AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door
August 24, 2025
O2 Arena in London, England
Results by: Alex Kahrs of Wrestleview.com
Zero Hour Quick Results:
- All-Star 8-Man Tag Match: Paragon, Yuya Uemura & El Desperado def. Cru, Hechicero & Josh Alexander
- Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona def. Michael Oku, Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey
- All-Star 8-Woman Tag Match: Triangle of Madness & Megan Bayne def. Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, Harley Cameron & Queen Aminata
- AEW World Trios Championship: The Opps def. Bullet Club War Dogs
With the Zero Hour done and dusted, it’s time to kick down the Forbidden Door!
We kick off with a video package highlighting AEW and its international partners working together for tonight’s show, and the featured bouts on the lineup.
From there, we head to ringside as Adam Copeland gets a huge ovation from the London crowd on his way to the ring for our opening contest. The crowd sings along to his theme, bringing a big grin to the face of the Rated R Superstar. Out next is Christian Cage, who if his theme had lyrics I’m sure the crowd would also sing along to. Life will surely find a way as Cage makes his down the ramp, teaming with Cope for the first time since 2011. Big pop for the former Patriarch, and the sight of Cope and Christian (huh, feels weird saying it like that) standing together gets another big pop from the crowd.
Out next are Kip Sabian and Killswitch, accompanied by Mother Wayne down the ramp as they make a beeline for the ring. Boos for the new Wayne Family are mixed with cheers for the returning Luchasa–I mean, Killswitch–as this match gets underway!
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage vs. Killswitch and Kip Sabian
We start off with Copeland and Sabian, the two locking up before Cope drops Sabian to the mat. Sabian back on his feet, sending Adam to the corner with some strikes before Cope slides out of the ring. Sabian follows close behind, eventually taking a clothesline before Cope brings him back in the ring. Tag to Christian, and they double-team Sabian before Cage stays on the attack for some revenge from the betrayal he faced.
Killswitch tags in, going after the man who rechristened him…but Cage immediately tags to Copeland instead. Cope and Killswitch trade strikes until Cope gets taken to the canvas with a thrust kick. He sends Cope to the corner, but Adam fights back to send Killswitch out for a baseball slide into the barricade. He fends off Kip Sabian, but Mother Wayne distracts him long enough for Kip to get the drop on Cope.
Killswitch continues the attack despite getting some less than kind words from Sabian, and the latter tags in after Cope is brought back into the ring. Kip sends Cope to the corner, catching him on the top rope before climbing the turnbuckle for a missile dropkick that score a two count. Tag made to Killswitch as Kip looks for a cannonball…but Killswitch offers an unwanted assist by throwing him into Cope! This gets Killswitch a two count as Mother Wayne tries to tell Sabian it’s okay. Cope fights to his feet, struggling to get a tag from Cage but to no avail as Killswitch drops him to the mat once more.
Kip yells at Killswitch to make the tag, “you stupid dinosaur”…and Killswitch obliges by smacking him clean off the apron! He sends Sabian into the ring as Mother Wayne knocks Cage off the apron. Sabian gets Cope up on the turnbuckle but is hoisted up by Killswitch, setting him up on his shoulders…and regardless of what was going on here, Cope jumps off for a Doomsday Device on Sabian in the process!
Cope finally manages to tag in Cage, and Killswitch tags himself in so he can finally go after the former Patriarch. He lays in some heavy offense until Cage fights back, sending him into the corner and then setting him up on the ropes. Sabian tries to intervene but gets propped up on the ropes as well for a boot to the back, and Cope gives an assist Cage gets the drop on Killswitch. He brings Killswitch back to the ring, and a powerbomb from Cope allows Christian to get a two count.
Killswitch has both men by the throat when he’s back on his feet, but Kip tags himself in…only to distract the ref as Cope and Cage deliver a DDT on Killswitch. This distraction allows Sabian to get a cheap shot for a two count, with Cage fighting back for a spear that gets blocked by Kip. Cope slides in for an assist one more time, hitting a spear on Sabian that allows Cage to get the pin!
Winners via pinfall: Adam Copeland and Christian Cage
As the pair stand in victory, I finally realize the crowd is singing “Hey, hey Christian, I wanna know if you’ll be my guy.” The two men shake hands as Cope’s music hits.
Video Package: Kyle Fletcher told New Japan to send their pound for pound best to Forbidden Door to challenge for the TNT Championship, and New Japan said “we’re sending you a Time Bomb” in the form of Hiromu Takahashi!
Back at ringside, Hiromu Takahashi makes his entrance for the first title match of the main card. Out next is the Protostar, accompanied by Don Callis and Lance Archer as Kyle Fletcher heads to the ring to get this TNT Championship match underway!
AEW TNT Championship Match: Kyle Fletcher defends against Hiromu Takahashi
The two circle the mat with Kyle getting a shot in on his challenger. Takahashi hits the ropes, but gets sent to the mat by the champion. Hiromu tries to fight back for a hurricanrana, but settles for a cross body off the ropes instead. Kyle heads to the corner, cutting Takahashi off with a boot to the face. He stays on the attack by sending the Time Bomb to the corner for some strikes…until Hiromu dodges a chop for a few shots of his own!
