Wrestling fans in the UK who are gearing up for this weekend’s AEW All In event from Wembley Stadium were treated to a surprise Friday morning.

Advertisements around Wembley reveal that All Elite Wrestling is bringing two of its marquee events to London city in 2025 and 2026:

• AEW Forbidden Door (2025)
• AEW All In London (2026)

These announcements paint an optimistic outlook for the company’s immediate future. Here’s an updated look at AEW’s 2025 schedule of major events:

• January 5, 2025: Wrestle Dynasty (Tokyo Dome)
• June 2025: Forbidden Door (London, England)
• July 12, 2025: All In Texas (Arlington, TX)

Tony Khan also confirmed this week that AEW is in talks with multiple venues to host a show from Australia next year.

Stay tuned to SEScoops all weekend for our coverage of AEW All in 2024, taking place this Sunday, August 25 from Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Adam Copeland suffered an injury at AEW Double or Nothing in a barbed wire steel cage match against Malakai Black. Despite winning the match with Gangrel’s help, he can’t continue as champion.

On AEW Dynamite, The Elite cut a heel promo. They gifted Okada a Lamborghini and failed to get a “You Deserve It” chant for him. Then, The Young Bucks stripped Adam Copeland of his TNT Title due to his injury and attempted to crown Jack Perry as the new champion.

Christopher Daniels, recently fired by The Elite, interrupted them. He revealed that Tony Khan had given him a new job as an authority figure on AEW television. He announced that the TNT Title wouldn’t go to Jungle Boy as The Elite wanted. Instead, a series of matches will determine the participants for a ladder match for the vacant TNT Title at Forbidden Door.

The first qualifying match will take place on Friday night Rampage this week. The Forbidden Door event is scheduled for June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Just before The Elite could award Jack Perry the #TNT Championship, "The Fallen Angel" returned to make a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@YoungBucks | @KazuchikaOkada | @boy_myth_legend | @facdaniels pic.twitter.com/IYlHQpApfY

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 30, 2024

Adam Copeland’s Injury

During the Barbed Wire Steel Cage match at AEW Double or Nothing on May 26, Adam Copeland attempted an elbow drop on Malakai Black. He landed on his feet without hitting Black, raising concerns about a possible injury.

Copeland finished the match but needed help from Gangrel to get to the back, hobbling on one leg. Rumors circulated about his condition, and this morning, Copeland provided an update.

In a video posted on Twitter, Copeland revealed he fractured his tibia and will need surgery. There’s no timeframe for the surgery yet, as he wants to focus on celebrating his daughter Ruby’s birthday first.

Despite the injury, Copeland remains positive, joking about his match and putting over his opponents. He admitted he got cocky and needs to make better choices, acknowledging his age.

Surgery is expected next week, and Copeland, familiar with recovering from injuries, promises to be back soon.

Will Ospreay is the new AEW International Champion and it appears that he is planning to make the title truly international in his reign.

The high-flying star challenged Roderick Strong for the title at the Double or Nothing PPV from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ending of the bout saw Orpreay countering a backbreaker with a running forearm and then he used the Storm Breaker to become the new champion.

AEW cameras caught up with the Aerial Assassin after his big win. Commenting on his future plans, Will Ospreay said that he is a man who hunts for gold and this title won’t be his last:

“This championship might be the International Championship to a lot of people, but this is the Billy GOAT Title for now. Allow me to tell you all, just because I hold this treasure, just because I hold this championship, doesn’t mean that I am done. I am a man that hunts for more gold. I am a man that voyages to other places to collect championships. Anywhere, and everywhere. This championship was forged and made on the day of Forbidden Door. Luck has it, Forbidden Door is right around the corner and let me tell you guys, I am the Forbidden Door.”

EXCLUSIVE! NEW #AEW INTERNATIONAL Champion, @WillOspreay, has a message for @RoderickStrong, & anyone else looking to come for the "Billy Goat Title"! pic.twitter.com/Hsd5wptnw6

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 27, 2024

All Around The World

Will Ospreay also talked about the working relationship AEW has with different companies such as NJPW and CMLL and hinted that he is planning to defend the title all over the world:

“This championship does not have any inclusion to AEW. We have working relationships with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL, STARDOM. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can wrestle the STARDOM girls, right? We allow our talent to wrestle at Revolution Pro, DDT, all around the world. The door open, but not politely, because I am the keyholder to that door. I would love to show everyone how easy it is for the international Billy GOAT to hold the door closed with one hand and to carry the world in the other. Mark my words, this ain’t the end. I am Will Ospreay. On. Another. Level.”

Elsewhere in the show we saw the long-anticipated return of The Devil MJF who made his contract status with the company very clear. You can click here to read everything the Salt Of The Earth had to say on his comeback.

AEW and NJPW are gearing up for another Forbidden Door pay-per-view this summer. According to Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net, popular Japanese women’s wrestler AZM will return to the US this summer and is scheduled to compete at this year’s crossover event.

Several top NJPW stars have joined All Elite Wrestling in recent months, including Kazuchika Okada and Jay White. AEW star Jon Moxley just won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a strong indication that the two promotions have a very healthy working relationship.

The inaugural Forbidden Door pay-per-view was held in June 2022 in Chicago. The main event saw Jon Moxley defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi by pin-fall to win the interim AEW World Title.

Last year, Bryan Danielson defeating Kazuchika Okada by submission in a dream match that fans are still talking about until this day. 

Tony Khan is on board with the idea of a ‘World Cup’ of pro wrestling. He knows it wouldn’t be easy to get WWE on board working with the likes of All Elite Wrestling New Japan Pro Wrestling, but he’s open to working with “anybody” for the greater good.

“You never know.”

– Tony Khan

Last year’s AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view was successful, despite injuries nixing plans for several inter-promotional dream matches. An event of this magnitude involving competing promotions can present a lot of hurdles that need to be cleared. Khan worked hard to establish a level of trust with NJPW executives. Having been down that road once before, the AEW President is optimistic this could be done on an even larger scale.

Tony Khan Open to a ‘World Cup’ of Wrestling

Earlier this week, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada expressed interest in organizing a wrestling World Cup. He said he’d be willing to meet with Khan and Paul “Triple H” Levesque to broker a deal to make such an event a reality.

Tony Khan appeared on the Battleground podcast and was asked about the wrestling World Cup concept. During his conversation with Tim Battle, TK said he loved last year’s Forbidden Door show and would be willing to work with “anybody” on an even bigger inter-promotional super-event.

“There are challenges to putting on an event like that, and getting the matches set, but it’s certainly something I would be open to,” he said. “I’m open to working with anybody in pro wrestling. You never know.”

Khan has already co-promoted a pay-per-view with NJPW. He’s featured talent (and championships) from Impact and AAA on AEW television. Without saying who “anybody” is, it’s clear who the big holdout would be. It’s unlikely that WWE would sign off on working with AEW in any capacity, but 2022 and (already) 2023 have shown us that even the most outlandish scenarios may come to pass.

• AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door Drew Over $5 Million on Pay-Per-View

H/T to Fightful and Jeremy Lambert for the transcribed quotes

The Young Bucks were originally set to win a big match at the Forbidden Door PPV and become champions at the big crossover event.

Dave Meltzer talked about the Forbidden Door PPV in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He revealed the original plans for the brothers at the show.

Per Meltzer, Gedo wanted to put the IWGP tag team championship on Bucks. The idea was to book a match between AEW and IWGP tag champions for the show.

The plan was changed to FTR competing from AEW’s side instead. They agreed that the duo holding the IWGP, ROH, and AAA titles at the same time was a cool story and the AEW EVPs were on board with this change.

Now that the FTR holds the IWGP tag team titles, there is a natural push for them to face The Young Bucks, with four different sets of belts potentially being on the line.

This is going to be a unique match in the history of wrestling. The promotions can build it as the biggest tag team championship match of all time.

FTR competed in a triple threat winner takes all match at Forbidden Door. They defeated United Empire and Roppongi Vice to become the new IWGP tag team champions.

An early estimate for the AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door buyrate has been revealed.

Forbidden Door went down inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois this past Sunday night (June 26). The event featured top AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent.

Jon Moxley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to become the interim AEW World Champion. Jay White successfully retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada, Hangman Page, and Adam Cole.

The show was heavily praised for the quality of the matches but how about the PPV buys?

Forbidden Door Exceeds Expectations

AEW President Tony Khan spoke to media members during the Forbidden Door post-event scrum. He revealed that early numbers indicate that the PPV garnered over 100,000 buys.

“The show was a big success. We had ticket sales of over $1.1 million. I think it will be within literally thousands, just behind Double or Nothing, but right there, both over $1.1 million live ticket sales. The pay-per-view, I said if we hit 100,000 worldwide buys, I would feel it’s a big success and I feel very comfortable now, based on the early digital numbers, saying we did 100,000 buys and more. I feel great about that,” Khan said.

It’s quite the victory for AEW and NJPW if the final PPV numbers are indeed over 100,000. There were some on social media skeptical about the success of the PPV going in but early signs indicate the event did quite well.

