FULL GEAR VII - 11/22/2025

[Go2Sleep]

3 hours ago, Niners Fan in CT said:

One thing that I am hoping gets sorted out.  I don't feel like the crowds are 100% all in on Statlander as the top babyface. 

They missed the boat on turning her heel. I don't know if she just doesn't wanna do it or what, but it's twice now that they've teased it, then abandoned it quickly. Having newcomers Stat and Garcia leading the coup of Mox would've fixed both angles at once.

I thought Full Gear was fine in a vacuum, but it was definitely excessive and the booking going forward doesn't seem inspiring. The matches I dug the most were Fletcher/Briscoe and the opening trios. The TNT title was just a great match and on a month full of death matches for AEW, this one stood out as the best. That screwdriver through the turnbuckle tease made me legitimately uncomfortable. Briscoe finally get a major singles was overdue.

The opening trios appealed to me because it was basically a comedy match which offered something completely different on a show full of serious bloody rasslin. Hechicero was great hamming it up and Okada going more sports entertainment on the back end of his career is a great decision for him. Takeshita needs to get something in soon, though.

My hot take for the show is I really don't get what TK sees in Joe as a top act. At this stage of his career, he's a perfectly good upper midcard gatekeeper, but I can't buy him as anything more than that. I kinda feel like this is more of a set up to get MJF the belt back than Swerve, and either way it does Hangman no good. Then you have Hook getting a main event angle when he has been completely heatless and underwhelming since his return (and he needed work before then too). I'm sure they'll get around to it at some point, but it doesn't seem in character for Swerve to get involved here instead of going after the Callis Family and particularly Okada for injuring him.

The Callis Family angle taking over the CC kinda limits the appeal of the tourney where you have several viable group winners in theory. They don't need to use this to set up an obvious match.

[username]

17 minutes ago, Go2Sleep said:

My hot take for the show is I really don't get what TK sees in Joe as a top act. At this stage of his career, he's a perfectly good upper midcard gatekeeper, but I can't buy him as anything more than that.

I second this, I described his first title win as a gold watch reign and... well I'll see how this goes but it feels like the crowd has generally been "ready" for a guy, be it as a face or a heel, before they got the AEW belt put on them in every single case except with Joe, twice now. I put him and Punk in the same category as older wrestlers who get by with their good mic work and the memory of what they used to be in the ring, and I know people will push back on that (TBF I'd take him over Punk in-ring) but I retort with a simple question: I hear so many people talk this up as a golden age of in-ring wrestling, how there's a MOTYC (or several) every single week... when's the last time one of those was a Joe match? When was the last time he had match of the week? IMO there's probably a dozen AEW men it'd be easier to answer that question for.

I like Joe, I'm glad he's still around, he should probably be hanging around the TNT title at this stage.

[HarryArchieGus]

Full Gear parts 1-3 complete. Not much to see on the Pre-show. Juice Robinson continues to have some of the worst presentation going. The Takeshita-Okada storytelling around the Sky Team-Hechicero trios bout was fun as was the match. Okada's arrival in his gear was one of the highlights of the night. Darby-Pac was excellent. Kinda expected this type of finish, so wasn't all that disappointed. Probably my match of the night. Really loved their exchanges, and look forward to the feud continuing. Brodido-FTR was overly spotty, but fun. They really got cooking down the stretch. Dug the Gauntlet match other than Benjamin-Lashley barely locking up tp begin. Their disappearance and reemergence was a little odd too. Some fun moments despite the weak start. Mox-O'Reilly was a bit hit and miss for me. I liked the finish and aftermath. Fletcher-Briscoe somehow exceeded my expectations. I've dug all their matches, but didn't think I needed another. They worked some magic and pulled me in. Loved the finish. Beautiful celebration from Mark. Bucks/Alexander-Omega/JurassEx bout was good solid fun. The melodramatic Elite reunion went a little long for my tastes. I liked what I saw of Stat-Mercedes. Mercedes looked particularly great. I need to see it in full. I really liked the finish. I may take a second look at Joe-Hanger. I didn't really get into it on first view. It's a challenging production shooting thru the cage - hard to see the action. What a crazy crimson mask on Joe! I'm finding it difficult to get all that worked up about a Hook turn. Or care if he was with them all along. I do prefer him with Joe. I was happy to hear the big pop for Swerve's return, but thought the execution that followed really missed the mark. Not at all into the new theme and I'm never impressed by security nInja beatings. So lame. Still, I'm happy for a Joe title win, and mostly enjoyed the mat action I saw. Not a PPV I was all that excited for, but as always very enjoyable. 