Back elbow strike from the Protostar gets him a two count, however, and he follows up with a kick to the back of Takahashi. He sends Hiromu down with a body slam and another two count. He continues laying into the challenger before cinching in a chin lock…but the Time Bomb fights back to his feet, hitting the ropes for a step-up hurricanrana.
The fight heads to the ropes, where Takahashi takes the Protostar over the top rope to the floor. He brings the champ back into the ring, sending him down for a two count of his own. Takahashi sends Fletcher to the ropes, but is met with a flurry of offense from Kyle leading to a “Protostar driver” (per Don Callis) that gets the champ a nearfall. Scoop slam connects, before Fletcher goes up top…only to be intercepted by Takahashi.
Hiromu hits the ropes, only to be met with an avalanche back body driver for a nearfall from the champ, who follows up with a Liger Bomb garnering the same result for Fletcher. Takahashi laughs at the champ as he gets to his feet, which riles up the Protostar as sends some more shots at the Time Bomb. Takahashi absorbs a series of forearm shots leading to Fletcher dropping him to the mat…but that only gets a one count!
Takahashi heads to the apron as Fletcher looks for a sheer drop brainbuster…but this gets countered, as the challenger drops Kyle on the hardest part of the ring! Fletcher gets up but it’s just enough for Hiromu to land a sunset powerbomb to the floor, followed by a clothesline back in the ring for a close two count.
Time Bomb gets countered, but Takahashi reverses course to send Fletcher down for another nearfall. Hiromu stays on top of this but only gets another two count as the Protostar manages to kick out. Fletcher goes for a tombstone piledriver that gets countered by the challenger…but the champ turns it right back around for a jumping tombstone piledriver and the cover for a nearfall.
Takahashi is in the corner as Fletcher lands a couple hard strikes…but a sheer drop brainbuster gets countered for a two count–only for Kyle to hold the grip, finally landing the sheer drop brainbuster on the Time Bomb to retain the title!
Winner via pinfall and still TNT Champion: Kyle Fletcher
Callis enters the ring to celebrate with Fletcher.
Video Package: The TBS Championship is on the line in a 4-Way Match featuring AEW, Stardom, and CMLL challengers looking to topple “9 Belts Moné” at Forbidden Door!
Back at ringside, Alex Windsor (WINDSOR) makes her way out first for our next match. Bozilla makes her entrance, followed by Persephone. Rounding out the entrances is a Queen-like procession for the CEO, showcasing 8 of her 9 belts before Mercedes Moné walks out wearing the TBS Championship on her way to the ring to get this match underway!
AEW TBS Championship Four-Way Match: Mercedes Moné vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persephone vs. Bozilla
The champ is sent out of the ring as the three challengers go after each other, util Bozilla lays out Windsor and Persephone. Moné returns to look for a roll up on Bozilla, but to no avail as the champ is sent to the corner. Bozilla hoists Mercedes onto her shoulders…before launching the champ to the outside, where Moné lands on Windsor and Persephone. The latter gets back in the ring, but is dropped by Bozilla. Windsor hops on her back as Mercedes slides in looking for a sneak attack, only to be knocked away by Bozilla.
Bozilla goes on a tear until Moné evades an attack, forcing the challenger to the outside. Mercedes tries her hand with Windsor and Persephone, but this leads to Persephone getting a one count over the champ before Windsor pulls her away. In the meantime, Bozilla has already gotten back in the ring and drops both women to the mat before Moné tries to go for a sleeper hold…only to be sent into the turnbuckle by Bozilla.
Moné tries to get the drop on Bozilla but gets caught in midair, as Windsor and Persephone slide out of the ring to pull Bozilla down. This leads to Moné taking a powerbomb before Bozilla deals with the other two outside. They take her down before going back in the ring, and chaos ensues with each of the three scoring a nearfall in the process.
This all comes to a screeching halt when Bozilla breaks up a pin to grab Persephone for a bearhug…before dropping her to the mat! Crowd chanting for Bozilla now out of respect, as she turns her focus on the champ in the corner. She goes after Persephone next, but Windsor stops it with a lariat getting her down just briefly. Moné takes advantage of the opening but only gets a nearfall for her efforts
Windsor and Moné go at it in the corner until Alex is set in a tree of woe, as Persephone and Bozilla get in the mix…only for Windsor to send all three women to the mat with a German suplex from the tree of woe! “Alex Windsor” chants now as Windsor catches Bozilla with a DDT on the ropes, but Persephone gets a roll up for a near fall.
Moné sneaks in here, catching both women with a Statement Maker! Windsor breaks free as Persephone gets the champ on her shoulders for a two count, but Windsor gets the upper hand as she locks in a Scorpion Deathlock on Moné AND Persephone! Lurking behind them is a returning Bozilla, who steps on the hands of the champ and Persephone to stop them from tapping out before attacking Windsor to break the hold!
Bozilla sends Windsor to the corner, where Persephone catches Alex with a spear…before getting dropped by Bozilla, who goes up top for a moonsault! Cover by Bozilla, but the champ breaks it up at two. Bozilla stares down Moné before setting up for a Liger Bomb…but the champ counters into a reverse rana for a two count. Windsor comes in for a fisherman’s buster on Mercedes, but the champ kicks out at two as well.
