H I S T O R Y

PPV | Full Gear 2021 | 13/11/21 [1] [2] [3]

All... Elite... Wales

We open up AEW Full Gear 2021 with pyro and an electric crowd inside the Target Centre! No sooner as the pyro finished, our commentary team of Excalibur, Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone welcome us to the event and spent the first couple of minutes of the broadcast running down the 8-match card... until they are interrupted by some commotion at ringside. The three commentators turn around from the camera to see what is going on, and we see the crowd on their feet cheering as Cody Rhodes and Pac are marching to the ring, dressed ready to compete, with referee Bryce Remsburg in tow . Excalibur stammers advising he doesn't have this on his run-sheet, as Cody takes the microphone from Justin Roberts:

"Pardon the interruption Minneapolis, but there was no way this show was going to go ahead without some old fashioned retribution taking place tonight! You all know I'm not usually a man of few words, but it's Veterans Day weekend, it's Full Gear, we are LIVE on PPV so I'm going to go ahead and just cut to the chase... Andrade El Idolo, Malakai Black, get out here so me and 'The Bastard' can kick your asses!"

Cody drops the microphone as the crowd erupt, obviously ecstatic at the prospect of this dream tag team match taking place unannounced to open the show. Moments pass before Andrade appears at the top of the entrance ramp, wide-eyed and seemingly up for the challenge. He gets three-quarters of the way down the ramp before the lights in the arena go out completely. It's pitch black and the fans are begin to rumble and get louder as Jim Ross tells us this can only mean one thing... we have light again in the Target Centre and standing in the ring is Malakai Black to a loud ovation from a large section of the audience who are clearly apart of the House of Black. Black takes off his ghoulish skull mask, when Pac suddenly blows past him and dives over the top rope onto Andrade! Bryce Remsburg hastily calls for the bell, and Cody charges his nemesis and we have an impromptu tag team grudge match to kick off Full Gear!

[MATCH #1]
[TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH]
[CODY RHODES & PAC v ANDRADE EL IDOLO & MALAKAI BLACK]

The match is a full-on pier-six brawl in the words of Jim Ross almost from the get-go. Pac and Andrade battle on the outside, whilst Cody and Malakai take the fight to one another inside the ropes. Referee Bryce seems slightly overwhelmed from the get-go and who could blame him? Cody takes out months of frustrations on Malakai, a pinfall or submission attempt seemingly second to causing damage. Cody hits a Disaster Kick early on and then locks in a Figure Four leglock and using the ropes for leverage for maximum damage, as the crowd "Whooo!" in unison. Andrade, having hit a savvy drop-toe hold into the steel steps on Pac outside, is freed up to break up the hold, and when Cody is hit with a soccor-style kick to the face crawls to the corner to create some breathing space. No sooner does he turn around is he met with the double-knees square to the face by Andrade. Bryce tries to get some order and have this become a traditional tag team encounter to little effect. The double-team effort continues for a couple of minutes, with both Andrade and Black taking turns in dishing out damage to Rhodes. Eventually, Pac manages to get back into the ring in spectacular fashion with a springboard crossbody and starts to make a fantastic comeback. Quicker than a hiccup, Pac manages to overwhelm both Black and Andrade with a flurry of kicks and hurricaranas, followed by tornado DDT to Black. Pac manages to lock in the Brutiliser submission on Andrade, and just as it seems the Mexican sensation is going to call it quits, Black hits a springboard moonsault off the ropes to severely damage the back of Pac. He slowly picks Pac up by one foot, setting up for Black Mass, but in the nick of time, Cody hits a well placed chop block! Cody goes to hit a Tiger Driver 1998 as he had done a couple of weeks back, but Black struggles free, and out of nowhere, drills Cody in the jaw with Black Mass! Black's knee immediately buckles on him so he is unable to capitalise, whilst in the meantime Pac has scaled the top rope ready to hit the Black Arrow! The Bastard takes flight, but in the last second, Black gets both knees up! Pac crashes and burns, Black gripping his injured knee in pain, and Pac is clearly winded and in a world of hurt! Before he realises what is happening, Andrade has him hook and nails him with La Sombra! A three-count later from Bryce Remsburg and the grudge match is over, with Andrade and Malakai Black coming out victorious!