Khan has said he hopes there are more Forbidden Door shows in the future. Given the success this event had, it’s hard to imagine AEW and NJPW passing up on another opportunity.

Quotes via Fightful.

AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door aired live tonight from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AEW will battle NJPW in several matches throughout the PPV. Jon Moxley battled Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event to determine the interim AEW Champion.

Forbidden Door Results

• Chaos def. The Factory (Buy In)
• Lance Archer def. Nick Comoroto (Buy In)
• Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland def. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado (Buy In)
• Gunn Club & Max Caster def. Alex Coughlin, The DKC, Yuya Uemura & Kevin Knight (Buy In)
• Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki, Sammy Guevara def. Shota Umino, Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta
• FTR def. United Empire, Roppongi Vice to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships and retain the ROH Tag Team Championships
• PAC def. Clark Connors, Miro, Malakai Black to become the inaugural All-Atlantic Champion
• Dudes with Attitudes (Sting, Darby Allin, Shingo Takagi) def. Bullet Club (Young Bucks & El Phantasmo)
• Thunder Rosa def. Toni Storm to retain the AEW Women’s Championship
• Will Ospreay def. Orange Cassidy to retain the IWGP US Championship
• Claudio Castagnoli def. Zack Sabre Jr.
• Jay White def. Adam Cole, Kazuchika Okada, Hangman Page to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
• Jon Moxley def. Hiroshi Tanahashi to become the Interim AEW Champion

Here are the takeaways from Forbidden Door:

JAS Will Have The Advantage At Blood & Guts

Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevary, Minoru Suzuki battled Wheeler Yuta, Shota Umino, Eddie Kingston. The winning team will have the advantage at Blood & Guts on Dynamite. Tay Conti accompanied Sammy to the ring. Wheeler Yuta and Chris Jericho started off the action. Wheeler hit him with a bunch of German Suplexes in a row as the crowd cheered. Yuta planted The Wizard with a Samoan Drop and went for a Crossface but Minoru broke it up.

Shota and Minoru traded strikes outside the ring as Jericho took control. Sammy tagged in and delivered a knee to Wheeler’s ribs. Shota Umino tagged in and beat Guevara down for a bit. Eddie Kingston got the tag and wanted a fight with Minoru Suzuki. They traded chops to the chest as the crowd chanted along.

Jericho tagged in and stomped Eddie down to the canvas before taking a break to pose for the booing crowd. Kingston battled back and lit up Jericho’s chest with a flurry of chops. Kingston bashed Guevara off the apron but Suzuki got him in an armbar in the ropes. Jericho capitalized with a DDT before applying a submission hold in the middle of the ring.

Suzuki tagged in and caught Kingston with a running kick for a two count. Wheeler and Sammy then battled in the ring. Guevara connected with a standing Spanish Fly but Eddie attacked from behind. Kingston connected with a Suplex and locked in a submission hold. Suzuki broke it up but Kingston leveled him with the Backfist to the Future. Shota knocked Jericho out of the ring as Wheeler connected with a big Frog Splash.

The Wizard (Jericho) tagged in and hit Shota with a Codebreaker for a near fall. Jericho made his way to the top rope but Shota caught him with a punch to the face. Shota Umino hit an avalanche Powerslam for the cover but Suzuki broke it up. Sammy hit Wheeler with a GTH outside the ring. Jericho went for the Lionsault but Eddie broke it up with a punch to the head. Shota hit Jericho with a Tornado DDT and followed it up with a Brainbuster for a two count.

Shota applied a Boston Crab but Sammy broke it up with a couple of Superkicks and Suzuki planted Kingston with a Piledriver. Shota sent Sammy and Minoru out of the ring but turned around into a Judas Effect from Chris Jericho for the pinfall victory. Jericho Appreciation Society will now have the advantage in the Blood & Guts match against Blackpool Combat Club this Wednesday on Dynamite.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541217160051171328?s=20&t=zWL2p7Xp57j3X-KaLvYDNw

FTR Are Now The ROH & IWGP Tag Team Champions

Roppongi Vice (Trent & Rocky Romero) faced IWGP Tag Team Champions Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan and ROH Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler) in a winner’s take-all match. Dax and Trent started off the action and locked up in the middle of the ring. Harwood got Trent Beretta in a headlock before leveling him with a shoulder tackle.

Cash Wheeler and Rocky Romero tagged in and Cash took control. Harwood tagged in and went for an Elbow Drop. Harwood connected but grabbed his arm in pain before rolling out of the ring. Wheeler and Romero battled in the ring as an AEW official checked on Harwood. Dax made his way to the back and Wheeler was Clotheslined out of the ring.

Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan took control of the match. Khan beat Cash down before launching him into the turnbuckle. Great-O-Khan smooshed his buttocks in Cash’s face before tagging in Cobb. Jeff planted Cash Wheeler with a Suplex and beat him down in the corner.

Trent tagged in and battled with Great-O-Khan. Trent connected with a Tornado DDT and Khan tumbled out of the ring. Beretta went for a Tornado DDT on Cobb but he countered into a Suplex. Rocky connected with a Hurricanrana and the two teams battled to the outside. Romero hit Cobb with a flying knee of the ring apron and rolled Khan into the ring. Trent hung up Khan on the ropes and Romero hit a Dropkick for a two count.

Cash Wheeler tagged in and started unloading uppercuts. Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb beat him down and sent Roppongi Vice to the floor outside the ring. Khan and Cobb beat the hell out of Cash before Dax made his way back down the entrance ramp to a pop from the crowd. Harwood immediately tagged in and unloaded some strikes to Cobb & Khan. Khan accidentally hit Cobb and Harwood caught him with a couple Clotheslines. Dax sent him down with a third before giving Cobb a few German Suplexes.

Cobb bashed Harwood into the turnbuckle and hit him with a headbutt. They battled to the top rope and Trent joined them up there. Wheeler tagged in as Trent & Dax hit Cobb with a Superplex. Cash followed it up with a Splash off the top rope but somehow Cobb kicked out at two.

Khan sent Harwood to the outside with a big boot. Wheeler hit Khan with a Piledriver as Roppongi Vice leveled Cobb with a knee strike. Romero hit Wheeler with a Splash outside the ring. Khan hit Harwood with a Suplex and Cash with a Slingblade. Cobb connected with a Clothesline and a standing Moonsault on Trent for a two count.

Harwood dragged Khan out of the ring but Rocky hit them both with a dive. Trent hit Cobb with Strong Zero and went for the cover but Cash Wheeler broke it up at the last moment. Harwood tagged in and Romero rolled him up for a two count. Romero booted Dax on his injured shoulder and ran towards the ropes. Dax popped him up in the air and FTR hit Romero with the Big Rig for the pinfall victory. FTR are now the ROH and IWGP Tag Team Champions.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541222422376058880?s=20&t=uviRS5zWfyDUY_V0GhAKrg

PAC Captured The All-Atlantic Championship

Clark Connors, PAC, Malakai Black, and Miro battled in a 4-Way to crown the first All-Atlantic Champion. Malakai and Pac battled out of the ring to begin the match. Miro sent Connors to the corner and unloaded some strikes. Clark tried to battle back with some chops but Miro shrugged them off.

Miro connected with a Body Slam before getting knocked out of the ring with a shoulder tackle. Connors went for a Crossbody but Miro caught him with ease and slammed him down to the floor. Malakai leveled Miro with a Dropkick through the ropes and then battled with Pac in the corner.

Pac set up for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb but Malakai landed on his feet. Miro got back in the ring and caught Malakai with an uppercut. Malakai responded with a springboard Moonsault that knocked Miro out of the ring. Malakai applied a Heel Hook on Connors but Miro grabbed him by the hair and dragged him to the outside to break the hold.

Miro sent Pac flying across the ring with a Fallaway Slam before battling with Connors once again. Clark got in some strikes before Miro sent him down with a Uranage. Miro hit a Gutwrench Suplex for a two count and threw Connors out of the ring. Malakai and Miro teamed up for a moment to stomp on Pac.

Malakai and Miro then stared at each other as the crowd cheered. They then started arguing over who gets to beat Pac up and had a stare down. Miro and Malakai traded punches in the middle of the ring. Miro got the better of the exchange and knocked Malakai out of the ring with an uppercut. Miro planted Pac with a Samoan Drop for a near fall.

Pac sent Connors flying out of the ring with a Back Body Drop before hitting Malakai with a flip. Pac climbed to the top rope and delivered a Missile Dropkick to Miro. Malakai hit Pac with a knee strike but turned around into a Suplex from Connors. Miro hit Connors with a Clothesline and battled with Malakai Black. Malakai rolled out of the ring and grabbed a table. He set it up between the steps and the barricade outside the ring.

Malakai tried to put Miro through the table but he blocked it. Pac went for a Crossbody but Miro caught him. Pac escaped and shoved Miro into the ring post. Clark Connors then came out of nowhere and Speared Miro through the table. Connors rolled Malakai into the ring and fired up the crowd. Clark hit a series of Clotheslines and followed it up with a Powerslam. Pac got back into the ring and Connors caught him with a Spear. Connors followed it up with a slam but Malakai broke up the cover. The crowd got behind Clark as he battled with Pac in the ring. Pac caught Clark with a Superkick and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Malakai broke it up and set up for a Superplex.

