Castagnoli tried a springing uppercut, but Jericho countered into a Code Breaker. Guevara broke up the pin attempt and Jericho couldn’t believe it. Both men shoved one another and led to a strike exchange with Guevara getting a two off a Code Breaker.
Guevara tried the Walls of Jericho, but Jericho countered into his own. Danielson tried to break it up with a dropkick, but got locked in the Walls himself. Jericho no sold Castagnoli big boots, so he dropped Jericho with a suplex and sank in a Sharpshooter. Jericho tried to pin Danielson while in the hold, but Danielson locked on the LeBell Lock. Guevara broke it up with superkicks and instead of going for Castagnoli or Danielson, Guevara opted to help Jericho up and drop him with the GTH and Shooting Star Press for two.
Anvil elbows just pissed off Danielson, who no sold and slapped the taste out of his mouth. Castagnoli pressed Guevara over his head and launched him down to the floor onto Jericho. Castagnoli turned around into a Busaiku kneeto give Danielson two. Castagnoli & Danielson took turns with anvil elbows, as Castagnoli tried a pop up uppercut, but Danielson got a backslide for two. Guevara hit a springboard cutter on Castagnoli and Spanish Fly off the ropes on Danielson, who quickly locked on the LeBell Lock. Jericho broke it up and everyone spilled outside, where Danielson was planted with a Neutralizer. Guevara hit a Shooting Star outside, tried a springboard back in the ring, but Castagnoli hit a pop up uppercut for two. Giant Swing to Guevara was broke up, as Jericho hit a leaping Judas Effect to stop the move and another proper one to pin Castagnoli and retain.
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Saraya defeated Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
(Overall, this was a solid return to the ring for Saraya, who looked very good for not being in the ring for 5 years. My sole complaint would be this went maybe longer than one would expect and Saraya kicked out of a lot of Baker’s offense. The question now is where do both ladies go in the women’s division?)
The first bump Saraya took, the referee had to check on her, she took her time getting up, but smiled at Baker. Saraya hit a thrust kick that sent Baker to the floor to regroup. Baker avoided a baseball slide and dropped Saraya with a spinning neckbreaker on the floor. Baker applied a cravat and got in the face of Saraya’s brother ringside. Back inside, Baker really zoned in on the neck, hitting a misdirect neckbreaker and sent Saraya outside again. Baker talked too much trash and was dropped face first on the apron, as Saraya answered with a cross body.
Both ladies traded forearms until Saraya hit a series of short clotheslines for two. Baker blocked a corner boot and sent Saraya face first into the buckle, but Saraya hit the Paige Turner, which Excalibur called the Knight Cap for a near fall. Baker nearly surprised Saraya with Lock Jaw, but Saraya got the ropes. Air Raid Crash dropped Saraya to give Baker two. Baker hit the Curb Stomp, but Saraya wouldn’t quit. Baker went for an avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Saraya countered into a sunset flip powerbomb for two. Fisherman Driver got Saraya two and she couldn’t believe it.
Saraya tried a full nelson, but Baker spun out into Lock Jaw. They traded a series of roll ups, as Baker tried a rip cord, but Saraya hit a knee strike for two. Baker was able to hit the rip cord elbow, spinning neckbreaker and Curb Stomp, but again, Saraya kicked out. Saraya hit another charging knee and hit the Fisherman’s Driver twice to get the victory.
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ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defeated Powerhouse Hobbs & Wardlow to win the TNT Title
(Action packed battle of three hosses, as this was a smart way to get the title off Wardlow without being pinned.)
Wardlow immediately went at Joe on the floor, posting him before Hobbs steamrolled the TNT champion. Hobbs controlled both early on, delivering clubbing blows on Wardlow and dropping Joe with a T-Bone suplex. Wardlow scurried up the ropes and hit a twisting dive to wipe out both Joe & Hobbs to gain control. A crushing senton delivered to Hobbs, but Joe hit a running senton of his own. Wardlow was dispatched, as Joe raked the face of Hobbs and hit a charging boot. Wardlow jumped back in and was quickly planted with a snap powerslam. Joe locked Hobbs in a guillotine, but Wardlow mowed them down.
