Here are notes from Saturday’s AEW Full Gear media scrum, which included the likes of MJF, Will Ospreay, Chris Jericho, Tony Khan, and more.
MJF
- MJF began the presser crying as he cut a promo saying his leg was busted and thanked Adam Cole. He said Jay White was “a piece of s***” but was an incredible athlete. He said he loved wrestling and Saturday’s show gave people so many versions of what pro wrestling can be.
- He also dedicated the match to his grandfather, who passed away three years ago.
- MJF said he didn’t want to defend the AEW title against Samoa Joe, but agreed to defend the ROH Tag Team titles with him because he made a promise to Adam Cole. He teased he may not give Joe a title match as he only verbally agreed to a match.
Will Ospreay
- He said that he signed with AEW because it was the best decision for him and his family. He gets to be one of the best pro wrestlers that’s ever done it and will test himself by being on weekly TV. Said over the last eight years he has matured and now understands the responsibility of being in AEW.
- When asked about a third match with Kenny Omega, Ospreay said he’d like to do it but would also wrestle Andrade El Idolo and Miro. He also mentioned MJF and Jay White as opponents he'd like to face.
- When asked if he considered any other promotion besides AEW, ge said he wanted to hear everyone out, including Impact, but he wanted to do what is best for his family.
Julia Hart
- Says she’s on cloud nine right now and proud of herself. She also mentioned that recent matches with Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue have really elevated her.
- Regarding her quick rise in pro wrestling, Hart said she had about five matches on the independent scene before wrestling on AEW television, so all of her growth has been on AEW television. She said she couldn’t believe she’s doing this at this point in her career.
- She was negative regarding her previous cheerleading gimmick prior to joining The House of Black, saying she wasn’t confident about doing it.
Chris Jericho
- Jericho said Omega was not at the press conference because he went home right away to take care of his sick cat.
- Regarding an injury to his arm, Jericho said that he got ten stitches.
- Jericho talked a lot regarding his match last weekend against Konosuke Takeshita for DDT. He said that he thinks the world of Takeshita, saying he’s so good at such a young age.
- Said he was really glad Ospreay signed with the company, saying Ospreay had had one of the greatest career years ever.
Ricky Starks and Big Bill
- Both Starks and Bill mentioned they had only met each other recently. Starks emphasized they are not tag team wrestlers, they are singles wrestlers that are Tag Team Champions.
- Big Bill opened up about his previous issues with sobriety. He said that thought he was just going to keep living a miserable existence. He credited pro wrestling with helping him become sober. He felt if he could get things together he could make it back to the top of pro wrestling, and now he is one half of the AEW Tag Team Champions, so he did exactly what he thought he’d do. Tony Khan noted this was the first title Big Bill has held in any company.
Orange Cassidy
- Said that beating Jon Moxley was one of his biggest accomplishments, calling Moxley one of the greatest wrestlers ever. He also mentioned defeating Claudio Castagnoli recently.
- Cassidy said that he draws his own stick figures for his entrance.
Tony Khan
- At the start of the media scrum, Khan noted that the pay-per-view numbers were currently trending higher than last month’s WrestleDream event.
- He reiterated the rules for the upcoming Continental Classic tournament. The scoring system will be three points for a win, one point for a draw. He compared it to European football.
- Khan said that the winner of this tournament will unify three different titles: the ROH World Championship, the New Japan Strong Openweight title, and the AEW Continental title. Khan called it a Triple Crown Championship, comparing it to All Japan’s Triple Crown title. At the same time, he said that he is not creating new championships but is consolidating three titles.
- Khan repeatedly said that there would be no interference during the Continental Classic tournament.
- Regarding Ronda Rousey, Khan said she is not signed but thought based on the Wrestling Revolver show it would be great to have a match and build some interest for Ring of Honor. He said he would love to have her back sometime.
- Mentioned that the load time for next year’s All In would be rushed due to Taylor Swift performing shows at Wembley Stadium around the same time. He said it would cost him more to rush the setup for the show.
- He said that over 13,000 people were in the building tonight, a Full Gear attendance record.
- One reporter asked about Mercedes Mone. Khan said he has had great conversations with Mone and would love to have her in AEW.
- On Will Ospreay, he said that he had been talking to Ospreay since getting permission from New Japan Pro Wrestling. He thought it would be great if he could keep Ospreay in the NJPW/AEW sphere, saying he got the deal done this week.
- Did not give a firm date on AEW Revolution, but put over Sting and called him “one of the greatest people I’ve ever known or worked with.”
- Said that Bryan Danielson injury was not as serious as they thought. Khan thought at one point that he thought Danielson would be out longer.
