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All Elite Wrestling will present their 2021 Full Gear PPV tonight from Minneapolis, MN. Here is our take on what should go down!
AEW Champion Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page.
Mike: For the last few years, the story has been Hangman Page almost getting to the title but failing, sometimes of his own right, sometimes due to outside forces to get there. The story of Page losing his confidence and regaining it has to have a payoff. You can only pull the football from Charlie Brown for so long before it goes from facing sympathy for him to him truly being a blockhead. To me, the title change has to not only mean something but this would have to be a full-fledged shift to the entire company being built around Page as Champion. If AEW isn't prepared to do that, Omega has to win and Page has to go on to something else. If AEW is going to go the distance, then this is the right time for Page. I expect this will be a strong match with a lot of callbacks to previous matches and moments.
Cory: This is where the story they have been building since day one HAS to pay off. Page wasn't a big enough star to carry the company when it started, and his team with Omega was always set to expire leading them into a feud. Page is a new kind of top babyface, and the description he has on his twitter seems to fit: anxious millennial cowboy. It's not what I am used to as a top babyface, but the reactions he gets from the crowd show me he is ready to carry the title. Plus, with so many times in the Big Match, he HAS to win or he's never going to be credible in the eyes of the fans. I look for this to be a fantastic match, with the Elite being taken out by the Dark Order to stop Kenny from cheating to win and the crowd to go crazy for this.
Richard: This is where the fan differs from how the booking will likely go. I think that prior to taking the time off to have his child, Adam Page was teetering on the edge of the cliff to "We Don't Want To See You As Champ". He has come back strong, but I just don't have the same feeling that most have for his rise to the main event of Full Gear. With that said, if they don't put the title on Page on Saturday night, if Page ever does win the AEW World Title, it will feel like when Joe finally won the Impact Championship.
Anthony: This is supposed to be the culmination of the Greatest Story Ever Told. But is it? Is now the right time to do this? Is Hangman Page really the right guy? I love the guy but I have my doubts. Omega, for all his silliness at times, is killing it as World Champion. Page winning the belt would be a great feel good moment, but what next? The heart says Page but the brain says Omega retains.
AEW Women's Champion Dr. Britt Baker vs. Tay Conti.
Mike: Britt Baker is the central force in the women's locker room and on screen. I don't see her losing the title here but if she's going to be the equivalent to the World Champion, her job needs to be raising up the challengers to make them mean more coming out of the title bouts. To me, that's the goal here, Conti getting the best match possible in order to showcase how strong she is in the ring so that she is raised a level in terms of authenticity and stature in the eyes of the audience. This is Conti's first-ever singles match on PPV, so how she does will be something to watch. Baker is a made woman. It's Conti's time to try and make herself one as well.
Cory: Tay Conti is a rising star, but she hasn't risen enough to beat Baker, who is one of the biggest home grown stars AEW has. I look for Baker to retain.
Richard: Conti has been one of the solid performers in the women's division, but I don't see her taking the title from Baker. We will probably see interference from Reba, Hayter, and Jay during the match. When Baker loses the title, it will probably be to Thunder Rosa or Ruby Soho. This should be a solid match.
Anthony: How do not love these 2? Honestly they come from completely different backgrounds and they got here in such different ways. Conti will have her time but now is the era of Dr Britt Baker. Baker retains in a match that’ll be excellent, but will get overshadowed by the rest of the card
Daniel Bryan vs. Miro in the AEW Championship Eliminator Tournament Final.
Mike: This will be the monster heel vs. the hard-fighting babyface and it should be awesome because Bryan is always excellent when he's in the fight from underneath role. To me, you can make a hell of a case for Miro going over here but I don't see Bryan losing this early in his AEW tenure. I think if Miro has a great performance, that will be good enough for him to remain strong in the eyes of the fans. I say Danielson wins.
Cory: This one should be great. I don't remember if they met in WWE, but even if they did, they are both completely different in the ring now. Miro is the unstoppable powerhouse and Danielson is the wrestling master, so this looks to be the match of the night. Based on where I think they are going with the Championship, Miro will go over here, leaving Danielson to chase another feud.
