12 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Full Gear

1. A Most Divisive Deathmatch

Jon Moxley
AEW

Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley will likely prove one of the year's most divisive matches, and while there was certainly plenty of good amongst what the duo brought to the table (more on that later), it felt like they gave us the least interesting version of what this bout could have been.

They delivered a deathmatch, but not even a particularly interesting deathmatch. More an escalating series of brutal, stomach-churning weapon spots than anything else, it provided plenty in the way of grisly visuals, but little else, and it didn't always connect in the building either, with some of the most violent moments seemingly playing out to hushed crowd responses.

The bout's tone didn't feel right for Omega's character either. While 'The Cleaner' has shown an increased willingness to get his hands dirty in recent angles and promos, to go from 'Best Bout Machine' to deathmatch lunatic in just a few weeks felt like a stretch. It felt unnatural. Creative thinking and head-canoning can fill in the blanks where AEW's storytelling failed, but Kenny's sudden transformation didn't hit the mark.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.