AEW’s Full Gear has only been around since 2019, but in just a few short years, it has developed into one of the company’s most important annual shows. While All Out has traditionally been the stage for major debuts and Double or Nothing carries the “original flagship” prestige, Full Gear has carved its identity as the show where stories pay off, rivalries climax, and legacies are made.
With that in mind, let’s look back at the 10 greatest matches in AEW Full Gear history — the ones that didn’t just pop the crowd, but told stories that defined the company.
10. Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega (Lights Out Match, 2019)
The very first Full Gear ended in mayhem. Moxley and Omega had been circling each other for months, their feud fueled by Moxley’s chaotic arrival in AEW and Omega’s frustration at being outshined. AEW billed their Lights Out clash as “unsanctioned” — a clever nod to the idea that the company itself wouldn’t take responsibility for what fans were about to see.
What followed was a polarizing match that blended old-school hardcore violence with modern spectacle. The barbed-wire spiderweb spot became infamous, the shattered glass drew audible gasps, and the sheer brutality left some praising it as gutsy while others dismissed it as gratuitous. Regardless of opinion, the match set a tone: AEW would not shy away from extremes if the story demanded it.
The aftermath mattered too. Omega’s loss helped push him toward his darker, more ruthless side, while Mox cemented himself as the company’s wild card — the man who lived for chaos.
9. Jungle Boy Jack Perry vs. Luchasaurus (Steel Cage, 2022)
Sometimes the best wrestling matches aren’t about titles, but about personal betrayal. Jungle Boy’s breakup with Luchasaurus and Christian Cage was one of the most emotional storylines of 2022, and Full Gear gave us the payoff.
Inside the steel cage, Perry took a beating that felt almost cruel at times. Luchasaurus dominated with his size and strength, tossing Perry around like a ragdoll. But every comeback felt bigger than the last, every hope spot fueled by the story of a young man finally breaking free of his past. The closing sequence — Perry locking in the Snare Trap, forcing his giant former partner to submit — was a star-making moment.
For Jack Perry, this wasn’t just a win. It was proof that he could be more than a tag team specialist. In one night, he shed the “Jungle Boy” moniker in spirit and announced himself as Jack Perry, future singles star.
8. Darby Allin vs. Cody Rhodes (TNT Championship, 2020)
Darby Allin was always the underdog — small, reckless, often underestimated. Cody Rhodes was the EVP with the legacy name, the man who positioned himself as AEW’s gatekeeper. Their TNT Championship clash at Full Gear 2020 played perfectly into those roles.
Cody dominated much of the match, his crisp wrestling contrasting with Darby’s frantic style. But Darby refused to stay down, repeatedly surviving big moves and kicking out when it seemed impossible. When he finally stole the win, clutching the TNT Title like it was life itself, the crowd erupted.
This was more than just a title change. It was AEW making good on its promise to create new stars. Cody’s willingness to put Darby over cleanly elevated the daredevil into a central figure in the company. From here, Darby became one of AEW’s most popular homegrown acts, his reign helping to establish the TNT Championship as a legitimate prize.
7. MJF vs. Darby Allin (2021)
Opening a pay-per-view with a grudge match can be risky, but MJF and Darby Allin delivered what many still consider the best opener in AEW history at Full Gear 2021. Their rivalry was rooted in MJF’s taunts about Darby being a “nothing” despite his popularity. MJF vowed he could win with a headlock takeover — and, brilliantly, that’s exactly what he did.
The match itself was a masterpiece of styles. Darby’s daredevil bumps contrasted beautifully with MJF’s old-school, calculated approach. The crowd hung on every near fall, every fake-out, and every escalation. And when MJF finally used his Dynamite Diamond Ring to cheat, hitting Darby before finishing with the promised headlock takeover, it was storytelling perfection.
This wasn’t just a strong match — it was a statement. It showed MJF could deliver in the ring at the highest level, silencing critics who thought he was “just a talker.” For Darby, it reinforced his role as AEW’s sympathetic underdog, capable of losing big matches while still gaining more fan support.
6. Lucha Brothers vs. FTR (World Tag Team Championship, 2021)
Tag team wrestling has always been one of AEW’s hallmarks, and Full Gear 2021 showcased one of the division’s best offerings: the high-flying chaos of the Lucha Brothers against the grounded, precise brutality of FTR.
The clash of styles was the story here. Rey Fénix’s athleticism defied gravity, while Penta added his own mix of charisma and brawling. FTR, by contrast, slowed the pace, cutting the ring in half and forcing the match into their preferred rhythm. The result was a back-and-forth war that blended psychology with highlight-reel spots.
