The past couple of months have been crazy in the world of professional wrestling. Whether if it involved the recent sex scandal of Vince McMahon that led to him abdicating his position as chairman of the WWE, or the recent All Out media scrum that saw CM Punk sabotaging his employer in AEW, 2022 is a very newsworthy year in the business as we know it. An altercation ensued backstage between the Best in the World and the Elite members Kenny Omega, Nick, & Matt Jackson (the latter two brothers being the Young Bucks) that has been the buzz throughout the wrestling community. As a result of their actions, both parties have been suspended from the company and have been off television for the foreseeable future.
With Punk not only sidelined but on the verge of his contract being bought out and terminated, the company has since been in a healing process that will determine fan perception behind the company's new direction. This brings me to discuss in today's blog in regards to All Elite Wrestling's upcoming PPV, Full Gear.
What is the purpose of this proposed fantasy card?
Referring to the title of this post, Full Gear is AEW's annual November PPV with its inaugural event dates back to 2019, the year that the company had launched. As the event is just around the corner, I've been taking a look at some of the matches announced so far; To be honest, it's a little meh aside from the main event of Moxley vs. MJF for the AEW World Title. It's a shame because they've had quite a track record when it comes to structuring a card from top to bottom.
Full Gear also holds their annual Eliminators tournament in a sense where the winner would receive a World Championship opportunity at a later date. It hadn't been long ago they did a tournament to crown a new AEW Champion - that was in light of CM Punk being stripped of the belt due to a torn triceps injury that will leave him sidelined until the summertime. Given the situation, I feel it's too soon to book another tournament bracket when they should be rebuilding their under-card as a demonstration to showcase the best that AEW's talent pool has to offer. Like I addressed about the company undergoing a healing process, they've had a knack of cramming so many matches onto their PPVs (this past year's All Out had about close to 15 or 16 matches) which can potentially lead to crowd fatigue. When WWF had over ten matches on a Wrestlemania or Summerslam card even then they were short, sweet, and to the point. Not every match has to be a marathon unless it involves a title on the line or if it's meant to put an end to a feud. Therefore, I'd do away with the Eliminators tournament and look to revive the concept for the following year's Full Gear.
As we transition over to the ongoing feuds and storylines, they're definitely going through the motions in terms of consistent storytelling. For instance, why are the Blackpool Combat Club still going after the Jericho Appreciation Society when they should be joining the fight with their leader Jon Moxley against the Firm? How come they didn't fight back when the latter group laid out the World Champion from the previous week's Dynamite?
The BCC have been showing signs of dissension between Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta. Last night on Rampage announced that there would be a 4 Way Dance for the ROH World Championship between Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Sammy Guevara, & the reigning champion Chris Jericho. Where is Yuta in the picture and is he even booked for the show? How is that conflict not being emphasized or followed up on? I know I've rambled but those were my grievances with the feud that started off hot (it stemmed from Jericho's program with Eddie Kingston) but now has gotten to a point where it has run its course.
In this topic, I'll be cooking up my take on this year's event. The alteration of this booking goes into effect after the events of All Out. I'll run down my proposed match card with a brief explanation of how some of these matches came to be. Some may have little buildup while others will be more in-depth as to how we got here in the first place. Enjoy.
AEW Full Gear: Dissension 2022 - November 19, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ:
Yes, you read the sub title. Based on the card I've constructed, you may notice a trend of matches being based around former allies turned enemies (or friends battling one another for mutual sportsmanship). Therefore I came up with a tagline that best reflects the theme of the show and how this is interwoven with the many storylines and feuds going on in in the company. Needless to say, let's begin:
AEW Trios Tag Team Championship Match:Death Triangle (c) vs. Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara, & Fuego Del Sol (w/ Tay Melo)
Initially, the Elite were the inaugural Trios Tag Champions but due to the controversy from the All Out media scrum, they would be suspended and stripped of the said belts. Death Triangle would defeat Orange Cassidy & Best Friends to win the vacated Trios titles. The Jericho Appreciation Society have been dominating AEW programming throughout the year. Daniel Garcia and Chris Jericho have been the ROH Pure and World Champions respectively as the rest of their teammates have expressed interest in trying their luck with the other belts. After leaving the Inner Circle, Sammy did some soul searching when Tay Melo's influence has caused him to revert back to his scummy ways; This in turn, making amends with Hager and Jericho. Sammy handpicks Fuego Del Sol as an honorary JAS member due to their lifelong friendship, and looks to prove his worth in the group by bringing home some gold.
