Welcome to After 48 on GrapPro where we discuss an All Elite Wrestling pay per view two days after it aired. That way the hot takes cool down and we can think about it with a clear perspective. At least that’s the idea.
Full Gear 2025 didn’t want to just be another pay per view on the calendar. It wanted to be a moment where a lot of things change.
Some changes are positive. Some are negative. Regardless to which side of the fence you stand on the changes? It was AEW telling you that going into World’s End and going into 2026? The Peace Time is over. There’s going to be a war.
The old world is back. Samoa Joe is AEW Men’s World Champion. Mark Briscoe is TNT Champion. FTR hold the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship and everyone knows they will be feuding soon with a returning Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Heck, we even got QT Marshall back on the pay per view pre-show and it might get him back on AEW Dynamite. Ain’t nothing like watching all of these stars in their prime have to take a seat back for old ROH stars, old WWE stars, and a guy who got passed up for Lexis King by NXT.
For some folks they don’t care. Samoa Joe is cool. Mark Briscoe is awesome. Both of these sentences are true! I love Mark Briscoe. I wanted him to win the TNT Championship. It will help Kyle Fletcher move to the next level.
Samoa Joe, on the other hand? He’s once again just the only guy available to fill a heel role when the company needs him to fill it. It’s 2023 all over again. He isn’t winning the AEW Men’s World Championship because he’s one of the five best men in the ring. He isn’t winning it because he’s one of the five biggest stars in merchandise and TV draw. He’s winning it because Hangman Adam Page has run out of top level heels to face and they needed the title to change hands.
The good thing is I don’t think this is some long term decision. Much like Bryan Danielson, this is a for now decision and not something that dictates the company’s future. It’s about getting us to the next step instead of being the next step.
It may sound like I’m against change but I’m not. Page just didn’t have enough opponents to face. Him losing the title was ultimately inevitable. The fact he’s losing to another ROH Alumni from the 2000s is annoying and the way people defend it sounding like they are defending Roman Reigns three years ago (“The Samoan Joe has vibes! He farms aura! Charisma! He’s telling stories with his blood unlike everyone who bleeds!”) but I’m ultimately okay with it. I don’t see it lasting long.
My greater issue is seeing Hook turning heel as the reason Hangman Adam Page is no longer AEW Men’s World Champion. Hook. Probably the least developing young wrestler in AEW in their company history. Everyone has developed more than Hook has in his first matches. Less than 100 matches in his career according to Cagematch. He has barely improved since those first squash matches in 2021 on Rampage.
Hook is so bad his father wasted a perfectly nice weekend responding to people about how his kid wasn’t terrible, which is always a good sign your career is going the right direction. Taz got so defensive he tried to argue that Hook’s reluctance to work anywhere other than AEW was a good thing because independent promotions are where wrestlers get extremely bad habits. Yeah, go tell that to all of the AEW wrestlers with independent wrestling in their background. You know, 99% of them. It’s pretty clear that Hook will never improve as a wrestler if he has a father who will defend his every decision, and a promoter who keeps pushing him in high level positions just because he gets a reaction.
To have the AEW Men’s World Championship change hands because the nepo suplex machine turned heel is the real problem to the weekend. Not Samoa Joe being old. Not Hangman Adam Page dropping the title after four months. I’ve already heard people claiming that Hook doesn’t really matter, he will get beat up and that’ll be it for the angle. First of all that’s unlikely, and second, you really think they’d make his turn in the main event if it was a discarded detail?
For all of AEW’s problems about the old world, this might be the largest. It may feel like new world because Hook is a young wrestler getting a push, but the only reason he is even signed to All Elite Wrestling is because of who his father is. He wouldn’t get booked for Dark during the pandemic if his last name had no value. But there he is, following in the footsteps of David Flair, Garret Bischoff, and Erik Watts. Perfect way to end your main event. Sigh.
