By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Forbidden Door
London, England, at the O2 Arena
Aired live August 24, 2025, on pay-per-view
AEW Forbidden Door pre-show results: Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly, Yuya Uemura, and Desperado defeated Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Josh Alexander, and Hechicero in 12:05, Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona beat Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Michael Oku in 9:55, Thekla, Julia Hart, Skye Blue, and Megan Bayne defeated Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron, Kris Statlander, and Queen Aminata in 11:15, and “The Opps” Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Katsuyori Shibata defeated Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, and Robbie X in 7:20 to retain the AEW Trios Titles…
A Forbidden Door video package opened the show. The narrator said the professional wrestling world is together like never before in history…
Powell’s POV: I suppose he’s technically right if WWE running shows on the same day as AEW pay-per-views is his definition of the pro wrestling world being “together.”
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Bryan Danielson were on commentary… Ring announcer Justin Roberts conducted the introductions for the opening match. Adam Copeland came out first. They are using a small entrance set, so he couldn’t go side to side like he normally does. The fans sang Copeland’s entrance theme, and pyro shot off once he was in the ring. The fans continued to sing after the song stopped playing. Christian Cage’s entrance followed. The heels made their entrance together…
1. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage vs. Killswitch and Kip Sabian (w/Mother Wayne). Excalibur recapped Nick Wayne being forced to drop out of the match due to injury, and naming Killswitch as his replacement. Danielson said he would have made Christian start the match to prove himself, given that he’s burned everyone in the match at one time or another.
Killswitch stood on the apron and grabbed Cage by the throat. Copeland speared Killswitch through the ropes to the floor. Cage ran into a knee from Sabin, who went for a Killswitch, but Cage shoved him into the ropes. Cage popped up Sabian while Copeland returned to the ring and speared him. Copeland covered Sabian and got the three count…
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage beat Killswitch and Kip Sabian in 13:45.
After the match, Christian offered Copeland a bro handshake, which Copeland accepted. Copeland went for a hug, but Christian pushed him away and then shook his hand…
Powell’s POV: A cool finish. The London crowd found some reason to sing the song they always sing for Bayley. Shake it up, England. My goodness. Just a quick heads up for Dot Net Members. Jake Barnett had something come up and is unable to join me for the Forbidden Door audio review, so I’ll be flying solo. Join us on our ad-free website and unlock all of our ad-free exclusive audio shows via Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons).
A brief video package set up the TNT Title match, and then entrances for the match took place. Justin Roberts delivered the introductions in English, while Takura Shibata did the same in Japanese. The Japanese broadcast team was also shown at a broadcast table next to the English team’s table…
2. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis, Lance Archer) vs. Hiromu Takahashi for the TNT Championship. NJPW and Stardom voice Walker Stewart sat in on commentary with Excalibur and Danielson. Callis also joined the broadcast team while Archer stood next to him. Excalibur hyped AEW’s return to Australia on February 14-15. Callis went on a long spiel about how he likes his men. Danielson said he heard rumors that Taylor Swift was interested in Fletcher.
Fletcher hit an avalanche back suplex. Moments later, he hit Liger Bomb for a nice near fall. Fletcher showed frustration over not getting the pin. Takahashi started laughing in response to Fletcher hitting him with rolling elbows. Takahashi ran into a big boot. Fletcher covered him, but Takahashi kicked out at one. Fletcher set up for a brainbuster on the apron, but Takahashi countered into a DDT.
Back in the ring, Fletcher stuffed Takahashi’s Time Bomb 2 finisher. Fletcher set up for a move, but Takahashi countered with a Destroyer for a nice near fall. Callis acted concerned on commentary. Both men reversed tombstone piledriver attempts, and eventually Fletcher hit the move for a two count. Fletcher pleaded with the referee while Callis said, “Come on,” on commentary.
Fletcher hit the back of Takahashi’s head with a running kick in the corner, then followed up with another to his face. Fletcher set up for a brainbuster, but Takahashi countered into a pin for a near fall. Fletcher came right back and hit the brainbuster for the win…
Kyle Fletcher defeated Hiromu Takahashi in 14:40 to retain the TNT Championship.
Powell’s POV: A nice match with Fletcher looking dominant and arrogant, only to show concern when he was unable to put Takahashi away. Fletcher going over was the logical move. Was Danielson setting up the long-awaited Taylor Swift on a pole match featuring Kyle Fletcher vs. Travis Kelce? Okay, probably not.
