Full Gear 2024 is nearly upon us and so I thought I would run through the card and make some predictions. I will also offer some thoughts on other bits and discuss those big names who are not yet booked. Let’s dive in!
MJF VS RODERICK STRONG
So this has all been quite the story hasn’t it?! It all started last year with MJF and Adam Cole becoming best friends and Roddy feeling a bit left out. Then the story developed to the point where Adam Cole was revealed as ‘the Devil’ and betraying MJF’s trust.
The only problem with all of this was the fact that Adam got injured (quite seriously) and then MJF also got injured. This meant the payoff was never able to happen.
When MJF and Cole both returned, MJF gave Cole a piledriver and it seemed like he was babyface, then later, the script was flipped and Cole was suddenly the babyface and MJF the heel. As I’m writing this I’m thinking “bloody hell this is complicated.”
So anyway, Roddy has got to 3 wins first (the challenge set by MJF) and therefore gets the match at Full Gear. Does anyone want to see this match? I mean, both are great in the ring, but I sense there are some more shenanigans to come on Wednesday that will see Adam Cole added to the match.
My prediction for Full Gear? MJF will pin Adam Cole with Roddy’s help. MJF will head The Kingdom and this in turn will try to push Adam Cole as a big babyface (as I feel he isn’t quite there yet – people haven’t forgotten Adam!)
Tag Title Match – Private Party vs House of Black vs The Outrunners vs The Acclaimed
I think this will be a fun match that will see Private Party retain. It is nice to see the tag division freshened up a little after a few months with The Young Bucks holding the titles hostage. I’m also pleasantly surprised House of Black are in this at the expense of FTR. I love FTR but it’s wise to have a cool-off period to let other teams freshen up the division.
I think it will be choreographed chaos and we may possibly see Max turn on Bowens after this match and join The Hurt Syndicate. We may also see an appearance from FTR to try and help The Outrunners, but this may be too much if Caster turns on Bowens.
Private Party are just getting their reign started so they will retain here.
TBS Title – Mercedes Mone vs Kris Statlander
So Mercedes is obviously a huge signing for AEW, but she has been lukewarm thus far. The ‘CEO’ has had a tight grip on the TBS Title for months now and I think here she really could do with a really good match. Statlander is the one to deliver a great match. She usually delivers and I’m going to make a bold prediction – this will be one of the matches of the night.
I am desperate to see the women put on a classic and it will do wonders for the women’s division. The build up for this bout has been ok, with Stat nearly being run over and then putting Mercedes and Kamille through a wall. I do wonder what part Kamille will play in this match. The seeds are being sown for a break-up with the CEO, but is it too soon?
My prediction? I’m going all in with this (see what I did there?) and I’m going to say Mercedes shouts at Kamille, Kamille smacks Mercedes and Statlander finishes her off and becomes the new TBS champion.
TNT Title – Jack Perry vs Daniel Garcia
This is one of those matches where I should be really excited to see it, with two young talents, but I can’t get excited about it. And I’m not sure why. Again, the build-up has been ok, but nothing really to shout about. I did however, love the ‘over the shoulder’ camera angle of Garcia driving with Perry on the bonnet (very cool).
We are in a strange situation now with The Elite as the Bucks are working from home. I know Garcia is building towards a title win, but I’m not sure if he will win this. I’m going with a Jack Perry defense here.
Swerve Strickland vs Bobby Lashley
The Hurt Syndicate are finally in AEW and making their presence felt – this time targeting former world champion Swerve Strickland. Bobby Lashley’s debut was awesome (at Fright Night Dynamite) where he wiped out Swerve and reunited with his Hurt Syndicate friends.
Swerve is one of my favourites in AEW. His journey from the debut to world champion was a joy to see. He has just recovered from the brutal match against Hangman but I don’t see him winning this one. Lashley has just had his debut and he will pick up the win here surely.
