A nationwide FAA ground stop on Friday disrupted travel across the country, affecting college football, the NHL, the NBA and professional wrestling.
Social media personality “Big Boom” A.J. was scheduled to team with Q.T. Marshall against Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero at AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view in Phoenix on Saturday. Big Justice and The Rizzler were expected to be there supporting him, as they often do at AEW events.
The travel disruption left A.J., Big Justice and The Rizzler scrambling to get to the show. In a video, Big Justice spoke with The Rizzler by phone and said they would have to head home and try to catch a flight the next morning. The Rizzler was also preparing to travel.
“Let’s hope we can get out in the morning,” Big Justice said. “This is going to be an awesome 24 hours, but I think we’re gonna be there.”
A.J. and Big Justice became widely known online as the Costco Guys. A.J., a former professional wrestler, returned to the ring at AEW’s Full Gear in 2024. The Rizzler has since joined them for appearances at AEW events.
Time was tight: the pre-show matches were scheduled to start around 7 p.m. ET, with Full Gear beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Other wrestlers also faced travel problems, with some unable to reach independent wrestling events. Most AEW talent, however, was already in Phoenix, and the majority were expected to make the show.
Full Gear’s card includes Will Ospreay defending the AEW World Championship against Kyle Fletcher. Adam Page, Brody King and Bandido are also set to face Swerve Strickland, Kofi and Austin Creed in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Trios Championship, alongside several other bouts.