Hobbs was lit up with Wardlow corner strikes, as Joe ran into a spinebuster for two. Hobbs & Wardlow spilled to the floor, where Joe wiped both out with a dive. Joe tried a powerbomb on Wardlow, but Hobbs hit a Pounce on Joe so destructive it’d make Monty Brown & Willow Nightingale proud. Back inside, Hobbs flattened Wardlow with a spinebuster for a close two. Wardlow & Hobbs jockeyed for position, Wardlow fired off two powerbombs, but as he went for a third, Samoa Joe wiped him out with the TNT Title. Joe locked on the Kokina Clutch on Hobbs, who passed out and Joe wins the title.
-Backstage Tony Schiavone interviewed Chris Jericho & Jake Hager about Sammy Guevara’s actions in their match. Jericho said he respects Guevara and he’ll be a future World Champion. Orange Cassidy & Danhausen interrupts and said that a former ROH TV Champion, Tomohiro Ishii, wants a title shot on Dynamite. Jericho said Ishii used to carry his bags and shine his shoes in Japan and grants Ishii’s request. Hager asks what’s in Cassidy’s bag; Cassidy showed the All-Atlantic title and says he can try to take it from him next week.
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Tony Schiavone rejoined commentary for the upcoming match.
Darby Allin & Sting defeated Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett (w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh) in a No Disqualification & No Count Out Match
(This was certainly chaotic, as Sting continues to baffle me at the bumps he takes at 63 years of age.)
Jarrett brought out 4 guys dressed in Sting masks for his entrance. A bodybag was shown at the ramp, as Lethal & fake Stings went up to check it out, as smoke fired up, Allin flew through the smoke and wiped them all out. The real Sting was behind Jarrett in the ring as the bell sounded and Jarrett got his ass kicked to TNA chants from the crowd. Lethal was launched off the top and took a Flair Flop onto the edge of the apron that looked gnarly.
All four men spilled into the crowd to brawl until Allin set up a ladder on the stage. He tried a Coffin Drop off of it and the stage, but landed into Satnam Singh’s clutches. Singh threw Allin like a sack of potatoes clear up the ramp as Taz giggled on commentary, questioning what is wrong with himself. Singh saved Lethal in the crowd from a fall, but Sting leapt out of the crowd onto Singh & Lethal. The action went to the ring where Jarrett did his strut and Lethal isolated Allin. Sting was able to make a hot tag and dish out Stinger Splashes and got the Scorpion Death Lock on Jarrett. Sting no sold Dutt trying to break it up, so Singh stepped in and delivered a vicious choke slam to Sting.
Allin & Lethal tagged in as a Lethal Combination got a two count on Allin. Jarrett wanted a guitar shot, nearly hit Lethal, but pulled it, as Jarrett was knocked down and Lethal at a float over stunner. Allin went for a Coffin Drop, but leapt right into a Jarrett guitar shot to the back. Allin kipped up and no sold it, delivering Sting-esque back hands, as Sting wiped out Dutt. Singh came back in, missed a splash, as Sting did a Scorpion Death Coffin Drop with Allin. Jarrett was wiped out by an Allin dive, while Lethal tried a Lethal Combination, but fell into a Death Drop in mid air. Allin hit a Coffin Drop on Lethal to get the win.
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Jamie Hayter defeated Toni Storm to win the AEW Interim Women’s Title
(By hook or by crook, Jamie Hayter needed to win the title here tonight and she did. This was a really fun battle, even with the interference. I’m genuinely interested in seeing where they go now that Baker’s running buddy is at the top of the AEW Women’s mountain.)
Crowd is really behind Hayter here to start, as the opening grappling exchange got Storm boos whenever she was in control. Both ladies tried their finishers, but the other had it countered into the face off. Shotgun dropkick sent Hayter to the apron where Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music to the floor. Hayter gained the advantage and launched Storm into the guard rail, but Storm posted Hayter multiple times to answer. Storm hit two chops against the post, but missed the third and chopped the steel.