Winners and still Trios Tag Team Champions: Death Triangle
After the match, more JAS members in 2.0 attack Penta, Pac, & Fenix, leading into an endless beat down when the Elite make their triumphant return to AEW programming. After scaring off the Society, the two factions stare each other down with the Death Triangle raising their belts in the air.
TNT Championship Match:
Wardlow (c) vs. ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe
The partnership between Joe & Wardlow have been the talk of the town since the beginning of autumn. Two colossal players destroying those that oppose them in any way. Despite similar personalities and physiques, there's a belief that there can only be one alpha male in the rankings. Yet at the same time, Joe respects Wardlow for his athletic ability and acumen during a match. Given their success as a unit, he feels there should be an incentive for his contribution to their alliance, and that Wardlow owes him a favor by putting up the TNT title on the line. Upon further review, Wardlow agrees to defend his championship against the Samoan Submission Machine at Full Gear.
Winner and still TNT Champion: Wardlow
Both competitors shake hands in mutual sportsmanship before exiting the ring.
AEW Tag Team Championship Match:
The Acclaimed (w/ Billy Gunn) (c) vs. Swerve in Our Glory
In September, Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee lost the tag titles to the Acclaimed on the Grand Slam edition of Dynamite. Swerve's new attitude has soured fans in which he sees the rap duo as a bad influence to society. Keith Lee asks what his problem is as it becomes apparent there are cracks within their partnership. Despite their differences, they've continued to win numerous matches, including a number one contenders match against FTR. A rematch is set for Full Gear with a compromise that the winning team walk away with the tag belts whereas the losing team would be forced to disband.
Winner and still AEW Tag Champions: The Acclaimed
In the moments leading to the match, Swerve pays off "Smart" Mark Sterling to accompany him alongside Keith Lee much to his dismay. The referees eject Billy and Mark due to a scuffle that unfolds at ring side. Max Caster nails Swerve with a Mic Drop as Keith walks out of the match in protest of his partner's actions.
Britt Baker vs. Jamie Hayter
Since losing the Women's Title back in March, Britt has done all she could to maintain her relevance in continuing to propel the women's division. The reigning champion Thunder Rosa would be sidelined this past August to recover from her injuries, resulting in a 4 Way to crown an interim Women's Champion. While she and her friend Jamie Hayter came up short, it wasn't without an argument. This escalates in the coming weeks to the extent of which has reached a breaking point. As the doctor had spent reminding why she had been champion for nearly a year, Britt's obsession at being number one in the division doesn't sit well with Jamie. When they lost the 4 way, she goes on for the record that Jamie is expendable and that anyone could serve to be a better bodyguard for Dr. Britt Baker, D...M...D.
The instant she provoked Jamie, this incenses her to lash back at Britt while Security arrives to break up the fight in the ring. At Full Gear, best friends become bitter enemies.
Winner: Jamie Hayter
In a hard fought contest, Britt fully applies the Lockjaw after failed attempts in doing so. Just when it seemed like she had the match won, Hayter finds a way to reverse the submission into a Crucifix rollup for the victory. The doctor is not pleased, goes to ambush Hayter afterward when a debuting Saraya arrives from the crowd to make the save.
Triple Jeopardy Match:
“Absolute” Ricky Starks vs. Brian Cage vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
Three former members of Team Taz cross paths for the first time in over a year. This past August, Will Hobbs turned on his protégé in Ricky Starks after losing the FTW Title in shocking fashion. They would have a series of matches at All Out and on the Grand Slam edition of Rampage. Just when the feud had been heating up, "The War Machine" Brian Cage made his return by attacking Ricky, saying that while he may have won the fans, Brian still hasn't forgotten what he did to him. Brian claims to have carried the group while Starks and Hobbs were busy partying and boozing after winning high profile matches. Meanwhile, Hobbs confronts him to let it be known that Brian's ego was the catalyst to him being booted out of the team, and how he felt when Starks became champion. Over the course of weekly television comprises singles matches in which Brian would defeat Starks and Hobbs; That wasn't without the latter two performers costing each other their matches. A match was announced that sees the likes of Brian Cage, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Ricky Starks in a Triple Jeopardy match (named after a hardcore 3 way dance WCW used to book). Anything goes and falls count anywhere in the arena.
Winner: Brian Cage
Since his return, Cage has been on an impressive winning streak. His victory on PPV would qualify him a shot at the TNT Championship against the defending champion Wardlow.