Almost a thousand words already, how was Full Gear? It was a pretty good show. AEW pay per views have a high standard, so I don’t think it met the cream of the crop, but it was still a very enjoyable show with mostly very good matches. Let’s get into a few!
Favourite Wrestling Match
CMLL World Trios Championship
Don Callis Family versus El Sky Team (c)
This might have been one of the worst AEW pre-shows in quite some time. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem like we’re getting a tailgate for December. The first match was Collision quality. The next match featured QT Marshall. The third match I was looking forward to and it lasted less than two minutes. We then had the main event… which started with only two minutes left in the pre-show and Kazuchika Okada had yet to show up.
Of course, that’s because Okada don’t do no tailgates. Full Gear started proper with a big pyro show only for Kazu to make his entrance there. The story of Kazuchika Okada absolutely loving to irritate and bully Konosuke Takeshita because he feels threatened by him is easily my favourite in AEW at the moment. Okada is so delighted to ruin Takeshita’s life every chance he gets, and he can get away with it because Don Callis worships the ground Okada walks on.
Okada is straight up costing the Don Callis Family in their matches and yet Don Callis still blames Konosuke Takeshita more than Okada for the losses. Takeshita has tried to be the good family member. He’s tried to shake Okada’s hand. He’s agreed to team with him. He’s tried to win these matches. Okada? He shows up late. He shoots middle fingers in Takeshita’s face. He also “inadvertently” hits him with Rainmakers every chance he gets. He’s a terrible family member. I love him so much.
So we get all this story about the DCF side, and guess what? The match is also great! Místico, Neon, and Mascara Dorada are absolutely incredible wrestlers with some of the most amazing balance and technique you will ever see. CMLL is giving AEW a gift by having them work the show here and defend the CMLL World Trios Championship.
Having Místico get taken out early and return after Okada made it a handicap match was just perfect babyface storytelling. Dorada continues to show the world he might be the best high flyer in the industry. I also really enjoy Neon, he holds his part of the bargain no issue. Hechicero is a great glue guy in this match and works as an excellent base, and then you got Takeshita and Okada as the best wrestlers alive. It was just a wonderfully fun match.
Was it really PPV quality? Technically no, in terms of if it meant enough to put on the main card, but absolutely in the performance and storytelling. Overall I loved it, and it fits as an advertisement for the Continental Classic starting on Wednesday.
Best Wrestling Match
AEW Women’s World Championship
Mercedes Moné versus Kris Statlander (c)
I like comparing Kris Statlander to Hangman Adam Page, especially in relation to Page’s first run as AEW Men’s World Champion. One could argue that Page wasn’t entirely ready to be champion the first time, but he needed that run to get better. You learn about yourself as world champion, and it can never be a failure when you make mistakes or don’t change the world on your first try. Everyone will doubt you in the position because you’re not the biggest star, but that doubt helps shape you into a bigger star. It’s about rising to the occasion.
For Page, he had to face Bryan Danielson twice as his challenge. For Statlander, it has been facing Timeless Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné. It’s AEW telling the audience that these two bigger stars are not beating her. She’s beating them. She’s the focus.
It’s not just as easy to just book someone to beat a top star. You have to prove in the ring in that moment you are actually believable. That’s rising to the occasion. I think Statlander has now done this in her two major title defences.
Moné is still arguably the best women’s wrestler in the world, especially when you combine being a star with being a great wrestler. Everything she does feels important. I’m just not going to care when someone tries to complain about her anymore until she gives a legitimate reason to complain about. I’m not going to say it’s coming from a place of racism when she gets ridiculous criticism for things that nobody else gets, not because I don’t believe it often comes from a place of racism, but because I don’t want people to change the subject to an accusation of racism when it comes to her work as a pro wrestler. You make it about racism and now it’s about if they are or are not a racist. I’d rather they just keep digging the hole of them expressing their hate for her and let their words speak for themselves.
