November 27, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW Full Gear review, PFL/Bellator deal
AEW ran a polarizing Full Gear show on 11/18 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles built around a show-long storyline of MJF being injured early in the show, going out on a stretcher, a tease that Adam Cole on crutches would be facing Jay White for the AEW title, and then MJF returned and retained his title.
The show also saw a gruesome match with Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page, which was both a match of the year candidate and among the best Texas death matches in history. It was at the same time something you’d be embarrassed to show family and friends and brought up some booking questions as well.
The show also featured the announcement of Will Ospreay having signed a multi-year contract with the promotion. While AEW has struggled with numbers badly on the weekend shows and has not yet closed a new television or streaming deal, when it comes to battles for the top free agent or soon-to-be free agent talent in recent months, AEW has fared extremely well.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.