[WINNERS: ANDRADE EL IDOLO & MALAKAI BLACK]

Pac rolls out of the ring while Andrade leaves the ring, one arm raised in victory. The cameras pan to Black who is grinning from ear-to-ear, getting to his feet and bending his knee to gauge the damage. He goes to leave the ring before turning around and seeing Cody starting to use the ropes to struggle to his feet, clearly still rocked from the Black Mass kick to the jaw. In a quick flash, Black storms over to Cody and ties him up in the ropes. Literally out on his feet and zapped from such a fast-paced, hard-hitting encounter, Cody is powerless and there is no way he's getting out of the ropes under his own power. Black walks over to the ring steps where his skull mask has been placed and picks it up. He slowly, methodically, walks back over to Cody before looking down at the mask. He looks back at Cody before slowly touching his own face, specifically the side with the black/dark bruising... Black grins, a smile only a devil could wear, as the commentary team sense his intentions and begin imploring for someone to help. Black grabs Cody by the hair and pulls his head back, and Black shouts "An eye, for an eye!" as Cody begins kicking his legs weakly trying to stop his rival. Black goes to strike...

Suddenly, the lights go out. The crowd are screaming, shouting, waiting to see what is going to happen next. Seconds go by, and the lights come back on. Cody is untied from the ropes, and Black looks confused. He has utilised that trick time and time again, but now the tables have seemingly be turned? But the commentary team remark that Cody couldn't have gotten free on his own, there's just no way... so how did he? Again, the lights go out, but only for a heartbeat, when suddenly the lights in the arena turn red. The crowd explode in cheers, obviously sensing, guessing what is going on. Jim Ross mutters "It couldn't be..." when the lights go out again. Finally, a light shines in the ring, but not from the arena... The crowd lose their minds, one of the loudest pops in the history of AEW, as the light shining in the ring comes from a lantern:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}

WINDHAM IS HERE!

The crowd cannot believe it, and nor can Malakai Black who looks absolutely shocked! The lights in the arena come back on Windham blows out his lantern and places it on the ground and takes his hood off. "This is unbelievable!" bellows Tony Schiavone as the building begins to rumble with the stamping of feet and hands. Windham holds his arms out, obviously daring Black to make the first move, as the leader of the House of Black grips the skull mask tightly. He looks around at the people who he thought were on his side, followers to his cause, now supporting Windham! He shakes his head no, and rolls out of the ring as the crowd shower him with jeers and boos. Retreating up the ramp, he looks at the fans, asking "So this is how you repay me?" Jim Ross calls him delusional, as he disappears to the back.

Back in the ring, Windham glances over his shoulder to Cody who is on his feet leaning against the turnbuckles at the far side of the ring. He takes a couple of steps forward before Windham snaps around in a flash, which startles both Cody and the crowd. You can hear a pin drop as Windham sizes up the situation... before smiling. Cody looks confused, and isn't given much of an explanation except a somewhat cryptic comment from the debuting star...

"I never forgot."

Cody looks relieved and gives a nod towards Windham, who nods back in kind as the crowd begin cheering and clapping in unison. 'Kingdom' by Downstait begins to play over the PA, as we throw to a video package hyping up this weeks episode of Dynamite.

AEW Full Gear 2021 returns with the opening guitar riff of "I Fell" playing and the crowd are on their feet cheering again to welcome Darby Allin and Sting! Justin Roberts announces that the following singles match is scheduled for one-fall as Allin and Sting enter the ring. Sting lets out a howl which the fans repeat in kind, whilst Darby is super focused on the task at hand. After weeks of back and forth barbs and beatdowns, it's time to put up or shut up. Excalibur runs through with us the last few weeks of Dynamite, before lamenting that tonight is arguably the biggest match of either man's career and that a win tonight could put either in line for a future AEW World Championship match, so the stakes are high.


