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AEW & New Japan Pro Wrestling will present the first-ever Forbidden Door PPV Sunday on PPV, Bleacher Report and for international fans, FITE.TV. Here is our take on what will happen at the show.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jon Moxley to crown the Interim AEW World Champion.
Dave: To me, the best part of this PPV is that hopefully once it's over, AEW will get back on track with their booking. I get that to a lot of hardcore fans love the dream matches and all but for people like me, and those who haven't been watching the last two weeks, it's too many people I don't know being thrown at me all at once. Aside from that, there isn't a lot of mystery, and by that I mean interesting storyline builds, in any of the bouts so that limits my interest as well. I am sure there will be great wrestling but it's all kind of in a vacuum to me. With that said, I love Mox but if this were CM Punk, I would be more interested. It’s not though so I expect a good match and I don’t see any sane reason to put the AEW Title on a non-AEW wrestler. The ratings show that a chunk of the audience already doesn’t care about the New Japan talents so they shouldn’t compound that here. Mox wins.
Mike: Mox all the way here. The match will be excellent from an in-ring standpoint. I love Tanahashi but I don't see him sticking around regularly as the Interim champion only to lose to Punk. Mox vs. Punk could be awesome down the line. This is as good a main event as they could put on for this show.
Richard: Please let this be a wrestling match, not the typical 'stuff happens everywhere during an AEW title match' pattern that we have had for the last year or so. The stare down between Moxley and Tanahashi at the end of Dynamite while ringside was complete pandemonium. I agree with what Dave said on No Name this week that CM Punk should be on commentary for this match so he can scout his opponent for when he returns. Just because this is a main event involving NJPW and AEW where no time limit is enough, this match DOES NOT HAVE TO GO 30 MINUTES. Give us a 15 to 18 minute battle between the two where they beat the hell out of each other and then Moxley gets the win with a Go 2 Sleep (especially if Punk is there to watch the match).
Anthony: I expect this match will be excellent. Tanahashi can work a Moxley style brawl if he needs to. The fact that this is for an Interim title brings it down for me. There are PLENTY of titles in AEW to shoot for if Punk is out for a long time. I’m agreeing with Cory. I say that Tony Kahn plays a nice game of politics here and Tanahashi wins the title.
Cory: I am not a fan of interim titles, but if we have to have it, and Punk is out, this will be a good match. Moxley known New Japan and will work their style with Tanahashi, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that Tanahashi wins and takes the AEW title to New Japan.
IWGP Champion Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okaka vs. Adam Cole vs. Hangman Page.
Dave: Adding Okada definitely made this one more interesting but taking the Title off of him made it a lot less intriguing. Just like I don’t think it’s wise to have the AEW Title on a New Japan guy, the opposite is true here. I think Okada has Cole pinned when White comes in and poaches the win. Those two then continue their program in New Japan.
Mike: I don't see a title change here. I am glad they have Okada added to the show, since they really needed him to rep New Japan and add to the prestige of the show. That said, White just won the title and NJPW isn't big on pivoting the big titles quickly from person to person. So, who's taking the loss here? I think Dave's idea works well and leaves things open for White and Cole to have continued issues with The Bucks and Bullet Club in the middle.
Richard: White should retain the title because it makes no sense to give it back to Okada after losing it two weeks ago. The Adams will neutralize each other like Pac and Black will in the All Atlantic Title Match. With The Elite, Dark Order, and Bullet Club as the affiliated group for three of the four men, I am praying that there is no interference or stupid shenanigans. However, that would defeat the purpose of a New Japan match involving Bullet Club. If Red Shoes is not ref for this match they have blown a premium opportunity that not even Rick Knox could accomplish.
