AEW Full Gear preview, predictions: Can Hangman Page finally dethrone Kenny Omega?
By Byron Smith
Jurrasic Express/Christian Cage vs. The SuperKliq – Falls Count Anywhere
When Adam Cole made his AEW debut in AEW, his first official action in the company, besides screaming his own name, was kicking Jungle Boy in the head. This match should have been the first bout between Jungle Boy and Adam Cole, but this could possibly be better.
The Young Bucks and Jurrasic Express have built up some chemistry and can put together a great match. Meanwhile, Christian Cage is on a hot streak of matches and Adam Cole is just getting started on what will be the best years of his career. This match should be outstanding and creative and a lot of fun.
Adam Cole likely does not lose his AEW pay-per-view debut, especially with the inevitable implosion/fracture of the Elite looming, but the new and improved version of Jungle Boy is exciting to see and needs some momentum. The one thing that makes it lean harder towards the SuperKliq is the introduction of Bobby Fish as an extension of the team, and there is no dispute as to whether or not he will also get involved.
Prediction: The SuperKliq (Bay Bay) def. Cage and Jurassic Express
MJF vs. Darby Allin
Two AEW homegrown talents are about to get a premium spot on an AEW pay-per-view. Not two former WWE guys. Not two NJPW stars. A man who joined AEW at the very beginning and built himself almost exclusively through the promotion and a man who finally found himself in the promotion and started to reach the potential he had.
That premise alone makes this unbelievably promising, but the build has also been fantastic. MJF delivers the best promo in wrestling, Darby Allin makes stoicism work. MJF has nuclear heat (real wrestling heat, not the Tully Blanchard kind) while Darby Allin is a real babyface. The story in the ring should be told well and will make both men more popular with the fans.
The winner? The fans would be a great answer, but there is an assumption/obligation to name one of the competitors. Wardlow’s existence makes the choice lean MJF, but Wardlow turning on MJF has to be right around the corner, and it would make sense if it happened here. It is such a pivotal match and having both men capable of winning is a good thing.
Prediction: MJF def. Darby Allin