Windsor goes for a German suplex on Bozilla, who counters with one of her own. She heads to the corner for a running lariat on Windsor, before sending her to the corner for some more damage. Bozilla eggs on Persephone to come in, and the latter obliges with a surprising drop on Bozilla to the mat, only for Windsor to drop her for a two count. Windsor with a Scorpion Deathlock until Moné breaks it up. Persephone looks for a Money Maker on the champ, but this gets countered and Moné gets a clutch for the win!
Winner via pinfall and still TBS Champion: Mercedes Moné
Video Package: The road to Nigel McGuinness returning to pro wrestling, and his opportunity to challenge Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship tonight at Forbidden Door!
We get a vignette of Nigel McGuinness meeting with the legendary Johnny Saint for a game of chess to help prepare his mind for the task ahead. McGuinness gets a checkmate on Saint, who tells him to do it again at Forbidden Door.
Back at ringside, Oasis plays to a huge pops as Nigel McGuinness makes his way out with Daniel Garcia beside him. Nigel shakes hands with Saint and Marty Jones before entering the ring, the crowd chanting “Oh, Nigel McGuinness” before Zack Sabre Jr.’s music hits.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Nigel McGuinness
The crowd is absolutely electric for both men as they start exchanging holds and snapmares. Nigel takes the champ down with a side headlock for a one count, before Sabre breaks free. ZSJ takes the challenger down a couple times, the latter a wristlock takedown that Nigel breaks free from. Sabre goes right back on the attack however, staying on the wrist before Nigel fights to his feet…only to be taken right back down.
Zack goes full-on joint manipulation now, attacking the hand and arm of McGuinness even as he tries to get back on his feet. This doesn’t last long as Nigel is right back on the mat, finally getting up before moving his fingers to mock the champ…and that gives him the opening he needs to take Sabre down! He’s got both arms trapped as he bridges back to apply further pressure, before catching the champ for a two count.
Sabre manages to fight back to his feet, kicking Nigel in the arm to take the challenger down. He goes after the neck for a moment before attacking the arm, stomping on it for extra damage. Nigel gets to his feet, trapping Zack’s arm for a wringer DDT. Sabre manages to fight back before Nigel sends him to the corner for the break, and McGuinness sends the champ to the mat to get a breather in the corner. ZSJ back on his feet as he goes after Nigel in the corner, only to get hit with a combo by the challenger.
Nigel follows up with a running uppercut, but a pause to pose for the crowd leads to Sabre trying to run at him…only to get caught with a slam that gets the challenger a two count! Nigel has a bit of fun telling the ref he has until five, a nod to Bryan Danielson on commentary before he continues the attack on the champ…before Sabre traps the arm of Nigel! Armbar by the champ, who also has a toe hold trying to go after the foot.
We see Daniel trying to push the ropes forward to help his friend, and the ref spots this and tells him off for it as Nigel gets to his feet once again. This leads to an exchange of uppercuts between both men. The champ is slightly busted on the nose as the exchange intensifies, leading to ZSJ being sent to the ropes…only to catch Nigel with a nearfall. Clutch by Nigel gets a nearfall of his own, and both men go for lariats with the challenger prevailing from the ropes for a close two count. Short-arm lariat gets Nigel another two count, before Zack catches him with a crucifix pin for a nearfall as well!
This ends with Nigel going for a hold on the champ, only for Sabre to counter with a hold of his own as the ref is forced to deal with Daniel getting too close to the action. The action heads to the ropes before Zack breaks free, mouthing off with Garcia who tells him to “go lose your title” as Sabre goes up top…only to get caught with a Tower of London that gets the challenger a close nearfall before Sabre breaks free!
Exchange of pinfall attempts ends with Sabre managing to keep Nigel on his shoulders down just long enough to pick up the win!
Winner via pinfall and still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion: Zack Sabre Jr.
Nigel rises to his feet, somewhat distraught losing his big title opportunity. He gets a big ovation from the London crowd as he and Sabre shake hands, with the champ showing massive respect raising Nigel’s arm before leaving the ring. He meets with Saint and Jones at ringside as Daniel Garcia enters the ring, hugging his buddy Nigel while Schiavone enters the ring for a special announcement.
Nigel and Garcia leave the ring as we get the announcement that 18,992 fans are in The O2 for Forbidden Door, breaking the record for a wrestling show in the building.
We cut backstage where Aminata and Thekla (who brawled to the back during their match on Zero Hour) bring their fight back to ringside. Aminata is blindsided by Skye and Hart, and the Triangle of Madness looks to attack the Queen some more when Jamie Hayter makes her return for the save! The trio run off as Hayter checks on Aminata, raising her arm to a huge pop from the crowd.
Video Package: The Hurt Syndicate defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against FTR and Brodido in a 3-Way Tag Match here at Forbidden Door!
We head to ringside as FTR make their way out first for our next match. Brodido make their entrance next, with what feels like their first proper tag team entrance with the name and everything as they head to the ring. Rounding out the entrances are the champions to “We hurt people” chants as The Hurt Syndicate head to the ring to get this match underway!
AEW World Tag Team Championships Three-Way Match: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) vs. FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs. Brodido (ROH World Champion Bandido and Brody King)
FTR go after Lashley while Brodido attack Shelton, the match quickly spilling to the outside as a result. Lashley fends off FTR as Benjamin fights back against Bandido and King, but things turn back in favor of the challengers as Lashley gets sent into the ring steps while Benjamin takes a hurricanrana to the floor by Bandido.