Clark joined them on the top turnbuckle as Miro got back into the ring. Miro hit Clark and Malakai with a Powerbomb as they delivered a Superplex to Pac (Tower of Doom spot). Miro then hit Pac with a big boot and applied the Game Over on Pac in the middle of the ring. Malakai spit the mist in Miro’s eyes and followed it up with Black Mass. Miro fell out of the ring as Malakai locked in a submission hold on Connors. Pac broke it up with the 450 Splash on Malakai. Pac then quickly locked in the Rings of Saturn on Connors for the submission victory. Pac is the first All-Atlantic Champion.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541227477581893636?s=20&t=uviRS5zWfyDUY_V0GhAKrg

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541228592595599361?s=20&t=P-Tq6N_Nooyvuj7ZCTx60g

Dudes With Attitudes def. Bullet Club

The Young Bucks, El Phantasmo battled Sting, Darby Allin, Shingo Takagi. Sting hit a Splash during their entrance. Young Bucks and Phantasmo controlled the match early and isolated Darby Allin in the ring. Matt beat Allin down in the corner as Nick posed on the ring apron. They got Darby in the Tree of Woe and connected with three Dropkicks.

It's @Sting at #ForbiddenDoor!!!#AEWxNJPW pic.twitter.com/9DLoZOfs5B

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

Allin eventually escaped to the corner and tagged in Shingo Takagi. Shingo unloaded some punches to Nick in the corner. Shingo hit Nick Jackson with a snap Suplex for a two count. Sting tagged in and as Darby Allin connected with a Stunner on El Phantasmo. Sting hit the Young Bucks with a Clothesline and crawled to the corner.

Darby Allin tagged in and climbed to the top rope. Allin went for the Coffin Drop but Matt got his knees up. Nick hit a Splash and Phantasmo followed it up with one of his own. Nick went for the cover but Shingo broke it up. Phantasmo hit a Moonsault onto everyone outside the ring.

Sting was about to hit a Splash but Young Bucks broke it up. Young Bucks went for the BTE Trigger but Sting dodged it. Sting planted Young Bucks with a double Scorpion Death Drop and then exited the ring. Sting then realized he was supposed to do something else and returned to the ring to boot Phantasmo in the balls. Darby hit Hikuleo with a Coffin Drop outside the ring. Shingo turned Phantasmo inside out with a Clothesline and went for the cover but he kicked out at two. Shingo followed it up with Last of the Dragon on El Phantasmo for the pinfall victory.

Not today! @Sting shuts down the Superkick Party by the @youngbucks! Order the #ForbiddenDoor PPV right now! #AEWxNJPW pic.twitter.com/0SYH7bCOAR

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

Thunder Rosa Retained The AEW Women’s Championship

Thunder Rosa defended the AEW Women’s Championship against Toni Storm tonight at Forbidden Door. Toni kept Thunder Rosa grounded early but the champion escaped back to her feet. Storm and Rosa locked up in the middle of the ring. Thunder Rosa hit Storm with a shoulder tackle and started focusing her attack on Toni’s arm.

Storm rolled up Rosa for a two count and Thunder responded with a boot to the ribs. Thunder Rosa hit Storm with some chops but Toni bounced off the ropes and delivered a big boot for a near fall. Rosa sent Storm to the corner and hit her with a Clothesline. The champion followed it up with two Dropkicks and a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall.

Rosa hit a Double Stomp and went for the cover again but couldn’t put Toni away. Storm sent Rosa out of the ring and went for a Tornado DDT but the champ blocked. Rosa connected with another Northern Lights Suplex on the floor before the action returned to the ring. Storm bashed Rosa in the face and the champ tumbled through the ropes.

Toni climbed to the top turnbuckle but Rosa tripped her up. Thunder Rosa set up for a Death Valley Driver on the apron but the challenger escaped. Toni connected with a Belly to Back Suplex on the apron and then hit the Tornado DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Storm hit a Hip Attack in the corner and then another Tornado DDT for a near fall.

Rosa responded with a running knee strike to the face and a Death Valley Driver. Thunder Rosa followed it up with the Fire Thunder Driver but Toni somehow kicked out at two. Rosa followed it up with the Final Reckoning (Dustin Rhodes’ finisher) for the pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541237328408084485?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

Will Ospreay Retained The IWGP US Championship

Will Ospreay defended the IWGP US Championship against Orange Cassidy. Jim Ross joined commentary before the match. Ospreay went for a Dropkick right away but Cassidy dodged it. Cassidy hit a shoulder tackle with his hands in his pockets. Orange avoided Ospreay’s offense and mocked him.

Cassidy hit a headscissors takeover and then posed like Ospreay in the middle of the ring as Will regrouped on the outside. Back in the ring, Ospreay responded with a massive kick to the face and Cassidy collapsed to the canvas. Ospreay sprinted around the ring and hit Cassidy with a running Dropkick.

Ospreay sent Cassidy into the turnbuckle and then did some sit-ups in the ring. Will spun Cassidy around several times before planting him with a Backbreaker for a two count. Ospreay sent Cassidy into the turnbuckle again for another near fall. Will locked in an Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring but Cassidy was able to counter into an Arm Drag.

Orange hit a Splash off the top rope but Ospreay quickly responded with a slam and a flipping kick to the face. Ospreay made his way to the top rope and connected with a diving elbow strike for a near fall. Will bashed Orange with several kicks to the face but Cassidy popped back up. Cassidy put his hands in his pockets and hit Ospreay with a Dropkick.

Cassidy followed it up with some lazy kicks that annoyed Orpreay. Will battled to his feet but Orange caught him with a Superkick and some real kicks. Ospreay went for a springboard Cutter but Orange Cassidy dodged it. Orange went for a Tornado DDT but Ospreay blocked it. Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire and then a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.

Ospreay and Cassidy battled in the corner. Orange connected with a Tornado DDT and followed it up with a dive through the ropes. Cassidy hit Aussie Open with a Splash on the outside and climbed to the top rope. Orange delivered a diving DDT to Ospreay and went for the cover but Will powered out at two.

Orange went for a Clothesline but Ospreay beautifully countered into a standing Spanish Fly in the middle of the ring. Ospreay trapped Cassidy’s head under the turnbuckle and delivered a Superkick to his face. They battled to the top rope and Ospreay hit some elbow strikes. Cassidy bounced Will’s head off the turnbuckle camera but Ospreay responded with an elbow strike. Will went for a moonsault, missed, went for another one, missed, and then hit Cassidy with a Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Cassidy hit the Air Raid Crash but Ospreay wouldn’t stay down.

Cassidy geared up in the corner and went for the Orange Punch but Ospreay countered into a Cutter. Ospreay followed it up with another Cutter but Cassidy somehow kicked out. Ospreay went for the Stormbreaker but Cassidy countered into a Hurricanrana for a two count. Will hit an elbow strike for another two count. Ospreay then planted Cassidy with the Stormbreaker for the pinfall victory.

Will Ospreay is still the IWGP US Champion. United Empire attacked after the match but Trent and Rocky Romero rushed the ring. Roppongi Vice got beaten down as the numbers game was too much. Katsuyori Shibata then made the save to a great reaction from the crowd. Shibata hit Ospreay with a Dropkick and applied a rear choke. Aussie Open dragged Ospreay out of the ring and retreated. Orange Cassidy then put his glasses on Shibata and posed with him to end the segment.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541244151383162881?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

Claudio Castagnoli Debuted With A Win

Zack Sabre Jr. battled a mystery opponent tonight at Forbidden Door. It was originally supposed to be Bryan Danielson but he’s out with an injury. Claudio Castagnoli (FKA as Cesaro in WWE) made his debut and is a member of the Blackpool Combat Club. Claudio hit an uppercut and a Neutralizer right away for a two count. Zack rolled out of the ring as the crowd erupted for Claudio.

#ZSJ's opponent is none other than Claudio Castagnoli @ClaudioCSRO, the newest member of the #BlackpoolCombatClub, here at #ForbiddenDoor! Order the PPV right now! #AEWxNJPW pic.twitter.com/uZdC9x5eFG

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

The action spilled out of the ring and Claudio delivered a massive uppercut against the barricade. He went for another but Zack got out of the way and rolled back into the ring. Claudio leveled him with an uppercut and Sabre Jr. rolled to the apron. Claudio brought him back into the ring and sent him to the mat with a massive vertical Suplex for a two count. Sabre Jr. applied an armbar and started bending back Claudio’s fingers.

Zack Sabre Jr. controlled the next couple of minutes and kept Castagnoli grounded. Claudio battled back with a couple of Backbreakers and shoved Zack to the corner. Castagnoli leveled Sabre Jr. with an uppercut for a near fall. Sabre Jr. took Castagnoli down again and locked in an armbar. Sabre Jr. kept the hold applied as they tumbled to the floor. Castagnoli then carried Sabre Jr. with one arm up the steel steps and Powerbombed him back into the ring.