Will Ospreay vs Kyle Fletcher
So Kyle Fletcher turned his back on Will Ospreay which has led to this grudge match. Fletcher (still in his 20’s) has quite the career ahead of him. He has already put on a few ‘banger’ matches this year and you can imagine this one will add to the list, We all know the matches that Ospreay puts on.
You have to imagine that Don Callis and his cronies will get involved at some point, but I see Ospreay putting over his good friend Fletcher here. I think that will propel Fletcher to go further and it won’t damage Ospreay either. Fletcher win.
‘Hangman’ Adam Page vs Jay White
Hangman put Jay White on the shelf for a few months and White returned earlier this month and instantly set his sights on the ‘unhinged Hangman’. Jay White has the edge on Page in singles matches (I think 4-1) so this one is an easy one for me – Adam Page win. Again, I should be really excited for this match, and I know it will probably be awesome, but there just seems like there is something missing. Where do we go after this match with these two? I wonder if both will enter the Continental Classic?
Mariah May’s Title Celebration
I’m not sure how I feel about there not being an actual title defense on the card here. Well, I know how I feel – gutted about it. The title should be defended. But we are getting this and surely there is going to be a big return – a certain ‘Timeless’ return. My only doubt about that would be that we are around 3 months out from Grand Slam Australia, and so is this going to build up for that long? Maybe a build for a match at World’s End in which Mariah defends and then the Toni Storm win at Grand Slam.
Edit: I’ve just thought – what about Jamie Hayter? I was hoping for a match between these two. Maybe Hayter destroys the celebration and Toni Storm returns at World’s End?
AEW World Title – Jon Moxley vs Orange Cassidy
To the main event where Cassidy has finally snapped and is defending AEW from the Death Riders and Jon Moxley, and will attempt to win the AEW World Title. Mox has been on a rampage for the past few weeks, putting Bryan Danielson on the shelf indefinitely and running through the roster.
He has been cutting these cryptic promos for weeks now and I feel we need to start getting some answers. I’m also wondering how Darby Allin may play into this match. Obviously if Claudio, Pac and Yuta get involved then we may see a mass brawl ensue. I hope they don’t overbook it like this though.
Mox for the win. I just feel like something huge has to go down here to continue this whole Mox story. I just don’t see what it could be. Every PPV now, people are predicting Shane to debut but I’m not going down that road.
Big brawl, Mox win, more details at the end of the PPV about what Mox is doing.
Missing From The Card
Less than a week until Full Gear and we still have a few omissions from the card.
Konosuke Takeshita & Ricochet
The AEW International Champion is without a match. So is Ricochet and these two have been going after each other. Either this match gets added on Dynamite, or they may face off at Winter is Coming on Dec 11th.
Trios Champions Claudio, Yuta & Pac
No defense for these 3. Surely they will be involved in the main event though.
Kazuchika Okada
No appearance from the Continental Champion either. He hasn’t really been involved in any storylines so it’s not a shock, however it is a waste of a top talent.
Adam Cole
Surely he will be inserted into the match with MJF and Roderick Strong this week. Right?
Adam Copeland
Still injured and surely too soon for a return?
Bryan Danielson
Hasn’t been seen since being murdered by Moxley. Could he make an appearance?
FTR
Didn’t make it through the tag title eliminator match against House of Black so are left with no match. May make an appearance though in the tag match to support Outrunners.
Darby Allin
Will probably make an appearance in the main event to try and save Orange.
Jamie Hayter
I was hoping for a title match with Mariah but not to be.
Other Notable Absentees
- Kenny Omega
- Keith Lee
- Killswitch
- Christian Cage
- Kyle O’Reilly
- Mark Briscoe
- Miro
- Young Bucks
- Powerhouse Hobbs
- Ricky Starks
- Samoa Joe
- Sammy Guevara
- Shelton Benjamin
- Wardlow
- Britt Baker
Thanks for reading!
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