By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Forbidden Door
Aired live June 30, 2024 live on pay-per-view
Elmont, New York at UBS Arena
AEW Forbidden Door pre-show results: Kyle Fletcher beat Serpentico in 3:10, Malakai Black & Brody King defeated Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong, “Private Party” Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen in 8:35 in a four-way tag team match, Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano defeated Momo Watanabe and Kris Statlander, Mariah May defeated Saraya in 8:30 to advance to the semifinals of the Owen Hart Cup tournament, and Mistico, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix defeated Hiromu Takahashi, Titan, and Yota Tsuji in 12:00…
Pyro shot off on the stage. Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness, and Taz started on commentary. The co-ring announcers were Justin Roberts and Takuro Shibata. They went right to entrances for the opening match…
1. MJF vs. Hechicero. MJF received a big hometown ovation. He wore a robe that read “Long Island’s Own” on the back. MJF crowd surfed and a laughing Taz pointed out that it wasn’t good. Hechicero targeted MJF’s arm to start. MJF offered a handshake, which Hechicero accepted, only to be kicked by MJF.
MJF walked over Hechicero after a drop down and then strutted in Ric Flair style before swiveled his hips like Rick Rude. MJF followed up with a Randy Savage style pose. The match spilled over to ringside where MJF ran Hechicero into the barricade and then sat him on a chair next to it.
MJF got a running start and then booted Hechicero over the barricade. Back inside the ring, Hechicero caught MJF with a knee strike. Hechicero strutted to boos and then flipped off the live crowd.
MJF sold his left arm and then put Hechicero down with a piledriver. Hechicero came right back with a dropkick and then caught MJF in a crossarm breaker. MJF rolled onto Hechicero to break the hold and then applied an armbar of his own.
Hechicero escaped the armbar and then used his legs to put MJF in an armbar. MJF put his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. MJF held his left arm at his side while he and Hechicero threw simultaneous clotheslines.
MJF mounted Hechicero in the corner and threw ten punches at him before biting his forehead. MJF performed a Panama Sunrise and followed it up with a brainbuster that led to him getting the three count…
MJF defeated Hechicero in 9:50.
Powell’s POV: An enjoyable opener with the obvious outcome. That said, it’s a shame that MJF wasn’t involved in something bigger on a show held in his hometown.
A propaganda style video package set up The Elite’s trios match and then entrances for the match took place. Matthew Jackson said this was happening because of him and Nicholas, then said they are the reason the company exists. The fans chanted “Okada” loudly once The Elite trio were inside the ring. Max Caster rapped while he and Anthony Bowens made their entrance. Caster had a lines about Joe Biden, Justin Timberlake, the Bucks destroying Okada’s career, and Okada looking like a bitch. Bowens and “Daddy Ace” scissored…
2. Kazuchika Okada and “The Young Bucks” Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi and “The Acclaimed” Max Caster, and Anthony Bowens. Billy Gunn was not in the corner of the “Scissor Ace” trio. There was a “holy shit” chant when Okada and Tanahashi were in the ring during the opening minute. Okada teased locking up and then tagged out to boos.
The babyface trio performed a double Scissor Me Timbers spot on the Bucks and then played air guitar for a moment. Okada checked in and put Caster down with a neckbreaker. Tanahashi and Bowens were knocked off the apron, leaving Bowens isolated by the heels.
Nicholas put Caster in a Camel Clutch. Matthew tagged in and ran the ropes repeatedly and then stopped and kissed his brother on the cheek. A “f— the Young Bucks” chant broke out along with some “EVP” chants in response.
Tanahashi and Bowens returned to the apron. Okada ran over and knocked Tanahashi to the floor while the isolation of Caster continued. Bowens tagged in and got the better of the Bucks. There was a spot that left both legal men down.
Okada and Tanahashi tagged into the match simultaneously. Tanahashi got the better of the exchange to start and executed a dragon screw leg whip. Tanahashi set up for a Texas Cloverleaf, but the Bucks broke it up. Bowens put Okada down with The Arrival and then Caster hit the Mic Drop.
Tanahashi went up top for a High Fly Flow, but the Bucks stopped him temporarily. When Tanahashi finally attempted the move, Okada recovered and put his knees up. The Bucks pumped up their shoes and threw superkicks at their opponents and eventually dove onto Caster and Bowens at ringside.