Bandido and Dax enter the ring, with the latter taking a headscissors by Bandido for a nearfall. Harwood fights back for a chop and a double-team alongside Cash Wheeler…before Lashley tags himself in for a double clothesline on FTR! Lashley hits a delayed vertical suplex on Harwood before tagging in Benjamin for more damage.
Dax tags to Bandido to save himself, and the ROH World Champion sends Lashley through the ropes for a dive to the outside. Benjamin comes back in and takes Bandido down hard before the tag is made to Lashley, who drops Bandido for a nearfall before Cash breaks it up. Benjamin sends Bandido out of the ring off a tag, bringing him back as we get a uhhh…”oh f–k The Revival” chant that makes me remember what FTR originally stood for.
Anyway, Lashley comes back in to knock Brody off the apron before landing a boot on the neck of Bandido, and then tagging Benjamin back in. Bandido fights back with a thrust kick before looking for a tag out, but FTR drops to the floor to avoid the tag with Brody still down on the floor. “We want Brody” chant means nothing to Lashley as he goes for a Hurt Lock, but Bandido breaks free in the nick of time as Brody makes it back to the apron.
Tag made to Benjamin who keeps Bandido isolated, but he gets taken down allowing for a hot tag to the King! He runs roughshod over everyone else in the ring as Dax sneaks a tag in, only to be dropped by Brody for a nearfall. He send Dax into Wheeler in the corner but Benjamin intervenes, only to be sent to the corner by King…who lands a cannonball on FTR! He looks over at Shelton, but Bobby has entered the chat–I mean, ring–and the crowd chants “meat” as the hoss fight begins!
They go back and forth until Lashley drops Brody…who gets back to his feet, sending Lashley over the top rope to the outside! Benjamin catches him before taking out Wheeler and Bandido…and dodges an attack by King for a set of German suplexes! A hat trick of suplexes keeps King down on the canvas. Benjamin gets hoisted up by Brody, and Cash takes advantage by hitting a Shatter Machine on Shelton!
Cash manages to keep Lashley out of the ring before Brody sends him out as well, with the Hurt Syndicate catching him in their arms just as Brody hits a dive on all three men! Bandido gets back in the ring, grabbing Dax and setting him up on the turnbuckle for a slam sending both men onto the pile for good measure.
Hurt Syndicate back on their feet, laying out their challengers before sending Brody back in the ring. Step up knee strike followed by a spear on Dax, but two men in NJPW hoodies take Lashley out of the equation as Dax gets a nearfall. The hooded men continue keeping Lashley isolated as Dax land a nasty chair shot on Brody…and the hooded men reveal themselves as Ricochet and GOA while Dax only gets a nearfall for his troubles!
RicoGOA take their leave as FTR are fended off on the turnbuckles, leading to Bandido getting a close nearfall before a slight slip…but he gets right back on top and gets the three count! We have new tag champs!
Winners via pinfall and new AEW World Tag Team Champions: Brodido
The crowd gives the new champs a show of respect as we cut away.
Video Package: The road to tonight’s Unified Championship match as Okada defends against Swerve Strickland!
Back at ringside, Jim Ross has joined commentary as Swerve Strickland makes his entrance first for our next, notably contested under Continental Rules as Okada makes his entrance to get this match underway!
AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
Swerve goes right on the attack at the start, but the champ fights back to get the upper hand. Swerve turns it back around for a suplex while the crowd chants “f–k Don Callis” for good measure, followed by “Whose house? Swerve’s house” as the action spills to the outside. Running knee on the apron sends the champ to the floor, and a “Swerve’s House in the middle of the street” is cut off by a big dive from Strickland onto Okada!
He brings Okada back in the ring as the chant resumes. Neckbreaker by Strickland, not once but twice to keep the Rainmaker on the mat for a moment. He sends Okada to the corner before landing a springboard uppercut. He brings Okada to his feet, but the champ catches him with a catapault sending Strickland through the ropes and to the outside.
Swerve is back on his feet but takes a baseball slide from Okada, who quickly breaks the ref’s count to stay on the attack…before the challenger fights back, sending him into the ring steps! A couple more shots and Swerve sends him onto the apron at the count of eight, before breaking said count just to set up for a piledriver onto the steps…but that gets countered with a DDT by the champ, sending him headfirst into the steps and down to the floor! This gives Okada even more of an opening now, as he brings Strickland back in the ring. Hammer throw to the corner, and the impact forces Swerve to the mat.
Strickland slowly gets to his feet as the two men trade strikes, rolling Flatliner by Swerve goes into a suplex taking Okada to the canvas. He brings the champ to the corner, but Okada fights back until Strickland sends him down for an avalanche back suplex and the cover…but Okada manages to kick out!
Okada escapes to the outside as Swerve follows him, only to be caught with a tombstone piledriver onto the floor. He brings the challenger back into the ring for a scoop slam before going up top for an elbow drop. He gives the people what he thinks they deserve (flipping them off) before setting up for a Rainmaker lariat…but Swerve dodges it, only to be taken down with other lariats. Rainmaker gets countered with a House Call taking the champ down to the mat, with Strickland switching the grip in his favor.