Edited November 24, 2025 by HarryArchieGus

[just drew]

1 hour ago, username said:

I second this, I described his first title win as a gold watch reign and... well I'll see how this goes but it feels like the crowd has generally been "ready" for a guy, be it as a face or a heel, before they got the AEW belt put on them in every single case except with Joe, twice now. I put him and Punk in the same category as older wrestlers who get by with their good mic work and the memory of what they used to be in the ring, and I know people will push back on that (TBF I'd take him over Punk in-ring) but I retort with a simple question: I hear so many people talk this up as a golden age of in-ring wrestling, how there's a MOTYC (or several) every single week... when's the last time one of those was a Joe match? When was the last time he had match of the week? IMO there's probably a dozen AEW men it'd be easier to answer that question for.

I like Joe, I'm glad he's still around, he should probably be hanging around the TNT title at this stage.

Replace the name "joe" with "kyle" and this is exactly how I feel.

[just drew]

5 hours ago, Casey said:

My hot take is that Hangman isn’t the main character of AEW, never was, and that if a company has to bash it over your head that someone is the main character then maybe they actually aren’t. He’s infinitely better in the chase of a title than he is when he wins it and has to become the guy. 2021/2022 it didn’t really work out, through no fault of his own, and this time it didn’t either (also not his fault).

I also still believe Hangman’s redemption arc and title win was a pivot because Darby was the first choice and wasn’t ready yet. All of this makes more sense if you plug in Darby where Hangman has been (not to mention Hangman & Swerve settling their issues was extremely rushed). A story arc of Darby winning the Owen, challenging Mox at their biggest show of the year, dethroning him, and then losing it a few months later to a juggernaut of a wrestler like Samoa Joe just fits Darby better. They made the story fit Hangman due to the circumstances, I’ll give them that.

If I were a Phragile Phil mark, I'd think this too. 

[Go2Sleep]

1 hour ago, username said:

 I hear so many people talk this up as a golden age of in-ring wrestling, how there's a MOTYC (or several) every single week... when's the last time one of those was a Joe match? When was the last time he had match of the week? IMO there's probably a dozen AEW men it'd be easier to answer that question for.
 

Probably one of his matches with Darby, it's been a while.

Joe can still cut a mean promo and work a 10 minute sprint or do his part in a tag, but it's obvious when the ppv main is 10 minutes or so that he doesn't have that next gear anymore. Feels like a Brock Lesnar with less aura.

I feel like if they had been planning things a little better, Ricochet could've been slid into Joe's spot this go around. Jay White too if healthy.

[Casey]

2 hours ago, just drew said:

If I were a Phragile Phil mark, I'd think this too. 

None of that was badmouthing Hangman, and none of it had anything to do with Punk. What the fuck is your deal this time?

[Zimbra]

18 hours ago, Curt McGirt said:

I can see it down the road, for sure. But a long trip down that ol' galaxy it'll be. 

I think Hangman and Swerve not being able to get out of each other's way will leave an opening for somebody else to swoop in and get the title.  And while that will probably be MJF or Ospreay, why not the guy who's already having a career year?

[Curt McGirt]

12 hours ago, Go2Sleep said:

I kinda feel like this is more of a set up to get MJF the belt back than Swerve

No. Please god no. Do anything else. Let him stay on perma-vacation, endless honeymoon. Send him back to MLW. Send him back to CMLL. Send him to fucking The Crash. Anything else. 

11 hours ago, HarryArchieGus said:

Not at all into the new theme and I'm never impressed by security nInja beatings. So lame.