Okada picked up Tanahashi and slammed him to the mat. Okada followed up with a top rope elbow drop. Okada teased striking The Rainmaker pose and flipped off the camera instead. Okada went for The Rainmaker clothesline, but Tanahashi caught him in an inside cradle for a near fall. Tanahashi fought off the Bucks. Okada caught Tanahashi with a Rainmaker clothesline and then pinned him.
Kazuchika Okada and “The Young Bucks” Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and “The Acclaimed” Max Caster, and Anthony Bowens in 13:00.
After the match, Okada set up Tanahashi for another Rainmaker, but Billy Gunn ran out and chased away Okada…
Powell’s POV: A fun trios match. Okada was spotlighted nicely, and they did a good job of building to his first exchange with longtime rival Tanahashi. Unfortunately, Tanahashi looked like he was moving gingerly, but it was cool that he did the honors for longtime dance partner Okada.
A video package set up the Owen Hart Cup match and then ring entrances for the match took place…
3. Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi in an Owen Hart Cup tournament match. Danielson caught Takagi in an early leg lock, but Takagi reached the ropes to break. it. Takagi knocked Danielson down with a shoulder block.
McGuinness questioned why people still refer to Danielson as the best wrestler in the world. McGuinness noted that Danielson has yet to hold a title in AEW. A short time later, Takagi stuffed a suicide dive attempt and then performed a Draping DDT style move on the floor.
AEW trainer Doc Sampson checked on Danielson while referee Aubrey Edwards counted. Danielson beat the count and then immediately took as suplex from Takagi, who got a two count. Danielson avoided a clothesline and then connected with a round kick.
Both wrestlers traded shots in the middle of the ring. Takagi suplexed Danielson, who landed on his feet and then suplexed Takagi. Danielson dropkicked Takagi in the corner. Danielson went to the ropes, but Takagi cut him off.
A short time later, Danielson threw kicks at a kneeling Takagi, who stuffed the grand finale kick. Danielson slapped Takagi and then took him down and applied a triangle. Takagi powered up Danielson and then powerslammed him.
Takagi superplexed Danielson, who sold his neck. Takagi followed with a lariat on a seated Danielson and then covered him for a two count. Takagi tried to lead “Yes” chants and the fans responded by chanting “no” instead.
Takagi went for his Made in Japan finisher, but Danielson stuffed it. Takagi avoided a dropkick in the corner and then blasted Danielson with a clothesline. Takagi hit Made in Japan for a close near fall.
Takagi hit Danielson with an elbow to the head and then threw a series of elbows. Takagi ran the ropes for another clothesline, but Danielson countered into an armbar. Takagi prevented Danielson from applying the LeBell Lock.
Takagi put Danielson down with a headbutt. Takagi hoisted up Danielson, who slipped away and threw a kick at him. Danielson suplexed Takagi and then led the crowd in a round of “Yes” chants. Danielson hit the Busaiku Knee for a near fall.
Danielson grabbed Takagi’s arms and then stomped his head with kicks. Danielson put Takagi in a triangle hold and threw elbows at his head. Takagi powered up Danielson, who hit him with elbows. Once they were back on the mat, Danielson sat on Takagi’s back while wrenching is right arm, which led to a submission win…
Bryan Danielson defeated Shingo Takagi in 20:00 to advance to the semifinals of the Owen Hart Cup tournament.
After the match, Danielson vs. Pac was announced as a semifinal match for Wednesday’s Dynamite. Danielson celebrated his win and then pointed at Takagi while looking to the crowd. The fans responded with some clapping. Takagi got up and bowed at Danielson while selling his arm…
Powell’s POV: A heck of a match. It was hurt a bit by the widespread assumption that Danielson would go over, but this one lived up to my high expectations.
A video package set the table for the AEW Women’s Championship match. Entrances for the match took place. Toni Storm wore a Statue of Liberty crown. Mariah May presented both women with flowers, then acted conflicted as she exited the ring…
4. Toni Storm (w/Luther) vs. Mina Shirakawa for the AEW Women’s Championship. Mariah May was at ringside and the idea was that she was there for the champion and the challenger. Storm slammed her ass in the face of Shirakawa early on.
Shirakawa came back and dropped Storm on her knees, then slammed one of her knees into the post. Shirakawa applied a Figure Four around the ring post. Shirakawa continued to target the knee at ringside and once both wrestlers returned to the ring.
Storm came back and went for a hip attack at ringside, but Shirakawa moved, causing Storm to crash into the ring steps. Luther checked on Storm and was there to help absorb the blow when Shirakawa leapt from the top rope onto both of them on the floor.
