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AEW Full Gear
View on Wikipedia| AEW Full Gear | |
|---|---|
AEW Full Gear logo | |
| Promotions | All Elite Wrestling |
| First event | 2019 |
AEW Full Gear is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Established in 2019, it is held annually in November. The name of the event is a reference to a segment from the YouTube series Being The Elite involving AEW wrestler "Hangman" Adam Page. It is one of AEW's "Big Five" events, along with All In, All Out, Double or Nothing, and Revolution.
History
[edit]Shortly after the formation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2019, a recurring segment of The Young Bucks' (AEW Executive Vice Presidents Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) YouTube series Being The Elite began. The segments revolved around AEW wrestler "Hangman" Adam Page, who was always in his full ring gear. The 135th episode of Being The Elite, which was uploaded on January 31, 2019, was in turn titled "Full Gear".[1]
AEW in turn took the title and used it for their November 2019 pay-per-view (PPV) event. The inaugural Full Gear PPV took place on November 9 that year at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.[2] The following year, a second Full Gear was held on November 7, thus establishing Full Gear as an annual PPV for AEW held around Veterans Day—this second event was held at AEW's home base of Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] AEW resumed live touring in July 2021, with the 2021 event held at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[4] The 2022 event was scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, marking AEW's first PPV held in the Tri-State area.[5]
AEW President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Khan referred to Full Gear as being one of the promotion's "Big Four" PPVs, their four biggest shows of the year produced quarterly, along with Double or Nothing, All Out, and Revolution.[6] With All In becoming one of AEW's annual events in 2023, it supplanted Double or Nothing as AEW's marquee event, and overall biggest event of the year, with the previous "big four" plus All In becoming the "big five".[7] Out of the five, Full Gear is the only one that is traditionally held on a Saturday, so as to not counter-program against the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars, which is also owned by the Khan family.[8]
Events
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Full Gear" - Being The Elite Ep. 135. Being The Elite. YouTube. January 21, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Johnson, Mike (August 31, 2019). "AEW Full Gear PPV Announced". PWInsider. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ a b Defelice, Robert (September 5, 2020). "AEW Full Gear 2020 Set For 11/7". Fightful. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (September 27, 2021). "AEW Officially Announces New Location For Full Gear 2021". Fightful. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Defelice, Robert (September 4, 2022). "AEW Announces Date And Location For AEW Full Gear 2022". Fightful. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (November 8, 2020). "Tony Khan Likes AEW's 'Big Four' Pay-Per-View Schedule, Announces 'Beach Break' Special For January". Fightful. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Hayden, Joey (August 16, 2024). "1-on-1 with AEW's Tony Khan: Why All In Texas landed at Globe Life Field and more". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ PWMania.com Staff (August 10, 2023). "Backstage News On Plans For AEW Full Gear Date And Location". PWMania. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
AEW has avoided scheduling pay-per-view events on Sundays in the past because AEW President Tony Khan has stated that he does not want to compete with himself. Khan serves as the Jaguars' Chief Football Strategy Officer, a team owned by his father, AEW lead investor Shahid Khan.
- ^ "All Elite Wrestling Event Results". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ AEW Staff (November 10, 2019). "AEW FULL GEAR Recap November 9, 2019". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ AEW World Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston face off ahead of Full Gear | AEW Dynamite 11/04/20. YouTube.com. All Elite Wrestling. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 27, 2023). "AEW WrestleDream Announced For October 1, AEW Full Gear To Take Place On November 18". Fightful. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ "AEW Announces Remaining Dates and Locations for 2024 Pay-Per-View Events". All Elite Wrestling. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. To Host AEW Full Gear November 22". All Elite Wrestling. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
External links
[edit]AEW Full Gear
View on GrokipediaOverview
Concept and Naming
The name "Full Gear" for All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) annual pay-per-view event originates from a segment in episode 135 of the YouTube series Being the Elite, uploaded on January 21, 2019.[10] In this episode, wrestlers, including Hangman Adam Page, discuss "full gear" in the context of professional wrestling, referring to a performer's complete attire and mental mindset, symbolizing peak physical preparation and intense focus during matches.[10] The term highlights Page's "shredded" appearance and readiness, with his peers encouraging him to embrace this state of total commitment as a mark of professional pride.[10] This conceptual foundation shapes Full Gear's thematic emphasis on high-stakes matches that showcase wrestlers' preparation and intensity, often featuring stipulation bouts like steel cages or ladder matches that test competitors' resolve in their "full gear." Unlike AEW's All Out, which centers on endurance-driven spectacles, or Revolution, known for pivotal title defenses and career-defining encounters, Full Gear prioritizes the raw, gear-centric portrayal of wrestlers at their most determined.[2] The event's branding draws directly from this mindset, positioning it as a platform where performers demonstrate comprehensive readiness beyond standard bouts. Conceived in 2019 as AEW's flagship November event shortly after the promotion's launch, Full Gear was established to fill a key slot in the annual pay-per-view calendar, leveraging the month's timing near Veterans Day for potential thematic ties to resilience and honor in wrestling narratives.[11] The inaugural edition on November 9, 2019, solidified its role as a cornerstone PPV, building momentum ahead of year-end storylines within AEW's broader event strategy.[12]Role in AEW's Schedule
