AEW Full Gear 2022: Reliving The Championship Clashes
There is a specific kind of fatigue that sets in during the winter months of professional wrestling. The travel schedule is grueling, the weather is often an adversary, and the roster is usually wound tighter than a drum. Yet, somehow, All Elite Wrestling’s Full Gear 2022 managed to punch through that seasonal haze with clarity, emotion, and some of the most well-crafted storytelling of the entire year. Held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this event wasn’t just another stop on the calendar. It was a pivotal moment where legacies were cemented, rivals found resolution, and the grand landscape of the promotion shifted under the weight of its own momentum.
When we talk about Full Gear 2022, we aren’t just recalling a list of results. We’re unpacking an evening dedicated to pure, unadulterated competition. The card featured six distinct championships on the line, a rarity that forced every match to carry narrative weight. There was no filler. No soft openers. Just straight-to-business wrestling that respected both the athletes and the audience. If you missed it the first time, or if you simply want to revisit the highlights without pouring through hours of footage, here is look back at what made this particular night stand out.
The Main Event: A Final Chapter
You cannot discuss Full Gear 2022 without starting with the men’s AEW World Championship match. The dynamic between Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley had been the backbone of the company for years. By this point, their rivalry was no longer about talent; it was deeply personal, rooted in trust, betrayal, and a complicated friendship that only they understood. This match in Brooklyn felt like the end of an era.
The stipulation added a layer of psychological warfare that permeated the entire entrance and pre-match segment. Omega was forbidden from using his finishing V-Triger or the One-Winged Angel, while Moxley couldn’t hit his Death Rider. It was a disarmament treaty in a war zone. They leaned on their fundamentals, trading heavy strikes and showcasing a physicality that bordered on brutal. Moxley’s dominance early on contrasted sharply with Omega’s resilience later. When Omega finally made the pinfall, it wasn’t just a win. It was a statement that he was stepping up to the top of the card, not just as the "Best Bout Machine," but as a transformative force ready to lead the company into a new phase.
The emotional weight of the aftermath was palpable. The handshake, the tears, the mutual respect—it all played out without a word of dialogue, which is often the most honest form of communication in wrestling.
Women’s Title Turmoil: A War of Ideologies
While the men’s final chapter was closing, the women’s division was heating up with a clash of starkly different personalities. MJ held the Rampage Championship, but the TBS Title was up for grabs in a match that pitted "The Queen" Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. against "The Menace" Mariah May. This was a story about public image versus raw aggression, curated elegance versus the power of a chaotic punch.
Baker D.M.D. had built her brand on being unbothered, a queen sitting on a throne of indifference. Mariah May, on the other hand, represented a visceral, almost primal force of nature. The environment at the Barclays Center was electric, fueled by the contrast between the two competitors. May’s offense was terrifying—high-impact strikes and relentless momentum that seemed to defy the size difference. But Baker’s experience and cold calculation ultimately prevailed.
The finish was a masterclass in reversal psychology. The chokehold submission was painful to watch, drawing gasps from the crowd, but it highlighted Baker’s tactical approach to holding onto gold. She didn't just win the match; she reinforced her standing as a manager who steps into the ring when necessary, proving she is far more than just Dr. Britt’s sidekick.
Reliance on Legacy Storylines
One of the defining characteristics of Full Gear 2022 was its willingness to give space to legacy dynamics. The match between Adam Page and Mustafa Ali for the Triple Crown legacy was a technical marvel, but it was the tag team main event that set the tone for the evening’s other major plot threads. The Young Bucks had to defend their TBS Tag Team Titles against the Lucha Brothers. This was a nostalgia trip for die-hard fans, but it wasn’t treated as a relic of the past.
Keeping this match off the official main card initially worried some fans, but the in-ring work ethic was undeniable. The high-flying, dangerous nature of the kick-out kick on the outside by Pentagón Jr. against Kenny Omega years ago was an inspiration. See how the creative team evolved that same energy here? They elevated the stakes through sheer athleticism and environmental hazards. The brass knuckles, the chairs, and the sheer number of spots packed into that match signaled that these teams were putting their bodies on the line for a spot in history.
Undisputed And The Future Of The Middleweights
Murphy and Powerhouse Hobbs’ run for the TNT Championship provided a nice break in the high-stakes drama, offering a crowd-pleasing brawling match that showcased Hobbs’ improving athleticism and Murphy’s unkillable spirit. Hobbs, transitioning from a full-time in-ring performer to a more on-screen role, proved he could still cut the checks. When Murphy tapped Hobbs out in the corner, it was a perfect moment for the villain to suffer a technical defeat, raising the stakes for future challenges.
Throughout the night, the production quality matched the intensity of the ring work. The lighting, the camera angles, and the commentary from Excalibur, Taz, and Jim Ross elevated every near-fall and comeback. It felt professional. It felt expensive. It felt like the culmination of two years of hard work.
Full Gear 2022 was a reminder that AEW doesn’t need spectacle just for spectacle’s sake. It needs story, it needs stakes, and above all, it needs chemistry. This event had plenty of all three. It was a definitive answer to the critics who questioned the promotion’s longevity in the winter slot. They showed up, they put on shows, and they delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won the AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2022?
Kenny Omega defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW World Championship. The match was the main event of the card and featured a special stipulation forbidding both wrestlers from using their signature finishing moves.
- Why was the main event at Full Gear 2022 significant?
Beyond the high-level wrestling, it represented the end of a long-running personal feud between Omega and Moxley. The emotional aftermath and the stipulation made it one of the most memorable championships matches in AEW history, marking a shift in the company's hierarchy.
- Was there a surprise victory on the main card?
While the main event and women's title match ended as many predicted, the card was streamlined and consistent. The Lucha Brothers defending the tag titles against The Young Bucks provided a high-energy classic that often gets overlooked in main event discussions.
- Could Jon Moxley use his finisher in the main event?
No. The match had a unique stipulation where neither competitor could use their primary finisher (V-Triger for Omega, Death Rider for Moxley). This forced them to rely on their striking and grappling skills, leading to a physically punishing contest.