Back inside the ring, Storm pulled Shirakawa from the ropes and slammed her to the mat for a two count. Storm limped while going for a hip attack that was cut off by Shirakawa, who then applied a Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Storm eventually reached the ropes to break the hold.
Shirakawa put Storm down with a clothesline. Shirakawa went to the ropes and was cut off by Storm, who joined her on the middle rope. Shirakawa got the better of the exchange and performed a DDT from the ropes and then another in the middle of the ring before getting a near fall.
Storm stuffed a move that Shirakawa set up for and then put her down with a German suplex. Storm finally hit the hip attack in the corner and covered Shirakawa for a two count. May was shown seated in a chair next to the broadcast table. Shirakawa hooked Storm into a pin for a two count.
Once both women were on their feet, Shirakawa connected with a back fist and a rolling elbow. Shirakawa powered up Storm and hit the Glamorous Driver for a near fall. May was on the feet looking conflicted. Shirakawa knocked Storm down with a kick.
Storm hooked Shirakawa into a pin for a two count. Storm hit Shirakawa with a pair of headbutts and a release German suplex. Storm followed up with Storm Zero and scored the pin.
Toni Storm defeated Mina Shirakawa in 11:40 to retain the AEW Women’s Championship.
After the match, May continued to look conflicted at ringside. May entered the ring and went to Storm, then looked down at Shirakawa, who was still selling on the mat. Storm picked up Shirakawa, who shoved her. Shirakawa offered a handshake, which May encouraged Storm to accept.
Storm shook Shirakawa’s hand. May said they needed to hug. Storm and Shirakawa hugged to cheers from the crowd. May puckered up and they had a three-way kiss. McGuinness acted emotional and was shown applauding from the broadcast table…
Powell’s POV: Another quality match. There were no major storyline developments with May, but I’m guessing that will be saved for when she wins the Owen Hart Cup tournament and earns a shot at Storm’s championship at All In. With that match looming, there was no reason to suspect a title change in this match, which worked against it a bit.
A video package aired on the Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy match and then entrances took place. Sabre entered first and then Cassidy came out to “Where Is My Mind” by The Pixies. A fan in held up a crowd sign asking where the AEW Dynasty chairs are…
5. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy. Sabre put Cassidy in an early cross jacket. Cassidy stepped over his hands to escape and then countered into the same hold. Cassidy applied a single leg crab and gave it up to apply a headlock. Sabre looked calm and cool and quickly regained offensive control.
Sabre taunted Cassidy with soft leg kicks before blasting him with a full speed kick. Cassidy blocked a kick, but Sabre slapped him and drilled him with a knee to the face. Cassidy popped right up and dropkicked Sabr’s knee. Cassidy performed a dragon screw leg whip. Sabre rolled to the floor.
Cassidy hit Sabre with a suicide dive while the referee was checking on Sabre’s knee. Cassidy continued to target the left knee and then rolled Sabre back inside the ring. Cassidy went up top and performed a crossbody block. Sabre rolled through the crossbody block, but Cassidy hit him with another dragon screw.
Cassidy jumped from the top rope and planted Sabre with a DDT and covered him for a near fall. Sabre came back with joint manipulation, which got a “you sick f—” chant out of the crowd. Sabre tied up Cassidy in a submission hold, but Cassidy reached the ropes with his foot.
Sabre escaped a cloverleaf and put Cassidy in a double wrist lock. Cassidy escaped and slammed Sabre to the mat and got a two count. Cassidy removed his elbow pad and hit Sabre with the Orange Punch. Sabre wobbled, but then blasted Cassidy with a kick while the broadcast team said Cassidy’s hand was wounded.
Both men traded pin attempts for two counts. Cassidy went for the Mouse Trap, but Sabre stuffed it and hooked Cassidy’s arms and legs, which led to a submission win.
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Orange Cassidy in 16:20.
After the match, Sabre got Cassidy’s sunglasses and handed them to him before leaving the ring…
Powell’s POV: A good submission style match. The crowd was quiet early, but they seemed attentive and got a little louder as the match went on. I’m pleasantly surprised that it was a clean finish rather than Trent Beretta costing Cassidy the match.