Castagnoli went for the Swing but Sabre Jr. countered into a Guillotine choke in the middle of the ring. Claudio escaped and hung up Zack on the top turnbuckle. Sabre Jr. applied a submission hold while on the top rope before knocking Claudio down with an uppercut. Claudio responded with a leaping uppercut of his own and followed it up with a Gutwrench Suplex off the top rope.

Claudio went for the Swing again but Sabre Jr. wiggled away. Castagnoli hit him with some uppercuts for a two count. Claudio followed it up with the Swing for a few rotations and went for the Sharpshooter but Sabre Jr. booted him away. Castagnoli dragged him back into the middle of the ring but Sabre Jr. countered into a Heel Hook.

Castagnoli escaped and slammed Sabre Jr. to the mat for a two count. Claudio unloaded another massive uppercut and Zack collapsed to the canvas. Sabre Jr. hit a Pele Kick and applied a choke hold in the middle of the ring. Zack transitioned into an armbar but Claudio escaped via an elbow strike to the head. Castagnoli hit a big uppercut, a lariat, and the Ricola (Powerbomb) for the pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541250235321704449?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

Jay White Retained The IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Jay White defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada, Adam Cole, and Hangman Page in a 4-Way tonight at Forbidden Door. Adam Cole dragged Hangman out of the ring and Jay White attacked Okada from behind to start off the action. Okada and Hangman leveled Jay White with a Clothesline and he rolled out of the ring. Adam Cole and Jay White started conversing and it backfired.

Hangman and Okada got out of the ring and attacked them. Cole rolled Hangman into the ring but the former champ bounced off the ropes and caught Adam with a Suicide Dive. Jay White slammed Okada on the ring apron as Cole & Hangman battled on the ramp. Hangman set up for a Powerbomb but Jay White broke it up. Cole and White teamed up again for a big vertical Suplex on Hangman onto the entrance ramp.

Jay rolled Okada into the ring and Adam Cole unloaded some punches to the face. White launched Okada into the turnbuckle and leveled him with a chop to the chest. Hangman got back up and dragged Jay out of the ring. Hangman launched Jay into the steel steps but turned around into a big boot from Cole. White and Cole then beat Okada down some more before Hangman got back into the ring.

Hangman sent Jay to the outside with a Clothesline and delivered a Fallaway Slam to Adam Cole. Page hit White with a Crossbody and hit a Flying Clothesline off the top rope on Cole for a near fall. Kazuchika sent Jay White into the barricade as the action spilled out of the ring. Okada then booted Jay in the face and threw him into the seats with Adam Cole.

Okada pounded on the steel steps before hitting White & Cole with a Crossbody over the barricade. Back in the ring, Jay went for a deadlift German Suplex but Hangman landed on his feet. Hangman rolled White up but Cole broke it up with a boot to the face. Adam Cole attacked Jay and hit him with a slam for a near fall.

Cole went for the Boom but Jay ducked under it. White connected with a Uranage and everyone was down. Jay hit Cole with a chop to the chest and then a Snap Dragon Suplex. White hit Okada with one as well and delivered a third to Hangman. Cole hit the Boom on White, Okada hit Cole with a Clothesline, and Hangman leveled Okada with a Clothesline sending everyone back to the canvas again.

Hangman Page and Kazuchika Okada unloaded punches to Jay White and Adam Cole. Hangman caught Okada with a boot to the face and then planted Jay with a Powerbomb for a two count. Page set up on the apron for the Buckshot Lariat but Cole broke it up. Page booted him away and hit Cole with a Moonsault. White blocked the Buckshot but Hangman caught him with the Dead Eye. Page then hit the Buckshot Lariat and went for the cover but Okada broke it up at the last moment.

Okada and Hangman had a stare down and talked some trash as the crowd cheered. Okada and Hangman began trading haymakers in the middle of the ring. Kazuchika went for a Dropkick but Hangman held onto the ropes. Okada went for the Rainmaker but Hangman dodged it. Cole dragged Hangman out of the ring and sent him into the ring post.

Cole booted Okada in the knee and went for Panama Sunrise but Okada countered into a Neckbreaker over his knee. Okada hit a Body Slam and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Okada delivered an Elbow Drop and the crowd. Cole hit Okada with a Superkick after avoiding the Rainmaker. Okada responded with a Dropkick and went for the Rainmaker again. Cole dodged it once again and delivered an Enziguri.

Cole booted Page in the face and he fell out of the ring. Okada connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with the Landslide. Okada went for the Rainmaker AGAIN but Cole dodged it. Jay hit Okada with Bladerunner and pinned Adam Cole for the victory to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

It was an odd finish in an otherwise great match, as Okada didn’t hit Cole with the Rainmaker and it appeared that Adam may have been injured. You can see the finish just before the cover in the short video below. Cole ducks under the Rainmaker and rolls to the mat. White hits Okada with the Bladerunner, and then pinned Cole in a sequence that had to have gone wrong.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541258899327688704?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

Jon Moxley Won The AEW Interim Championship

Jon Moxley faced Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of Forbidden Door to crown the Interim AEW Champion. The current champion, CM Punk, is out of action with a broken foot. William Regal walked Moxley through the crowd for the match.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541260152766189569?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

Tanahashi tripped Moxley up and applied a headlock to begin the action. Moxley escaped but Tanahashi caught him with a Crossbody. Jon got up and started trading punches with Hiroshi. Both men would not back down and Tanahashi caught Moxley with a Dropkick to the knee. Hiroshi sent Jon to the mat with a Dragon Screw and focused his attack on Moxley’s knee.

Moxley and Tanahashi traded forearms to the face in the middle of the ring. Jon hit a Clothesline and perched Tanahashi up on the top turnbuckle. Moxley applied a chokehold before raking Tanahashi across his back. Jon then brought Hiroshi back into the ring with a Superplex and followed it up with a Piledriver for a two count.

Jon got Tanahashi on the mat and booted him in the face a couple of times before applying the Texas Cloverleaf submission hold. Hiroshi escaped and reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Tanahashi connected with a slam and followed it up with a rolling Senton for a near fall.

Moxley threw Hiroshi over the top rope but he held on and got back into the ring. Jon was ready for him and sent him over the top rope and to the floor with a Clothesline. Moxley went after Tanahashi on the outside and cleared off the timekeeper’s table. Jon put him through the table with a Uranage and got back into the ring.

Tanahashi went for a Dragon Screw but Moxley blocked it and tried for an armbar. Hiroshi blocked it and started stomping on Jon’s face. Moxley was busted open and rolled out of the ring to regroup. Hiroshi climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a Splash on Moxley that sent both competitors to the floor.

Back in the ring, Moxley went for the Paradigm Shift but Tanahashi blocked it. Moxley hit a release German Suplex and then the Paradigm Shift for a two count. Jon unloaded some elbow strikes to the head and went for another Paradigm Shift but Tanahashi countered with a headbutt.

Hiroshi climbed to the top rope and hit a Crossbody before going right back to the top turnbuckle. Tanahashi hit a Frog Splash but couldn’t get the cover right away. Jon kicked out at two and applied the Bulldog Choke in the middle of the ring as the blood poured down his face. Tanahashi battled to his feet and rolled Jon up for a two count.

Moxley went for the Bulldog Choke again but Hiroshi countered into a cradle for a two count. Jon responded with a massive Clothesline but Tanahashi kicked out at one to a big pop from the crowd. Jon unloaded a series of elbow strikes and got the Bulldog Choke applied in the middle of the ring. Hiroshi wouldn’t stay down and battled to his feet. Jon quickly planted him with the Paradigm Shift/Deathrider to win the Interim AEW Championship. Moxley and Tanahashi showed each other respect after the match.

#DeathRider by @JonMoxley! What an absolute battle here in the main event. Order the #ForbiddenDoor PPV right now! #AEWxNJPW pic.twitter.com/8iTyEMNJgH

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

After the match, Jericho Appreciation Society rushed the ring and attacked Moxley & Tanahashi. Eddie Kingston stumbled his way down the entrance ramp and tackled Jericho. Wheeler Yuta, Santana, Ortiz, Hager, Sammy Guevara, Daddy Magic, Daniel Garcia then rushed the ring for a big brawl. Claudio Castagnoli ran down to the ring and traded punches with Jericho. Claudio decked him with a giant uppercut and started beating everyone else down as William Regal smirked on the entrance ramp. Claudio hit the Swing for 21 rotations and posed with Blackpool Combat Club to end the show. Kingston and Claudio have a history and he wasn’t too pleased that he was there. Blackpool Combat Club will battle Jericho Appreciation Society at Blood & Guts.

https://twitter.com/MadKing1981/status/1541252332163309568?s=20&t=F3sDdXpmh9JWjjyyQfi7bg

.@ClaudioCSRO showing the #JerichoAppreciationSociety what they're in for this Wednesday at #BloodAndGuts in Detroit next Wednesday! it's not too late to order the #ForbiddenDoor PPV! pic.twitter.com/OD9xkGsQpd

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

Didn’t take long #ForbiddenDoor pic.twitter.com/ikj49MPPiG

— AEW Out Of Content (@zerocontextAEW) June 27, 2022

It’s time for Forbidden Door (see predictions here) and the live stream for the Buy-In is coming at you.