Richard: This is one of the matches that I think will stand out and should be the match of the night. Danielson has been very good in his matches so far and Miro has been great since he lost the 300 pounds of Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford. I think the long term goal is Danielson as champ or being in the title picture, but the short term will be Miro versus Page (until we get to MJF). If Miro wins, Danielson can go face CM Punk on either the first TBS Dynamite or the first 'Clash of the Champions' type show.
Anthony: This could be one for the ages. These 2 are darn near perfect dance partners for one another. Miro hits hard and Danielson doesn’t mind getting hit hard. I hate to see either of these 2 guys have to lose but I honestly think Miro needs it more. A great 20 minute match where he goes down fighting doesn’t hurt Danielson at all. I go with The Bulgarian Brute
AEW Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers vs. AAA Tag Team Champions FTR.
Mike: This has the potential to be a lot of fun, since the obvious story of the match is FTR beating down the champs and working them over until the big comeback. I don't see a title change here.
Cory: I see the Lucha Brothers winning.
Richard: My enjoyment of this match will depend on how much control FTR has in this match. If it is going to be like an FTR match, it should be really good. If it becomes like every other Lucha Brothers match, I will be wondering where the logic went about three minutes into the match. My money is on the FTR influence on the match and I would not be surprised if we get new tag champs. Cash and Dax Two Belts. I did like how Dax tapped out right away on Wednesday night so he wouldn't risk any further injury by fighting through the submission attempt.
Anthony: FTR is basically the most sound tag team in the last 30 years. They’ve not had the real opportunity to show all they can do, given injuries and some odd booking decisions. The Lucha Bros don’t really need the belts, but FTR could really solidify the division as champions. For that reason alone, I go with the title switch here.
Minneapolis Street Fight: The Inner Circle vs. American Top Team.
Mike: The Inner Circle have their work come out with them with the MMA talents as they are pretty green as talents. This could be a fun brawl. I really like the idea of Dan Lambert pinning Jericho to take the win and keep this going.
Cory: Having lived on the mean streets of Minneapolis for over 30 years, I am wondering what the difference in between a street fight an a Minneapolis street fight. It has to end by someone being purified in the waters of Lake Minnetonka? Hotdishes are able to be used as weapons? Whoever can keep down lutefisk wins? Dan Lambert takes the pin.
Richard: I am really at a loss of words to discuss this match. Free Santana, Ortiz, and Sammy from this so they can be successful and be champions. I had a feeling that Dan Lambert was going to be in the match when it was made 5 on 5, but I also thought we might have seen Paige Van Zant in the match. On Tuesday, I was thinking that Lambert would take the pin. After Wednesday, I think Lambert pins Jericho.
Anthony: In talking with Cory, I’m still not sure exactly what this. My guess? A no DQ match with a lot of plunder. Lambert, to me, has been an excellent antagonist for the Inner Circle. He’s in the Jim Cornette real life role here. Jericho is leaving for a stretch to tour Europe with Fozzy. A loss here by the Inner Circle could really get Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky over for the next 2-3 months. I’m going with American Top Team here
Darby Allin vs. MJF.
Mike: To me, MJF needs to go over here. He's got a lot of heat and while Darby is great, I don't see it helping ascend Darby to the next level with a win. MJF winning puts him on a path to wrestle Punk or Daniel Bryan or even Sting. I say MJF goes over.
Cory: They have already said this will be a wrestling match, and since the Bucks are getting the car crash match, I look for this to be one of the matches where Darby takes a ton of punishment, MJF cheats even though he doesn't need to, and Darby isn't able to pull the crazy upset at the end. MJF need to keep his sort-of unbeaten streak, and Darby doesn't need a win to keep himself strong, as his fans are more interested in how nuts he can be in the ring.
Richard: This should be the start of the latest attempt to push MJF to the World Title picture (and let it hit the top of the build at Belmont Park). Darby will do his usual Darby stuff, but MJF will outsmart his opponent and get the victory.
Anthony: Well, we’ve been promised a good old wrestling match, which pretty much guarantees that MJF will let that fly for about 3 minutes before cheating and egging Allin on. What I really love about this match is that it’s the beginning of the feud. We really don’t know where it’s going to go. It’s only round 1. I say Allin gets the upset win leading to MJF really lowering the boom on him mentally in the coming weeks
CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston.