A brief video package set up the TBS Championship match. It was the same Renee Paquette-narrated video that aired on AEW television. Entrances for the match followed. Mone was accompanied by men dressed as the Royal Guard…
3. Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persephone vs. Bozilla in a four-way for the TBS Championship. Tony Schiavone returned to the broadcast table, replacing Walker Stewart. Bozilla pressed Mone over her head and tossed her onto Windsor and Persephone at ringside. Windor and Persephone worked together at one point. Danielson mentioned they have been tag team partners in the past.
There was a big tower of doom spot with Mone on top, which left all four wrestlers down. Some fans chanted Windor’s name. With Bozilla down at ringside, Mone came back with a double crucifix. Mone put Windsor and Persephone in a double Statement Maker, which they eventually escaped.
Bozilla returned and clubbed Windsor in the corner. Danielson said it reminded him of Vader. Bozilla put Windsor and Persephone down and then hit them with a moonsault from the middle rope. Mone returned to the ring to break the pin. Mone went for a Poison Rana that spiked Bozilla on her head. Mone covered Bozilla, who kicked out at the very last moment.
Bozilla popped up and smiled before hitting Windsor with a clothesline. Bozilla jawed at Persephone, who was down on the floor. Persephone got pissed, returned to the ring, and performed a Razor’s Edge on Bozilla. Windsor hit Persephone with a discus forearm. Windsor put Persephone in a submission hold that Mone broke up. Persephone hoisted up Mone for a Razor’s Edge, but Mone rolled her into a pin and got the three count…
Mercedes Mone defeated Persephone, Alex Windsor, and Bozilla in a four-way in 15:30 to retain the TBS Championship.
Powell’s POV: If you’re a Stardom fan, then you should probably hope that they have Bozilla signed to a long-term deal, because she was impressive enough in the monster role that there will be interest in her. Mone going over was expected, but it was still an enjoyable match.
A video package set up the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match. Danielso said Johnny Saint counseled Nigel McGuinness earlier in the day. A video package aired and showed McGuinness and Saint meeting in a park and playing chess while talking about technical wrestling. McGuinness called checkmate. “Now you’re getting it,” Saint said. “Now do it again at Forbidden Door.” McGuinness made his entrance with Daniel Garcia, who had a towel with him (ugh). McGuinness greeted Johnny Saint and Marty Jones, who were in the front row. He also stopped and kissed a woman and child (likely his wife and daughter) before entering the ring. Sabre’s entrance followed…
4. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Nigel McGuinness for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Walker Stewart replaced Schiavone at the broadcast table. A “holy shit” chant broke out once the bell rang. The fans switched to a “this is wrestling” chant. Sabre caught McGuinness in a submission hold. Garcia pushed the rope forward to help McGuinness a couple of times. The referee caught him and told him to back off. Danielson questioned how upset McGuinness would be if Garcia got him disqualified.
McGuinness leaned into the ropes and turned Sabre inside out with a lariat. McGuinness followed up with a short-arm clothesline that also turned Sabre inside out. McGuinness covered Sabre, who has a bloody nose, for a near fall. Excalibur played up Sabre potentially being weary after competing in the G1 Climax tournament.
Sabre caught McGuinness in an armbar over the ropes. Sabre broke the hold at the referee’s four count, then dropped to the floor and went face-to-face with Garcia. Sabre went to the ropes and was cut off by McGuinness, who hit the Tower of London. McGuinness went for the pin, but Sabre put his foot over the rope right in front of Garcia to break it. Both wrestlers traded pin attempts, and Sabre got the better of it by getting a three count.
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Nigel McGuinness in 17:00 to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, McGuinness showed frustration over losing. Sabre pointed to McGuinness and then shook his hand and bowed. Sabre and McGuinness hugged. McGuinness tried to raise Sabre’s hand, but Sabre took his hand and raised it before exiting the ring. Sabre greeted Saint and Jones at ringside.
Tony Schiavone and Garcia joined McGuinness inside the ring. Garcia held up McGuinness’s hand. Schiavone thanked the fans for being part of Forbidden Door. He said the fans were part of the largest pro wrestling crowd ever in the venue’s history. Schiavone listed the attendance as 18,992. Excalibur said if they could have squeezed eight more seats in the building to get to the round number, they would have…
Powell’s POV: That was fun if you’re a fan of the style that Sabre and McGuinness work so well. I really enjoyed it. I’m also happy that the match didn’t end because of Garcia throwing in the towel or doing something to cost McGuinness the match.