'Better Than You' kicks in as the cheers and applause suddenly turn to intense boos and many a middle finger up in the crowd directed at one man; MJF saunters out, seconded by his bodyguard Wardlow who looks as intense as always. MJF barbs with several fans on his way down to the ring, proudly showing off his Dynamite Diamond ring, planting a kiss on it whilst coming into the ring. MJF takes off his scarf, and notices Allin wanting to start the match immediately, and goes between the ropes to create some distance. After much jaw-jacking, the referee convinces MJF to re-enter the ring and the bell rings.

[MATCH #2]
[SINGLES MATCH]
[MJF w/ WARDLOW v DARBY ALLIN w/ STING]

MJF uses every stalling tactic at the beginning, trying to get under the skin of Allin to much success. He denies several lock-ups claiming Allin is too greasy, followed by claiming Allin is biting him on the nose, and finally asking the referee to check Allin's jean pockets for a foreign object. Eventually, Allin lets loose with a flurry of punches in the corner as the crowd get louder with every blow. Allin follows up by charging in for a spear in the corner, but MJF side-steps and Allin crashes and burns into the ring-post! An audible, concerned gasp comes from the crowd and the commentary team alike. MJF distracts the referee as Wardlow picks Allin up and drops him chest and arm first over the guardrail in an impressive feat of strength! Sting is quickly there, trying to get to Wardlow but the referee, not seeing Warlow's attack, makes the unpopular decision to send 'The Icon' to the back! Sting protests but it's no use, the referee has made up his mind, as MJF points to his temple and mock cries in the ring as the crowd are livid! 'The Stinger' is ejected from ringside, and Jim Ross remarks "This is now a glorified handicap match damn it!", disgusted.

The target is clear now for MJF as he works on Allin's back, chest and left arm. He starts with a barrage of kicks and elbow drops, following up with a picture-perfect knee-drop, and then applying an arm lock. Allin shouts in pain, stomping his knee on the canvas, with the fans beginning to clap and rally behind him in return. Allin manages to get to his feet, hits several shouts to the mid-section to break the hold - Allin rebounds off the ropes but eats a brutal knee to the gut that sends him toppling over. MJF continues to wear down Allin, remarking that he's gonna' give him a wrestling lesson in the process. A number of suplexes, a backbreaker and gut-buster later, and Allin is in a world of hurt - however, his never say die attitude shines through, kicking out with each pinning attempt much to the fans delight.

Eventually, MJF's arrogance is his downfall, taking far too much time to mock Allin and hurl abuse at him which only lights a fire under the fan favourite. Allin fires back with a dropkick out of nowhere that rocks MJF, and quick as a flash, Allin is back on his feet and hits a jumping enziguri that sends MJF face down on the canvas! Allin goes for a cover but only gets a two-count, but follows up with an armbar! Schiavone excitedly hopes for Allin to tear MJF's arm out of the socket as the crowd all plead with MJF to tap out! Just as it seems he is going to, Wardlow gets on the apron to distract the referee! With the referee distracted, MJF rakes the eyes of Allin who releases the hold and is clearly unable to see. Both men get to their feet, MJF kisses his Dynamite Diamond Ring and charges his opponent. Allin just manages to duck in time, and MJF drills Wardlow as the fans pop! The bodyguard falls off the apron in a heap as MJF looks beweildered! Wardlow rolls over to the corner of the outside of the ring, as MJF climbs leans into the turnbuckles, calling him an "embarrassment" and a "screw-up". MJF's ego becomes his undoing, as this gives Allin the opportunity to use his body as a human cannon, flying into MJF at full velocity with a pounce! MJF crashes into the turnbuckles and falls backwards clutching his chest, pained and winded. Allin wastes little time, he climbs to the top rope, and hits the incredibly risky but spectacular Coffin Drop as the fans erupt! Allin hooks the leg and the referee counts to 3!