***Note: If it were up to me, I'd have Cage win the title from him at Winter is Coming, and capitalize on that momentum from there. It's ashamed his AEW run has, for the most part, been unremarkable since losing the FTW Title only to be kicked out of Team Taz. Just watching his performance with Wardlow recently showed he has potential to be more than AEW has presented him. This would be the finale or epilogue of the Team Taz storyline and what a way to go out than with a bang.
ROH Pure Championship Match (w/ Special Guest Referee Claudio Castagnoli):
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Wheeler Yuta
On another subject, the BCC & the JAS have raised anarchy in the arena throughout the summer. As the war continued into the autumn, Daniel Garcia of the Jericho Appreciation Society managed to befriend Bryan Danielson from the opposing group following their 2/3 Falls Match at Quake by the Lake. Just when it appeared Daniel wanted out, he seemingly double crossed Bryan in costing him the ROH Title from Chris Jericho. A sit down interview that following week saw argument spewing between Bryan and Yuta, with the latter two criticizing on how gullible his teammate to not be aware of Daniel's allegiance towards Jericho and crew. Their lack of unity would play a factor in their tag team match coming up short against the Gunn Club on Rampage. During a summit meeting, Moxley & Regal acknowledge the latest issues within the group, insisting to get their crap together and put aside whatever animosity they may have with one another. On an edition of AEW Dynamite, Bryan Danielson gained some payback by defeating Daniel Garcia to bring the ROH Pure Title back home to the BCC; However, it wasn't without some backup from Yuta and Castagnoli as they fought off the interfering JAS members at ring side. Yuta feels he owes him a shot from helping him win the belt in the first place but Claudio reminds them they are friends and shouldn't have to trash talk their way out of respect. At Full Gear, the two members will settle it in the ring with Claudio appointed as the guest referee to remind them of what the Pure Title represents.
Winner and still ROH Pure Champion: Bryan Danielson
Post match Danielson offers a handshake to Wheeler Yuta. After a bit of hesitation, Yuta accepts it while Claudio holds their arms in unison.
AEW Interim Women’s Championship Match:
Toni Storm (c) vs. Riho
This past August, reigning Women's Champion Thunder Rosa suffered a back injury that would keep her out of action for the next few months. A four way dance took place at All Out to determine an interim Women's Champion in which Toni Storm pulled off the victory. Storm has spent issuing open challenges against some of the finest athletes in her division, and has continued to prove as to why she is the best thing going at the moment. Meanwhile, in a backstage interview, Riho reminds the audience she was the first AEW Women's Champion in the company's 3 year history; Yet she feels the fans and the locker room have forgotten about her, and looks to prove she is not a one hit wonder athlete. Toni admires Riho's fortitude and agrees to defend the championship at the PPV.
Winner and still Interim Women's Champion: Toni Storm
If a timetable is set for Thunder Rosa to return at the PPV, she comes out post match, staring down at Toni with both competitors raising their respective replicas of the Women's Title.
Eddie Kingston vs. “All Ego” Ethan Page
Since the summer, Stokely Hathaway offered his managerial services to the likes of MJF, Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty, & The Gunn Club collectively known as the Firm. With their assistance in allowing MJF to win the Casino Ladder Match, they begin to go after the Blackpool Combat Club's leader, the reigning World Champion Jon Moxley. Page has hoped to make progress in the rankings and figures what a better way than to go after the champion's best friend Eddie Kingston. Still distraught from their actions, Eddie is reminded of when the BCC joined him in the fight against the Jericho Appreciation Society and looks to return the favor by helping them out, this time against the Firm.
Winner: Eddie Kingston
***Note: I had also considered Darby Alin for this role but given his connection to Moxley, I'd figured it'd be appropriate to have Eddie avenge his fallen friend by going after the faction responsible for beating him up to begin with. Ironically, they're running the match on this Wednesday's Dynamite to coincide with the Annual Eliminators Tournament leading into Full Gear. Coincidental timing but effective.
ROH World Championship Match:
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Daniel Garcia
Tony Khan and All Elite Wrestling announced their purchase of Ring of Honor back in March, acquiring all of its assets coupled with their video tape library. In September, Chris Jericho won the ROH World Title from BCC member Claudio Castagnoli to cement his legacy as one of the greatest World Champions to grace professional wrestling. While the JAS have demonstrated their importance in AEW, it wouldn't be without a trace of inner turmoil. After coming up short against Bryan Danielson in their 2 out of 3 Falls encounter, Garcia grew to respect the American Dragon much to Jericho's dismay.
