AEW Full Gear 2025 Discussion

[LaGoosh]

You know how before they went to two nights and they felt like they had to get absolutely everyone on the Wrestlemania card regardless of whether it made any sense to do so? Well AEW now books every PPV like that. 

[Kamran]

46 minutes ago, LaGoosh said:

You know how before they went to two nights and they felt like they had to get absolutely everyone on the Wrestlemania card regardless of whether it made any sense to do so? Well AEW now books every PPV like that. 

I remember thinking something similar when I was at Forbidden Door, on the pre-show alone they had around 30 wrestlers. I did wonder if it could partly be down to how some AEW contracts might be drawn up. Considering the size of the roster, I imagine there are quite a few on a low guaranteed amount which is boosted by TV/PPV appearances. Plus TK always seem to think that by stacking the card/length of a PPV it's more value for your money. I always enjoy the PPVs but I can't even remember the last one I watched in one go, I always have to split them into 2 or 3 (All In) parts which really helps.

That said, I've bought this (along with Worlds End), there is nothing in particular that I'm really looking forward to but I'm sure I'll enjoy it anyway 😄

[The King of Old School]

It's such a shame really.

Could kind of understand it when there were 4 a year, but now they are monthly it just isnt necessary.

Let things breathe a bit.

[Supremo]

Tony Khan has never seen a regular bag of Maltesers in his life.

Family Share Bag, every time.

[Infinity Land]

44 minutes ago, Kamran said:

I remember thinking something similar when I was at Forbidden Door, on the pre-show alone they had around 30 wrestlers. I did wonder if it could partly be down to how some AEW contracts might be drawn up. Considering the size of the roster, I imagine there are quite a few on a low guaranteed amount which is boosted by TV/PPV appearances. Plus TK always seem to think that by stacking the card/length of a PPV it's more value for your money. I always enjoy the PPVs but I can't even remember the last one I watched in one go, I always have to split them into 2 or 3 (All In) parts which really helps.

That said, I've bought this (along with Worlds End), there is nothing in particular that I'm really looking forward to but I'm sure I'll enjoy it anyway 😄

This is just who he is. And it's not just PPVs, we just don't see it all week-to-week. I think it was this Wednesday, even with a 3hr block of TV, There was a 20 minute overrun. Plus some ROH matches 

The double tapings of Dynamite/Collision can still have dark/ROH matches and go 5 hours. Even a standalone Dynamite or Collision. There can be an overrun means 2+hours of TV and whatever dark/ROH matches that see the live event go over 4 hours. 

[HarmonicGenerator]

12 minutes ago, Infinity Land said:

This is just who he is. And it's not just PPVs, we just don't see it all week-to-week. I think it was this Wednesday, even with a 3hr block of TV, There was a 20 minute overrun. Plus some ROH matches 

The double tapings of Dynamite/Collision can still have dark/ROH matches and go 5 hours. Even a standalone Dynamite or Collision. There can be an overrun means 2+hours of TV and whatever dark/ROH matches that see the live event go over 4 hours. 

This is why, instead of excitement, my heart sank a bit when I read on here that Manchester will be a Dynamite/Collision taping. Glasgow in August was fun but it went on for ages. Three ROH matches from 6.30pm before the taping even started, we left at 11pm and there was still a match and a half of Collision left to go. I didn’t feel it as much at Wembley because every match at least had had some build towards it, but when it’s TV, especially Collision, so many feel like they’re just happening because. It was too much and I’m already thinking we’ll leave Manchester before the end.

[Infinity Land]

23 minutes ago, HarmonicGenerator said:

This is why, instead of excitement, my heart sank a bit when I read on here that Manchester will be a Dynamite/Collision taping. Glasgow in August was fun but it went on for ages. Three ROH matches from 6.30pm before the taping even started, we left at 11pm and there was still a match and a half of Collision left to go. I didn’t feel it as much at Wembley because every match at least had had some build towards it, but when it’s TV, especially Collision, so many feel like they’re just happening because. It was too much and I’m already thinking we’ll leave Manchester before the end.