Backstage, Thekla and Queen Aminata brawled and eventually fought through the curtain and into the entrance area. A “fight forever” chant broke out. Aminata dropped Thekla with a headbutt in the entrance aisle. Julia Hart and Sky Blue came out and held Aminata while Thekla did her spider thing.
Jamie Hayter’s entrance music played. Hayter came out and hit Hart and Blue with forearms strikes. Hayter tried to clothesline Thekla, who ducked it, and was then held back by Hart and Blue. Hayter helped Aminata to her feet and hugged her while the fans cheered…
Powell’s POV: It’s great to see Hayter back after another injury layoff. It’s cool that she was able to be part of this show in her home area. WrestleTix listed the building being set up for 17,748, but I don’t believe that includes luxury suites. AEW is doing a good job of showing off the crowd.
A video package set up the AEW Tag Team Title match, and then the entrances took place…
5. “The Hurt Syndicate” Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. “FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler (w/Stokely Hathaway) vs. “Brodido” Bandido and Brody King in a three-way for the AEW Tag Team Titles. There were “We Hurt People” chants from the crowd. MVP was not with his team, which was acknowledged by the broadcast team. Both teams went after the champions to start. Danielson said the best strategy was likely for the teams to isolate the champions separately.
There was a fun exchange between powerhouses Lashley and King. Lashley put King down with a spinebuster slam, but King popped right up and dropped Lashley with a clothesline. When Lashley got up, King clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. Benjamin hit a series of suplexes on all of his opponents.
Bandido performed a fallaway moonsault slam on Harwood from the top rope onto the other wrestlers on the floor. Damn. Lashley and Benjamin got King back in the ring. Benjamin hit him with a high knee in the corner, and then Lashley speared King.
Two masked wrestlers wearing NJPW jackets attacked Lashley and Benjamin while Harwood covered King for a near fall. Harwood picked up a chair, but Bandido superkicked him. Meanwhile, the masked men worked over Lashley and Benjamin with a weapon in the entrance aisle.
Harwood hit King with an unprotected chair shot to the head (gross). The masked men unmasked, revealing themselves to be Ricochet, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun. The timing sucked because there was a big near fall in the ring at the same time. Danielson wondered if MJF was behind Ricochet and GOA’s attack.
In the ring, King monkey flipped Bandido onto Harwood. The referee stopped his count when Bandido slipped off Harwood. He started it again, and it looked like Wheeler would break it up, but Bandido got the pin.
“Brodido” Bandido and Brody King defeated “FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, and “The Hurt Syndicate” Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin in a three-way in 15:30 to win the AEW Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: This was a tough match to follow due to everything happening at ringside while the match continued in the ring. I don’t think Lashley and Benjamin were counted out. Apparently, this wasn’t a three-way elimination match after all. The match had some cool moments, but the chair shot to King’s head was a turnoff (I don’t care if they gimmicked the chair), the finish was off, and the champions not taking the pin after destroying everyone since they arrived in the company was weak. Lashley and Benjamin could put over Bandido and King in a straight-up tag team match to make up for it, but seeing is believing at this point.
A video package set up the AEW Unified Championship match, and then entrances took place. Prince Nana came out with Swerve, but he wasn’t allowed at ringside because Continental Championship rules were in play. Don Callis came out with Kazuchika Okada, but he sat in on commentary…
6. Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland for the AEW Unified Championship. Rick Knox was the referee, so the potential for referee stupidity is high. Jim Ross and Callis sat in on commentary with Excalibur and Schiavone. Swerve was sent over the top rope and landed on his feet, which led to him selling the knee injury they played up going into the match.
Okada had a long run of offense. Swerve came back. Swerve held Okada’s wrist as both men got to their feet, and then Swerve hit him with a few clotheslines. A short time later, Swerve hit a Stomp from the middle rope and then covered Okada for a two count. Swerve sold his bad knee. Swerve ended up on the ropes. Okada shoved him, causing Swerve’s leg to get tangled in the ropes. Okada joined him on the ropes and drove Swerve’s knee onto the top turnbuckle.
Okada went for a Rainmaker, but Swerve avoided it. Okada avoided a House Call, but Swerve eventually hit the move. Swerve went for another, but Okada ducked it and then hit the Rainmaker before pinning Swerve.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Swerve Strickland in 16:40 to retain the AEW Unified Championship.