While successfully adding gold to their collection, namely the ROH Pure Title from another BCC member in Wheeler Yuta, the JAS hold a summit in regards to Garcia's status in the group. The theme of his allegiance:
Are you a Sports Entertainer or a Professional Wrestler? Either you're with us or against us.
During Jericho's title defense against Bryan, Garcia (reluctantly) turns on the Dragon after clubbing him with the Pure Championship belt. While the JAS celebrate with their leader, Garcia is left insecure and remorseful based on what he had done in the match. It was only a matter of time before the BCC responded to such a heinous attack. On an October edition of Dynamite, Garcia would go on to lose the Pure Title to Bryan after a miscommunication by Jericho that costed him the title bout. A brawl would soon ensue thereafter. The turning point came the following week when, in a segment that saw Garcia and Jericho owe each other an apology, the JAS would lay out the former Pure Champion thus booting him out of the group. At Full Gear, Garcia looks for payback when he sets his eyes out on La Champion and put an end to the Ring of Jericho by winning the World Championship.
Winner and NEW ROH World Champion: Daniel Garcia
The finish has Jericho going for a Lionsault but Garcia catches him with a Dragon Sleeper, applying enough pressure for Jericho to submit to win the title. JAS members attempt to help their leader only for the referee to escort them to the back. With Garcia as the ROH World Champion, he looks to destroy the group from the inside out.
ROH Tag Team Championship Match:FTR (c) vs. The Gunn Club (w/ Stokely Hathaway)
On an episode of AEW Dynamite, Swerve in Our Glory defeated FTR for a shot at the AEW Tag Titles when the Gunn Club attacked Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, costing them their chance at the gold. The Gunn brothers vow to demonstrate their importance in the tag team division as evidenced by their series of victories on TV and on AEW Dark. Representing the Firm, the Gunn Club look to add some gold to their collection by defeating one of the most dominant duos in all of modern wrestling.
Winner and still ROH Tag Team Champions: FTR
Harwood & Wheeler are the current holders of the NJPW, AAA, & managed to retain the Ring of Honor Tag Team Championships. There is only one more set of belts to add to their collection. Only time will tell when that opportunity will arrive.
AEW World Championship Match:
Jon Moxley (c) vs. MJF
Due to the controversy surrounding the All Out media scrum combined with Punk sidelined with a torn triceps, AEW President Tony Khan made the announcement to relinquish him of the AEW World Championship. A tournament was crowned on Dynamite to determine a new champion with Jon Moxley winning the belt. Prior to that, MJF made his triumphant return at All Out by winning the Casino Ladder Match to earn him a World title shot at a scheduled date.
The foul mouth athlete from the Tri State Area has, for three years been proving yet time and again why is he is superior than every wrestler in the AEW roster. Despite busting his ass off week in and out, MJF had made his frustrations known of his lack of opportunities to be a potential top guy in the company (alluding back to a promo he cut on Tony Khan and the booking committee). While holding them up for money, Tony agreed to extend his pay as he acknowledges the significance of his star power, and could not afford to lose one of their key players. As the Firm continue to breathe down the neck of the Blackpool Combat Club, the latter had already shown signs of implosion in the weeks leading into Full Gear. Despite his tendency of cowardice in using underhanded tactics to win matches, MJF is furious as he prefers a fair fight against Moxley.
Emotions have been running high on the champion but he reassures he will be one hundred percent ready to face Maxwell Jacob Friedman. MJF agrees and looks to prove he can win the championship with honor. A contract signing takes place on the go-home Dynamite with the announcement that the Firm would be barred from ringside.
Winner and NEW AEW World Champion: MJF
The finish to the match has Moxley going for the Death Rider. However, just when he elevates MJF, Maxwell reverses into his signature Fujiwara Armbar on the wounded arm of Moxley, causing him to submit. Afterwards, the Firm surrounds the ring while taunting the two competitors. Just before they entered the ring, MJF ambushes Moxley from behind; This in turn would allow the Firm to join in on the assault. The BCC along with Eddie Kingston arrive to even the odds. At the end of the day, MJF and the Firm stand tall in the ring as they celebrate to close out the show.
Conclusion:
There you have it with my card for Full Gear 2022. Granted I'm by no means a professional booker by any stretch. I did away with the preshow matches while slightly cutting back the quantity of matches presented on a typical PPV card. It's a very straight forward, back to basics event that showcases the key important talent imaginable. I would love for AEW to continue to do better in the long haul and believe they can pull off a top quality show. In the meantime, I'll head outside and enjoy the warm breeze on this beautiful autumn afternoon.
What do you guys think?
-JimmytheTVFanatic
No comments:
Post a Comment