13 Match Star Ratings For AEW Full Gear 2022
5. Wardlow Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Powerhouse Hobbs - AEW TNT Title Match
Ultimately, this was a major disappointment - not remotely what was expected when Powerhouse Hobbs first targeted Wardlow.
Samoa Joe's inclusion in the match almost ruined it entirely. It's a sad thing to write this down, since he was once the coolest and most formidable wrestler on the face of the planet, but he's thrashed now. And it's just the sluggish pace with which he wrestles; he blew more than one spot here in a bleak indication that even his somewhat underrated WWE main roster gear has deserted him in 2022.
The match wasn't a crushing disappointment for the entire duration; Wardlow's incredulous aerial work was tremendous, and to be fair to Joe, he took a header into the barricade that was up there with one of the highlights of the entire night, but this suffered from a lack of flow and cohesion and, crucially, a sense of fun and danger. It was difficult to get into this as an inhuman monster mash spectacle when one monster's aura frittered away throughout.
The finish also brought into focus the eye-rolling episodic contrivance that is a multi-man contest. Wardlow will get the chance to win his title back, undoubtedly, but in a development woefully lacking in sporting values, he will only do so to fill out a few weeks of telly.
Star Rating: ★★¾