AEW Full Gear holds a prominent position as one of the promotion's "Big Four" pay-per-view events, alongside Double or Nothing, All Out, and Revolution, serving as the fourth major show of the year typically scheduled in November.[13] This quarterly structure allows All Elite Wrestling (AEW) to build anticipation around its flagship events, with Full Gear positioned to cap off the fall season and transition into year-end narratives.[14] In terms of storytelling, Full Gear plays a key role in resolving major feuds developed throughout AEW's weekly Dynamite episodes from summer through fall, frequently headlining world title defenses and high-stakes matches that propel ongoing arcs into the winter period. Early iterations of the event incorporated cross-promotional elements through AEW's partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), featuring wrestlers with ties to both promotions and laying groundwork for future collaborations.[15] Economically, Full Gear contributes significantly to AEW's revenue streams via pay-per-view buys, merchandise sales, and live event gates, with historical buyrates averaging approximately 114,000 across its first five events from 2019 to 2023. For instance, the 2021 edition generated an estimated $7 million in PPV revenue before provider splits, underscoring its importance in sustaining the promotion's expansion from a startup entity to a competitive force in professional wrestling.[16][17]History
Inception and Early Planning
Following the success of AEW's debut pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, on May 25, 2019, which attracted over 11,000 attendees and strong streaming numbers on Bleacher Report Live, the promotion began planning its inaugural slate of quarterly PPVs to capitalize on the momentum and support the upcoming television deal with TNT.[18] The event's name, Full Gear, originated from a recurring segment on the Being the Elite web series featuring executive vice president Adam Page, first titled in episode 135 on January 21, 2019.[10] In July 2019, AEW executives Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes outlined the promotion's PPV roadmap during media appearances and internal discussions, positioning Full Gear as the November anchor to the schedule after Fight for the Fallen in July and All Out in August, aiming to establish AEW as a year-round competitor in professional wrestling. The official announcement came on September 3, 2019, confirming the event for November 9 at Baltimore's Royal Farms Arena, with Khan emphasizing the promotion's commitment to delivering a stacked card amid the excitement from Double or Nothing's financial and critical success.[19][20] Planning Full Gear presented several challenges for the nascent promotion, including securing venues like the 14,000-capacity Royal Farms Arena while building credibility as a new entrant in the industry, where established competitors like WWE dominated major bookings.[19] Budgeting was a key concern, with Khan noting in early interviews the need for prudent financial decisions to avoid overextending resources on talent acquisition and production for a projected 10-12 match card, balancing high-profile signings with sustainable costs.[21] Additionally, AEW navigated talent integration from partner promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), leveraging crossover opportunities through shared executives like Rhodes to bolster the roster without immediate full merger. Pre-event hype was amplified through the Being the Elite series and the debut episodes of AEW Dynamite on October 2, 2019, focusing on marquee storylines such as Chris Jericho's inaugural AEW World Championship reign, won at All Out on August 31, and Jon Moxley's high-stakes arrival and push following his June 2019 debut at Fyter Fest.[10] These platforms built anticipation for key matches, including Jericho defending against Rhodes and Moxley facing Kenny Omega in an unsanctioned bout, positioning Full Gear as a pivotal showcase for AEW's emerging stars and rivalries.[22][20]Evolution and Key Milestones
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the second iteration of AEW Full Gear in 2020, shifting the event to a limited-capacity format at Daily's Place amphitheater in Jacksonville, Florida, where approximately 1,000 socially distanced fans were permitted, marking the largest live audience for an AEW pay-per-view since the onset of restrictions. This adaptation allowed AEW to proceed with live production while adhering to health protocols, setting a precedent for hybrid event formats during the crisis.[23] Following the easing of pandemic restrictions, Full Gear 2021 represented a return to full-capacity crowds, expanding to larger venues such as the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which accommodated over 10,400 attendees in a facility capable of seating more than 18,000 for wrestling events. This resurgence facilitated enhancements to the event structure, including the incorporation of pre-show battle royals to build momentum and increased emphasis on women's division storylines, with prominent title defenses elevating the division's visibility on the card.[24] Subsequent years highlighted key milestones in the event's growth and strategic positioning. In 2022, Full Gear returned to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, establishing it as a recurring "home" venue near AEW's headquarters and enabling a stronger connection to the Tri-State area fanbase. The 2023 edition marked a westward expansion to the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, broadening the event's geographic reach and appealing to West Coast audiences for the first time in the series. By 2024, the event at Prudential Center achieved a record attendance of 10,639 for the Newark market, underscoring sustained demand and production scale. Looking ahead, announcements for the 2025 installment include integrations of new championships, such as the revival of a historic National Championship inspired by 1980s territorial mergers, to enrich the title landscape.[25][26][27][28]Events