Tonight (June 26), Forbidden Door will take place inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. In the main event, Jon Moxley and Hiroshi Tanahashi will compete to determine the interim AEW World Champion.

There will also be a four-way match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It’ll be Jay White putting his gold on the line against Kazuchika Okada, Hangman Page, and Adam Cole.

There will be plenty of more action and title matches on the PPV but first, we’ve got the Buy-In.

Featured on the preshow will be the following matches:

• Gunn Club (Billy, Austin, and Colten Gunn) and Max Caster (with Anthony Bowens) vs. Yuya Uemura and New Japan LA Dojo (Alex Coughlin, The DKC, and Kevin Knight)
• The Factory (QT Marshall and Aaron Solo) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi)
• Swerve In Our Glory (Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee) vs. Suzuki-gun (El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

The live stream for the Buy-In will begin at 7 p.m. ET. You can peep the stream below.

Be sure to check back on the SEScoops homepage for live results and video highlights throughout the Forbidden Door event.

This Sunday, All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling join forces to present the historic AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Many of the top stars from AEW and NJPW are currently out of action due to injuries, but that hasn’t stopped the companies for putting together a card featuring surreal match-ups that fans never thought they’d see.

SEScoops correspondents Andrew Ravens, Joey G and I got together and run down the card for AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door.

Here are our official Forbidden Door predictions:

The Buy-In: Max Caster & Gunn Club vs. LA Dojo (Yuya Uemura, Alex Coughlin, Kevin Knight & The DKC)

Joey G: Max Caster will cut an epic rap, then get the absolute piss kicked out of him by the LA Dojo boys. (Prediction: LA Dojo)

Andrew Ravens: The match is fine and will be a fun match. I don’t see why the NJPW guys would go over and AEW needs to do a better job protecting The Acclaimed as they’re clearly over with the fans. (Prediction: Max Caster & Gunn Club)

Michael Reichlin: I’m a big fan of Max Caster whole act and the Gunn Club is good in the ring, but I see LA Dojo getting a win for ‘Team NJPW’ – although there has been no mention of formally keeping score of wins for AEW or New Japan. (Prediction: LA Dojo)

Consensus: LA Dojo

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. TBA

Joey G: This will be hard to pick. I presume Danielson would have defeated ZSJ, but since that match hasn’t happened yet it feels like the Brit has to win to eventually build to that. Although, why would a mystery man be brought in just to lose? Too many questions, so instead of a winner I’ll pick who I think the surprise is. Many will guess Claudio (Cesaro), ROH champion Jonathan Gresham, or Johnny Gargano. But me? I think it’s time for a hero. (Prediction: Chris Hero)

Michael Reichlin: It’s unfortunate that Bryan Danielson is out of this one due to injury, but he’s promised a replacement that fans will be excited about. The replacement will be the newest member of the Blackpool Combat Club and will also take Bryan’s spot in Blood and Guts on Wednesday. Who else could it be, but Cesaro? These two will put on a technical classic that will showcase what sets AEW and NJPW apart from the rest. Cesaro (well, Claudio Castignoli) returns and begins the best run of his career. (Prediction: Cesaro)

Andrew Ravens: The mystery opponent has to be Cesaro. He goes back with Bryan Danielson and would fit well in the group. He’s also someone that the fans will be behind in this role and would be a welcome addition to the AEW roster. It would be odd for AEW to beat this mystery person on their first night with the promotion so I’ll side with the mystery opponent who I think is Cesaro. (Prediction: Cesaro)

Consensus: Cesaro

Fatal Four-Way to Crown the First AEW All-Atlantic Champion: Pac vs. Miro vs. Malakai Black vs. Clark Conners

Andrew Ravens: It comes down to one man and one man only for me and that’s Miro. He’s been away for a while and has been booked strongly since coming back. Sure, you can make the case for the other guys, but it’s pretty obvious who should win the title here. (Prediction: Miro)

Joey G: All options are good options in what is sure to be an underrated gem. Ishii going out means the young Clark Conners gets a chance to prove himself on a big stage, and PAC, Miro, and Malakai have all gotten very over to the AEW faithful. Miro feels like he’s ready for to enter the world title scene, and while PAC would be great holding gold, Malakai could kickstart a dominant run for the House of Black by capturing gold here. I’m going Malakai. (Prediction: Malakai Black)

Michael Reichlin: I won’t get into the debate surrounding AEW adding another mid-card championship belt, or the specifics of what makes an “All-Atlantic” champion. I do like the idea of stars like Pac, Miro and Black having a reason to face each other and this match is over-stuffed with talent. I’m a huge Miro guy and he had a memorable run as TNT Champion. Between these four, I see Miro as the best choice to be champion. (Prediction: Miro)

Consensus: Miro

Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki vs. Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta & Shota Umino

Joey G: This will most definitely be a lot of fun, but the heels seem destined to take this one. Kingston seeing blood will distract him from going for the win, and while Yuta and Umino are great, Suzuki is evil and Jericho and Guevara are as thick as thieves. Jericho and company get the W here. (Prediction: Jericho, Guevara & Suzuki)

Andrew Ravens: This could be a toss-up as it’s just a match on the card with some history. Jericho has been getting the upper hand a lot on Kingston so I will side with the babyfaces here and Suzuki taking the pinfall loss. (Prediction: Jericho, Guevara & Suzuki)

Michael Reichlin: This could easily be one of the most enjoyable matches of the night. I expect a bunch of crazy spots, including Sammy or Yuta jumping off something high. Kingston always delivers, Jericho adds star power and Suzuki will get violent. (Prediction: Jericho, Guevara and Suzuki)

Consensus: Jericho, Guevara & Suzuki

IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy

Michael Reichlin: Cassidy can go, so don’t write this off as just a comedy match. Ospreay is one of my favorites and I still can’t believe he’s been gracing an AEW ring. I hope we get to see more from him over the next few months, if they could negotiate him doing a tour in the US. The crowd will each this one up and Ospreay will have another showcase performance. (Prediction: Will Ospreay)

Andrew Ravens: It doesn’t make much sense for Cassidy, a comedy guy, to win an NJPW title and then defend it in Japan where they book strong-style wrestling. This could be one of the better matches on the card as Ospreay will be able to tell a great story around Cassidy’s gimmick. (Prediction: Will Ospreay)

Joey G: A match that will exceed all expectations both due to Ospreay’s incredible in-ring agility and Cassidy’s even better character work and sloth-style. However, as much as OC is loved he’s gonna get destroyed by the Aerial Assassin’s Hidden Blade. (Prediction: Will Ospreay)

Consensus: Will Ospreay

AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm

Joey G: Rosa and Storm on paper are perfect opponents for one another, so the real hope is that the match is as great as the talent in the ring. Only bad thing about this is that Rosa is still early on in her reign so the outcome is all but determined. (Prediction: Thunder Rosa)

Andrew Ravens: AEW has built up Storm very well in this role and it’s been a fun feud to follow along with. Thunder is still way too early in her title reign to lose the title here and I think that may hurt the crowd reactions to the match. (Prediction: Thunder Rosa)

Michael Reichlin: If you remember what I wrote about Thunder Rosa before Double or Nothing, my opinion hasn’t changed much for this latest match. Her title reign is underwhelming and she hasn’t risen to the occasion as someone who can carry the division, but they haven’t built up her challenger enough to warrant a title change yet. (Prediction: Thunder Rosa)

Consensus: Thunder Rosa

Winner Takes All: ROH World Tag Team Champions FTR vs. IWGP World Tag Team Champions United Empire (Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan) vs. Roppongi Vice

Joey G: This feud has seemed weird from the start, but that won’t stop me from enjoying three very different tag teams tying it up in what should be another fun contest. The most exciting path is that of FTR, because if they grab all the gold that sets up a potential rubber match with the Young Bucks as the main event of ALL OUT 2022 for everything, including the AEW belts. That’s too good of a story to pass up on. (Prediction: FTR)

Michael Reichlin: FTR are the top tag team in the world, but I don’t see them putting another pair of belts on them. That gets complicated, as we saw with Belt Collector Kenny Omega. Cobb and O-Khan retain by pinning one of the members of Roppongi Vice. (Prediction: United Empire)

Andrew Ravens: I believe AEW is heading towards a Young Bucks vs. FTR feud eventually whether that be as early as All Out or at a later date so I do expect them to lose the titles here. It’s a toss-up as to who will win the match, but I’ll side with Jeff Cobb and Great-O’Khan going over as they can always lose the ROH titles whenever needed. (Prediction: United Empire)

Consensus: United Empire

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page vs. Adam Cole

Michael Reichlin: Okada is finally wrestling in an AEW ring and that’s just crazy to me. The dream matches that are now possible should make for some special events in the year ahead. As for the match at hand, I don’t see an AEW wrestler winning the IWGP championship and then going to Japan to defend it regularly. Between White and Okada, I think White retains and these two continue their feud. (Prediction: Jay White)