YES! Finally somebody speaks up about it! Will there ever be a moment when a guy is just swarmed and legit beat down by the fifteen guys in the ring? Does every single wrestler have to superhuman Hulk up and beat everybody with their finisher(s)? IT'S A WHOLE RING OF GUYS, YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. The only person I can see having the balls to speak up and have the lack of ego to take the beatdown would probably be King. 

This Continental Classic loaded with Callis Family thing seems to be a way to get them out of every single goddamn match and into one spot, which sounds like a good idea if they're trying to move individual angles forward. DCF is taking up waaaay too much space pretty much everywhere. 

I'm also thinking Kris might be better as a heel now. That commentary on Collision was frankly embarrassing and halfway to heel anyway. She looks mean already. Just let her Vader folks and go up against Willow again; that worked all the way to a good bloody blowoff and then they just kinda turned her back with no reasoning besides "I lost". 

[Curt McGirt]

24 minutes ago, Zimbra said:

I think Hangman and Swerve not being able to get out of each other's way will leave an opening for somebody else to swoop in and get the title.  And while that will probably be MJF or Ospreay, why not the guy who's already having a career year?

Face vs. Face. Still in a tag team with a feud going. Stepping on an angle that isn't finished yet that they just jump-started.

[just drew]

8 hours ago, Casey said:

None of that was badmouthing Hangman, and none of it had anything to do with Punk. What the fuck is your deal this time?

I wrote this whole thing about Punk being a deeply insecure douchebag, and I meant it. He is.  The truth is, though, despite what I said, I had a good friend pass away suddenly last night. I feel I’ve made some real strides in terms of anger management, but this is a reminder that I still have work to do. I woke up & chose violence when I didn’t need to. That’s my bad. Ima take the rest of the day off. Apologies to you for making it personal.

Edited November 24, 2025 by just drew

[porksweats]

3 minutes ago, just drew said:

Oh, I dunno, maybe some goof running down Hangman Page for no good reason. It’s just another page from the “Phil did nothing wrong” playbook. I understand it’s because deep down you’re still upset that Punk never hit a clean Buckshot lariat no matter how many times he tried, but that’s no reason to shit on an upstanding citizen like Hangman Page.

Drew, you've got to settle down and not in a Cibernetico way

[The Natural]

Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone was a great match but like nearly all trilogies, the third was the weakest one. Both ladies did well getting the fans back into the match. What did you think, @Niners Fan in CT?

Edited November 24, 2025 by The Natural

[The Natural]

The Natural's top five Full Gear 2025 matches:

5. Samoa Joe vs. Hangman Adam Page.

4. Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone.

3. PAC vs. Darby Allin.

2. Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher.

1. FTR vs. Brodido.

I skipped Kenny Omega/Jurassic Express vs. Josh Alexander/The Young Bucks as I can't stand Jack Perry or the Young Bucks.

Biggest disappointment for me was the Casino Gauntlet match. Big letdown.

Edited November 24, 2025 by The Natural

[just drew]

6 minutes ago, porksweats said:

Drew, you've got to settle down and not in a Cibernetico way

Maybe I do. It just tinged my “bullshit-o-meter” when this boards most outspoken Punk fan ran down “empty headed dumb fuck” adam page for no good reason. I’m not always the most self-aware person in the world. If I’m reading something into nothing, that’s my bad. I’ll always stand on business on Phil being a fucking poser, though. 

[Just Adam Bay Bay]

I for one liked the card, and don’t recall anyone disparaging Hangman. If anyone’s an empty headed dumb fuck it’s probably the guy starting his millionth fight of the year here, because he has a hate boner for CM Punk.

Also since I saw the other day that Kyle O’Reilly is being badmouthed am I the only one that remembers the NXT Takeover he headlined against Finn Balor? That was definitely his best solo WWE match, and I’d say a top five match of the year candidate that year. 

[The Natural]

30 minutes ago, Just Adam Bay Bay said:

I for one liked the card, and don’t recall anyone disparaging Hangman. If anyone’s an empty headed dumb fuck it’s probably the guy starting his millionth fight of the year here, because he has a hate boner for CM Punk.