Past Events (2019–2024)
AEW Full Gear has been held annually since its inception in 2019, serving as a cornerstone pay-per-view event for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The first six iterations, spanning 2019 to 2024, showcased evolving storytelling, high-stakes matches, and significant championship developments, with attendance growing from modest beginnings to over 12,000 fans in recent years despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][29]| Event | Date | City/Venue | Main Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Gear (2019) | November 9, 2019 | Baltimore, MD / Royal Farms Arena | Jon Moxley def. Kenny Omega (unsanctioned Lights Out match)[30] |
| Full Gear (2020) | November 7, 2020 | Jacksonville, FL / Daily's Place | Jon Moxley def. Eddie Kingston ("I Quit" match for the AEW World Championship) |
| Full Gear (2021) | November 13, 2021 | Minneapolis, MN / Target Center | "Hangman" Adam Page def. Kenny Omega (AEW World Championship)[29] |
| Full Gear (2022) | November 19, 2022 | Newark, NJ / Prudential Center | MJF def. Jon Moxley (AEW World Championship)[31] |
| Full Gear (2023) | November 18, 2023 | Los Angeles, CA / Kia Forum | MJF def. Swerve Strickland (AEW World Championship)[32] |
| Full Gear (2024) | November 23, 2024 | Newark, NJ / Prudential Center | Jon Moxley def. Orange Cassidy (AEW World Championship)[33] |
Upcoming Event (2025)
The 2025 edition of AEW Full Gear is scheduled to take place on November 22, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.[4] The event is promoted as Full Gear presented by DC, stemming from a collaboration between All Elite Wrestling and DC Comics announced on October 1, 2025, which includes comic book crossovers and entertainment-themed integrations to enhance the pay-per-view's appeal.[43] As of November 15, 2025, the preliminary card features several high-profile championship matches built through ongoing storylines on AEW Dynamite and Collision episodes. These include a defense of the AEW World Championship, with champion Hangman Adam Page facing Samoa Joe in a feud intensified by recent confrontations involving The Opps stable.[44] The AEW World Tag Team Championship will see defending champions Brodin (Bandido and Brody King) collide with FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood), continuing a rivalry rooted in tag team division tensions.[45] For the women's division, AEW Women's World Champion Kris Statlander will defend her title against Mercedes Moné, whose ongoing rivalries—highlighted by Moné's dual role as TBS Champion and her aggressive pursuit of top prizes—have been a focal point of recent programming, including tag team tournament fallout and personal betrayals.[28] Additionally, on November 6, 2025, AEW President Tony Khan announced the introduction of the AEW National Championship, a revival of the historic National title lineage from wrestling's past, to be contested in a Casino Gauntlet match crowning the inaugural champion and integrating elements of midcard prestige into the event. The announcement has drawn criticism from the NWA regarding the title's lineage, prompting discussions between AEW President Tony Khan and NWA President Billy Corgan.[46][47] Pre-event hype has been building through AEW's weekly shows, positioning Full Gear as a key installment in the 2025 pay-per-view calendar following WrestleDream in October. Tickets went on sale August 25, 2025, via Ticketmaster, with strong initial demand reported and projections for attendance exceeding 16,000 fans in the venue's configured capacity for wrestling events.[48] This return to Newark follows previous Full Gears in 2022 and 2024 at the same arena, underscoring the location's history with AEW's marquee shows.[49]Production Aspects
Venues and Attendance
AEW Full Gear events have primarily been hosted in mid-sized arenas across the United States, reflecting a strategic focus on accessible markets with strong regional fan bases. The inaugural 2019 event occurred at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, which drew 8,200 attendees. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the show shifted to Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida, where attendance was severely limited to around 1,000 fans to comply with health and safety protocols. The 2021 edition marked a return to fuller capacities at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with 10,442 fans in attendance, serving as an early test of AEW's expansion into Midwestern markets. Subsequent years saw a return to East Coast venues, including the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for both the 2022 event (12,106 attendees) and the 2024 edition (10,639 tickets distributed). The 2023 pay-per-view ventured westward to the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, achieving 12,904 tickets distributed. The upcoming 2025 Full Gear will once again take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, continuing the pattern of frequent East Coast bookings.| Year | Venue | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Royal Farms Arena | Baltimore, MD | 8,200 |
| 2020 | Daily's Place | Jacksonville, FL | ~1,000 |
| 2021 | Target Center | Minneapolis, MN | 10,442 |
| 2022 | Prudential Center | Newark, NJ | 12,106 |
| 2023 | Kia Forum | Inglewood, CA | 12,904 |
| 2024 | Prudential Center | Newark, NJ | 10,639 |
| 2025 | Prudential Center | Newark, NJ | Upcoming |