Joey G: Tony Khan said on the Forbidden Door media call that Okada wasn’t available for AEW television until this past week, so the build of this match was very scattered. That aside, all four competitors are very unique and VERY OVER, so this contest is sure to be red-hot. However, we know whose era this is. (Prediction: Jay White)

Andrew Ravens: White just won the title and it doesn’t make much sense to have AEW talent go over to defend a title in Japan. I see White retaining here and beating either Page or Cole so that still sets up a future White vs. Okada match. (Prediction: Jay White)

Consensus: Jay White

Bullet Club (Young Bucks, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) vs. Dudes with Attitudes (Sting, Darby Allin, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi)

Joey G: This might be the match I’m most excited for even though it was only announced last week. If you’ve never seen Hiromu Takahashi in action you are in for a treat. My main prediction? Sting will jump off of the top of the United Center. (Prediction: Dudes With Attitudes)

Andrew Ravens: I see this as being a pick-em type of match as either team could go over. I side with Dudes with Attitudes just because some NJPW need to go over on this show and with Allin and Sting being on the team, it makes even more sense. (Prediction: Dudes with Attitudes)

Michael Reichlin: This is another match that seems thrown together but will probably rule. With the grab-bag of competitors involved, how could it not? The Bucks are the AEW World tag team champions, but Sting and Darby are a special act that knows how to get the job done. (Prediction: Dudes with Attitudes)

Interim AEW World Championship Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jon Moxley

Andrew Ravens: Moxley wins it here. I would be shocked to see Tanashi pick up the win. AEW doesn’t have short-term champions so it wouldn’t make sense for an interim champion to have a short reign as the purpose is to fill the role until the actual champion comes back and then the two champions fight. (Prediction: Jon Moxley)

Michael Reichlin: This might be a surprising pick, but I’m giving this one to Tanahashi. This is a dream match with two of the top pro wrestlers in the world, no question. At the end of the day, I think this comes down to politics. More specifically, I could see Tony Khan putting the Interim AEW World title on Tanahashi, as a gesture of good faith towards New Japan, setting up the eventual Tanahashi vs. CM Punk unification match. Maybe we do see Moxley vs. Punk in a few months, but I don’t see AEW pulling the trigger on that match just yet. (Prediction: Hiroshi Tanahashi)

Joey G: While not the original main event for this first ever dream card, no star has carried the spirit of AEW like Moxley has, and him getting the opportunity to go up against one of the greatest of all-time in Tanahashi has made this substitute feel like a big deal. Moxley gets the win and gets to actually defend the company’s top belt in front of fans, something he was denied during his first reign. (Prediction: Jon Moxley)

Consensus: Jon Moxley

There you have it, our AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door predictions. Check back after the event for our Results and news coming out of the show.

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door is happening this Sunday, but the show will have to go on ahead without some major names.

AEW World Champion CM Punk, Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson are all off the show due to a series of injuries that have derailed some of Tony Khan’s plans.

In the case of Danielson, there will be a replacement for his match against Zack Sabre Jr., though AEW has yet to reveal who that will be.

Gargano in Chicago

One name that fans would love to see replace Danielson is Johnny Gargano, who will be in the area this weekend.

On Twitter, the former NXT Champion announced earlier today that he will be attending The Chicago Card Show in the Windy City this Sunday, the same city where Forbidden Door will take place.

Unsurprisingly, this got fans speculating that he will be the one to face Sabre Jr. though Gargano tried to dispel these ideas.

In a follow-up tweet, he said that the timings were “ridiculously coincidental” and that he’ll only be in Chicago for eight hours.

Gargano did admit that he estimates five percent of people will believe that he isn’t showing up at Forbidden Door, and joked that this is what he wants people to believe.

I promise you this is ridiculously coincidental and has been booked for months. I'll only be in Chicago for like 8 hours!

*I also realize in saying this that only like 5% of you are going to believe I'm actually telling the truth. 🤣

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) June 23, 2022

Other Options

Gargano may (or may not) be appearing this Sunday, but there is one other option fans are considering.

Claudio Castignoli, aka Cesaro, hasn’t wrestled since his departure from WWE earlier this year and doesn’t have a non-compete clause to his name.

Some have speculated that given William Regal’s connection to the Blackpool Combat Club, that Cesaro (Regal’s final opponent) will be the one who answers the call.

Johnny Gargano Reveals Original Creative Plans for The Way in WWE NXT

Fans hoping to see Bryan Danielson back in action soon may not want to hold their breath.

Danielson has been out of action ever since the Anarchy in the Arena match held at Double or Nothing late last month. He suffered an undisclosed injury that many within the company thought would only take a week or two to clear up.

As it turns out, things may be a bit more serious.

Bryan Danielson May Not Wrestle For A While

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live reported that sources told him that Bryan Danielson is “definitely out” of the Forbidden Door PPV set for June 26. On top of that, Alvarez has been told that Danielson may not be wrestling again for a while.

Danielson made an appearance on the June 22 episode of AEW Dynamite. He addressed his status for Forbidden Door and the Blood & Guts match set for June 29.

Danielson confirmed the news, saying that he has been forced off both shows. He has promised a replacement for Forbidden Door and Blood & Guts but fans won’t find out who that person is until June 26.

While the extent of Danielson’s injury hasn’t been made public, many are obviously fearing that it may be related to head trauma. That is simply speculation at this time. Of course, Danielson was forced to retire at one point as WWE doctors wouldn’t clear him due to a history of concussions.

Danielson was eventually cleared to wrestle in WWE again. He had worked a safer style in the company, however, and certainly hasn’t taken things easy since jumping ship to AEW.

Jon Moxley vs Hiroshi Tanahashi is now official for AEW X NJPW: Forbidden Door.

After the AEW world champion CM Punk had to step away due to a foot injury, the promotion confirmed that they will be crowning an interim world champion until the Straight Edge Star returns.

The company had announced an Eliminator Tournament to determine the interim champion. The tournament started with a battle royal at Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Kyle O’Reilly won this battle royal and went on to face Jon Moxley in the main event of the show. Mox won the match and earned himself a spot at the Forbidden Door.

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi Now Official

On NJPW’s side of things, it was announced that the winner of the Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto match at Dominion will go on challenge the AEW competitor for the title at the show.

Tanahashi won this match. Shortly after this, AEW posted the following graphic, making this dream match between the two wrestling veterans officials.

No other match has been announced for the PPV till now. More bouts are expected to be made official in next few days.

The AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door PPV will be taking place from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2022.

• Bryan Danielson Eyeing Dream Matches For Forbidden Door PPV

‘Hangman’ Adam Page isn’t expected to face Kazuchika Okada in singles action at the upcoming Forbidden Door event, despite calling him out on this week’s AEW Dynamite.

On last night’s show, Page defeated New Japan’s David Finlay and in a post-match segment, said he does not expect to get an AEW World Championship rematch anytime soon.

Instead of challenging for AEW’s top prize, Page challenged Okada, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, to a title match at Forbidden Door.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that there are no plans for a singles match between Page and Okada at the crossover event on June 26.

While Meltzer had previously reported that this match was on the card, he later corrected himself, stating that the actual match card is being kept top secret.

It is believed that Meltzer was deliberately given a faked line-up for the Chicago-based event.

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door: What do we know?

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door won’t see Page and Okada face off in singles action, but the card is coming together for the show.

As confirmed on last night’s Dynamite, the first AEW All-Atlantic Champion will be crowned at the show, with a tournament already underway.

Last night’s show saw PAC defeat Buddy Matthews to advance to the semi-finals.

Forbidden Door will also see the crowning of an interim AEW World Champion while CM Punk recovers from his recent surgery.

Last night’s show saw Jon Moxley defeat Kyle O’Reilly, who had won a battle royal earlier in the night, to qualify for the title match.

Moxley will face either Hiroshi Tanahashi or Hirooki Goto at Forbidden Door, with his opponent to be determined at NJPW’s Dominion event.

• AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door Passes $1 million Gate

Japanese wrestling legend and NJPW Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi made his way to an AEW arena.

On the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, CM Punk and FTR defeated Max Caster and The Gunn Club. After the match, Punk called out an NJPW star who will step up to the plate to face him at Forbidden Door on June 26.

Tanahashi made his way out and made a motion signaling he’s going after CM Punk’s AEW World Championship.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1532156164951130112

One of the most anticipated wrestling shows happening this summer will be the June 26th Forbidden Door pay-per-view, which will pit top superstars from AEW against top superstars from NJPW in a number of dream matches that is sure to excite both fanbases.

Bryan Danielson told Sports Illustrated that he is ecstatic about the marquee event, as getting to face some of Japan’s greatest professional wrestlers has been on his bucket list since his WWE days. When the American Dragon was asked about who he specifically hopes to face at Forbidden Door, he revealed the following:

“There are a ton of guys I’d like to wrestle. You mentioned Okada, and that’s a match I really want. I would love to wrestle Okada. But in the back of my mind, I’m thinking about Zack Sabre Jr. and wrestling him to see who is the best technical wrestler in the world. We have two very different styles of technical wrestling.”

