13 Match Star Ratings For AEW Full Gear 2022
12. ZERO HOUR: Brian Cage Vs. Ricky Starks
This was very good.
The two men loathe one another, or are at least superb in making you think that. The most one-sided social media feud ever - and that somehow includes Kevin Owens Vs. Alex Riley - erupted immediately in a hot brawl. Everything was laid in nicely here.
The heat sequence was compelling. Starks committed to the storyline injury - the visual of the taped ribs is always effective when the talent knows that they only serve to enhance the performance - and Starks is great at crumpling his body into positions of agony. It's a shame that the match took place here through a situation beyond AEW's control; fans aren't prepared to truly invest in a heroic performance in the context of a pre-show. As good as this was, it would have made for a better televised main event.
Starks was so good in small, nuanced ways. He clutched his back the second he successfully executed moves, and in a great, different approach to NXT Face, he looked at the camera with "F*ck's sake, what else do I have to do?" expression. It was one of the better kick-out faces seen in years. He wasn't in stunned, fake disbelief. That's the key. He knew he was in a fight and almost resented still being in it. Because it hurts.
It was a vulnerable moment that put Cage over huge in defeat.
Star Rating: ★★★¼