All Elite Wrestling returns to the pay-per-view arena this weekend with their AEW Full Gear show from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
The top matches heading into this Saturday’s AEW show are Chris Jericho vs. Cody for the AEW World’s Heavyweight Championship and an unsanctioned “Lights Out” match between Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley.
A Closer Look At AEW Full Gear Lineup
Other championship action at AEW Full Gear this weekend includes a three-way match for the AEW World Tag-Team Championships, as SoCal Uncensored defends against The Lucha Brothers and Private Party, and a singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship, with Riho defending against Emi Sakura.
Also scheduled this Saturday night is The Young Bucks vs. Santana & Ortiz, “Hangman” Adam Page vs. PAC and Joey Janela vs. Shawn Spears (with Tully Blanchard), as well as a “Buy-In” pre-show match featuring Dr. Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley.
SEScoops.com Round Table Writers For AEW Full Gear
As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.
Joining us for this AEW Full Gear installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.
Without further adieu, let’s take a look at our official AEW Full Gear Predictions.
Buy-In Pre-Show: Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley
Ian Carey: I’m a little torn on this one. Baker just lost to Riho and they will likely want to rehab her from that but on the other hand, Bea Priestley seems like the biggest star they have in the division. They have to push her to a shot at Riho, right? It’s also weird this is on the preshow considering the role Baker seems to have and the rivalry that’s been brewing. I’m picking Bea but I’m not super confident about it. (Prediction: Bea Priestley)
Andrew Ravens: I think this is a pretty easy pick from all of the matches on the card. Baker should and will win. She is being groomed as a top star under the AEW banner in the women’s division. Outside of Riho, she is their biggest women’s talent that they have. I like this matchup, which will be a fun match. (Prediction: Britt Baker)
Jeff Moss: What’s interesting about this match is that Britt Baker, sorry, DOCTOR Britt Baker is a dentist, and AEW managed to go almost a whole show without mentioning it! Seriously though, Baker has a bit of payback to exact over the concussion she suffered courtesy of Priestly at Fight For The Fallen, so there’s a grudge to be settled here. With that said, I’d take Baker — who is totally a dentist — in this one, for the best reason of all: Revenge. (Prediction: Britt Baker)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Britt Baker
Shawn Spears vs Joey Janela
Ian: Both of these two need wins. Actually, I’m not certain Janela actually needs to win his matches to be popular but all the same. Spears has one singles win against Michael Nakazawa but it seemed like they would push him harder than they have after he aligned with Tully Blanchard. Perhaps, Full Gear will be the start of a winning streak for Spears. I wouldn’t be that surprised to see Janela pull off an upset though. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)
Andrew: A late addition to the card and this is just a random thrown together match that I’m not sure why was added than other to fill time. They have no program but will be wrestling with each other. Following his match with Cody Rhodes at All Out, Spears has fallen off a cliff on television and seems to have no direction. I think a cheap win can get him back on track. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)
Jeff: Another match that has the potential to get bloody, fast. I can’t stress how much I’m enjoying Asshole Tye Dillinger. Just being associated with Tully Blanchard makes him even more snake-like in my book. That said, Joey Janela is hardcore. I’d rather see Spears go over here, mainly so he doesn’t find himself back in an enhancement talent role, so we’ll see how things shake out. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Shawn Spears
SCU vs. The Lucha Bros vs. Private Party
Ian: After Private Party won the bronze medal match against Dark Order this week, they were added to this match here. Triple threats are great for having a team win without them having to actually beat another team. For that reason, expect SCU to get the pin over Private Party and not the Lucha Bros, that way Pentagon and Fenix stay in the tag title picture. I’m predicting a successful title defense for SCU, followed by a post-match beatdown by the Lucha Bros, followed by a run-in save by Christopher Daniels. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)
Andrew: Since SCU just won the titles, I don’t see why a title change would take place here. They have a built-in story with SCU vs. The Lucha Brothers but since they made it a three-way, I think they didn’t want Lucha to eat the loss but wanted to continue this story. Thus, they put Private Party in the contest for them to take the fall. With that said, SCU should and will retain the straps here. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)
Jeff: SCU just won the titles on Dynamite, so I can’t see them dropping them so quickly here. I expect them to win, but the Lucha Brothers will do something spectacularly dangerous, if for no other reason than to upstage the Bucks in their match. Adding Private Party to the mix here adds an element of the unknown, but regardless, the titles stay put. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, SCU
Riho vs. Emi Sakura (AEW Women’s Title)
Ian: As much as we’d all love a Freddie Mercury cosplayer as champion, it feels as though the belt will stay on Riho here. Riho garners such sympathy whenever she takes a move that I have to imagine she’ll eventually drop the title to one of the divisions larger women, such as Awesome Kong or Nyla Rose or possibly to Bea Priestley. I just can’t see her dropping it here. (Prediction: Riho)
Andrew: Riho wins. This is a no brainer as Riho is a big fan favorite especially with women and young girls. The ratings back that up. Sakura is a talented star but is still unknown to most fans who watch the AEW product. It will be interesting to see if fans in attendance believe any of Sakura’s offense against Riho. (Prediction: Riho)
Jeff: I honestly didn’t know much about Riho when she first won the Women’s title, but I’ve grown quite fond of her. As we watch Brandi Rhodes slowly descend into madness, I like the idea of Riho establishing herself as a champion. This will be a really fast, cool NJPW match between two rising stars in North America, but in the end Riho retains. (Prediction: Riho)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Riho