After the match, Okada got Swerve’s right knee between the ring post and the ring steps and then battered him with chair shots. Prince Nana ran out with a steel pipe, which caused Okada to drop the chair and leave ringside. Okada and Callis stood in the entrance aisle.
Wardlow showed up in the ring dressed in black non-wrestling attire. Wardlow clotheslined Nana. Wardlow unbuttoned his sleeves and then mounted Nana and threw punches at him while Swerve was down in the corner, unable to help his manager. Security guards entered the ring to hold back Wardlow, who did what Wardlow does by beating them up. Wardlow exited the ring and hugged Callis and Okada. Josh Alexander, Hechicero, Kyle Fletcher, and Lance Archer also came out and welcomed Wardlow into the family.
Konosuke Takeshita made a separate entrance. Takeshita went face-to-face with Wardlow, and then both men nodded. The Callis family posed together in the entrance aisle…
Powell’s POV: Okada just won this new title at All in Texas, and AEW dedicated so much time to Swerve’s knee injury going into the match, so it was pretty obvious that Swerve was losing. The predictability took away from the match. It’s great to see Wardlow again. I have no idea why he disappeared for as long as he did, though he did film American Gladiators during that time. How many wrestlers does the Callis Family need?
A video package set up the AEW Women’s Championship match. Athena came out with Billie Starkz. Storm came out wearing a wild outfit with a wig and white face paint. Athena signed her Casino Gauntlet contract…
7. Toni Storm vs. ROH Women’s Champion Athena (w/Billie Starkz) for the AEW Women’s Championship. Bryan Danielson was back on commentary with Excalibur and Schiavone. Storm avoided a dropkick and went on the offensive. Storm had Athena down at ringside and then threw her back inside the ring. Storm grabbed Starkz and hit her with Storm Zero. Athena dropkicked Storm into the barricade. It wasn’t much of a bump, but the broadcast team played up the LED board going out.
Athena dominated the action and swung Storm’s head into the ring post while Storm was down on the mat. Athena slammed Storm’s head into the post a couple more times. Later, Athena caught Storm in a submission. Storm teased tapping before putting her foot over the bottom rope. Storm put Athena in a chicken wing, but Athena broke free and flung Storm to ringside in the process. Athena hit Storm with a suicide dive.
Athena set up for a piledriver on the ring steps, but Storm big her knee and then tripped her, causing Athena’s head to hit the ring steps. Storm sent Athena into the barricade, and the LED board turned on. Back in the ring, Storm hit Storm Zero for a near fall. Excalibur called it like a normal sequence, and Schiavone chimed in by calling it a monumental kickout.
Storm got Athena on the apron and set up for Storm Zero. Starks pulled the ring skirting until Storm released Athena. Storm stared at Starkz, and then Athena went up top and hit an O-Face onto the top rope. Starkz grabbed a chair. Mina Shirakawa came out and took the chair away before chasing Starkz to the back. Back inside the ring, both wrestlers traded pin attempts. Storm blocked the O-Face and then applied the chicken wing for the submission win…
Toni Storm defeated ROH Women’s Champion Athena in 15:15 to retain the AEW Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: An enjoyable match. It felt like the crowd faded a bit during the middle of the match, but it wasn’t as bad as the usual lull that occurs a couple of matches before most AEW pay-per-view main events due to the show’s length. Then again, it looks like this show won’t run as long as some of the AEW marathons. Storm has beaten the TBS and ROH Champions. Who is left for her to beat?
A video package set up the AEW World Championship match, and then entrances for the match took place…
8. Hangman Page vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship. Per match stipulations, the title can change hands on a count-out or disqualification, and MJF still has his Casino Gauntlet (Money in the Bank style) contract. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Bryce Remsburg was the referee.
Danielson spoke about how MJF could be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time if he changed his ways. Schiavone said there may not be a good person in him, and some people are just like that. Page hit a fallaway slam about nine minutes into the match and then clotheslined MJF over the top rope to the floor. Page went up top and hit a moonsault onto MJF at ringside. Back in the ring, Page powerbombed MJF for a near fall. Page set up for the Buckshot Lariat, but MJF dropped to his knees by the ropes, and then grabbed Page’s arm and wrenched it over the top rope.