The match started with Kris Statlander absolutely dominating Moné only for Moné exploiting Statlander’s greatest fear. It isn’t losing the AEW Women’s World Championship. It’s getting injured again. Statlander’s career in AEW has been delayed over and over by injuries and getting one again being what stops her would be the worst possible outcome. So once Stat started selling that wrist like it was broken? Mercedes was in the driver seat.
Overcoming the damage to the wrist, overcoming every bit of Mercedes clever tactics, and rising not just to Mercedes level but surpassing it to defeat her was what made that wrestling match so great. She beat her. Straight up. Pay that Stat her money.
I also love that Mercedes Moné has essentially told the story that no matter how great she is? She can never be AEW Women’s World Champion until she changes her ways. She needs the fans more than she will ever admit. I feel the same on Kazuchika Okada. Once they embrace the fans? They can get to the top.
More Thoughts After 48
Samoa Joe: I’m sure someone will accuse me of hating Samoa Joe and I really don’t. Joe isn’t the problem. AEW’s booking is the problem. Tony Khan knew someone was beating Jon Moxley. He knew he was losing Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay at some point. That was the start of the summer. At that moment? Tony needed to build some new heels to face the champion at the top. He did build one he didn’t use in Ricochet, but Ricochet had to make the Hurt Syndicate look good instead. He got awarded the AEW National Championship for it. Once AEW didn’t do Moxley versus Page at Forbidden Door and instead on Dynamite? That meant Page was lacking a PPV quality opponent. Once MJF had his shot? He now had no main event heels to face. That’s why he had to go with Kyle Fletcher (who was originally supposed to face Kenny Omega at All Out Toronto) and then Samoa Joe who had to turn heel.
Joe is just filling a void that AEW created, and he’s doing the best job he can at age 46. When a wrestler is talking about how close they are to retirement in interviews? That isn’t the time to make him AEW World Champion. But here we are. It ain’t Joe’s fault. I’m just going to pretend he’s the best person for the job.
Hangman Adam Page: I will likely write more on the second reign of Adam Page and I understand anyone who feels unfulfilled again. On the first run he was clearly overshadowed by the new signees that came from WWE, the likes of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole. This run he was focused a little better as a top star but AEW’s lack of quality heel opponents for him left him with little to do. Who knows when he gets his next chance to be AEW Men’s World Champion? I just think it’s time to accept when it comes to Adam Page? He’s never going to be first choice. That doesn’t mean the company doesn’t love him. They love him a lot. They built their biggest show of the year around him. It just means he isn’t going to be loved as much as others on the roster. He’s always going to be in the mix, and he may one day be AEW Men’s World Champion again. But much like Bret Hart in the 1990s and Tetsuya Naito between 2015-2025 in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Hangman Adam Page will never be able to outwrestle or outdraw everyone else to become the first choice. He will always be an important part of All Elite Wrestling, but he will never be the most important.
I don’t want to get too deep into it, but I’ve already heard people try to claim he was a bad champion because he didn’t turn business around. I know people are obsessed with hot and cold, but there’s another state of being: existing. It’s okay to be a World Champion who keeps business steady. AEW PPV has done great under Page. Most live events that are not residencies drew at least 3,000 under Page. That’s steady. Go look at the standalone Collision’s this year. The only one to crack 3,000 was Collision in Roanoke, Virginia which was built around Adam Page. Page is also the best women’s 18-49 draw in the company for TV.
Overall I am fine with Page’s run as champion, and while it’s not what I would have done with him? I don’t think he comes out of this looking poorly. He wasn’t beaten fairly. He lost to the same numbers shenanigans the Death Riders used to get on top. They’ll eventually pay for that.
Hook: I could name 50 wrestlers ahead of him that should be in the spot of costing Hangman Adam Page the AEW Men’s World Championship. Top of the list Powerhouse Hobbs who is in The Opps. That’s all I gotta say about that.
