After a heated buildup and intense rivalry, Will Ospreay remained AEW World Champion at Full Gear on Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona. His victory also set the stage for a former champion, MJF, to reemerge and reclaim his place in the title picture.
Ospreay pinned Kyle Fletcher in the main event of the five-hour card. He battered a bloodied Fletcher in the closing minutes, but a Hidden Blade attempt went awry when Fletcher dropped to the mat; Fletcher then countered with a small package. Ospreay answered with a Hidden Blade and a Storm Breaker for a two count, removed his elbow pad, and saw Fletcher counter with a backslide for another near fall.
Ospreay connected with a kick that Fletcher kicked out of at one, then finished the match with a Hidden Blade and a Tiger Driver to secure the pin.
Fletcher was bloodied late in the contest after landing headfirst on the top turnbuckle when Ospreay countered a brainbuster attempt and followed with a Hidden Blade.
With the win, Ospreay earned his fourth successful title defense since first capturing the championship at August’s All In. He is now 4-1 against Fletcher in AEW and 6-1 all-time.
After the match, Ospreay celebrated in the ring as his United Empire teammates headed to the back. A man dressed entirely in black and wearing a ski mask ran in and laid him out from behind. The assailant was revealed to be former AEW World Champion MJF, who had not been seen in AEW since All In. MJF then displayed his own version of the AEW World title, holding it high and standing over Ospreay as the show ended.