A video package set up the Learning Tree trios match. Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, and Hook made separate entrances, met on the stage, and headed to the ring. Jeff Cobb made his entrance followed by The Learning Tree…
6. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jeff Cobb, Chris Jericho, and Big Bill (w/Bryan Keith). A “Please Retire” chant broke out. Jericho took the mic and said he knows the fans don’t really want him to retire because he’s from Long Island. Taz took issue with McGuinness calling the FTW Title by the “For The World” name.
Joe and Cobb both tagged into the match a couple minutes in, which got a rise out of the crowd. Joe didn’t budge on shoulder block attempts. Cobb shoved him. Joe ran the ropes and knocked Cobb down with a shoulder block. Cobb came back by slamming Joe to the mat with a spinebuster style slam.
Bill tagged in and worked over Joe briefly. Jericho tagged in and was booed, so he responded by waving to the crowd. Cobb tagged in again and had his legs taken out from under him by Joe, who tagged out.
Hook got the better of Jericho and Bill. Keith climbed on the apron and distracted Hook, allowing Cobb to hit Hook from behind. Excalibur said Hook has the least amount of tag team experience of the wrestlers in the match.
Jericho had a run of offense on Hook and put his foot on him while waving to the crowd while the referee made a one count. Bill tagged in and slammed Hook to the mat before dropping elbows on him.
Cobb tagged in and slammed Hook the mat before covering him for a two count. Cobb stood up and performed a standing moonsault that led to another two count. Hook ran the ropes and knocked Cobb to the mat with a clothesline and then tagged out.
Shibata worked over all three heels and threw chops and punches at Cobb in the corner. Shibata ducked a clothesline and then dropkicked Cobb. The babyface trio took turns hitting moves on Cobb in a corner of the ring, which they capped off with a Shibata dropkick.
Shibata went for a crossarm breaker, but Bill dropped an elbow on him to break the hold. Cobb performed a fallaway slam and then tagged in Jericho, who slammed Shibata to the mat, waved to the crowd, and then went for a Lionsault that Shibata stuffed by putting his knees up.
Bill ran in and knocked Joe off the apron. Bill went to ringside and ran Joe into the barricade. Hook jumped off the top rope and book out Bill. Jericho kicked Shibata below the belt while Keith distracted referee Aubrey Edwards. Jericho put Shibata in the Walls of Jericho.
Bill chokeslammed Joe. Shibata took out Bill. Cobb hit Shibata with a Tour of the Islands. Hook suplexed Cobb. Jericho hit Hook with a Codebreaker for a near fall. Jericho hoisted up Hook, who ut him in Redrum.
Shibata ran in and put Bill in a choke hold. Jericho escaped the hold and caught Hook in a pin for a two count while Joe was shown choking out Cobb at ringside. Hook dropped Jericho with a Judas Effect elbow strike and then pinned him.
Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata defeated Jeff Cobb, Chris Jericho, and Big Bill in 13:25.
Taz stood up and applauded Hook while noting that he beat Jericho with Jericho’s own move…
Powell’s POV: This felt like a television match in terms of the significance, but I liked the finish with Hook getting a clean and decisive win over Jericho. They cut away quickly from the post match, so I wonder if they are running a little over at this point in the show.
They cut quickly to a video package that set up the ladder match. The TNT Title belt was shown hanging above the ring and then entrances for the match took place…
7. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Dante Martin vs. Lio Rush vs. El Phantasmo in a ladder match for the vacant TNT Title. Perry made an early play for the belt, but Rush pulled him down. Rush ran up the ladder and was rejected by Perry. Rush ran up the ladder and was rejected by Perry.
ELP (Phantasmo) slammed Rush on a ladder in the corner and the ladder broke in half. Martin made a play for the belt, but Takeshita tipped the ladder, causing Martin to fall onto ELP with a crossbody block.
Takeshita shoved a ladder right at the held of Martin, which seemed to make Taz cringe. Takeshita performed a brainbuster on Martin onto the side of a ladder. Briscoe went into Terry Funk mode put putting the ladder on his shoulders and spinning around. Briscoe threw the ladder at Rush.
Briscoe performed a dive from the ring onto Takeshita, who was covered by a ladder while lying on a table that broke upon impact. Perry made a ladder bridge with a small ladder draped over a corner of the ring while wedged between the rungs of a taller ladder.
Perry climbed the main ladder, but ELP walked across the bridge to cut him off. ELP grabbed Perry’s nipples and squeezed them before knocking him down (nope, not making that up, it’s a regular thing for ELP). Perry knocked a ladder over with Dante and ELP on it. Martin sold another foot injury.
