Dave Meltzer has high praise for the Texas Death Match at AEW Full Gear.
As reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the violent encounter between Swerve Strickland and Adam Page was rated 5*, the highest-rated match of the whole show. Meltzer, who admitted that he is not normally a fan of this type of stipulation, stated that “it would be foolish to say as a match itself that it wasn’t among the best matches of this type ever.”
The latest five-star match for Page is his 6th, tying him with FTR and Gunther and only one away from tying Bryan Danielson. For Strickland, this is his first.
The match was intense and bloody even by regular standards. Along with standard and barbed wire-wrapped weapons being used throughout the match, the use of a staple gun in the early portion was uncomfortable viewing for some. Just when fans thought they had seen it all, Page would lie on the mat and start drinking Strickland’s blood, a spot which went viral on social media and was even reported on by TMZ.
The Texas Death Match at Full Gear could be the match that divides opinions the most in 2023 when all is said and done. While some felt that the violence was necessary due to the feud getting personal when Strickland invaded Page’s home, others felt that it was bloody and violent just for the sake of it. One notable name in wrestling who did not enjoy the Full Gear match was Jim Cornette, who believes that there might be additional ramifications as a result of the AEW match.
How Did Dave Meltzer Rate The Rest Of AEW Full Gear?
Although no other matches on the card were rated five stars, multiple matches were still rated highly. Dave Meltzer’s AEW Full Gear 2023 ratings can be found here.
In a new interview, Swerve Strickland gave his thoughts on the match and the controversy that surrounded it.