Samoa Joe Wins AEW Title, Ricochet Crowned First National Champion at Full Gear 2025

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the AEW Full GearPrudential Center in Newark, New Jersey became the stage for one of the most chaotic, emotional, and historically significant nights in All Elite Wrestling history. Samoa Joe dethroned "Hangman" Adam Page inside a blood-soaked steel cage to claim the AEW Men's World Championship — a victory that didn’t just end a long-running feud, but redefined the landscape of the company’s top title. Meanwhile, Ricochet made history as the first-ever AEW National Champion, and Kris Statlander defied every prediction to retain her title against Mercedes Moné. The night wasn’t just about belts — it was about legacies, comebacks, and the quiet power of momentum.

Steel Cage Chaos: Samoa Joe Ends Page’s Reign

The main event wasn’t just a match — it was a war. For nearly 25 minutes, Joe and Page battered each other with chairs, kendo sticks, and the unforgiving steel walls surrounding them. Blood dripped from both men’s foreheads by the 15-minute mark, and the crowd’s roar never dropped below a deafening hum. According to Sports Illustrated’s live blog, Joe finally ended it with a Coquina Clutch from the top rope, forcing Page to tap out as the cage door swung open. This was Joe’s first AEW world title — and his first major singles championship since leaving WWE in 2019. Page, who had held the belt for 142 days and been booked in nearly identical high-stakes matches at WrestleDream and previous Full Gear events, walked out defeated — and possibly finished as a top contender in AEW.

Ricochet Makes History in Casino Battle Royal

The inaugural AEW National Championship was decided in a 20-man Casino Battle Royal — a format where participants enter at timed intervals, and the last man standing wins. It began with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin as the opening duo, setting a brutal tone. By the final four — Ricochet, Mark Briscoe, Wheeler Yuta, and Ricky Starks — the crowd was on its feet. Ricochet, who had been quietly building momentum since his return in August, hit a Spirit Gun on Knight (a surprise entrant from the back) to win. The moment was surreal: a high-flyer, often overlooked in title picture discussions, becoming the face of a new division. The title’s creation signals AEW’s intent to expand its hierarchy — perhaps as a stepping stone to the world title, or a platform for mid-card stars to shine.

Statlander Defies the Odds Against Moné

Pre-event analysis from Smarkout Moment in January 2025 had confidently predicted Mercedes Moné would end Kris Statlander’s reign. The narrative was set: the veteran challenger, the injured champion, the inevitable passing of the torch. But wrestling rarely follows scripts. Statlander, nursing a damaged shoulder from a prior match, fought through pain, using speed, cunning, and a perfectly timed Saturday Night Fever — a move she’d never landed cleanly in a major PPV before — to pin Moné. The YouTube transcript captured the exact moment: “She manages to grab Moné long enough to hit a Saturday night fever out of nowhere.” The crowd erupted. Statlander didn’t just retain — she redefined resilience. Her reign now stands at 217 days, and her ability to overcome odds has turned her into the most compelling female wrestler in AEW today.

Swerve Returns, The Elite Reunites — And FDR Claims Tag Titles

The night wasn’t just about singles competition. Swerve Strickland made a surprise return after months off-screen, cutting a fiery promo that hinted at a title shot at the next PPV. Moments later, The Elite — Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks — reunited for the first time since 2023, standing together in the ring as pyro exploded behind them. The implications? A potential faction war brewing. Meanwhile, in the tag team title match, the new champions FDR (Freakin’ Dynamic Duo — rumored to be Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Starks) won after hitting the Shatter Machine on the previous champs. It’s a win that feels organic — a veteran and a rising star, perfectly matched.

Who Won and Lost? Wrestling Inc’s Breakdown

Wrestling Inc’s post-event analysis nailed the pulse of the night: Winner: Hook (who dominated his opponent in a 12-minute squash), Winner: Ricochet, Loser: Hangman Page, Loser: Big Boom AJ (who was pinned in under 90 seconds after a botched spot). Even the staff were labeled “Honorary Losers” for their failed pick-em contest — a nod to how unpredictable the night was. The biggest takeaway? AEW is no longer just about Page, Omega, and the old guard. The future is here — and it’s wearing Ricochet’s gear, Statlander’s championship belt, and Hook’s focused glare.

What’s Next? The Ripple Effects

Joe’s reign begins with a target on his back. Will Page demand a rematch? Will Swerve challenge for the title? And with The Elite back in the fold, will they align with Joe — or form a new supergroup? Ricochet’s National Championship may become the most coveted secondary title in wrestling — a proving ground for future world champions. Statlander’s victory proves that heart can trump hype. And if you thought AEW was just about spectacle? Think again. This was storytelling at its most raw, most human.