8 Match Star Ratings For AEW Full Gear

3. The Young Bucks Vs. Proud-N-Powerful

A great match different to the accelerated Dynamite norm, this was a welcome return to the Young Bucks of 2018.

That was the year in which the Bucks, in a great f*ck you flex, experimented with more traditional selling and match structure. This continuation of that form saw Nick Jackson somehow conspire to not fracture his shinbone in an incredibly-painful looking swing-and-a-miss kick to the ring post spot.

This marked the turning point of a match that had hinged on mirrored sequence synergy to immediately position Santana and Ortiz on their level. A familiar story beat, this worked through the power of their performances; Santana looked imposing and formidable, whereas Ortiz stole the match with his hilarious taunts.

That was until Nick Jackson formed its emotional core with a next-level selling performance. He looked agonised, and that agony informed some excellent hesitation, fire-up, and pratfall spots. If this doesn't convince you that these men can suspend disbelief and work a credible style, consider this: in a great, uplifting post-match angle, the 63 year-old Ricky Morton did more crazy spots than either Jackson.

The long duration and sudden finish deprived us of a true classic, but this was a tremendous match, all the same.

Star Rating: ★★★★