He lands a lariat of his own twice over, and a third to grow on as the fans show their appreciation. He sets up for another House Call but takes a dropkick instead, with Okada landing a second one…only for Strickland to get up for a powerbomb on the champ! Strickland is up top, landing a Swerve Stomp for the cover…but a pause allows Okada to kick out just in the nick of time!
Okada goes to the apron as Swerve heads to the corner, the two going at it on the turnbuckle before Okada traps Strickland by his leg. Swerve manages to get back to a good position but this gives Okada an opening for a kneebreaker onto the top turnbuckle. Swerve is in a world of hurt here as he lands on the apron before rolling back in the ring.
Swerve is back up but Okada dodges a House Call and a Big Pressure…before Strickland lands a House Call on the head of the champ! House Call from the corner gets evaded, and Okada lays Swerve out with the Rainmaker lariat for the win to retain!
Winner via pinfall and still Unified Champion: Kazuchika Okada
The match is over but Okada is not through, as he pulls Strickland to the corner to trap his leg between the ring steps. He grabs a chair and slams it on the knee of Swerve, but Prince Nana comes running down for the save. Okada regroups with Don Callis on the ramp as the crowd chants “Okada is a b—h” at the champ…but back in the ring, Wardlow makes his return as he attacks Prince Nana! Security rushes down to hold the big man back as Swerve stares him down…and Wardlow attacks the security detail in response!
Swerve looks to be either trapped in the corner or just really hurt bad as Wardlow lands a powerbomb on one of the guards before taking his leave from the ring. Officials check on Strickland as Wardlow meets with the Don Callis Family. Konosuke Takeshita’s music hits as a man who has some history of his own with Wardlow comes out to stare the newest Family member down for a moment, before seemingly approving of Wardlow’s entry.
Video Package: The build to the AEW Women’s World Championship match at Forbidden Door, as Toni Storm defends against current ROH Women’s Champion (and “Forever Champion”) Athena!
Back at ringside, Athena makes her entrance for our next match. Toni Storm makes something of a regal entrance herself, and this Women’s World Title match is underway!
AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm defends against ROH Women’s Champion Athena
Toni gets the upper hand on her challenger, sending Athena to the outside before taking Billie Starkz out of the equation with a Storm Zero…only for Athena to send her into the barricade! The impact shuts off the LED screen as Athena brings the champ back into the ring for a thrust kick and a nearfall.
Athena stays on the attack for another two count, sending Storm to the corner before dragging her along the ropes for more damage. The attack continues as she brings Toni to the opposite side…where she slams the champ’s head into the ring post! Storm tries to fight back, but the challenger stays on top of things before bringing her to the ropes. She threatens to take the champ’s head off, but Toni gets out of the way and rolls her up for a two count instead! Storm gets sent to the corner as Athena looks for a hip attack out of the champ’s playbook…only to run into a clothesline by Toni, followed by a fisherman’s suplex that gets the champ a two count.
Athena fights out of a Storm Zero attempt, taking the champ right back down…but pauses a little too long, allowing Storm to hit a powerbomb for a two count of her own. TCM Chickenwing gets countered, but Storm lands a tornado DDT and a Liger Bomb on the challenger for a nearfall. Both women are on their feet to exchange strikes, with some overhead chops wearing Athena down before she takes Storm down with a thrust kick and a palm strike for a close two count.
Storm fights out of a powerbomb attempt to head to the corner, but a distraction from Starkz allows Athena to land a kick. Hurricanrana by Storm but Athena lands on her feet, hitting a Liger Bomb of her own for a two count…and then traps the champ in a submission hold. It’s a modified Koji Clutch that has the champ scrambling, getting her foot on the ropes for a break as Athena backs away.
Storm looks for the chickenwing but is sent through the ropes, landing on the floor as Athena hits a big dive. She brings Toni to the ring steps, looking for a piledriver before the champ breaks free to pull her down onto the steps. She then slams Athena into the barricade, a move that turns the LED screen back on before she brings Athena back into the ring…but a headbutt and Storm Zero is only good for a two count!
Athena looks for help from Starkz, pulling the apron cover in the process. Storm fights back, but nearly gets tripped by Billie who points out she didn’t actually touch the champ…and this allows Athena to hit an O Face sending Storm onto the top rope! Storm is laying on the apron as Billie looks to use a chair…but Mina pulls it away and brings that to a halt. Athena goes back after the champ, who gets a Big Package on Athena…but that gets countered for a two count. They’re back up, and Storm catches the challenger with the TCM Chickenwing…and Athena has no choice but to tap out!
Winner via submission and still AEW Women’s World Champion: “Timeless” Toni Storm
Storm celebrates with the title on the ramp to a big pop from the crowd.
Video Package: The build for tonight’s AEW World Championship match, where the title can changes hands by DQ or countout per the agreement between MJF and Hangman Adam Page. (Yeah, it’s a weird twist at the end, but here we are!)
Back at ringside, MJF comes out looking vaguely like Ric Flair with his CMLL Light Heavyweight (or “World” per announcements) Championship as he heads down the ramp. Hangman Adam Page is out next, and we get ring introductions for both men to get this big title match underway!