Perry set up a table at ringside. Martin caught Perry with a kick and then sold his injured foot. Rush dove through the frame of a ladder in the ring and hit Takeshita with a dive on the floor. Briscoe climbed to the top of a ladder and then dove onto Perry, who was lying on a table that did not break.
Martin and Rush returned to the ring and climbed up the opposite sides of a ladder. They stopped and stared at one another, but their television history isn’t over, so the crowd didn’t react. Takeshita pulled Martin off and hit him with a Last Ride style powerbomb, then did the same to Rush, only onto a ladder that was leaning in a corner of the ring.
The fans came to life as Takeshita set up a ladder and made a play for the belt. ELP performed a springboard jump onto the ladder and knocked Takeshita down. Takeshita pulled ELP into a knee strike.ELP hit Takeshita with two superkicks and then joined him on the apron near two tables on the floor.
Takeshita blasted ELP with a forearm and then a knee strike. Takeshita performed a Blue Thunder Bomb off the apron that put ELP through both tables. Takeshita set up the ladder and the crowd popped big again. Briscoe returned to the ring and hit Takeshita from behind with a chair to stop him.
Briscoe made a clunky ladder bridge that didn’t stick. Briscoe pulled Takeshita off the ladder and piledrove him onto the other ladder. Briscoe made a play for the belt, but Perry hit him with another ladder twice. Perry worked over Briscoe with a chair and then climbed the ladder and pulled the belt down to win the match…
Jack Perry defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin, Lio Rush, and El Phantasmo in a ladder match in 16:55 to win the TNT Championship.
Powell’s POV: A predictable outcome. Everyone worked hard and there were some crazy ladder match bumps. I really could have done without the ladder to the head spots. There’s no way they can ignore the live crowd’s desire to see Takeshita win this match. Hopefully this will finally lead to Takeshita getting the massive push he deserves. They cut away quickly after this match again. Crazy thought. Maybe this show didn’t need ten main card matches.
A video package set up the title vs. title match…
8. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a title vs. title match. The referee gave pre-match instructions and noted that the match would be fought under AEW rules. Vaquer headbutted Mone. The referee rewarded her for it by calling for the bell to start the match.
Vaquer performed a nice springboard crossbody block onto Mone at ringside a few minutes into the match. Vaquer performed a bridging pin while crossing her arms, which Excalibur noted was a page out of Zack Sabre’s playbook. Taz said Sabre didn’t invite that. He said he was sorry to correct Excalibur. He said he can correct McGuinness, but he’d get a pen thrown at him if he corrected Excalibur. Funny.
Vaquer caught Mone in an arm submission hold. Mone escaped the hold and then stayed down and sold her leg. Vaquer used her own knees to repeatedly drive Mone’s head onto the match. Vaquer covered Mone for a two count.
Vaquer went to the ropes and went for a move, but Mone cut her off with a dropkick. Mone pushed off the ropes before executing a DDT that led to a two count. Some fans chanted “Stephanie” which Mone acknowledged by looking to the crowd. Some fans countered with CEO chants.
Vaquer rallied and set up for a double underhook piledriver, but Mone stuffed it. Both women hit simultaneous clotheslines and stayed down for a moment. Once they got to their feet, they traded strikes. Vaquer took Mone down and put her in a crossface. Mone rolled onto Vaquer to break the hold.
Mone took Vaquer and put her in a crossface. There were some boos from the crowd. Vaquer neared the ropes, but Mone used her foot to push off. Vaquer hoisted up Mone and the fans cheered. Vaquer dropped back to her knees and the fans booed. Vaquer powered up Mone and the fans cheered again before Vaquer executed a lung blower.
The chants for Vaquer grew right before Mone hit her with a pair of Backstabbers. The fans booed Mone loudly. Mone smiled and then went up top and jumped into a boot. Vaquer charged Mone, who put her boots up. Vaquer caught her legs and performed a dragon screw leg whip. Vaquer hit double knees in the corner and then got a near fall.
Vaquer set up for a move that Mone stuffed. Mone took Vaquer down and put her in a crossface to loud boos. Vaquer escaped the hold. Mone set up for the Moneymaker, but Vaquer escaped it. Mone hit the move on the second try and then applied the crossface and got the submission win…
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defeated Stephanie Vaquer in 17:00 in a title vs. title match to win the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.
