AEW Full Gear Zero Hour
#AEWFULLGEAR
Original Air Date: November 19, 2021
Event Date: November 19, 2021
(streamed live and archived on YouTube)
City: Newark, NJ
Venue: Prudential Center
Commentary: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz, Ethan Page (2)
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Ring Area
Excalibur introduces commentating partners Tony Schiavone and Taz as he gets us hyped for Full Gear.
Video
Buildup for the Jon Moxley versus MJF match for the AEW World Championship.
Match 1
Cole Karter & Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solo & Lee Johnson & QT Marshall vs Rocky Romero & Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta & Orange Cassidy (All-Atlantic Champ) & Danhausen
(referee: Mike Posey)
Result: Danhausen pins Nick Comoroto after giving Comoroto a mouth full of teeth (from a jar) and hitting him with a pump kick
Time: 11:54
Match Thoughts
This was a fun opener. Best Friends/Chaos started the match with a handicap, fighting The Factory four on five because their “very mysterious, very evil” partner did not come out with them. Regardless, the match was fought evenly. The pace was high, and the match broke down into the expected “everyone hit a big move then leave” scenario after a while. QT Marshall managed to isolate Orange Cassidy and was about to piledrive him onto the ring steps when Danhausen finally made his entrance. The match didn’t last long after that.
Ring Area
After the match, Danhausen hits QT Marshall on the head with a spike. Best Friends give the people what they want, forming a big group hug with Danhausen in the middle.
Backstage
Renee Paquette is with the newest member of the AEW roster, Konosuke Takeshita. Takeshita is honored to join All Elite Wrestling. It’s a dream come true to wrestle in America.
Match 2
AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament Semifinal Match
“The Machine” Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana vs “Absolute” Ricky Starks
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Ricky Starks wins via pinfall after the Roshambo
Time: 9:03
Match Thoughts
Good match. Starks went into this fight with injured ribs (from his previous tournament match with Lance Archer). Cage took full advantage of Starks’ injury, and the bigger man dominated the early parts of the match. Cage’s domination made the first half of the match a bit slow, but that was all building towards Starks getting fired up and mounting a comeback. Starks got in some shots here and there, and eventually started to get Cage in trouble. This match was nicely done, and it continues to build intrigue in the final match of the Eliminator Tournament considering Starks’ worsening injury.
Video
A very special look at the upcoming video game AEW Fight Forever.
Video
A Look at Saraya and Britt Baker before their match later tonight.
Backstage
Full of emotion, Eddie Kingston talks with Renee Paquette and what his match with Jun Akiyama means to him.
Match 3
Jun Akiyama vs Eddie Kingston w/ Ortiz
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Eddie Kingston wins via pinfall after the Uraken
Time: 10:32
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This match clearly meant a lot to Eddie Kingston, and that made it special. The action was good (lots of strikes building up to suplexes), and I enjoyed the buildup to the finish, but the best part was knowing that Kingston was living out his dream of fighting Akiyama.
Ring Area
After the match, Kingston bows to Akiyama, and Kingston bows back. Ortiz joins Eddie Kingston in the ring as Jun Akiyama leaves. Kingston gets on the mic and thanks the fans, Jun Akiyama, and some of the legends of Japanese pro-wrestling who have passed away.
Ring Area
The commentators go over the card for Full Gear as a steel cage is lowered around the ring.
Video
A look at the rivalry between Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus.
Ring Area
Jim Ross heads to the commentary table as Zero Hour ends.