When Samoa Joe dropped "Hangman" Adam Page with a devastating Coquina Clutch inside the steel cage at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the crowd erupted—not just for the title change, but for the culmination of a feud that had burned for months. It was Saturday, November 22, 2025, and AEW Full Gear 2025Prudential Center delivered its most visceral main event in years. Joe didn’t just win the AEW World Championship; he reclaimed his place as the most feared force in professional wrestling.
The Cage That Changed Everything
The steel cage wasn’t just a structure—it was a symbol. For weeks, Page had mocked Joe’s age, his past, his legacy. "You’re a relic," he’d say on camera, smirking. But in that cage, with the ropes gone and the only escape a 20-foot climb, there was no room for words. Just muscle, will, and the raw truth of who still commands respect in the ring. Joe weathered Page’s high-flying desperation, absorbed a superplex off the top, and then, with the crowd screaming, locked in the Coquina Clutch—his signature chokehold—while Page’s fingers scraped the cage wall. One final twist. A limp body. The ref’s hand slapped the mat. Joe had done it. His third AEW world title reign. His first since 2021.A Night of Firsts and Legacies
While Joe’s win stole the spotlight, the night was packed with milestones. Ricochet entered the 12-Man Casino Gauntlet Match at position #3 and emerged as the inaugural AEW National Champion after pinning Kevin Knight—a surprise finish that sent shockwaves through the locker room. The gauntlet, with 12 men entering in staggered intervals, had been hyped as the most chaotic match in AEW history. Bobby Lashley and Claudio Castagnoli nearly stole the show with their brutal exchanges, but Ricochet’s speed and timing sealed it.Mark Briscoe also etched his name into AEW lore, defeating Kyle Fletcher in a No Disqualification TNT Championship match. The stipulation? Lose, and Briscoe leaves The Briscoe Brothers. He didn’t just win—he honored his late brother Jay, raising the title high as pyro exploded behind him. It was one of those rare moments where wrestling transcends entertainment and becomes tribute.
Tag Team Glory and a Bloody Rivalry
FTR—Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler—did the unthinkable: they tied the record for most AEW World Tag Team Championship reigns with three. Their win over Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) was a masterclass in psychology. They baited King into a reckless dive, then hit the Money Shot right on the steel steps. The crowd chanted "F-T-R!" like a war cry. This wasn’t just a title win—it was a statement.And then there was the No Holds Barred match between Kyle O’Reilly and Jon Moxley. Chains, kendo sticks, even a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire. O’Reilly, the cold technician, trapped Moxley in a chain-assisted ankle lock that left the crowd gasping. Moxley, bleeding from his forehead, somehow got to his feet—just to collapse again. The aftermath? Moxley stood, swaying, staring at O’Reilly as the lights dimmed. No words. Just silence. The Death Riders had been broken. Again.
The Return, The Rebirth, The Ripples
The night’s most emotional moment came not in a match, but in a spotlight. Swerve Strickland returned to AEW programming for the first time since his controversial exit in 2024. He appeared on the titantron, smirking, holding a microphone. "You thought you got rid of me?" he said. "You just made me better." The arena exploded. Fans didn’t just cheer—they screamed. This wasn’t just a return—it was a declaration of war on the current order.The Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Moné bout for the AEW Women’s World Championship was a technical masterpiece. Statlander retained with a springboard moonsault into a dragon suplex, but the real story was the post-match embrace. Moné, once a dominant force, now looked at Statlander with something new: respect.
What’s Next? The Calendar Doesn’t Wait
With Full Gear in the rearview, AEW’s next stop is Winter Is Coming on December 11, 2025. But the fallout from this night will echo far beyond that. Joe’s reign begins now—with Page, Moxley, and Strickland all vying for his title. The National Championship is a new wildcard. FTR’s dominance has set up a potential rematch with The Acclaimed. And with the Briscoe legacy now tied to TNT gold, the tag team division has a new direction.AEW didn’t just put on a show. It reset its entire hierarchy. The old guard? Still standing. The new? Fighting to take over. And the fans? They’re already counting down to the next explosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Samoa Joe win the AEW World Championship after losing it in 2021?
Joe lost the title to Kenny Omega in 2021 after a controversial finish, and spent the next few years in WWE before returning to AEW in 2024. His 2025 victory at Full Gear was his third reign, tying him with Chris Jericho for most AEW World Championship wins. He won by forcing Page to submit with the Coquina Clutch inside a steel cage, a stipulation chosen to prevent outside interference—a key factor in his previous title losses.
Who is Ricochet, and why is winning the AEW National Championship significant?
Ricochet, real name T.J. Rico Blankenship, is a high-flying veteran with stints in WWE, NJPW, and IMPACT Wrestling. Winning the inaugural AEW National Championship in the 12-man Casino Gauntlet Match elevates him to a top-tier singles competitor in AEW. The title was created to fill a gap between the World and Tag Team divisions, and Ricochet’s win—after eliminating Kevin Knight—signals AEW’s intent to build a new generation of stars.
Why was Swerve Strickland’s return such a big deal?
Strickland left AEW in early 2024 after a public dispute with management, and was presumed gone for good. His return—without explanation, without apology—signals a major power shift. He’s the former AEW International Champion and a former top babyface. His cryptic promo suggests he’s targeting Samoa Joe’s title or possibly taking over as Head of Creative, a role currently held by Tony Khan.
What’s the significance of FTR tying the tag team title record?
FTR’s third reign ties them with The Young Bucks for the most AEW World Tag Team Championship wins. This marks them as the most successful tag team in AEW history. Their win over Brodido wasn’t just about titles—it was about legacy. With Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler both in their 30s, this reign could be their final statement as a team, making their dominance even more poignant.
How does the AEW National Championship fit into the company’s hierarchy?
The AEW National Championship was created as a mid-card title positioned between the TNT Championship and the World Championship. Unlike the TNT belt, which is often defended in TV matches, the National Championship is reserved for PPV main events and gauntlet matches. Ricochet’s win sets up future contenders like Daniel Garcia and Roderick Strong, who were eliminated earlier in the gauntlet and are now positioned as top challengers.
What does Kyle O’Reilly’s win over Jon Moxley mean for The Death Riders?
O’Reilly’s victory—using a chain-assisted ankle lock—was a personal triumph. He was once Moxley’s protégé and tag team partner in The Undisputed Era. This win fractured The Death Riders, who were already weakened after losing Claudio Castagnoli to injury. Moxley’s post-match silence suggests he may retire or take a hiatus, opening the door for O’Reilly to lead a new faction—or even challenge for the World Championship himself.
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