AEW World Championship Match: Hangman Adam Page defends against MJF (the title can change hands via count-out or disqualification)
MJF starts to square off with the champ but immediately backs off to the ropes. MJF continues to try and needle the champ by ducking in and out of action, and Hangman has had enough as he lays into MJF in the corner. The ref has to pull the champ back, reminding him that a DQ will mean he loses the title.
MJF escapes the ring, but is quickly followed by the champ who sends him into the barricade before going to the ring to break the count. The crowd chants “one more time” and Page obliges, dropping him onto the guardrail once more before breaking the count again. MJF gets back to the ringside area and is sent to the ring by the champ, who hits a back suplex before MJF rolls to the floor outside.
Hangman leaves to get some more damage done, but starts to grab a chair before the ref reprimands him. This gives MJF an opening to strike, bringing Page back in the ring to land some shots followed by a chinlock. Page fights back to his feet before MJF drops him back down by his hair. He brings the champ to his feet only to take some shots from Page…and responds with a thumb to the eye!
Page fights back until MJF turns it around with a quick piledriver, but that only gets him a two count. Hammer throw sends Page to the corner hard, and MJF mocks the crowd. This allows the champ to get back into it, sending MJF to the corner before a running attack gets dodged. Double stomp onto the arm of Page, and MJF goes for the armbar…only for Page to force him to change things up, dropping the champ to the mat instead.
The action heads to the turnbuckle, where MJF takes a bite out of Page before mocking him…and Hangman returns the favor before dropping Max to the canvas. Fall away slam sends the challenger to the ropes. MJF tries to take a breather on the floor but gets caught with a moonsault from Hangman instead, sending him down hard. Page brings MJF back to the ring for a pop up powerbomb, but it’s only good for a two count.
Page looks for a Buckshot Lariat but MJF drops to the ropes to evade it, instead looking for a Heatseeker. Adam blocks it, but a Buckshot Lariat gets countered into Salt of the Earth! Page is trapped in the armbar, scrambling toward the ropes before MJF pulls him back…only to get pinned on his shoulders for two. Page looking for a crossface but MJF gets him on his shoulders for a nearfall that breaks the hold.
Heatseeker is blocked but the Buckshot Lariat is countered with a cutter (out of nowhere!?) followed by a guillotine hammerlock DDT for a two count. MJF leaves the ring, moving his title and the contract off the table nearby to bring that table to the other side of the ring. He props Page up on that table before climbing the turnbuckle…but a pause leads to Hangman intercepting him. MJF sends him away, but is caught with a moonsault off the apron followed by a tombstone piledriver from the Hangman sending MJF to the floor!
He brings MJF to the ring before grabbing the table, setting it up closer to the ring. MJF tries to fight back, but Hangman catches him with a Dead Eye through the table! While I internally debate whether that should’ve been a DQ, Page brings MJF back into the ring for the cover…but MJF gets a boot on the rope to break the pin!
Page looks for a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF slides out of the ring to gather himself on a chair near the barricade. Hangman gets to the floor and runs toward MJF, who catches him with a drop toe hold onto the chair! MJF slides into the ring as the ref confirms whether that chair attack was an accident, something the challenger claims is the case as he leaves the ring to go back after the champ. He sends Page into the ring steps before talking trash toward Bryan Danielson at the commentary table.
He goes back after the champ, setting him up for a tombstone piledriver…that he targets to a half of the broken table! MJF may have hurt himself here but he rolls into the ring, calling for the ref to start the count. We’re up to seven, eight even when Page starts to get up…but he falls back down! Ref reaches nine, but Page has a burst of energy that gets him back in the ring just in the nick of time!
Ref checks on Page as MJF pulls a turnbuckle cover off, looking to send the champ into it…but it gets turned around on the challenger as his face meets the exposed turnbuckle instead! Page backs off to the corner as we see MJF busted open…and the crowd chanting “you deserve it” at him for it. MJF gets to his feet as does Page, and the two men stare each other down before walking to the center of the ring.
They trade strikes back and forth, with the champ seemingly having the upper hand…but they both drop to the mat from the damage that’s been done. Page is up first, looking for a tombstone piledriver that gets countered…and this leads to an exchange of nearfalls, first as two counts and eventually down to one counts. Jackknife cover leads to both men getting up…and Page hitting Dead Eye on the challenger! Cover by Page…and MJF kicks out!
Page gets back to his feet as MJF tries to beg him off before pulling out the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Page grabs the ring from him, wondering whether he should use it…but instead just spits in MJF’s face! Buckshot Lariat gets dodged before MJF shoves him into the ref. He lands the Heatseeker on the champ for the cover, with Page getting his boot on the rope…but the ref doesn’t see it as he makes the three count!
The bell hasn’t rung yet as the ref is struggling, and MJF tries to tell him to call for the bell…when Mark Briscoe comes down looking for revenge on MJF! Security pulls him away as MJF notices that Adam’s foot is still on the rope. He goes to pull the boot off when the ref finally notices it, telling MJF that the match continues!