With Manchester what could give it some interest is the C2. It's matches for matches sake, but should at least be with the better known people with their best effort. As the tickets are already over 8k it's going to be one of the higher attended shows of the year. Although that could mean a 30 minute draw 🙃

 

[LaGoosh]

2 hours ago, Infinity Land said:

The double tapings of Dynamite/Collision can still have dark/ROH matches and go 5 hours

I feel like this is an overlooked potential cause of smaller crowds at TV. They put on good shows but 5 hours on a Wednesday night is brutal. When AEW return to an area a year later it doesn't surprise me that they usually draw less.

[Infinity Land]

26 minutes ago, LaGoosh said:

I feel like this is an overlooked potential cause of smaller crowds at TV. They put on good shows but 5 hours on a Wednesday night is brutal. When AEW return to an area a year later it doesn't surprise me that they usually draw less.

I'm sure they're well aware it's a common complaint. It's even happened with PPVs where matches won't finish until after midnight.

The drop-off during marathon tapings I feel played a bigger part in the move to halls/theatres this year. Rather the thousand "sickos" that will stay through the entire show (or make adjustments on the fly) than cater to the 3-4k casual crowd.

[Supremo]

First time I’ve heard about Manchester being a double taping, with Collision added against my will!

At least it means I’m more likely to see Eddie Kingston. After which I’ll head for an early train.

EDIT: to add some positivity to this thread, I’ve looked through the card and tried to think of the daftest directions that could add some much needed life to this company.

Hangman wins. The Opps attack afterwards. Swerve returns to save him. They shake hands. The Mogul Cowboys!

Double J wins the National Title. Brings it home to the UK next month. Bree Woo!

The British Bulldog throws a bin that hits Eddie Kingston in the head. Eddie and the viewing audience forget the last few months. Eddie returns as a top singles star on Wednesday.

Mark Briscoe loses. Joins the Don Callis Family. Is forced to wear a three-piece suit from now onwards. Don Callis sells the farm.

Mercedes wins the World Title. We start the build to Willow eventually beating her.

FTR win the Tag Titles after Bandido’s Nan turns heel.

Edited November 22, 2025 by Supremo

[Kamran]

Zero Hour begins in about 1 hour:

The Full Gear Tailgate Brawl begins on Triller at the same time.

[RedTwoster]

I’ve not watched the show - dull card and all that - but I don’t have to, to know that putting the title on Samoa Joe again is a horrendous decision. The guy has absolutely no momentum. If you’re going to do a surprise title change, there are plenty of better options on that roster. 

The only positive I can take from this is that the Kingston/Hook team is clearly dead, but I don’t think a Hook heel turn serves anyone, really. 

Keeping the title on Statlander is also a bad choice. The World title always being the one that eludes Mercedes is an interesting story, and good for her for putting Stat over; but they’re backing the wrong wrestler to elevate as a main event babyface. If she turns soon, I’ll maybe revise my opinion. A title feud with Willow could be interesting, I guess.

[DavidB6937]

Oh how I hoped this was Hangman's time for a decent title run. Clearly I was wrong.

[FLips]

2 minutes ago, DavidB6937 said:

Oh how I hoped this was Hangman's time for a decent title run. Clearly I was wrong.

AEW doesn’t have the heels for Hangman to have a good run. Their biggest heel is not only the one Hangman beat for the belt, but is in the middle of a storyline where he can’t stop tapping out to anyone and everyone.

AEW is great at the chase but they couldn’t book a title run if their lives depended on it. That doesn’t just apply to the world title either.

[Chili]

1 minute ago, FLips said:

AEW is great at the chase but they couldn’t book a title run if their lives depended on it. That doesn’t just apply to the world title either.

Orange Cassidy with one of the best babyface title runs ever says hello with bells on, but your point on majority still stands.