The finish, with FTR trying to cheat with their “super-ranas” and masks, left some fans wanting a cleaner ending. But the journey there was too good to ignore. For AEW, this was proof once again that their tag division could headline any card, and for the Luchas, it cemented their reign as one of the best in AEW history.
5. Hangman Adam Page vs. Kenny Omega (World Championship, 2021)
This was the culmination of two years of storytelling. Hangman Page, the anxious cowboy plagued by self-doubt, finally confronted Kenny Omega, his former tag partner who had betrayed him and ascended to the top as AEW World Champion.
The match itself was layered with emotion. Every strike felt personal, every counter fueled by history. Page’s determination never wavered, even as Omega unleashed his full arsenal. The Bucks’ silent nod at ringside, choosing not to interfere, was the perfect storytelling touch. When Page finally hit the Buckshot Lariat to pin Omega, the eruption wasn’t just for a title change — it was for a story completed.
This was AEW at its best: long-term booking, emotional investment, and a payoff that made fans feel like they’d been on the journey with Hangman.
4. The Elite vs. Death Triangle (Trios Championship, 2022)
The Elite’s return from suspension at Full Gear 2022 came with heavy anticipation. Facing Death Triangle for the AEW Trios Titles, fans expected fireworks — and they got them.
This match was pure adrenaline. Omega and the Bucks unleashed their signature fast-paced, innovative offense, while Pac, Penta, and Fénix matched them step for step. The chemistry between these six men was undeniable, and the result was a breathtaking showcase of what trios wrestling could be on a big stage.
The finish, with Pac using a hammer to give his team the win, sparked outrage but also set the stage for a legendary Best of Seven series between the two factions. In retrospect, this was less about one match and more about kicking off a feud that dominated AEW programming for weeks. Still, as a stand-alone bout, it remains one of the most exhilarating contests in Full Gear history.
3. Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm (Women’s World Championship, 2022)
For years, AEW’s women’s division struggled to find its breakout moment. Full Gear 2022 delivered it. Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter went to war in a match that was stiff, physical, and refreshingly different from the division’s usual offerings.
Both women hit hard, laying in strikes that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a NJPW ring. The crowd, fully behind Hayter, roared with every near fall. When she finally scored the win, the reaction was thunderous. This wasn’t just a great match — it was the night Jamie Hayter became a star.
In hindsight, this match helped shift perceptions of AEW’s women’s division. For once, the women stole the show at a major PPV, proving they could deliver just as much drama, emotion, and intensity as the men.
2. MJF vs. Jon Moxley (World Championship, 2022)
The coronation of MJF was always inevitable. At Full Gear 2022, it finally happened. Facing Jon Moxley, the backbone of AEW during its turbulent stretches, MJF leaned into every dirty trick in the book.
The match was heated, physical, and drenched in drama. The shock moment came when William Regal slid brass knuckles to MJF, betraying Moxley and aligning with the brash young star. The crowd reaction was a mix of shock, anger, and awe — exactly the emotional cocktail AEW wanted.
This wasn’t just another title change. It was a statement that AEW was officially entering the “MJF Era.” From here, the company’s most polarizing figure had the belt, and nothing would be the same.
1. Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Adam Page (World Title Eliminator Final, 2020)
Before Page could have his crowning moment in 2021, he had to fall. Full Gear 2020 delivered that in heartbreaking fashion. The World Title Eliminator Final pitted Page against Omega, his former partner and friend. Fans knew the stakes: the winner would move on to a championship shot, while the loser would be left behind.
What unfolded was a classic. Omega wrestled with ruthless precision, showing hints of the arrogance and cruelty that would define his heel championship run. Page fought valiantly, but his demons — his self-doubt, his desperation — bubbled beneath the surface. In the end, Omega triumphed clean, setting the stage for his run as “The Cleaner” and pushing Page further down his redemption arc.
Looking back, this is the match that made Hangman’s eventual win in 2021 so powerful. Without this loss, that victory wouldn’t have carried the same weight. It was storytelling at its finest: the setback that made the eventual triumph unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
In just a handful of years, Full Gear has built a legacy as AEW’s “storytelling PPV.” These ten matches aren’t just great bouts — they’re chapters in AEW’s larger narrative, each one shaping the company’s direction.
From Omega and Page’s long arc, to MJF’s coronation, to Jamie Hayter’s rise, Full Gear has proven to be the show where AEW makes history. If AEW lasts decades, fans will look back at these matches the way WWE fans look back at WrestleMania classics — as the moments that defined an era.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