Hayter controlled the action inside and used a nonchalant cover to get into the mind of the champion. Storm mounted a comeback, used another Sweet Cheek Music and top rope cross body for two. Both traded counters until Storm hit a step up Tornado DDT. Forearm exchange ensued before Storm hit a headbutt and both ladies collapsed with Storm on top for two. Rebel snuck down to ringside, as Hayter & Storm traded blows. Storm’s nose is busted open and as Hayter took the ref, Rebel smacked Storm with the title belt. Hayter hit a sliding lariat for a close two.
Referee Paul Turner saw Rebel on the apron and threw her out, as Storm leveled Hayter with a ripcord lariat of her own for two. Storm tried the hip attack the third time, but was sent outside. Storm fell down by the title belt and we saw someone zoom in with a Curb Stomp on the gold, which was Britt Baker. Hayter planted Storm with Storm Zero in the ring for a near fall. Hayter-ade missed, but Storm Zero hit for the champ, as Hayter kicked out at two. Baker distracted Storm long enough to turn into the Hayt-breaker for yet another close two for the challenger.
Baker removed a corner buckle pad, but Storm sent Hayter into her, knocking Baker to the floor. Storm charged, but ran into the exposed corner, as Hayter finally hit Hayter-ade to win the title.
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The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) defeated Swerve in Our Glory (Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(This was quite the match with the wheels finally coming off the partnership between Swerve in Our Glory, as Strickland pushed his luck one too many times with Keith Lee.)
Caster delivered an extended rap that had Kanye, Twitter, Jay & Silent Bob, Monster’s Inc & Blind Side references. Excalibur said no Billy Gunn tonight since he wants to control his emotions and not possibly cost The Acclaimed the titles. We’re told Bowens had been walking around with his arm in a sling following Wednesday’s match with Strickland.
Lee tried a powerbomb on Bowens, but Caster turned it into a hurricanrana. The Acclaimed clotheslined Lee over the top, as Lee really smacked his shin against the edge of the ring. Scissor Me Timbers leg drop to the groin delivered to Strickland, who fought back and isolated Bowens. Strickland went into the crowd and grabbed a barricade, as Lee told him to stop and Strickland told him to worry about Bowens, who Lee clobbered with an overhand chop. Strickland tried to suplex Bowens on the barricade, but Bowens reversed it. Lee kept Bowens isolated inside, as he & Strickland took turns picking Bowens apart until Bowens hit a reverse hurricanrana on Lee.
Caster made the hot tag and ran wild with a dive on Strickland outside, but tried to lift Lee and that wasn’t happening, so he settled for a hurricanrana off the second rope. Caster was cut off in the corner, fought Lee off and hit a super Fame-Asser off the top for two. Bowens nearly dropkicked Strickland onto the barricade, but Lee saved his partner. Caster went up top and hit a crazy cross body onto Lee off the apron through the barricade. Bowens hit a DDT off the ropes on Strickland for two. Roll through Flatliner from Strickland planted Bowens, as four Killshot kicks followed by Strickland, but Bowens kicked out. Strickland went for a Swerve Stomp, missed, as Bowens hit The Arrival. Caster reappeared and hit the Mic Drop, but Lee broke up the count.
Strickland fought off a double team and dropped Caster with a brain buster. Lee bealed Caster clear across the ring as Lee & Strickland hit the Fall From Glory, but Caster somehow kicked out at two. Caster made a blind tag off a powerbomb attempt, but it resulted in Lee powerbombing Caster onto Bowens. Caster was launched into the ring attendant table and Strickland pulled out pliers. Daddy Ass made the save, but never actually hit Strickland, who booted Gunn and he was held back by referees. Strickland wanted Lee to use the pliers, but Lee threw them away, so Strickland slapped his partner.