Britt Baker made her entrance while Mone was celebrating with both title belts. The fans popped and a “DMD” chant broke out. Pyro shot off on the stage and then Baker walked a bit down the ramp before returning to the stage. Mone held up her title belts. Baker walked to the back…
Powell’s POV: Vaquer was impressive, but this was a case of the live crowd rejecting Mone more than it was a star is born moment. AEW seemed to be a step ahead of it with Britt Baker coming out afterward. Mone is so much better as a heel and the fans will definitely be with Baker, who is regarded as an AEW original. It’s good to see Baker back. Here’s hoping Jamie Hayter’s return is coming soon.
A video package announced Wrestle Dynasty for the Tokyo Dome for January 5…
Powell’s POV: This event will be held the day after Wrestle Kingdom, so NJPW will be running back-to-back nights at the Tokyo Dome. The graphic listed NJPW, AEW, ROH, CMLL, and Stardom in the Wrestle Dynasty banner.
A video package set up the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match. Jim Ross was shown at the broadcast table with the regular trio. Entrances for the match took place. Moxley entered through the crowd to his NJPW theme song and wore his NJPW warmup jacket…
9. Jon Moxley vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Both ring announcers delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Legendary NJPW referee “Red Shoes” Hiroyuki Unno was the referee. The fans chanted “Red Shoes” just before the bell rang to start the match.
Early in the match, Moxley tossed a couple of chairs into the ring. Naito set up one of the chairs and took a seat while holding his hands behind his head. Later, Moxley stood on the middle rope in front of Naito, who slipped under him and shoved him to the floor.
Naito went to ringside and tackled Moxley awkwardly in between the broadcast table and the barricade for the timekeepers area. Naito grabbed a piece of the padding and beat Moxley with it. Back inside the ring, Naito caught Moxley with a dropkick to the back.
Naito looked to the quiet crowd and then put Moxley down with a neckbreaker. Moxley came back and blasted Naito with a knee to the head. Naito caught him in an inside cradle for a one count. Naito held Moxley’s arm while hitting him with several elbows to the head.
Naito got Moxley seated on the top turnbuckle and joined him on the ropes. Moxley powerbombed Naito and got a near fall. Naito pushed off the ropes with his feet before executing a DDT. Naito went to the middle rope and performed a cutter. Moxley came right back with a choke hold, but Naito pulled him into the corner head first to break it.
Naito hit Destino, which received a mild pop from the crowd. Naito went for the move again, but Moxley stuffed it and countered with a DDT. Both men traded elbow strikes once they were back on their feet. Naito hit an enzuigiri, but Moxley stayed on his feet and dropped Naito with a lariat.
Moxley hit the Death Rider and the referee made a slow count that allowed Naito to kick out at the last moment. Moxley backed the referee into the corner. Moxley went to ringside and returned with a chair, which he set up. The referee took the chair away, which the broadcast team defended.
Naito stuffed a DDT attempt. Moxley went for a suplex. It looked clunky, but Excalibur said Naito seemed to counter into a version of the Destino. Naito performed a brainbuster and then hit another Destino and got the three count…
Tetsuya Naito defeated Jon Moxley in 17:05 to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Powell’s POV: The most disappointing match of the night. The live crowd popped for the finish, but they were as quiet as they had been all night. I’m sure fatigue is part of it given that this was the fourteenth match of the night, but the build was also really flat. I guess Moxley has an out for losing given the actions of Red Shoes. It was good to hear Ross on commentary again. He has been hospitalized with breathing issues a couple of times recently. Here’s wishing him the very best.
A video package set up the main event. Will Ospreay made the first entrance. Excalibur said Ospreay’s grandmother passed away recently and Ospreay dedicated the match to her. Ross noted that Ospreay was 18-0.
Rapper Jim Jones walked out and introduced himself before asking, “Whose House?” A graphic promoted Jones’ album and then Jones introduced Swerve Strickland, who was accompanied by a dancing Prince Nana. There were loud “Swerve” chants once he was in the ring…
10. Swerve Strickland vs. AEW International Champion Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship. Both ring announcers delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Paul Turner was the referee. Paul Turner was the referee. The bell rang and the crowd cheered loudly and many fans at ringside were on their feet. Nana called out “Whose House?” at ringside and there were enthusiastic “Swerve’s House” responses from the crowd. The crowd also sang the Ospreay song.
Ospreay went for a head-scissors takedown, but Swerve landed on his feet. Swerve went for a head-scissors takedown of his own, but Ospreay returned the favor by landing on his feet. The fans responded with a loud “AEW” chant.