In the midst of the chaos, Page sets up for a Buckshot Lariat that connects, but it’s only good for two. He leaves the ring, grabbing his CMLL title and the contract. Ref notices the title and pulls that away, but the distraction allows MJF to land a shot with the contract on the head of Hangman. MJF covers but only gets a two count. MJF pulls the ring back out of his trunks but gets caught by the ref…and as the ref takes it away, Page manages to crack MJF’s contract over his head before landing the Dead Eye and Buckshot Lariat on his challenger to retain the title!
Winner via pinfall and still AEW World Champion: Hangman Adam Page
Page drops the contract on the chest of MJF before celebrating with the title up the ramp.
AEW announces a pair of TV tapings in the UK in December, with Collision in Cardiff on the 13th and Dynamite from Manchester on the 17th!
Bryan Danielson leaves commentary due to his issues with “people in the match,” and we cut to…
Video Package: The chaos that has been the build to this Lights Out Steel Cage Match at Forbidden Door, as Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and the Golden Lovers take on the Death Riders, The Young Bucks, and Gabe Kidd!
Back at ringside, Justin Roberts explains the lights going out for a moment to indicate the end of tonight’s sanctioned event, with the Lights Out Steel Cage Match not being the responsibility of AEW. We notice that there is room between the ring and the cage walls, and this match can only be won by pinfall.
With that, we get our entrances as Darby Allin comes out first, followed by Hiroshi Tanahashi who gets a huge pop for his final UK appearance. Kota Ibushi makes his entrance next, followed by Kenny Omega for a lovely Golden Lovers reunion as the pair come down the ramp. They enter the cage to join their teammates, as the crowd roar in delight for the squad inside the cage so far.
We get a video package with Alex Windsor narrating, talking about how proud she and the people are of Will Ospreay going into this main event. With that, Ospreay’s music hits to a giant pop from the crowd, singing along with the theme as Will Ospreay walks down the ramp. He heads to the cage, a look of determination on his face as he drops his jacket to climb up the side of the cage before posing on the top. He gets into the ring area itself, meeting with the rest of his team as the crowd chants his name some more.
Out first for the opposing squad are the Young Bucks, who think they’re getting their normal entrance back…but to no avail, as the music cuts out and the screens go black. Music starts back up, and we get…”MMMBop” by Hanson, shades of their days in PWG. My heart is full, even if the Bucks are not happy about it…but at least they get introduced halfway properly as they approach the cage. Out next are the Death Riders and Gabe Kidd to round out the squad, the group heading toward the ring with Kidd running into the cage and the rest following to get this match underway!
Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi vs. Jon Moxley, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Gabe Kidd, and Claudio Castagnoli
Darby is immediately after Mox as Kidd goes after Ospreay. Bucks go after Tanahashi but the Ace fends them and Claudio off, before Kidd cuts him off from celebrating. Ospreay gets in the ring and goes after Gabe, sending him away before hitting the ropes for a Sasuke Special over the ropes. Back in the ring, the Bucks go after the Golden Lovers before they get taken down with a pair of hurricanranas by Omega and Ibushi. This sends the Bucks out of the ring, before the Lovers catch them with a pair of dives.
Mox and Darby come back in the ring and it seems they’ve been handcuffed together. It gets broken only after Darby hits a Code Red on Claudio who tries to intervene, and as they leave the ring we see the Bucks and Golden Lovers getting back into it. Bucks take Ibushi down with a Sliced Bread. Nick leaves the ring to grab a bag from underneath, thinking he’s got a bunch of thumbtacks…but it’s a pile of gummy bears instead! Mox and Claudio come into the ring but Ospreay takes Mox down from the turnbuckle.
Omega tries to drop toe hold Matt into the gummy bears but to no avail…until Tanahashi hits a bulldog sending Matt face first into the delicious treats! Matt gets spiked on the canvas as well, before Omega brings him to his feet to stuff a bunch of the candies into Matt’s mouth. This leads to a nearfall attempt by Omega before Matt kicks out, and the Bucks regain control sending the Lovers out before going after Darby in the ring. Nick goes after Ospreay on the outside, bringing him back in the ring as he and Matt trade strikes on Will.
The Bucks bring out a ladder from under the ring, only for Ospreay to dodge it before hitting them in the face with it off a backflip leg strike. He then goes after Mox, wrapping a chair around his neck after what Mox did to him…but Gabe makes the save for a stalling piledriver.
Kidd is intercepted by Omega after this, the two going at it on the apron before Kidd sets Omega up for a stomp-powerbomb combo by the Bucks…right into a giant swing by Claudio! Kidd with the dropkick and a catapult from Claudio into an attack from the Bucks for a two count. Ibushi gets in the ring and goes after the Bucks, who eventually take him out with a double superkick. TK Driver on Ibushi only gets a two count before Darby breaks it up. Death Riders and Kidd go after Darby now, with Claudio picking him up to launch him into the side of the cage…and down to the floor!
They turn their attention to Tanahashi, who fends off his foes as best he can before Mox lands a hard DDT on the Ace. They grab Darby Allin, setting him up on a chair before wrapping duct tape around him to keep him bound. Mox grabs a fork and…oh, dear. Mox goes after the ear of Darby Allin, busting it open in the process. Satisfied with the damage done, they split back up to go after their opponents at ringside. We get another shot of Darby’s ear when suddenly, we see a table with barbed wire pulled out from under the ring.