Lee helped Bowens up and left his partner high and dry, as Bowens got a school boy on Strickland for two. Bowens reversed a JML Driver into a blind tag to Caster, as The Acclaimed hit their finish to put away Strickland and retain the titles.
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-Excalibur informs us Tony Khan has made Death Triangle vs. The Elite into a Best of 7 series with Death Triangle up 1-0 following their win tonight.
· Match 2 happening on Dynamite this Wednesday
· Match 3 will be November 30
· Match 4 at Winter Is Coming December 14
· Match 5 (if necessary) at Holiday Bash on December 21
· Match 6 (if necessary) at New Years Smash December 28
· Match 7 (if necessary) on January 11 at the LA Forum
Also on Dynamite this Wednesday
· Ricky Starks vs. Ethan Page in the Finals of the Title Eliminator Tournament
· Chris Jericho defends the ROH Title against Tomohiro Ishii
· Orange Cassidy against Jake Hager for the All-Atlantic Title
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MJF defeated Jon Moxley (w/Lord William Regal) to win the AEW World Title
(This was a fantastic main event, with the crowd really into it the entire time. Moxley did a great job playing the heel and the finish was something I had a feeling might happen in my Dynamite recap a few days ago. I can’t wait to see where they go coming off of this.)
Regal left before the start, the crowd is firmly behind MJF, who I should mention, motorboated a fan during his entrance.. Moxley quickly fired off strikes early until MJF did a Fargo Strut to avoid a drop down. MJF teased a dive to the floor, but just did a little cardio and hit the ropes a bunch. Moxley bit MJF and flipped off the crowd saying he loves this as he battered MJF in the ropes. Suplex slam into the STF by Moxley, as MJF bit free at Moxley’s hand. Moxley did the deal and got a Falcon Arrow into a cross arm breaker, but MJF scurried to the ropes. Moxley grabbed the title ringside and held it high, but MJF misted Moxley with a drink, as Moxley sent him into the steps.
MJF fired off jabs inside the ring, sent Moxley into the corner ten times and went to the floor to set up the time keepers table, kissing the title belt in the process. MJF took too long; Moxley fired off a Cutter and stomped onto the face repeatedly to loud boos. Moxley teased a Gotch piledriver through the table, but MJF blocked and hit a Tombstone on the apron, as MJF clutched his knee. MJF went for it again, but Moxley countered and hit a piledriver off the apron through the table. MJF barely beat the count and rolled right into a Paradigm Shift for two.
Moxley locked on a figure four on the bad leg, but MJF wouldn’t quit, as he reversed the submission and Moxley grabbed the ropes. Moxley spilled to the apron, as MJF hit the Heatseeker for two. MJF went for it again, but this time Moxley chop blocked the bad leg out. Moxley got crotched in the ropes, as MJF cut him off, but Moxley hit anvil elbows. Moxley connected with an Avalanche Paradigm Shift, but MJF got his fingertips on the ropes. Moxley jaw jacked with the fans, which allowed MJF to recover and spit in the face of Moxley, who had dared MJF to hit him.
Forearm battle with the yay-boo chants led to MJF pulling the ref into a charging Moxley. MJF pulled the Dynamite Diamond Ring out from his trunks, contemplated using it, as Lord William Regal made his way to the ring told him not to use it. MJF flipped off Regal and threw the ring down, but Moxley locked on the rear naked choke. MJF nearly got a near fall out of a corner kick out, but replacement referee Paul Turner got sent to the floor also. Bulldog choke by Moxley had MJF tapping out, as referee Bryce, the original ref was recovering. Regal told Moxley to revive the ref, as Regal tossed MJF a pair of brass knucks and he laid out Moxley for the three count to win the title. Regal smirked at MJF from the ramp and gave a nod, as Tony Schiavone said Regal just sold his soul to the devil.
As indicated, the number continues a run of four straight $1 million live gates for AEW pay-per-views which includes May’s Double or Nothing (Las Vegas), June’s Forbidden Door with NJPW (Chicago), and September’s All Out (Chicago).