Swerve Strickland: Swerve’s return was a welcome surprise, especially since Tony Khan wasn’t asked about him by Ariel Helwani, who felt asking about Britt Baker was a larger priority. Swerve this time saved Hangman Adam Page and stood side by side him. It’s too bad we had the PPV Previews because I was planning to write about Swerve returning as a heel. Swerve could still turn at some point, but I’d much rather at this point see him tell Page hey man, it’s your turn to back me on my journey to the top. And hopefully he does. It’s time for the Bloody Lovers.
The Elite: Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks finally got back together. This is of course because Kota Ibushi had his unfortunate injury as I’m sure they were supposed to run Golden Lovers versus Young Bucks again. If Kota Ibushi does come back one day (I hope he does) I think they do this as more a respectful exhibition match than a grudge feud. Omega and the Bucks winning the Trios Championship down the road to keep Bucks out of the FTR business is probably the best way to go.
Josh Alexander: I really hope the Walking Weapon gets his one on one match with Kenny Omega. Of course, I also want to see him in the Continental Classic, so it’s likely one or the other.
Jurassic Express: I think Jack and Luchasaurus are a bit forgotten in all of this because the attention is on the reunion of The Elite, but I have really enjoyed them in-ring and I think they should be on their way against FTR sooner than later. Luchasaurus especially has been doing some of his best work athletically.
Kyle Fletcher: Fletcher drops the TNT Championship before he could break the record for TNT defences. Tony Khan seems to be protective of who ultimately gets to it. I don’t know how I feel on that. Or rather, I hope someone breaks it soon, because my favourite TNT Championship runs are fast and plentiful on defences in a short time. Kyle Fletcher has already entered the Continental Classic, which I’m sure if they do semi final matches at World’s End, will likely put him right back in the semi final. If Konosuke Takeshita wants to get at Kazuchika Okada? He likely has to get through his best friend.
Mark Briscoe: I know it may sound like I am dismissing Briscoe but saying he’s another old ROH alumni guy earlier, but I love Mark. He’s one of the most consistent wrestlers in the company. It’s great to see him get this shine, and it’s great to see The Conglomeration finally getting some gold. I just don’t care to be in my 40s and see the list of top champions in North America to include Samoa Joe, Mark Briscoe, CM Punk, Frankie Kazarian, and The Hardy’s. I thought we millennial’s would try to not be like Gen X and the boomers and not constantly put the old codgers of our childhood in the champion spots over the youth. Alas.
That all said? Briscoe had to eventually win so his win against Maxwell Jacob Friedman meant something. Maybe he didn’t become AEW Men’s World Champion, but he can be a proud TNT Champion.
Jon Moxley: Well my prediction was completely wrong. I thought they were going to zag. Nope. Full zig. Moxley is absolutely heading to a breakup with Death Riders. Which, if it happens? There’s someone free to fulfill my dream scenario. A broken, beat down, discarded, and left for dead Jon Moxley being carried out silently by Eddie Kingston. No will they won’t they. No turn down a hand shake for a hug. Just Eddie picking up the pieces of the fallen king and carrying him back home.
Kyle O’Reilly: I’m curious if they put Kyle in the Continental Classic after this big win or if they try to put him up against Samoa Joe for a title shot. Either way, Kyle is absolutely a formidable name near the top of the AEW ranks now, and helps strengthen The Conglomeration as a babyface faction. I could also see him as one of Ricochet’s first opponents for the AEW National Championship, at least in AEW.
Ricochet: I had a bunch of ideas on who could win but it’s pretty clear Ricochet was the best choice. I’m looking forward to seeing him work in multiple promotions as AEW National Champion. I also like Gates of Agony saying they helped Ric win singles gold so they can focus on tag team gold.
Mark Davis: Davis ended up the MVP of the match (and not MVP ironically) and reminded people he’s a big man who can FUCKING GO. I feel like he needs a new gimmick. Maybe a change of attire. Just something so people just make lame Jannetty jokes about him and instead take him serious as a big beefy asskicker. Would love to see him be one of Mark Briscoe’s first TNT shots.