[WINNER: DARBY ALLIN]

Allin has his hand raised in victory much to the audience's delight. Sting rejoins Allin at ringside, giving him a fist-bump, obviously impressed and proud that Allin managed to overcome both MJF and Wardlow. Speaking of, Wardlow comes to and stands up to see the outcome of the match. He looks furious, and his mood is not helped in the slightest by the repulsive glare that MJF is giving him. Jim Ross questions with the amount of wins Allin has racked up in 2021 if he could make a case for an AEW World Championship match down the line, and his colleagues seem to agree. Meanwhile, our commentary team say that Wardlow is definitely in the dog-house per the outcome of this contest, but that MJF better remember that Wardlow is not a man to be messed with, even if he is cutting the cheques... with that, we are treated to an advert for the AEW General Manager game for Android and iOS before the next segment.

'Superkick Party' welcomes us back to Full Gear 2021, as brothers Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson, collectively known as The Young Bucks make their way out for six-man tag team action. Unusually, there is no sign of either Brandon Cutler or Don Callis, but nevertheless, the Bucks are as arrogant and cocky as ever making their way down the ring. As they are entering the ring, 'All About Tha (BOOM!)' blares over the sound system signalling the arrival of Adam Cole. Arms raised when walking out, the fans give a mixed response, but as Excalibur has to admit on commentary, Cole has his fair share of fans in the crowd tonight. Jim Ross highlights that neither Cutler or Callis seem to be at ringside for this match, but is sure to mention that this isn't a negative but an observation.

'Tarzan Boy' is the next song to play, as the crowd are on their feet, chanting along from the very beginning! Out from the back first is mascot Marko Stunt, followed by Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy who is riding on the big man's shoulders! The fans give all three a fantastic reception, and continue to cheer as 'Take Over' begins playing to signal the arrival of Christian Cage! The veteran superstar looks around the arena to his peeps as he walks down the entrance ramp to join his teammates. Tony Schiavone reminds us of the war that has been waged weekly on Dynamite and Rampage between these two teams, and it's going to come to ahead tonight on PPV.

[MATCH #3]
[SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH]
[CHRISTIAN CAGE & JURASSIC EXPRESS EXPRESS w/ MARKO STUNT v ADAM COLE & THE YOUNG BUCKS]

The match starts off with all six men beating the crap out of each other, as the crowd can't get enough of it. Tensions boil over from the get-go, and the referee does their damnedest to maintain control. The Young Bucks are sent to the outside from a pair of clotheslines from Christian Cage and Jungle Boy, followed by Luchasaurus body pressing and launching Adam Cole on top of them as the crowd pop! The Superkliq scramble around on the outside trying to regain their bearings and take a breather, which is the perfect opportunity for the referee to call for one man from each team to continue the match, and teammates take their rightful position on the apron in opposite corners. The wrestlers comply and we're left with Christian Cage and Adam Cole in the ring, an encounter many thought even months prior that they would never see. Christian manages to get the upper hand using stiff right hands to slow the younger Cole down, and utilising quick tags in with Jungle Boy to isolate Cole from his partners. However, Jungle Boy goes from a crossbody from the middle rope after an irish whip reversal, but Cole hits a dropkick in the mid-air! This puts a stop to the fan favourites momentum, and Cole is quick to tag in Matt Jackson. The Young Bucks both enter the ring however, and run the ropes as Cole puts Jungle Boy in a camel clutch; The Bucks would usually just stop and kiss Cole on the cheek, but instead they both hit both Christian and Luchasaurus with a pair of superkicks out of nowhere that stuns the crowd as well as the wrestlers! Christian falls off the apron, while Luchasaurus is staggered, not downed, and soon mad as hell. He tries to enter the ring, and whilst he does inadvertently distracting the referee, The Young Bucks plant two kisses on Cole's cheeks (who looks overjoyed), and then Jungle Boy eats stereo superkicks from the former AEW Tag Team Champions.