Swerve got Ospreay down and went to the middle rope. Ospreay kipped up in lightning quick fashion and then motion for Swerve to bring it. Swerve dropped down and was cleared from the ring by Ospreay, who played to the receptive crowd before diving onto Swerve on the floor.
Ospreay followed to ringside and set up for a move off the barricade, but Swerve tripped him up, causing him to fall face first on the barricade. Excalibur spoke about Ospreay trying to bring the spirit of the late Hayabusa forward. Both men ended up on top of the barricade. Ospreay performed a head-scissors takedown.
Back inside the ring, Swerve stuffed a move and then backdropped Ospreay, who popped right up and chopped him. Swerve stuffed a kick and then put Ospreay down with a backbreaker.
Swerve took Ospreay down and applied a short-arm scissor. Ospreay reached the ropes to break it. Swerve threw taunting kicks while Ospreay was selling his arm. Ospreay and Swerve traded strikes and then had a nice sequence where they avoided big strikes from the others.
Ospreay powerbombed Swerve for two, then hit him with a Styles Clash for a near fall. Daniel Garcia was shown watching the match from the crowd. Both men went to the ropes and jumped off simultaneously. Ospreay was going for an OsCutter, but Swerve hit him with a double stomp instead.
Moments later, Swerve performed a Samoan Drop from the ropes, which left both men down for a moment. Ross said they need to get the guy behind them another beer. Taz suggested a muzzle.
Swerve avoided an Ospreay move on the apron and set up for a double stomp, but Ospreay rolled to the floor. Swerve repositioned himself and then double stomped Ospreay into the side of the broadcast table, which Swerve landed on. A “holy shit” chant broke out.
Swerve performed a piledriver on top of the ringside barricade. Swerve got Ospreay back inside the ring and performed a move that led to a near fall. Swerve went up top, but Ospreay stood up and hit the ropes, which crotched Swerve.
Ospreay joined Swerve on the ropes and was knocked down. Ospreay hopped right up and hit an OsCutter from the ropes. Ospreay performed a regular OsCutter for a near fall. Ospreay went for a Hidden Blade, but Swerve got his forearms up to block it and then sold forearm pain.
Ospreay went for an OsCutter, but Swerve avoided it and slammed him to the mat. Swerve tried to snap the arm, but Ospreay countered into a pin for a near fall. Ospreay hit another OsCutter.
Ospreay hit the Storm Breaker for a near fall. MJF was shown watching the match on a backstage television. Ospreay set up for what appeared to be a Tiger Driver that Swerve stuffed momentarily. Ospreay headbutted Swerve and then Ospreay called for the Tiger Driver. Swerve countered into a pin for a two count. Swerve popped up and blasted Ospreay with an elbow strike.
Swerve went for a double stomp that Ospreay avoided. Ospreay went for a Hidden Blade, but Swerve ducked it and Ospreay crashed into the referee. REF BUMP!!! Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade and got a visual pinfall.
Don Callis showed up and handed a screwdriver to Ospreay. Nana shoved Callis to the ground. Ospreay went to ringside and grabbed Nana and considered stabbing him with the screwdriver, then thought better of it. When Ospreay returned to the ring, Swerve hit caught him with a kick and then hit a top rope double stomp and covered him for a near fall.
Swerve snapped the arm of Ospreay and then hit him with a Last Call Kick and covered him for a great near fall. Ospreay fired up and removed his elbow pad while wobbling. Ospreay threw the Hidden Blade, but Swerve blocked it with ease and let Ospreay fall to the mat. Swerve hit another Last Call kick and then followed up with the JML Driver and got the three count…
Swerve Strickland defeated Will Ospreay in 27:05 to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, Ospreay sat on the mat while two trainers checked on him. Swerve knelt down and spoke with a dejected Ospreay, who nodded approvingly. Swerve went to ringside and celebrated with people in the front row. Kyle Fletcher knelt on the apron and spoke with Ospreay. Excalibur said Ospreay would be back and better than ever, then closed the show shortly thereafter…
Powell’s POV: The main event stole the show. A very good match. The ref bump and the nonsense with Don Callis felt unnecessary, but it was a hell of a match and the crowd was red hot for both guys despite sitting through fourteen other matches. There will definitely be interest in an eventual rematch.
Overall, this was a good show. AEW working with other promotions doesn’t feel as significant as it once did, and the predictability of so many matches kept this from achieving great show status despite the best efforts of Swerve and Ospreay. The show also felt overstuffed and needlessly long, but that’s par for the course with AEW shows.