The Hurt Syndicate: 100% convinced they had it in their contracts to be an advertised match for every AEW pay per view. The last time one of them wasn’t in an advertised match? World’s End 2024. Them getting the first and second spot was such a waste.
FTR: I saw a lot of people upset FTR won the tag titles. I don’t know if they just didn’t want Brodido to lose, they hate FTR, or they fear the inevitable Cope and Christian program, but I’m not joining them. FTR have been doing some of their best work in AEW this year and I’m glad to see them win the titles. It’s a similar situation to Page. There’s a lot of great babyface contenders but not heel contenders. Better to make your champions heels and have them face all the babyface contenders.
Brodido: A great effort, especially by Bandido. I’ve seen a lot say he needs to be the AEW Men’s World Champion soon. I agree, but we probably need to wait until he signs a new deal with All Elite Wrestling before that happens. He’s absolutely one of the best wrestlers though. Brody King was also fantastic in the match. AEW should give me Brodido versus Aussie Open on a random Collision.
Timeless Love Bombs: I’m surprised the babyfaces won to get to choose their stipulation. Not sure what they decide but it kind of went against the usual logic. Curious to see how they got with things.
PAC: PAC has returned looking and wrestling incredible. Does this mean we get PAC in the Continental Classic?
Darby Allin: If Darby ends up the guy to beat Samoa Joe for the AEW Men’s World Championship to pay back Joe beating him for the TNT Championship? I wouldn’t be against that. He has to avenge this loss to PAC first and maybe get the Death Riders off his back.
Bang Bang Gang: Surprised they won the $200,000 four way. Really don’t know the point of Bowens and Caster anymore. This felt like the right time to give them a win to get them becoming a team again. Oh well. Good for Juice and Austin.
Eddie Kingston: We need Eddie Kingston with a microphone on Wednesday and no censors awake.
Road to World’s End
Wednesday is kicking off with Continental Classic matches, which I’ll cover more in detail on Wednesday. But Tony Khan announcing the brackets on Twitter Monday at 10PM? Come on Tony! I said this last year! The C2 needs pomp! You need an event announcing the two leagues, introducing the wrestlers, and doing the first matches. Put it on HBO Max. This is the most exciting event in AEW that isn’t a pay per view. The C2 means so much to AEW. Make it feel that way by treating it as important!
We should also know for sure that World’s End will be where the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship is crowned. I actually like they didn’t rush it to Full Gear and will give some time for the final to be built up on television.
I don’t see them doing a Page versus Joe III for World’s End, though I also don’t know if they go straight to Swerve Strickland or not. Maybe they do, as coming out at the end of Revolution was how we got Swerve versus Jon Moxley for Dynasty. Also, when does MJF make his big return?
FTR has plenty of potential opponents from JetSpeed to a Brodido rematch to Jurassic Express to maybe even the Young Bucks. They got lots of options. Do they go with one of those, or go right to Cope and Christian?
Mark Briscoe got a branded TNT belt with camo, which hopefully means he won’t take much time off before defending it.
We should be seeing Mercedes go back to defending the TBS Championship, as well as who steps up next to Kris Statlander. My hope is that after the semi final of the Women’s Tag Team Championship it ends up Megan Bayne. She has the most momentum out of the women’s division.
We also need to see The Elite do something more than just get beaten down. I say that because that’s becoming Kenny Omega’s job in AEW: to get beat down and everyone to get mad about it. We get it. Time to give us something more exciting. Give me some exciting trios action!
AEW will be going into the end of 2025 a whole lot stronger than they were in 2023 and 2024. This has been ultimately a great year for them, and a bounce back from previous years. Even if you’re frustrated with some of the results? We’re not going back to the old world. We’re just seeing it takes a lot more to put it down for good.
