Bridgeport, CT, four days before Full Gear …
Tony Khan arrives, with his appearance on Busted Open playing in the background.
Matt Jackson says they’re going to make it official that The Elite will be back at Full Gear. The Young Bucks assure Christopher Daniels that they’re ready to return but discuss some uncertainty about whether the fans missed them or not. Daniels says the “crappy skeptics” will be outweighed 20-1 by people who are glad to see them again.
Matt also mentions a “black eye” on everything they’ve accomplished over the years, an oblique reference to the post-All Out Brawl.
Sammy Guevara gets props from Matt Hardy for his match with Bryan Danielson last week. He says his match this week is also big since he’s in with three legends (Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli), and he wants to show the world he belongs with them.
Britt Baker is shown doing a pre-tape that she says makes her nervous since Saraya’s promo went so well, and we see Saraya filming her segment with Renee Paquette. Baker notes that every week in pro wrestling feels like the biggest week of your career, but she really thinks this match is high profile because even people who aren’t wrestling fans know Saraya — something Britt aspires to.
Dynamite is underway, and we see Khan reacting to some of the matches. Guevara again puts over the big names in his tag team match, a preview of the four-way title bout at Full Gear.
Matt Jackson says the reaction to the vignette that confirms the return of The Elite takes his imposter syndrome away, and Nick Jackson agrees if the match is good, that will be a big help.
Newark, NJ, two days before Full Gear …
Tay Melo says she’s been in a bad mood because she has no match for Full Gear. She and Sammy do some shots, play some games and eat at what looks like a Dave & Buster’s. Guevara tells her couples in wrestling are rarely going to be at the same high level at the same time, and Melo reiterates that she wishes she had her own storyline too.
“I just need a direction now,” Melo says. “I feel I’m lost.”
Sammy says he’s trying to stay focused but he can’t help feel like Tay’s career going “on pause” is partially his fault. They agree that if nothing changes in the next few weeks, Melo should talk to Khan.
Baker says keeping her dentist job keeps her grounded, and that part of her can’t let it go. She shares some laughs with Tony Schiavone, telling him she feels pressure over her match with Saraya, and they discuss Khan’s ultimatum to Thunder Rosa and the status of the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Schiavone thinks Baker needs to get over Rosa, but Baker insists the women’s division is “stuck.”
Newark, NJ, day of Full Gear …
Jeff Jarrett and Claudio Castagnoli talk about how it’s a big day. The Jacksons talk about the buzz in the air and we see The Elite going over their entrance.
Baker has to do some media even though it’s a very busy day for her, and she says that just comes with the territory.
Four hours before the show, Guevara goes over his entrance gear with a costume designer, and mentions that if anything goes wrong in his match, he’ll get the blame.
Saraya is shown preparing for her in-ring return, with her brother, Zak Zodiac, there from the U.K. to help her train. Zak says he would have taken a month off work if needed to be there for her and to celebrate with her afterward.
Baker doesn’t want to be the one who sends Saraya back to the shelf, and Zak says he feels bad for Britt because that thought is going to linger in her subconscious.
The Jacksons talk over their nerves backstage. Matt says wrestling is still his dream, and he’s not done living it yet.
Showtime at Full Gear …
Guevara repeats how nervous he is, and Castagnoli notes that it’s really easy for Sammy to stick out one way or another with three veterans. Melo calms down her husband, then pumps him back up before he makes his entrance.
Melo continues to air her frustration and even rolls her eyes a bit at Saraya backstage. She looks visibly nervous, repeatedly, during Sammy’s match. Guevara is very red in the chest but says the match went great. Claudio reiterates that Sammy did really, really well, and Tay tells him the same thing.
The Elite make their return (to different music, since apparently they can’t use Kansas on All Access), and as we know, tear the house down against Death Triangle. The Jacksons are all smiles as they head backstage, and say it was a dream hearing the crowd reaction. Matt says this was the first time in a long time he was happy while wrestling.
Baker says one more time that she wants to ensure Saraya looks good and is safe. Zak is both excited and worried and feels his sister has to be thinking the same.
During the match, a spot is shown where Saraya is clutching her neck, and Zak’s reaction to a DDT on the floor is also very real. Khan looks more serious than normal watching backstage as well.
Saraya says she feels “f–king fantastic,” and Baker expresses how proud she is of her. Britt also says this might be the first time there were three women’s matches on an AEW PPV, and she says it’s the direction things need to keep going.
Guevara and Baker both say they want this to just be the next step in their legacies. The MJF rant from the media scrum is shown as well. As Khan said right afterward, “Alright.”
