AEW 2021 Full Gear alt. perspective preview and predictions

AEW Full Gear is upon us, and the pay-per-view has a great deal of momentum per usual. The lineup features 10 matches and has an estimated run time of four hours – which will come to be the norm according to Tony Khan.

That being said, let’s make predictions for the show!

Hikaru Shida & Thunder Rosa vs. Jamie Hayter & Nyla Rose 

Although this is a tag match that features two upcoming matches in the TBS Championship Tournament, it feels super random. It feels like a thrown-together match just to say “oh hey, we have two women’s matches on the card”.

I’d much rather just have one of that tournament’s semifinals in this spot, but it should be a good match nonetheless. I think Shida and Rosa pick up the victory here, as they are much higher on the totem pole than Rose and Hayter.

Prediction: Hikaru Shida & Thunder Rosa

Cody Rhodes & PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo & Malakai Black

I like the use of getting these meaningful names on the card. Idolo and Black is an interesting duo, as is Cody and PAC.

It’s hard to pick a winner here. All four men are protected very heavily, but I don’t think Black is losing his first match in a tag bout. I also really hope the Black/Cody stuff comes to an end after this; the feud has run its course.

Prediction: Andrade and Malakai Black

The Inner Circle vs. American Top Team – Minneapolis Street Fight

This is one of the worst feuds in recent memory — in all of wrestling. Just awful, cringy, really bad stuff. The match should be fine, considering the stipulation, but I’m really ready to move on from this after the match.

The obvious goal here is to pin Dan Lambert to ensure everybody else, specifically, Page and Sky, look strong — and that’s exactly what will happen.

Prediction: The Inner Circle defeats American Top Team

Darby Allin vs. MJF

Super solid build to this match. Nothing over the top, nothing extra, just two guys who hate each other because of their battle against each other to be the “top guy” one day.

I’m of the belief that MJF is an underrated in-ring performer, so the match should be really good. It’s hard to pick who wins the bout, but I could definitely see Allin being the first man to cleanly beat MJF.

Prediction: Darby Allin

Christian Cage & Jurassic Express vs. The SuperKliq (Young Bucks & Adam Cole) in a Falls Count Anywhere match

I’m glad they added a Falls Count Anywhere stipulation here because I’m growing tired of this feud too. I’m hoping both sides move on to new feuds after this pay-per-view.

But yet again, this should be a stellar match and could be a candidate for match of the night. I’m very interested to see who picks up the win, as Jurassic Express haven’t picked up a win against the Bucks in this feud. For that reason, I think Cage and JE will squeeze out the win.

Prediction: Christian Cage & Jurassic Express

CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston

Aside from Omega/Page, this could be the best-built match on the card. Again, it’s nothing complicated — just two guys who hate each other and want to fight.

I’m interested to see what dynamic will be played here, but I expect to see Punk heel it up a bit. All things aside, I truly don’t see Punk losing this match at all. Kingston is fantastic, but he’s bulletproof in a sense of “taking losses”.

Prediction: CM Punk

AEW World Tag Team Championship Match – Lucha Brothers (c) vs. FTR

I originally expected this to be a title vs. title match, but given that the two teams will have another match in Mexico soon, that doesn’t look to be the case.

The Lucha Bros title reign has been mediocre, to say the least, and hasn’t been treated anywhere near as important as the Young Bucks’ reign was a few months ago. I would hope that it picks up if the Lucha Bros were to retain – but I don’t see that happening. I expect FTR to become the first team to hold the AEW World Tag Team Championships two separate times.

Prediction: FTR win the AEW World Tag Team Championships

Bryan Danielson vs. Miro – AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament Final

This is the hardest match to pick, in my opinion. If “Hangman” Adam Page wins the AEW Title, which is expected, Miro seems like that first logical monster challenger. The only issue with that is, I don’t know if Miro will be the first person to defeat Danielson in AEW.

Plans had to be changed due to Jon Motley’s situation (best wishes to him), which most likely originally called for him to win the whole thing. If Danielson were to win, I don’t think Hangman would beat him, unfortunately.

Therefore, I’m going to pick Miro here. Danielson will be kept strong though, as I predict he’ll simply pass out in Game Over.

Prediction: Miro

AEW World Women’s Championship Match – Dr. Britt Baker DMD (c) vs. Tay Conti

Not much to this match or feud, unfortunately. Very lackluster build that didn’t have much behind it.

The match should be good, though, as most of Baker’s pay-per-view performances have been good. Conti should do well in this spot as well, but no doubt that Baker is retaining.

Prediction: Britt Baker retains

AEW World Championship Match – Kenny Omega (c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

It’s finally here. The build has been ongoing for nearly three years, and is arguably the biggest and most important match in AEW history.

There’s zero doubt, aside from what others might say, that Hangman should win the title here. There’s no need to stretch it out longer and there’s no need to have Omega retain here, Page winning is the only logical path to take here.

Prediction: Hangman Adam Page wins the AEW World Tag Team Championship