Hangman Page vs. PAC
Ian: So between the match they had in England and the match they had on Dynamite, these two are 1-1 against each other. The thing with Page is, he’s not going back to the world title picture anytime soon, at least I don’t think. It feels like Page chasing the title is a long-term plan, whereas they want PAC in the title picture soon. For that reason, I think PAC gets the win and moves closer to a title shot. (Prediction: PAC)
Andrew: So between the match they had in England and the match they had on Dynamite, these two are 1-1 against each other. The thing with Page is, he’s not going back to the world title picture anytime soon, at least I don’t think. It feels like Page chasing the title is a long-term plan, whereas they want PAC in the title picture soon. For that reason, I think PAC gets the win and moves closer to a title shot. (Prediction: PAC)
Jeff: Honestly? I’d watch PAC fight a potted plant and call it match of the year. The dude is practically unrecognizable from his NXT Champion days, and twice as entertaining. British Strong Style? More like BASTARD PAC STYLE. He’s the next contender for the AEW title in my mind, so I’d expect him to win decisively and brutally here. (Prediction: PAC)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, PAC
The Young Bucks vs. Santana & Ortiz (AEW Tag Titles)
Ian: After dropping the semi-final of the tag tournament to Private Party, it feels like the Young Bucks could use a big win here. A loss for Santana and Ortiz this early after debuting isn’t great but losing to the Young Bucks never hurts anyone too hard. I’m fairly certain both of these teams will be in the title chase not long after this PPV. (Prediction: The Young Bucks)
Andrew: This is one of the hardest matches to pick as Santana and Ortiz should win and will likely do so but The Young Bucks lost at All Out and then in the Tag Team Title Tournament so they need a big win. I will take Santana and Ortiz only because they are part of the Inner Circle as Jake Hager could cause a distraction for the win. (Prediction: Santana & Ortiz)
Jeff: This should be a really fun match, with lots of hard hits, high flies, and of course tassels. The Bucks know how to put on a show, and Santana & Ortiz were one of the highlights of TNA (I’m told). This is a great match to forward the Elite Vs Inner Circle feud that’s taking over AEW storylines, so while the stakes aren’t that high on paper, overall it should have some impact. I have to take the Bucks in this one. (Prediction: The Young Bucks)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, The Young Bucks
Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega (Unsanctioned “Lights Out” Match)
Ian: This is a tough one to pick because it seems like AEW will want to push both of these guys into the world title scene sometime soon. Omega has lost to PAC and Jericho already and probably can’t afford another loss. Moxley hasn’t lost yet but did go to a time-limit draw with PAC. I think it makes sense for Omega to get the win and then we get a triple threat with these two and PAC with the winner earning a title shot. Otherwise, Omega is really going to have a hard time making up for some of these early losses. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)
Andrew: This is going to be a fun match but a more interesting finish to it as both guys need to win. Yes, Moxley has been more protected than Omega up to this point and could eat a pinfall but I see Moxley heading to the world title picture quicker than Omega. I think Omega will lose here but I don’t agree with it. Prior to the launch of AEW, Omega was booked as a bigger deal and to the hardcore fans, he still is but in the eyes of the casual fans, he’s a top mid-card guy, which isn’t good. Moxley goes over. (Prediction: Jon Moxley)
Jeff: It’s been months in the making and this match is the leading candidate for match of the night for me. This should include some crazy spots, hardcore action and I’d expect a whole bunch of blood. If I had my way this match would be the official “Return of the Cleaner” and let Kenny Omega go full Omega on the guy who would take it the best (non-PAC division) Jon Moxley. I wonder if they will put this match on last, or save it for the title bout? At any rate, Kenny Omega will (and needs) the win here. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Kenny Omega
Chris Jericho vs. Cody (AEW World Title)
Ian: Well, up until Dynamite this week I would have said that Jericho is winning this match but now that’s all up in the air. Cody’s announcement that if he doesn’t beat Jericho then he’ll never challenge for the title again changes things. It’s possible Cody could lose and just decide he doesn’t want to ever book himself to win the title or he could win and become the 2nd ever champion. I’m betting he wins the title but then loses it back to Jericho fairly quickly after, similar to what his Dad used to do with Ric Flair. (Prediction: Cody)
Andrew: This is the rightful main event and the right #1 contender to the AEW World Title. While Rhodes is an executive in the company, he was the right star to be chosen for this spot at the moment. His win record backs that up and since AEW puts a focus on it, this was the right call. This has been a great build-up as both guys are great talkers and while it might not be the best match on the card, it will live up to expectations. There’s no reason to take the title off of Jericho right now as he’s the biggest star that AEW has right now. I don’t like the stipulation that Rhodes added as that means there will have to be a screw job finish to this contest. (Prediction: Chris Jericho)
Jeff: If the fact that Chris Jericho is universally beloved “Shampiown” right now, and Cody is the EVP of the company weren’t enough to telegraph the result of this match, adding a “I’ll never challenge for it again” stipulation certainly seals the deal. Who wins then? Well, I’d expect Cody to win, but Jericho to keep the title in what will assuredly be a DQ, run-in and outside interference filled match. (Prediction: Cody via DQ)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Cody
AEW Full Gear Predictions Outro
What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Saturday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own AEW Full Gear predictions in the “Comments” section below.
Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of AEW Full Gear news, rumors and spoilers.
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Until next time …