Instead of going for a cover, Matt Jackson continues to punish Jungle Boy for a few minutes, making quick tags with his brother Nick, hitting all sorts of high-flying and impressive moves. Jungle Boy is nailed with a a spinebuster/legdrop combo, a double-V Trigger homage to Kenny Omega and More Bang For Your Buck but manages to just get the shoulder up after each pin attempt. Once Cole is tagged back in, he pushes Jungle Boy around and even spits in his face as an ultimate sign of disrespect. Cole goes for Panama Sunrise but Jungle Boy manages to reverse into an Alabama Slam and the crowd come unglued! Jungle Boy crawls towards his corner, but there's a problem; Christian finds himself nailed with a superkick from Nick Jackson on the apron, but Nick is soon knocked off the apron himself by a huge chop from Luchasaurus. Matt Jackson comes around the other side of the apron and goes to superkick Luchasaurus, but the big man instead ducks down and launches Matt high in the air, who comes crashing down on the outside of the ring! Jungle Boy makes the tag to a thunderous ovation and Luchasaurus enters the ring!

Like a house on fire, the big man begins to take some revenge on behalf of Jungle Boy. Cole is thrown around like a rag doll, launched across the ring twice and hit with a big boot in the face. Cole gets to his feet, and goes to baseball slide between his opponents legs; however, Luchasaurus grabs Cole by the throat with both hands, picks him up and launches him in the air, and brings him down with an absolutely devastating powerbomb! The crowd think Cole could be out of it and are screaming for a pinfall to be made, but Christian tags himself in from out of nowhere. Luchasaurus seems confused as Christian begins climbing to the top rope, thinking Frog Splash. Suddenly, The Young Bucks from the outside grab each of Luchasaurus' legs and violently drag him towards the ring-post! The crowd let out an audible "Oooooohh!" as Luchasaurus rolls out of the ring. Jungle Boy, not seeing the blind tag, gets in the ring to try and finish off Cole who is just coming to. Christian yells at his partner to leave the ring, and quick as a flash, The Young Bucks enter the ring and double-superkick Jungle Boy in the back of the head! The son of Luke Perry falls forward into the ropes, and this forces Christian off balance who has no choice but to jump off the top rope. Cole is now on his feet, and Christian charges forward to hit a spear, but telegraphing it Cole hits a superkick of his own! Christian is rocked, and Cole grabs him by the hair, drags him closer to the far side of the ring, jumps to the second rope... Panama Sunrise! Cole gets back to his feet, and pulls down his kneepad as Christian groggily gets to his knees. He looks over at Jungle Boy who is outside the ring with Luchasaurus, the two being attacked by The Young Bucks to stop either making the save. Christian closes his eyes, knowing what is coming next... Last Shot! The outcome is academic, and the three-count follows - the Superkliq pick up the hard-fought victory!

[WINNERS: ADAM COLE & THE YOUNG BUCKS]

Cole and The Young Bucks make their way up the entrance ramp, all smiles and proud of themselves. Cole can be heard shouting "We did it! Fair and square!" as The Young Bucks nod in agreement, calling themselves the greatest force in professional wrestling today. Schiavone and Jim Ross both make comment that whilst they may have used underhanded tactics in the match, there wasn't any outside interference and in the interest of fairness that has to be mentioned. Back in the ring, Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt are consoling Christian Cage. The veteran gets to his feet and is given a round of applause from the fans. Cage looks disappointed in the outcome, and Jungle Boy especially is apologising for what transpired. Christian tells him he has nothing to apologise for, and all four men leave the ring with the support of the crowd. We fade to black as an advert for AEW merchandise with PWTees.com airs.