Outside the cage they set up a double stack of tables. Darby fights back as best he can while back in the ring, the barbed wire table is set up against the corner…but Tanahashi catches Mox before driving his head into the barbed wire! Bucks get involved now, setting up for a TK Driver on Tanahashi for a two count before Ospreay breaks it up! Will covers the Ace and himself up as the Death Riders start to target his neck. Mox pulls Ospreay away, looking for a Paradigm Shift…but instead, Ospreay spears him through the barbed wire table in the corner! Omega is back on his feet with some snap dragon suplexes.
Mox looking for a Paradigm Shift but Omega blocks it. Ibushi blocks an attack form Nick, and the Golden Lovers hit snap dragon suplexes in stereo. Bucks on the outside as Ibushi gets a dive, followed by Omega onto the Death Riders! Tanahashi makes his way to his feet, seeing the ladder and deciding to climb it looking to go to the top of the cage. Ospreay convinces him not to do it…instead climbing the side of the cage himself for a moonsault off the top, dropping onto the pile of bodies below!
Back in the ring are Gabe Kidd and Kenny Omega, trading strikes back and forth while Kidd mocks Kenny. Omega fights back with some chops, only for Gabe to fight back. Knee by Omega, but Kidd gets out of the way so the Bucks can go after their former friend. Tanahashi comes in with dragon screws for both men, before Claudio cuts him off…only to get dropped by Ibushi! Mox with a cutter on Kota, but Darby hits him with a Scorpion Death Drop before Ospreay runs in with a Hidden Blade on the returning Bucks.
Kidd goes after him, but takes a Styles Clash for his trouble…followed by a V-Trigger and Hidden Blade combo! Kenny with the cover, but it gets broken up just in time. Action spills to the apron where Ibushi gets dropped, but Ospreay hits an Oscutter on Nick while the ring clears aside from Mox and Omega. They can’t seem to knock each other down with clotheslines, but Omega gets Mox to the ropes for a V-Trigger. One-Winged Angel connects and Kenny makes the cover…but it gets broken up at two!
Mox escapes the ring, climbing up the side for an assist from Wheeler Yuta until Darby Allin intercepts. He goes after Yuta on the top of the cage before sending Yuta onto the Japanese announce table! He then goes after Mox on the outside, eventually catching him and propping him onto the table stack. Darby looking for a Coffin Drop off the top of the cage, but Marina pulls Mox off the table before Kidd blindsides Allin. Gabe looking for a sleeper hold on Darby, who pulls his nose to stop him just long enough to send both men crashing through (part of) the table stack!
Back in the ring we see Claudio and Ibushi going at it with strikes, before Kota hits a half and half suplex. V-Trigger by Omega goes into a Stormbreaker by Ospreay. Bucks intervene but Nick takes a Golden Trigger and Matt takes a Hidden Blade followed by a One-Winged Angel. Tanahashi goes up top for a High Fly Flow, and that does the trick to get the win!
Winners via pinfall: Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi
The ring is cleared out as the winning squad, sans Darby, stand tall inside it with their arms raised high in victory. Medics check on Darby and Kidd on the outside as commentary thanks the fans for tuning in, with the Ace’s music continuing to play. Omega and Ibushi help Darby walk to the ring, where they shake hands with Ospreay. They all shake hands before everyone aside from Ospreay leaves the ring, allowing Ospreay to take in the adulation from the hometown crowd.
Ospreay shows his appreciation for the fans as his music hits to bring Forbidden Door to a cl–never mind! We get the copyright screen but that is cut off by the Death Riders blindsiding Ospreay! They bring him into the ring where Mox hits a series of Paradigm Shift DDTs on Ospreay, with Ospreay’s teammates kept locked outside the cage. They wrap a chair around the neck of Ospreay as The Opps rush down the ramp to try and make the save, but the cage is still too much of a hurdle to get past…allowing the Death Riders to drop onto the chair, causing even more damage to the neck of Ospreay!
They take their exit as we hear the doc and Samoa Joe demanding the cage get raised, and it finally does as they rush in to check on Ospreay while the Death Riders and the Bucks escape through the crowd. Doc calls for medical procedure, and Forbidden Door fades to black on Omega yelling at the ref about not doing something sooner.
The feed (at least on YouTube) briefly fades back on as the stretcher and gurney is at ringside, and officials work on getting Omega onto it to be escorted out of the ring…but it seems that the feed might not have been meant to catch that, as we quickly cut things there.
Quick Results:
- Adam Copeland and Christian Cage def. Killswitch and Kip Sabian
- AEW TNT Championship Match: Kyle Fletcher def. Hiromu Takahashi
- AEW TBS Championship Four-Way Match: Mercedes Moné def. Alex Windsor, Persephone, and Bozilla
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. def. Nigel McGuinness
- AEW World Tag Team Championships Three-Way Match: Brodido (ROH World Champion Bandido and Brody King) def. The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler)
- AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada def. Swerve Strickland
- AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm def. ROH Women’s Champion Athena
- AEW World Championship Match: Hangman Adam Page def. MJF
- Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi def. Jon Moxley, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Gabe Kidd, and Claudio Castagnoli
That will do it for Forbidden Door this year, and as that door comes creaking to a close a whole new door opens for AEW…and we will see you on Wednesday for the fallout on the next edition of AEW Dynamite!