25 Best Wrestling Shows EVER
10. AEW Full Gear 2021
Full Gear 2021 was not perfect.
The Inner Circle Vs. Dan Lambert’s lads was as ugly as the problematic build at certain points, and went at least five minutes too long. FTR and the Lucha Bros. was similarly uneven. The two teams never had great chemistry, and only properly clicked in select sequences. The action in Cody Rhodes & PAC Vs. Andrade el Idolo & Malakai Black was often very good, but look at that collection of names. This ‘Codyverse’ business was one of the first signs that AEW had signed far too many wrestlers, who were thus doomed to wrestle contrived, inessential and plain weird matches.
It was indescribably great when it peaked, though.
The Superkliq Vs. Christian Cage & Jurassic Express was a crazed and thrilling trios match that concluded with almost sweet character development. Jungle Boy finally learned how to be a man and fight fire with fire.
MJF Vs. Darby Allin was a breathless technical masterclass surging with motivation. Both men seemed adamant that the best free agent signing spree in history would not hold them down.
Those free agents, meanwhile, earned the money and the hype. Adam Cole had one of his best nights in an AEW ring. Bryan Danielson was near his strategic babyface best when he chopped down Miro.
CM Punk defeated Eddie Kingston in an hilarious, pissy, thoroughly believable 10-minute brawl. It was electrifying and, in an age of endless long matches, almost profoundly refreshing - a totally fat-free blast of pure hatred and entertainment, as self-assured as any match ever.
And then, in the main event, the main character finally dethroned the final boss. AEW fans had waited years for Hangman Page to beat Kenny Omega. Their trust and investment was rewarded with a pulsating, feel-good match measured to utter perfection.