Plus: Daniel Garcia claims AEW gold and Big Justice gets the pop of the night
AEW's penultimate pay-per-view, "Full Gear," took place Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It was the sixth installment of the annual event, and the first since Jon Moxley's win over Bryan Danielson at "WrestleDream," a match that dramatically changed the trajectory of the company's storylines.
Saturday's card featured 12 matches across both the Zero Hour lead-in and main show. Of the dozen matches, five were for AEW championships and ultimately only one title changed hands -- Daniel Garcia defeated "Scapegoat" Jack Perry to win the TNT Championship.
One of the major highlights of the night came surprisingly early as AEW entered the Costco-verse with "Big Boom" A.J. taking on QT Marshall during Zero Hour. While the match won't win any major awards or earn five stars, it was remarkably entertaining and A.J. delivered far more in the ring that I'd wager anyone expected. It was a fun moment and well executed by all parties involved.
On the main card, Mercedes Moné delivered the best match of her AEW tenure so far -- and a contender for best women's match of the year -- in an instant classic against Kris Statlander for the TBS Championship. Moné retained, remaining undefeated in AEW, as both women effectively stole the show on a loaded night.
In the main event, AEW World Champion Moxley made his first pay-per-view title defense of his current reign, taking on Orange Cassidy in a solid, chaotic finish to the night. As has become the norm for AEW pay-per-views, more seemingly happened after the bell than during the match itself.
Jon Moxley def. Orange Cassidy in 19:10 to retain the AEW World Championship.
Bobby Lashley def. Swerve Strickland in 13:25.
Konosuke Takeshita def. Ricochet in 19:17 to retain the AEW International Championship.
Daniel Garcia def. Jack Perry in 18:21 to win the TNT Championship.
Mercedes Moné def. Kris Statlander in 19:29 to retain the TBS Championship.
MJF defeats Roderick Strong in 13:45.
Private Party def. The Outrunners, Kings of the Black Throne and The Acclaimed to retain the AEW Tag Team Championships in 13:23.
"Big Boom" A.J. def. QT Marshall in 11:38.
Buddy Matthews def. Dante Martin, The Beast Mortos and Komander in 10:36