Page stuffed a Heat Seeker and then went for the Buckshot Lariat, but MJF countered into the Salt of the Earth submission hold. Page rolled MJF into a pin to break the hold, then put him in a crossface. MJF rolled Page on his back and got a two count that forced Page to release the hold. Page stuffed another Heat Seeker attempt, but MJF slingshot him into the ring and hit him with a cutter on the way down. MJF followed up with a DDT for a near fall.
MJF went to ringside and picked up the timekeeper’s table, which he set up near the ring by the entrance aisle. MJF placed Page on top of the table and went to the ropes. Page shot up and went to the apron. MJF raked his eyes and then dropped to the apron. Page knocked MJF to the floor and hit him with a moonsault from the apron and immediately hit a tombstone piledriver, which left both men down.
Both men were back on the apron when Page grabbed MJF and gave him a Deadeye through the table on the floor. Page rolled MJF back inside the ring and covered him, but MJF put his foot over the bottom rope to break the pin. Page set up for a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF rolled to the floor and sat down on a chair. Page pounded the ring steps twice, which got the fans clapping. Page held his neck while he ran toward MJF, who shot up and used a drop toe hold that drove Page’s face into the chair.
MJF ran Page into the ring steps. “Just like you, he f—ing sucks,” MJF yelled at Danielson. Page bladed. MJF went back to ringside and performed a leaping tombstone piledriver on a piece of the broken table, but the piece didn’t break. The referee started his count. Page returned to the ring just before the referee was going to reach the ten count. A “Cowboy Shit” chant broke out. MJF removed a turnbuckle pad and tried to run Page into it, but Page reversed it. MJF came up with a crimson mask. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Funny.
Page and MJF traded punches in the middle of the ring. They went for discus rolling elbows simultaneously and knocked each other down. Danielson said this is the type of fight that Page wants because he’ll win the guts battle over MJF every single time. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Both men reversed tombstone attempts, and Page actually fell over at one point. They went into trading pins that led to a series of two counts, and then one counts as they kept going. Page went for a jackknife pin, but MJF bridged out of it. Page hit him with a Deadeye for a near fall. A “fight forever” chant broke out.
MJF pulled the Dynamite Diamond Ring out of his trunks and placed it on the mat, encouraging Page to hit him so that he would be disqualified. MJF spat at Page, who teased punching MJF with the ring, only to spit in his face. Page went for a Buckshot Lariat. MJF pulled the referee in the way, but Page stopped short. MJF shoved Page into the referee. MJF hit Page with a low blow and hit the Heat Seeker piledriver. MJF covered Page, who put his foot over the bottom rope, but the referee made the count anyway.
Mark Briscoe’s music played, and he headed toward the ring. Three security guards ran out to stop him. Briscoe punched out the guards. Two regular security guards intervened and dragged Briscoe to the back. MJF turned back to Page and went to remove his foot from the rope, but the referee stopped him and restarted the match. MJF shoved the referee and then turned into a Page clothesline. MJF stuffed Page’s Buckshot Lariat and then kicked him below the belt while the referee was shielded. MJF rolled up Iron Balls Page for a near fall, and then another “Cowboy Shit” chant broke out.
MJF went to ringside and brought the AEW World Championship belt and his Casino Gauntlet contract holder into the ring. The referee took the title belt, and missed MJF hitting Page with the contract holder. MJF covered Page for another near fall. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on and wound up to hit Page, but the referee stopped him. As the referee handed off the ring to someone at ringside, Page hit MJF with the contract holder. Page followed up with a Buckshot Lariat and got the pin.
Hangman Page defeated MJF in 31:40 to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, Page placed MJF’s Casino Gauntlet contract on the fallen MJF and then exited the ring while fans chanted “Cowboy Shit”…
Powell’s POV: This was my favorite match of the show thus far, even if it was overbooked at the end with the false finish and Mark Briscoe running out. The crowd was hot for Page and loved to hate MJF. I hated the silliness of MJF threatening to set Briscoe on fire to get the stipulations he wanted and to avoid using the Casino Gauntlet contract, but I am happy they didn’t burn through the Casino Gauntlet contract in this match. MJF running around with a Money in the Bank-style contract could lead to some fun moments.
A video hyped AEW Collision for Cardiff, Wales, on December 13, and AEW Dynamite in Manchester, England, on December 17…
Bryan Danielson said he would have to recuse himself from commentary for the main event due to issues he has with some of the people involved…
Powell’s POV: Can I recuse myself so that I can avoid trying to keep up with the chaos that is about to ensue? Hell, I’m not even going to try. I’ll do my best to hit the highlights.