Mike: Can we do a double knockout finish? Neither man should lose here and that's why this is easily the most intriuging thing on the show in my opinion as it's going to be a Eddie Kingston coming out party as much as it's going to be a great brawl and fight. The best part of pro wrestling is when there is a moment that fans are dying to see and this is the one. As far as who wins, I say Punk wins, because it'll give more sympathy for the fans towards Eddie Kingston.
Cory: After the promo segment of the year, both of these guys are able to put butts in seats anywhere. Kingston never wins unless it's with Moxley, so I don't look for that to change here, although they need to start giving him some wins on Dynamite or Rampage for him to keep seeming credible.
Richard: Is this the culmination of a heel turn for CM Punk since he was the jerk in the promos with Eddie. Kingston has to deal with the chip on his shoulder of everyone he looked up to apparently thinking he was not good enough. Kingston has done a lot during his run in AEW, but why not give him the win over Punk. Give us Punk vs Danielson.
Anthony: Honestly if we get 15 minutes of these 2 jawing back and forth, we’re looking at a classic. As far as the match itself, Kingston is a great brawler and Punk matches him perfectly. Eddie has unfortunately lost every big match he’s been in since his joining AEW. Punk, in my opinion, is not setting the world on fire. Give Kingston the big win here. He needs it, Punk doesn’t.
Falls Count Anywhere: The Young Bucks & Adam Cole vs. Jurassic Express & Christian Cage.
Mike: I hope they go all wacky and brawl through the Mall of America and First Avenue and other Minneapolis landmarks. I don't see the Super Kliq losing.
Cory: Here's your car crash match of the night. Look for endless shenanigans, silliness, crazy spots and Adam Cole to get the pin in order to keep him strong. Jungle Boy won't get a huge push until they decided to split him off from Luchasaurus.
Richard: I would also expect to see all of the secondary and lower level people in the two groups to get involved in the match. Since this is a Falls Count Anywhere match, there should be at least three referees in the match since there are always going to be three pairings. This match cannot end in the ring. LIVE UP TO THE STIPULATION. Cole will get the win and pin Luchasaurus. If this match was Cole vs Jungle Boy, I would be a lot happier.
Anthony: I rarely, If ever, truly fear for the Health and safety of wrestlers but I’m going to make a huge exception here. The Young Bucks find themselves in a position they’ve almost never been in: a lower card spot with minor implications at best. They are going to go all out to steal this show. Cole is on a mission to succeed big time. Jack Perry is on the way up. I’m picking him to score the pin in a wild (and I mean WILD) brawl
Pac and Cody Rhodes versus Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo
Mike: I say it's too early to see Andrade and Malakai lose.
Richard: In a perfect world, Black and Andrade get the victory and get a convincing victory by pinning Cody. This will probably be one of the longer matches of the night. I wonder how Cody and Pac will work together, and if we see Pac turn on Cody to join forces with Black and Andrade.
Cory: A real mishmash of guys who are teaming simply due to having mutual enemies. Andrade REALLY REALLY needs a big night. Is Cody really going to lose again? I highly doubt it. Safe to say it’ll be PAC looking up at the lights at the end of this one.
Nyla Rose and Jamie Hayter versus Thunder Rosa and Hikaru Shida (Buy In Match)
Mike: I hope this is given some time since it's the only other bout for the women on the PPV. Usually a match in this spot means the babyfaces go over, but I'd love to see Hayter get a nice, definitive win here.
Richard: This should be a good showcase for the women's division. Hayter has been pretty good since she debuted. Rosa is one of the people who could be the next Women's Champion when they decide to take the title off Baker. Nyla and Shida are former champions who, while they have had their roles reduced, they are still important to the company. Rosa will get the pin on Hayter so she can send a message to Baker.
Anthony: I can see the heels getting the needed win here. Hayter hasn’t been given a real spotlight and, let’s face it, Rose never wins. A string performance by Hayter over made women like Rosa and Shida will go a long way
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