Also since I saw the other day that Kyle O’Reilly is being badmouthed am I the only one that remembers the NXT Takeover he headlined against Finn Balor? That was definitely his best solo WWE match, and I’d say a top five match of the year candidate that year. 

Nice seeing you back, @Just Adam Bay Bay. I tagged you in a post a while back hoping you were ok as I'd not seen you around. Great shout on Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver 31. One of 2020's best matches that.

Edited November 24, 2025 by The Natural

[stuntmanc]

I'm not defending Just Drew and prefer not to Engage with Casey, but Casey's first post PPV post was "Get Fucked Hangman", so there is that, followed by an almost copy and paste of his sentiments before All Out that no one agreed with then either.

Edited November 24, 2025 by stuntmanc

[stuntmanc]

1 hour ago, Just Adam Bay Bay said:

 

Also since I saw the other day that Kyle O’Reilly is being badmouthed am I the only one that remembers the NXT Takeover he headlined against Finn Balor? That was definitely his best solo WWE match, and I’d say a top five match of the year candidate that year. 

I've been saying forever that Denim Vest wearing NXT Main Eventing KOR was fucking awesome and im loving the elevation in AEW.  I really hope Mox putting him over so much leads to something.

[Curt McGirt]

Since I just watched the Rise of Pride, Dark Side of the Cage doc again, I just thought of calling him 
 

Spoiler

THE MOXLEY KILLER

[Go2Sleep]

2 hours ago, stuntmanc said:

I've been saying forever that Denim Vest wearing NXT Main Eventing KOR was fucking awesome and im loving the elevation in AEW.  I really hope Mox putting him over so much leads to something.

If it weren't for all the DCF stuff, he'd be a good candidate to win the CC.

[HarryArchieGus]

I wonder whose idea it was for Swerve to come down the aisle soooo goddamn slowwwly. It really hurt the impact of the angle before he even stepped in the ring. And then I wonder who in AEW creative (TK) is so in love with Security(Student)-Ninja crew beatdowns? This is maybe my least favorite thing in AEW. 

Swerve returning with a new (lame) theme rather than the music every tired fan in New Jersey wanted and deserved to hear was a poor decision.

I love Joe, but I wonder why a title reign now was considered more significant than, say, a returning Swerve vs. Hangman (just for honor) Main Event. 

[Niners Fan in CT]

6 hours ago, The Natural said:

Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone was a great match but like nearly all trilogies, the third was the weakest one. Both ladies did well getting the fans back into the match. What did you think, @Niners Fan in CT?

I thought it was a very good match but I agree that I would rank it 3rd.  They have a much safer,  methodical match with a lot of limb work which is great but the first two matches had so many twists and turns, they were legit MOTYCs last year.  This was probably a 4-star match if I was rating matches,  still very good but different.  

They worked hard as hell to get the crowd back into the show and by the end they accomplished that.  

[JLowe]

I do wanna throw in (on a positive note) that I’m coming around on PAC and really loved the match with Darby. His recent promos have also been good.

That said, even as a huge fan of Claudio, I don’t see how the Death Riders can continue without Mox as the head. None of the rest really have the charisma and mic skills to be the leader of a group. 

[Niners Fan in CT]

Sorry for the double post but I LOVE when wrestlers beat the shit out of 10 security guys or stooges or whatever.  Sting killing the nWo B-team members was always good shit to me.  Also,  I grew up on Steven Segal movies.  If you don't love 'Out for Justice' or 'Under Siege' then we can't be friends. 

Edit:  Ok, one more thing.  I'm not picking sides in a squabble at all but I think Hangman Page is a far better wrestler than CM Punk in 2025 and I would go as far to say Hangman is also the better talker of the two right now.  Punk has been mostly terrible in WWE.  I don't know, maybe you can blame the booking too.  I did love his Hell in a Cell match with Drew, one of my favorite matches of the year. 

Edited November 24, 2025 by Niners Fan in CT