We're less than a week away from the third edition of AEW Full Gear, which will emanate from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Given it will be the promotion's last marquee pay-per-view of the year, fans are in a frenzy over the possibility of seeing shocking swerves. Tony Khan will have a tough time topping the shocking debuts of Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson at All Out a few months ago. Still, with multiple ex-WWE stars on the open market, he could be hiding a big name up his sleeve.
Otherwise, the company has lined up an exhilarating match card, which will ensure Full Gear delivers a star-studded show. A total of eight matches so far will go down this weekend, including three high-profile championship bouts.
With so much on the table, fans will be in for a collective display of entertainment and emotion. Now let's quickly get down to five bold predictions for this year's Full Gear pay-per-view.
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#5 Bray Wyatt or Braun Strowman makes their AEW debut
Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman are two of the hottest free agents in pro wrestling today. There's no doubt that AEW currently holds the most stacked roster, but it would be a missed opportunity if Khan doesn't bring in at least one of these stars.
IMPACT Wrestling has already shown interest in signing both former WWE Universal Champions. There were plans in place to bring Strowman to the Bound For Glory pay-per-view last month, but the two parties failed to reach an agreement. That being said, AEW now seems like it's the best option for the big man.
Meanwhile, Khan has also hinted at signing Wyatt. With Full Gear being AEW's final pay-per-view of 2021, it seems like a now or never situation for the potential arrivals of Strowman and Wyatt.
Both men have enough star power to bolster AEW's ratings moving forward. While some may say that Strowman does not perfectly fit with the company's roster, Wyatt's creative genius in and out of the ring could be a game-changer for Khan's promotion.
If either of the two men showed up at Full Gear to put the entire locker room on notice, the wrestling world would certainly start buzzing.
#4 Hangman Page dethrones Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship
Will Hangman Page fulfill his prophecy of becoming the AEW World Champion at Full Gear? One of the most high-stakes and potentially landscape-changing matches will go down this Saturday when Kenny Omega puts his coveted prize on the line against The Cowboy.
Despite The Cleaner's dominant booking since last year, his reign could come to an end at Full Gear. Page seems laser-focused, and it finally looks like he's ready to carry the company on its back.
There's no doubt that Omega has done a tremendous job as world champion, but the main event scene desperately needs a shake-up at the moment. Still, with the recent additions of CM Punk and Bryan Danielson, many veterans have opposed a potential title change in favor of Page.
This pay-per-view could be the last opportunity for the company to make Page a megastar in this match. Given that the Page-Omega feud has featured friendship, betrayal, and drama, it would make perfect sense for The Cowboy to finish his redemption story on Saturday.
#3 Miro becomes #1 contender for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear
Miro defeating Bryan Danielson at AEW Full Gear is a long shot, and the company would stun its fans with this outcome. Although this swerve would hand Bryan his first singles loss in AEW, a win over the former WWE Champion would elevate Miro's position in the company.
Practically everyone is expecting The American Dragon to become the #1 contender on Saturday. But it would be too early for him to enter the main event picture, considering the possible backlash from fans. Plus, if Hangman Page wins the world title, he should feud with a top heel, not an immensely over babyface like Danielson.
Miro, who has an impressive singles record, rightfully deserves to be pushed into the world title picture. He once defeated Bryan on an episode of WWE SmackDown a few years ago, so fans wouldn't mind seeing him repeat history this Saturday. With his gimmick as God's favorite champion gimmick, Miro has the potential to become one of the most popular acts in AEW.
#2 Eddie Kingston turns heel after coming up short against CM Punk
Eddie Kingston and CM Punk have generated a lot of buzz ahead of their impending clash at AEW Full Gear. However, for some reason, the feud seems to be lacking something. Because both men are babyfaces, something isn't quite clicking with this storyline.
Ppitting two babyfaces against each another isn't inherently a problem, but a heel turn during the feud could make the rivalry between Punk and Kingston even more personal.
It's unlikely that The Straight Edge Superstar will embrace a heel persona this soon after his debut. But The Mad King could take his career to new heights if he turns heel. Previous reports have suggested that Kingston's character is moving in this direction anyway.
Punk will likely to maintain his undefeated streak with a win at Full Gear. If he does, Kingston could unleash his dark side by attacking Punk after the match. In doing so, AEW would prolong the feud between the two stars and spice up Kingston's character.
#1 Wardlow accidentally costs MJF his match against Darby Allin at AEW Full Gear
Wardlow turning on MJF in his match against Darby Allin would be like killing two birds with one stone. This finish would allow the former AEW TNT Champion to pick up a massive victory and launch a long-awaited program between Mr. Friedman and his enforcer, Wardlow.
For almost a year, the company has been teasing a rift between The Pinnacle members. MJF, in his ongoing rivalry against Allin, has often let Wardlow take the beatdown instead of him. He has also blamed the powerhouses over his losses, so there's clearly some tension between the two men.
Because AEW Full Gear is a high-profile show, Tony Khan might use the opportunity to begin this buzzworthy feud. If Wardlow does betray MJF, this decision would mark the beginning of an intense storyline between The Pinnacle members.