I attended my first AEW show in Full Gear 2024, as the event made its way to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was even more special as it was the very first live wrestling event for my son who has very much caught the wrestling bug. One would think being around my interests would be the spark, but I genuinely believe he understands the beauty and magic that is pro wrestling. All of it is evident in his "universe" within his wrestling action figures and his constant intrigue in searching throughout Peacock and TNA+.
All of that to say, neither of us are big AEW viewers. Yes, I have my gripes with the company which I'll share. Also, AEW isn't the most suitable for a six-year-old to watch, so there's that. As a dad, I appreciate WWE and TNA's approach to their product. It doesn't have to be PG, but feeling comfortable leaving my son in front of your product unattended is a big plus. Again, more on this...
Back to AEW Full Gear, it was a great event. Long. But great. But yeah, very long. A younger me would've thoroughly enjoyed this marathon spectacle on in-ring performances, but older me (and many with kids or with the elderly) couldn't survive the four-plus hours of entertainment.
Besides that, Full Gear simply reminded me of the potential that resides in this company. In-person, the production is fantastic. The talent appear to work so hard and that came through in various ways throughout the night. AEW is very much filled with a dream roster. And the athleticism on that roster is elite...pun intended.
For me, I'm not sure I'm totally hooked back on AEW, but this event surely made me realize they aren't too far.
Some other thoughts from AEW Full Gear:
- Zero Hour is a great name and concept in a pre-show. Again, this was enjoyable if the rest of the card wasn't filled with matches.
- I absolutely love Deonna Purrazzo. Big fan. After her TNA run, it does disappoint me to see where she is on the AEW depth chart, and more so, that she was relegated to the first match on a pre-show in her home state of New Jersey.
- The four-way match was great and entertaining. Buddy Matthews looks like a guy who may burst through his skin with how jacked he's gotten.
- I had (and really, still don't) no idea who AJ or the Costco Guys...or whatever, were. I honestly still don't. However, they were over with the audience, and honestly, at the end of the match, with me. This was entertaining. Kudos to QT Marshall who obviously busted his ass to pull this off.
- The opening Tag-Team match was great. Lots of storytelling with the possible split of The Acclaimed, the awesome gimmick of the Outrunners, the House of Black, and Private Party (who are well beyond getting their due in AEW). All of the entrances for these teams were also awesome.
- Speaking of entrances, it was obvious as the night went on, there were either some pacing issues with the show, or there was a clear focus to get to the ring and start the match. The Tag-Team opener had a great vibe because of the entrances and the ability to let that match breath. As the night went on, the matches felt rushed. Again, AEW...slowwwwwwww down!
- I'm still big on MJF. Unfortunately, not as big as I once was. But, the dude remains one of a kind in the industry. This match was good, but I just didn't understand the story. Last I saw of MJF, Adam Cole turned on him! Again, AEW, I don't understand.
- Also, what has The Kingdom been doing since joining AEW?
- Mercedes Mone might have one of the most annoying (and overly patronizing) entrance songs in pro wrestling. I remember it from her AEW debut on that Dynamie in Boston, but it's even worse live. Just my opinion...
- Nonetheless, if it weren't for Fletcher and Ospreay doing amazing things later on, this would be my match of the night. Amazing storytelling of working the leg by Mone and Kris Statlander walked away looking like she jumped to another level. All around tremendous work.
- I don't understand the TBS and TNT championships. Again, not picking on AEW. But shouldn't those titles stay connected to the networks? Maybe something was explained that I ddin't get, but yeahhhhh...
- I enjoyed Adam Page vs. Jay White. From the video package, it seemed this was a continuation of a feud that I didn't quite grasp from the pre-match video package. Regardless, it was a good match for the point of having a good match. AEW is great at this. Don't come at me AEW loyalists. Just an honest perception of the company.
- And then there was Kyle Fletcher (who I knew nothing about until tonight) and Will Ospreay. I absolutely loved this! I can't do this match justice with words, but its a must-watch if there is a must-watch following an event like this. My son walked away a big Will Ospreay fan. Me? I already loved Ospreay, and walked away with a huge interest in Kyle Fletcher.
- I thought the match should've been over after the tombstone on the steps. The top rope brainbuster was sick, but I'm not sure it was necessary.
- I still would have loved Ospreay as the "hood ornament" for TNA - but I understand the pro wrestling landscape right now. I hope he finds a larger role in AEW beyond "book Ospreay with [enter wrestler] for a sick match!"
- No idea why the Mariah May segment needed to be on here. This surely would've been enjoyable if the crowd wasn't exhausted from that previous match and the attrition of the night.
- The TNT Title match collectively felt like another groan - so many matches. It was also a VERY tough spot for Perry and Garcia. I like Garcia and it was good to see him get the win. I also appreciate the win with the sharpshooter - that was cool for this big Bret Hart fan.
- I don't get the appeal of Jack Perry at all. Like, at all.
That's where I tapped out on the night at 11:30pm, with two matches to go. Again, a tremendous card, with so much good stuff involved.
I won't go too in-depth, but my inability to connect with AEW still lies in the creativity and the overall connectedness of the talent. I get it - there are different styles and presentations for wrestling. It is okay if AEW isn't for me. I just wish that with all of their talent, we can move beyond "generic guys wrestling" and allow for coherent storylines or characters to help drive the product. There are soooooo many talented individuals on the roster.
Eh, whatevs...I'll better explain in another post.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed what I did see of AEW Full Gear 2024.
Kyle Fletcher, I'll certainly be invested in you going forward. Damn, what a match!