Danielson and ZSJ have crossed-paths before back in 2008, an encounter he remembers very well.

“We wrestled in 2008, and he was just a kid, but I was super impressed with him then. He’s grown into this amazing wrestler, and I don’t ever recall seeing anyone wrestle with his technique.”

The Blackpool Combat Club member wouldn’t stop there. He would go on to name Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, KENTA, Katsuyori Shibata, and the great Hiroshi Tanahashi as potential opponents, but ends by saying that he will take on whoever AEW President Tony Khan books him to face.

“I’m open to whoever Tony [Khan] and New Japan want me to go up against.”

Danielson will team with Eddie Kingston, Jon Moxley, Santana, and Ortiz to battle Chris Jericho and the rest of the Jericho Appreciation Society at this weekend’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas.

Who do you guys want to see Danielson face at Forbidden Door?

AEW has now hit its second million-dollar live gate and this time, some assistance from NJPW helped put it over the top.

The joint show will be taking place inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. No matches have been announced at this time as AEW has their own Double or Nothing PPV to focus on, which is scheduled for May 29.

Despite not having any matches announced, Forbidden Door sold out within minutes.

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door Already Reaches Milestone

Back in March, Tony Khan announced that this year’s Double or Nothing show became the first AEW event to score a live gate of $1 million.

The promotion has done it again with its crossover show with NJPW. This does not include the secondary market, where thousands of tickets are sold at inflated prices.

Khan made the announcement during an interview with News 12 Long Island.

“[Grand Slam] was almost the first million-dollar gate in AEW history, just came shy of that, but it was real close and of course, we set that record now, for AEW Double or Nothing Las Vegas, became our first million-dollar gate for live tickets, and now just hit it again for our partnership with New Japan, for our Forbidden Door show at the United Center.”

Speaking of Grand Slam, Khan recently confirmed that the event will be returning this year at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, NY.

It’ll be interesting to see if AEW can reach that million-dollar gate to become the third show in company history to pull off the feat.

All Elite Wrestling talent Nyla Rose hopes to see wrestlers from Stardom walk through the “Forbidden Door.”

Since introducing the “Forbidden Door,” AEW has worked with other wrestling organizations like Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, most of the cross-over interactions have been with men, leaving the AEW women’s division out of the picture.

On the Apr. 20 episode of AEW Dynamite, AEW and NJPW announced they would partner for a Pay-Per-View event called Forbidden Door on Jun. 26. As of now, NJPW’s affiliate, the all-women wrestling promotion Stardom, isn’t involved. Solitaire Rose Radio’s Cory interviewed Rose and asked who she’d like to face from NJPW. Rose responded that NJPW doesn’t have a women’s division but shared that she hopes to wrestle someone from Stardom and see them walk through the “Forbidden Door.”

“…Unfortunately, New Japan themselves do not have a women’s division. However, they do work very closely with Stardom, said Rose. She continued, “…I have not really had the experience, the pleasure to work with anyone in Stardom. So for me, that Forbidden Door is wide open. I would call it a Forbidden Archway. I would welcome anyone to walk through that, just to say that I’ve done that. Check that box off.”

Will The AEW Women’s Division be Involved at Forbidden Door

While wrestling fans are excited about the announcement, the news may exclude talent from the AEW Women’s division from taking part. The Forbidden Door event may have talent from AEW and NJPW compete against each other. Although it’s unclear what the format of the show will be yet. Stardom also has an event planned for Jun. 26, which puts any involvement in doubt.

AEW may somehow feature the women’s division in the show, but not against wrestlers from a different promotion. While it may be disappointing to fans, Wrestling Observers Dave Meltzer shared on Saturday Night Main Event Podcast that Stardom is interested in working with AEW. It may not happen at Forbidden Door, but Rose may get the opportunity to challenge a Stardom opponent in the future.

Booker T doesn’t believe the “Forbidden Door” event does anything for AEW outside of catering to its existing fanbase.

AEW and NJPW have teamed up to create a joint PPV event, “Forbidden Door.” The event will be held inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26. No matches have been announced at this time.

Booker T Not Sold On Forbidden Door Attracting New Fans

Taking to his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said he doesn’t see the AEW-NJPW crossover show attracting new fans (h/t EWrestlingNews.com).

“I do not think the majority of people here in the United States are clicking to go find Japanese wrestling. I just don’t believe that.”

Booker said he understands that the existing AEW fanbase will enjoy the show but it won’t be making waves outside of that group.

“They’re going to love it, I get that. The AEW fanbase, they’re going to love it,” Booker expressed. “But what I am saying is, outside of the AEW fanbase, there aren’t a whole lot of people are going to look at this like it’s a forbidden door because don’t too many people know about it but the AEW fanbase.”

As of now, no matches have been announced for the “Forbidden Door” show. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada has squashed speculation that he may not be able to attend the show.

Big AEW names such as Bryan Danielson have also committed to being in action on the show. The Hardys have made it clear that they want to add the IWGP Tag Team Titles to their mantle.

Tetsuya Naito has said that he won’t be calling anyone out and that he’ll let the AEW stars come to him. His status is a bit of a question mark, however, as he’ll be undergoing surgery on his right eye soon. Naito had a quick turnaround for a similar surgery back in 2019.

NJPW President Takami Ohbari isn’t opposed to having a second crossover event with AEW in Japan.

Earlier this month, Tony Khan and Ohbari announced a joint PPV event dubbed, “Forbidden Door.” This special crossover show will be held inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26.

Forbidden Door 2?

During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Takami Ohbari said that Japan is now open to international workers, making travel much less of an issue. Japan took extreme lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was more long-term than many would’ve liked.

Ohbari says now the door is open for a potential Forbidden Door part two in Japan.

“Traveling between Japan and the U.S. is no longer a significant problem,” says Ohbari, who also addressed whether there will be a follow-up event with AEW in Japan. “If Japanese fans are invested in this event and the demand is there, then there will absolutely be the impetus for us to take the next step of holding an event in Japan.”

Ohbari went on to say that his main focus is on ensuring that NJPW represents itself to the highest order this June.

“NJPW and AEW will open the ‘Forbidden Door’ together this June, but what lies on the other side is something we will all have to wait to find out,” Ohbari says. “One guarantee: I always say that NJPW’s wrestlers carry the pride and the fight of wild lions. Whomever they fight against, or whomever they even team with, they will carry a fighting spirit that is unmatched and unbeatable.”

In just under two months, All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling will present the supershow that fans have been clamoring for since AEW launched three years ago.

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door takes place at Chicago’s United Center on June 26th. The event will air live on PPV, the B/R app, and FITE. It’s expected to be a tough ticket when the event officially goes on sale to the public next week. The United Center is the largest arena in the United States, and there seems to be little doubt that Forbidden Door will sell out, likely within hours if not less than that.

Despite bad faith arguments from critics who claimed the announcement on AEW Dynamite of Forbidden Door wasn’t as big of a deal as advertised by Tony Khan, make no mistake about it: It absolutely was. NJPW essentially launched AEW, and this is the show that fans have wanted since the beginning. Unless WWE gets into cross-promotion, this is the biggest cross-promotional show possible.

Does this event appeal to the most casual fans? Probably not, but that’s not the point here. There’s something to be said about delivering for your paying customers, and with there being no doubt the show will sell out such a large building, debating whether or not the event is a big deal is foolish. It’s clearly going to be a massive success.

Looking ahead to Forbidden Door, which matches do we want to see? There’s been a lot of discussion going on around the wrestling world since the announcement, and there’s many, many matches that could be booked for the show that would set the AEW and NJPW fandoms on fire. Below are some matches that I would most like to see, but they’re not the only possible combinations that would get me pumped for the show.

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door: Fantasy Booking The Card

Kazuchika Okada vs. CM Punk

There’s also been talk about Punk vs. Kenta in a battle of the GTS, and while I’d love to see that match too, Punk vs. Okada just feels a lot bigger and more fitting for a show like this. This of course has an interesting wrinkle in that how would it impact the finish for Double or Nothing?

We assume Punk is challenging Hangman Page for the title in Las Vegas; does he walk out champion and then have a champion vs. champion match with Okada? If so, how do you book that finish? I don’t have a good answer, but the match itself is my ultimate dream match for the show right now. Punk has been teasing it on social media as well. Chicago is Punk’s hometown, and this is the biggest match he can have at the event.

Golden Elite vs. Undisputed Elite

I’m hardly the first to propose this scenario, but it makes a ton of sense if Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi (both out of action currently) can return by the end of June. Plus, tag team wrestling is a great way to ease back into ring shape.