I will have a lot more to say about Forbidden Door when I team up with Jake Barnett and Will Pruett for a same night Dot Net Triple Threat audio review that will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of Forbidden Door by voting for the best match and grading the overall show below.
No comments on an AEW PPV?
That’s rare.
No one cares about this Japanese and Mexican bullshit. That and AEW is cold as it’s ever been. Plus they burn their audience out with 14 matches over 6 hours. Pure torture
This. I couldn’t agree more.
I barely bother catching Dynamite more than maybe once every month or two, I haven’t watched Collision since the toddlers got AEW’s only real draw fired, and I’m baffled that Rampage still exists.
People pretend most AEW PPV shows are good because there’s a lot of high spots and the tiny crowd is typically into the garbage they’re seeing. This particular PPV doesn’t even appeal to the most dedicated neckbeards.
I’m sure 12 people bought it to go along with the less than 50% capacity arena, but none of this matters until Tony hires a booker and gets out of the way.
“I barely bother catching Dynamite more than maybe once every month or two….”
Yet here you are, again, spewing your attention baiting crap. For someone who hates the company, you sure watch enough to comment. Then again, you say you don’t watch, so how are you commenting every week and PPV without watching? Imagine reviewing movies that way. “Well, I rEaD a pLot suMmaRy, so I haTe tHe movIE. The aCTing WaS baD!”
You are a closet fan who just loves the negative attention, right? Don’t worry…one day you may grow up and move out of your parent’s house.
And yet there are 9 other comments saying essentially the same thing and you’re just sitting around with your micropenis in your hand waiting to try and say something useful in response to just my comment.
Get a life you pathetic little cuntwaffle.
YES! I was having a bad day and hoped you’d be here, whining and posting the usual “OMG AEW SUCKS” post, and here you are.
Thanks again for proving we all could be worse, i.e. you, with your inane, boring, repetitive posts.
(btw….if you only watch Dynamite once a month or so, how pathetic and yet hilarious you still make sure you come on this site to post the tired old “OMG AEW SUCKS!” posts under the shows’ reviews almost every week.)
You’re sad, and now, dismissed.
AEW does suck though. It will never be anything more than indy garbage until Tony gives up booking.
Yep!
Didn’t even order it.Sure some of the matches were fine probably,but something needs to change with this company obviously.
Nothing is going to change because Tony Khan thinks everything is great and that he’s a good booker despite every metric there is saying the opposite. To quote Rick James “cocaine is a helluva drug”
Are one of the FTR guys injured? 14 matches and they couldn’t make the cut.
I’m sure fatigue played a big part in some matches, but they really lost the crowd fairly early. Danielson had to beg the crowd to care about his post-match moment.
I can say with me not caring/knowing much about Japanese wrestling, they do an extraordinarily piss poor job of introducing them. All Aew does is bill each and every one of them as the greatest wrestler ever and kind of leave it at that.
I watched for free and still almost skipped this. I’d give it a 6/10. Good action, less of the trampoline BS than they had in the past, and nothing too embarrassing (a first for an Aew ppv?!?). That said, outside of the main event, there’s nothing anyone will care to remember a month from now. The Mone match went way too long, and out of 10 matches, I cared about two going on.
Sounds like more booking insanity. Didnt have enough from for everyone on that card when you have to include NJPW or CMLL.
I think Dax is injured hence no FTR.
Good to know on Dax.
Wow. Spoiled little brat fans. AEW is far from perfect, but this was an entertaining ppv. Tajeshita’s Blue Thunder Bomping ElP through the ringside table was the best spot Ive seen since Mike Awesome put Masato Tanaka throygh a ringside table with a sit out Awesome Bomb…. but that kind of stuff is what you whiny fans fans DONT want…. right? More story driven action with meaning? Whatever. Enjoy what you have OR just come on a comment section of a wrestling news and show how miserable a small national wrestling company makes you…. even though youre not really watching. What a joke.
1/2 of the wrestlers on this show simply don’t deserve to be on a PPV. 25% prob don’t deserve to be on weekly programming except as jobbers
Less is more, Tony
PS this is for both AEW AND WWE. Please, enough with every single match having outside interference or a screw job finish! People can lose and match and recover from it. SMH
Kicking out from a piledriver in the very first match is one reason the fatigue sets in with cards. Everyone is in it for themselves, with no sense of the entire card building momentum.