A video package set up the main event… Justin Roberts announced that the lights would turn out, and then AEW would not be responsible for what takes place once they are turned on again. The cage was lowered to the floor and left plenty of space on the floor at ringside.
The match entrances took place. Will Ospreay was the last entrant for the babyface team, and a video package played before he came out. Excalibur noted that the video package was essentially a love letter narrated by Ospreay’s fiancée, Alex Windsor. Pyro shot off. It all added up to be the big star, home country entrance that Ospreay deserves, especially before what could be a long layoff due to spinal surgery.
The Young Bucks came out and were upset they didn’t have any entrance music. Hanson’s “MMMBop” played for the Bucks, who acted pissed. Hilarious. The Death Riders and Gabe Kidd entered through the crowd. Excalibur said AEW All In would return to London at Wembley Stadium in August 2026…
9. Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi vs. Jon Moxley, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Gabe Kidd, and Claudio Castagnoli (w/Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta) in a Lights Out Steel Cage match. Jim Ross replaced Bryan Danielson on commentary. The cage door was locked once the wrestlers started fighting. There were tables, ladders, chairs, and other weapons inside the cage. Shafir and Yuta watched from outside the cage. Rick Knox was the referee.
The Bucks brought a bag inside the ring. It was the bag left by the production member they instructed to find the most dangerous weapon he could find. They poured gummy bears out of the bag. The Bucks looked annoyed, and Moxley didn’t look pleased. Ospreay was busted open at ringside. Later, the heels duct taped Allin to a chair. Moxley jabbed a fork through Allin’s earring hole while Allin bled heavily. Gross. Castagnoli picked up the chair and slammed it and Allin to the mat.
The Young Bucks pulled a barbed wire table out from underneath the ring. The Bucks set up that table in the ring, and there were three tables stacked on the floor. A short time later, Tanahashi ran Moxley face-first into the barbed wire table. The Bucks hit Tanahashi with a BTE Trigger and had him beat, but Ospreay headbutted Nick to break it up.
Later, Ospreay and Omega hit a Hidden Blade and V-Trigger combo move on Kidd and had him beat, but Kidd’s teammates broke up the pin. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Omega put Moxley down with a One Winged Angel and had him beaten, but that pin was also broken up by heel team members.
Moxley, who had a bloody forehead, set up a ladder next to the side of the cage and wanted Yuta to climb inside the ring. Moxley climbed over the side of the cage and went to the floor. Allin bit the head of Yuta and then punched him until he fell off the cage and onto the Japanese broadcast table. Allin also exited the cage and went after Moxley. Allin got Moxley under one of the stacked tables and went to the top of the cage, where Kidd hit him with a low blow. Allin and Kidd went off the table together and crashed through the stacked tables. Good lord.
Inside the cage, Ospreay hit a Stormbreaker on Castagnoli. Omega and Ibushi hit stereo V-Triggers on Nick. Omega hoisted up Matt, and then Ospreay hit him with a Hidden Blade from the top rope, and Omega capped it off with a One Winged Angel. Tanahashi went up top and hit Matt with the High Fly Flow for the win…
Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi beat Jon Moxley, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Gabe Kidd, and Claudio Castagnoli in 32:30 in a Lights Out Steel Cage match.
Excalibur noted that Tanahashi got the pin during his final match in England. Rick Knox raised the hands of Omega, Ospreay, Tanahashi, and Ibushi. Excalibur said Allin was getting medical attention at ringside. Allin was face down on the floor with a trainer kneeling nearby. Omega helped Allin to his feet, and then Omega and Ibushi helped Allin. Ospreay knelt in the ring and shook hands with each of his teammates before they exited the cage.
Ospreay stood in the ring alone and applauded the fans. Ospreay went to the floor and kissed the mat. When he turned around, Castagnoli blasted him with an uppercut. Castagnoli locked the cage door while Moxley put the boots to Ospreay. Moxley and Castagnoli hit Ospreay with DDTs, then wrapped a chair around his neck, and then Moxley stomped on it. Excalibur said we may have just witnessed the end of Ospreay’s career.
Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Katsuyori Shibata came out. Joe demanded that the cage be raised. Once it was, the Death Riders slipped under it while Joe and Hobbs ran in with chairs. The Death Riders escaped and walked through the crowd. Trainers and the babyface wrestlers checked on Ospreay. The fans sang Ospreay’s name while a trainer motioned for help from the back, and then the screen went black to end the main card at the four-hour and 33-minute mark. The feed was restored a few seconds later, but then the screen froze while Ospreay was being tended to.
Powell’s POV: The cage match was the violent spectacle that was promised. I’m never crazy about wrestlers escaping the cage, but every promotion does it, so I just throw my hands up at this point. Hopefully, Allin and Kidd are okay after taking that insane bump together. The Ospreay injury angle was perfectly logical given that he needs surgery. But the fans knew going in that this would be his last match for the time being, so the angle didn’t seem to hit home with the live crowd, as the fans sang his name and didn’t seem the least bit concerned or caught up in the moment. It also seems to suggest that the Death Riders aren’t going away anytime soon.
Overall, good show. It wasn’t all that newsworthy aside from Wardlow’s return, but that’s somewhat expected given that they just held their biggest show of the year a little over a month ago. This wasn’t as much of a marathon as some recent AEW pay-per-views, but the pre-show is still overkill. I’d prefer to see AEW cut back on the pre-show match count and even trim one match from the pay-per-view card (they can always hold those matches on television) so they can put a little more time between matches. WWE has long gaps between PLE matches, while AEW typically plays a brief video package in between pay-per-view matches. Can we get a happy medium? Anyway, I will be back shortly with my weekly same-day audio review of Forbidden Door. Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading it below. Stop back for John Moore’s live review of NXT Heatwave later tonight.
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So Garcia’s throwing in the towel.YAWN!
[Sad trombone sound d]
“There were tables, ladders, chairs, and other weapons inside the cage. Shafir and Yuta watched from outside the cage. Rick Knox was the referee.”
People actually pay to watch this shit. It’s absolutely baffling at this point. Hopefully TNA gets a TV spot on CW soon.
I love that you’re watching it!
You get the
[extra sad trombone sound]
The same TNA that gave us the Lethal Lockdown match? You know, the WarGames style match with weapons inside the cage?
They haven’t done that shit in over a decade, but it must be hard to remember facts with AEW’s dick in your mouth all the time.
Be that as it may, TNA still brought us the weapons filled Lethal Lockdown match. Shall we try the WWE WarGames matches that typically have weapons inside the cage? MLW style War Chamber matches with weapons inside the cage? Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun matches that half a partial cage and a bunch of weapons? I could go on.
Your behavior is abnormal. You have wasted six years of your life obsessing over a pro wrestling company you hate while reading a website you accuse of being biased because the staff doesn’t share your angry tribal views. You should stop following AEW and reading this website. Use the extra time to seek the mental help that you desperately need. Have a lovely day.
Its crazy, never a response for your remarks to him
I’m gonna comment on the show because I actually watched it, because of course commenting on a show you didn’t see would make you a complete idiot.
Tony storm is gold. The cage match was exactly what a cage match should be. I do find it unfortunate that a negative comment is made about the champs not taking the fall in the tag team match well when that happens in WWE the comment is “understandable that they protected the champs by them not taking the pin.“
Mone just not worth the money Tony is paying her.
Good show, worth the price to see it. And I 100% agree MJF with the contract could be a blast
Love it!
[even sadder trombone sound]
Didnt watch and havent watched Aew in 6+ mos. But didnt they give away the result of the title match by not having MJF’s contract on the line? Maybe I’m the only who finds giving away your ppv world title match result as not the smartest decision. Why not just wait to have rhis match until MJF cashes in? I know the sickos will say it couldnt wait bc it was a dream match, but come on.
Commenting and passing judgement on something you dont watch. Funny
Not that he doesn’t watch, he stopped watching. I think there is a difference. He didn’t say he never watched. Not sure why you targeted that, its not greatestone.
Only newsworthy thing in the show was wardlow? Hmmm
Id say Cope n Cage as a team for the first time in years was newsworthy.
As was the return of Jamie Hayter.
Mvp being absent was also newsworthy. Hopefully Tony has sent him packing back to the fed. Shelton and Bobby work just fine for me.
Also newsworthy was the fact this was the Biggest wrestling crowd ever.
Helluva show. Incredible live. Aew on fire.
Biggest wrestling card ever??!!
Lol
Tom, learn to read
Biggest o2 wrestling crowd ever i should say. And loud all night.