Omega and Ibushi reunite and and team with the Young Bucks (Golden Elite) to take on Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, and Jay White (Undisputed Elite) in what would be an amazing eight man tag. We have seen the heat building between the Bucks and Cole’s group for weeks now, and Kenny vs. Cole with that same heat has pretty clearly been the long term plan when he returns from injury. Again, entirely dependent on the health of Omega and Ibushi for this scenario to happen, but it would sure be something.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bryan Danielson

Two of the best wrestlers of the last 20 years facing off. Who says no? Bryan vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. is another match that has been thrown out there, and it would no doubt be a masterpiece. However, my thoughts mirror what I said about Punk/Kenta above — I’d lean in for the bigger star power matchups at this first joint show when it comes to the card.

Adam Page vs. Will Ospreay

These two have had some of the best runs in wrestling over the last couple of years. Should Page lose the title to Punk at Double or Nothing, a match here with one of the best wrestlers in the world, another former world champion, would be a great way to move on to something new for the time being.

Sammy Guevara vs. Shingo Takagi

Two elite level workers in their respective companies. Takagi has had some outstanding matches with high flyers before (Ospreay in particular). This one would undoubtedly be a highlight reel of a match. Takagi was many people’s wrestler of the year for 2021, and Sammy would have a showcase here for the TNT Championship to show what he can do.

Darby Allin vs Kenta

The hard-hitting style of Kenta matched up with the no-regard-for-his-own-body style of Darby? Sign me up.

FTR vs. Guerrillas of Destiny

As far as traditional tag team matches go for the card, this clearly makes the most sense. FTR has been the dominant tag team of late in AEW, and Guerrillas of Destiny have been carrying the torch for NJPW for years now. This seems like an easy choice.

Samoa Joe vs. Tomohiro Ishii

Yet again, the term “hard-hitting” comes to mind. I can’t think of a single wrestling fan I know who wouldn’t want to see this one. It just makes sense on paper.

Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley

Two multi-time world champions who have carried the torch for their respective companies in recent years. This is a match with serious star-power and crossover appeal. Plus, they’ve worked together before so there’s some familiarity there to rely on. They had a banger during the 2019 G1 Climax tournament. Naito could be out for revenge for that loss.

Andrade El Idolo vs. El Desperado

Andrade’s time in AEW just hasn’t clicked with me, but it’s hard to leave a guy with his talent off this card. Put him in there with the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion and see what happens. If Andrade doesn’t work out, I could see Swerve Strickland in this position.

Thunder Rosa, Jade Cargill and Britt Baker vs. Syuri, Saya Kamitani, and Utami Hayashishita

A match like this forces you to have enemies co-existing while also getting some of the biggest women’s stars from AEW and NJPW’s sister promotion, Stardom, on the card.

Lastly, I’d probably do some sort of tag team turmoil or battle royal match on the Buy-In to get some of the other big names in the companies on the show, such as: Keith Lee, Orange Cassidy, Jeff Cobb, Malakai Black, House of Torture, Hiromu Takahashi, Minoru Suzuki, Jeff Cobb, Eddie Kingston, Jurassic Express, and others.

Again, this is tough. There’s many directions this show could go, and most of them would be great. What are your own thoughts? Let me know in the comments section below or give me a shout on Twitter @ryandroste.

Additionally, you can check me out every week on the Top Rope Nation podcast, available on Apple – Spotify – YouTube. We discussed AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door on last week’s show.

Adam Cole says everyone in AEW is psyched for Forbidden Door, and he already knows who he wants to work with at the show.

During a recent discussion with Stephanie Chase, Cole spoke about the excitement that’s building for the upcoming inter-promotional super-show.

Both companies have huge stars and passionate fan bases. Forbidden Door is a chance to see the top stars of both companies square off.

Some AEW fans do not watch New Japan Pro Wrestling. Many NJPW fans don’t watch All Elite Wrestling. This collaboration will expose both companies to new viewers and that’s a huge win for everybody.

“Some of my fondest moments years ago were over in New Japan so yeah, I’m very, very excited for this event,” said Cole. “I think it’s gonna be awesome.”

Cole vs. Okada

The top stars of AEW and NJPW are making it known who they want to work with at Forbidden Door. Cole has his eye on Kazuchika Okada, the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

“So I’ve never had a singles match with Okada,” he said. “I’ve wrestled Okada before in like a six-man tag team match in Ring of Honor but we barely had any interaction together.”

Cole is eager to make history with Okada and steal the show at Forbidden Door.

“I’ve wrestled Tanahashi, just wrestled Ishii, which was really cool. Wrestled Jushin Liger, YOSHI-HASHI.. so many different guys, but I would love a classic one-on-one singles match with Okada at some point. I think that’d be really cool.”

While no matches have been signed as of this writing, it’s worth tracking who wrestlers are saying they want to work with. In addition to Cole saying he wants to wrestle Okada, we’ve also seen:

• Will Ospreay Wants Kenny Omega at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door

• KENTA Challenges CM Punk to Match at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door

The AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view takes place Sunday, June 26th from Chicago, IL at the United Center.

Watch Adam Cole’s full conversation with Stephanie Chase:

Will Ospreay is making it known that he wants to face Kenny Omega at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door.

Omega has been out of action since late 2021. He worked through multiple injuries as AEW World Champion. Omega underwent multiple surgeries during his time off, including for his knee and a sports hernia.

Ospreay and Omega have exchanged a lot of trash talk on social media and in interviews. On Tuesday morning, Ospreay tweeted about his upcoming match against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestling Dontaku (5/1/22). He wrote, “I will be paying homage to a wrestler that largely impacted my career, to show my appreciation for his contribution & sacrifice.”

Omega assumed Ospreay was talking about him, and said, “thanks, I guess.” Ospreay reacted with an inquiry about Omega’s health, and whether or not he’ll be healthy by June.

You gonna be alright for June ? https://t.co/EOGttJfJVA

— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) April 26, 2022

AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door takes place Sunday, June 26th from Chicago, IL.

No matches have been announced as of this writing, but wrestlers from both companies are already making challenges and dropping hints about who they want to face. Omega vs. Ospreay would be a match worthy of this inter-promotional super-card.

• KENTA Challenges CM Punk to Match at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door

Will Ospreay Ready for AEW’s Top Stars

A few months ago, Will Ospreay spoke to SEScoops and expressed his desire to work with AEW stars. To put it more bluntly, Ospreay expressed his desire to “embarrass” the likes of Kenny Omega, CM Punk and Bryan Danielson.

“If you guys really want it that bad, you know what to do,” Ospreay told SEScoops. “You just gotta call my number and I’ll show up. I’ll show up. But 9 times out of 10, these guys don’t want me to show up. Because A, I’ll embarrass them. I’ll embarrass them.”

“Guys like Bryan Danielson made a living being one of the best wrestlers in the world. But if I showed up, he would not last in the ring with me. Kenny Omega was THE guy in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He left. I took over. Nobody could compete with me in 2019. If I got in the ring with him, I’d embarrass him.”

New Japan Pro Wrestling star KENTA has thrown out the challenge to All Elite Wrestling’s CM Punk for a match at the upcoming AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door PPV.

On this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, president Tony Khan and NJPW president Takami Ohbari announced the joint promotional PPV for the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26. Shortly after the announcement, KENTA took to Twitter to challenge CM Punk to a match at the event, selling it as “G2SvsGTS.”

GIVE ME #G2SvsGTS

— KENTA aka Lil’K (@KENTAG2S) April 21, 2022

Punk and KENTA pair have been linked to each other for several years for using the same finisher inside the ring. Punk has admitted to taking the move from KENTA after switching his finisher from the Anaconda Vise submission hold. Punk has yet to respond to KENTA’s challenge as of this writing.

As for The Forbidden Door, no matches have been announced for the PPV yet. Fans shouldn’t expect any match announcements until after AEW’s Double or Nothing event in May. However, fans should expect an unforgettable show at The Forbidden Door, as the biggest stars from both AEW and NJPW will finally collide.

There has already been speculation about the involvement of stars such as Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada and their involvement in the show. For now, fans will have to be patient until the card begins to take shape for the blockbuster event this summer in Chicago.

Let us know some of the matches you’d like to see go down at The Forbidden Door PPV event this June in the comments below! Is Punk vs. KENTA one of them?

One of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) biggest stars, Kazuchika Okada, might not be available for the promotion’s upcoming joint pay-per-view (PPV) with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), The Forbidden Door, this summer.

It was announced on yesterday’s AEW Dynamite that NJPW and AEW would be hosting the join PPV event from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on June 26. Shortly after the announcement there was a huge buzz on Twitter about Okada appearing on the show, and who he could potentially compete against. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio recently reported on this.

Meltzer noted that the show was just now brought up to Okada as it was announced in Japan. However, his wife’s birthday is on the 28th of June, and that is June 27th in the United States. With that being said, it would be difficult for Okada to make the show and be back in time for his wife’s birthday.

While Meltzer did note that Okada “kind of” said he wasn’t doing the show, he could have been kidding. He then speculated that if Okada was a part of the show, it would be a perfect opportunity to re-introduce Kenny Omega and build up to a potential match – likely in September.

Omega and Okada have extraordinary chemistry with each other inside the ring, having competed three times in singles action against one another under the NJPW banner. Currently, Omega has a 2-1 lead in the rivalry, a number Kazuchika Okada is hoping to make even in a potential rematch.