Double or Nothing marked the first time AEW hit the $1 million live gate number. The company also exceeded $1 million for September’s Grand Slam Dynamite/Rampage event in Queens, New York.
AEW will hope to exceed last year’s estimated 155,000 pay-per-view buys for the same show, headlined by then-AEW World Champion Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page. The number was an increase from the estimated 75,000 the shows did in both 2019 and 2020.
Here’s the current lineup for Saturday’s show:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against MJF
Interim AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Jamie Hayter
AEW World Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed defend against Swerve In Our Glory
AEW World Trios Champions Death Triangle defend against The Elite
ROH Champion Chris Jericho defends against Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Sammy Guevara
TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs
TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Nyla Rose
Britt Baker defends against Saraya
Jungle Boy vs. Luchasaurus in a steel cage match
Sting & Darby Allin vs. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett
Zero Hour: Jun Akiyama vs. Eddie Kingston
Zero Hour: Ricky Starks vs. Brian Cage in a World title eliminator tournament semifinal
Zero Hour: Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor & Danhausen vs. The Factory (QT Marshall, Cole Karter, Nick Comoroto, Aaron Solo & Lee Johnson)
Ahead of Full Gear, Britt Baker spoke to Sports Illustrated about being Saraya’s first opponent in nearly five years.
Saraya (formerly known as Paige in WWE) will make her return to the ring as she faces Baker at Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view. It will be the first time Saraya has wrestled since 2017, when she suffered a neck injury that forced her to retire.
Baker told Sports Illustrated that the match is a point of progress for the AEW women’s division.
“It’s so progressive for our division,” Baker said. “It’s a story-driven match. It’s a very compelling story, and the match is going to be even more exciting.”
Baker noted that, while Saraya has been away from in-ring competition for five years, the one thing they have in common is that professional wrestling is their life.
“She’s been out of the game for five years,” Baker said. “That’s a long time. For all our differences, we have one thing in common—wrestling is our life. We’re going to wrestle like our lives depend on it.”
With Saraya being medically cleared to return to the ring, Baker told Sports Illustrated she isn’t worried about Saraya having limitations.
“She’s cleared. By this point, her neck is probably better than mine,” Baker said. “At first, I was really concerned. Working around someone’s neck is very daunting. But she’s cleared, and we’re going to wrestle.”
Baker said facing a star like Saraya is a challenge that she welcomes.
“I don’t take this opportunity lightly. It is a challenge I welcome. Saraya is a star. She’s one of the best wrestlers in the world. Not everyone knows Britt Baker. Having a match with a star of her caliber is the next step I need in my career,” Baker said. “I feel similar to the way I did before the ‘Lights Out’ match against Thunder Rosa. I knew the match had to be excellent. I’m in that position again, and I’m ready to deliver.”
Full Gear is taking place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. The PPV main card will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The Buy-In pre-show starts at 7 p.m. Eastern.
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about as we look back at AEW Dynamite and NXT this week! Both shows had highs and lows, the lows mostly being the last 30 minutes, and AEW was the go-home show for Full Gear this coming Saturday — or Sunday…? A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite from last night, the highs and lows, the main event segment, the full line-up for Saturday’s show, an alternate plan for Ricky Starks, Tony Khan scrum notes, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite leading to Full Gear, MJF’s post-show promo, notes on Jericho, Kevin Owens, Chelsea Green, Jonah, a bizarre and insane bill from Texas, ratings, Stardom, NXT TV and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Full Gear preview
8:10: Chris Jericho on the Masked Singer, Kevin Owens injury update
10:28: Chelsea Green, JONAH. Mil Mascaras updates
13:06: WBD investor’s call
18:08: Texas legislature introduces bill on transgender performers
21:48: NJPW-Stardom Historic X-Over is this weekend
Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo as she reviews the November 16th edition of AEW Dynamite, the final show heading into AEW Full Gear this Saturday! She runs down the matches, stories and more in this fun and interactive post show.