Anthony: The pick here is Jay White all the way. The show absolutely needed Okada’s star power but, in keeping up with the haphazard build, it makes no sense that White declares that he has the power to book himself title defenses, only to have Excalibur do his patented match announcements saying this match is official. White pins Page, thanks to Cole. I got a feeling there’s something left in Cole v Page
Cory: I was shocked Okada showed since we had been told he was not going to show due to his wife’s expecting. I am not a fan of four way matches, and the good thing for this one is that everyone has a reason to want to fight the other. I look for this to be the long match of the night, and since I said that Tanahashi would win the AEW title, I am going to say that Page wins the NJPW title. I think there is a lot of milage of each company having the other’s title with New Japan wanting to make inroads to the US market with New Japan Strong tours and having AEW on New Japan world. Maybe I am being a fan boy with this, and I am sure I will be mercilessly mocked, but in my mind, the story possibilities are just too great.
AEW World Women's Champion Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm.
Dave: Storm is definitely seeming to have a lot of fun here in AEW, and good for her. They have booked Rosa really poorly since they put the belt on her. If it’s me, I have these two go to war and Rosa gets a win that elevates both in the process. They need to give Rosa a chance with the belt and that would be a great first step.
Mike: I am calling a title change here. I like Rosa but her promos have been pretty eh and I don't feel she's had much momentum since getting the title. It may be a case of her being similar to Ricky Steamboat where she's better off as the challenger than the champion. Storm vs. Britt has a nice ring to it.
Richard: When you look at Thunder Rosa's booking since winning the title, you have to say that Adam Page wasn't booked so poorly after all. This should be a good match and I think Rosa has to win this match or she goes into the Jack Swagger WWE Title reign pile, overshooting the Edge's first WWE Title reign after the MITB cash in.
Anthony: If you look at where both of these women were a little over 2 years ago, you really have to admire them for betting on themselves and coming up aces. To me, Thunder Rosa is the best female wrestler competing in North America today. I do agree, however, that her booking since becoming champion has been abysmal at best. I say Storm gets the win and the title here. She has the hot hand and AEW has been cognizant to go that route in regards to their women's championship.
Cory: Because of some bad booking and Rosa not being able to nail her promos, she needs a decisive win. Storm has shown she can have a great match, so I look for this one to be a win for Rosa to help cement her further as a champion.
Bryan Danielson's mystery man vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Dave: It’s gotta be Cesaro, it has to be, for all of the reasons Mike stated on Wednesday. He is a great wrestler who can also go to war in Blood and Guts. And if it’s him, he has to beat Sabre.
Mike: If it isn't Cesaro...say it's a Jonathan Gresham or even a Samoa Joe, who are both excellent, it's not going to work based on the way Bryan Danielson set up that debut. Anyone else, the audience will be like, "Really?" It has to be Claudio Castagnoli. It just has to be. I will go the opposite of Dave here. If it is Claudio, no way he should walk in and beat Zack Sabre Jr. after not wrestling for months. They can have a great match and have Zack catch him for a pinfall during a back and forth well into the bout. Then, he can walk into Blood and Guts and just beat the hell out of people in his "TV" debut.
Richard: I love the idea of Claudio for this match (but not for B&G on Dynamite) and if that is the case, this could be the best match on the show. In the longstanding Forbidden Door Tradition of High Expectations and Lower Actual Reveal (due to injuries and politics primarily), I am expecting YOSHI HASHI or Bad Luck Fale (put that as a singles co-main event with Lash Legend and Nikkita Lyons). I know that some people are thinking Johnny Gargano because he has a convention appearance in Chicago this weekend, and while I would love that, I don't think it works as well. If Mystery Man is Claudio, he wins and then Sabre gets pissed off, complains about not knowing who his opponent is until the last minute and demands a rematch, but then gives Claudio a match against an unknown opponent on no notice, and Claudio wins. Then Sabre demands another match and loses. Then they have a third match on a PPV and despite an injury to Claudio, Sabre still loses (that would never work).
Anthony: Tough corner AEW has backed themselves in. Anyone besides Claudio will be a major disappointment. Gargano is great, but beyond past the initial pop (Chicago is going to love everything on this show no matter what), can Gargano keep a mainstream audience interested? The mystery opponent will be in Blood & Guts, Sabre will not. Mystery Opponent has to take this
Cory: We all know the mystery opponent will be Paige. I KID! I KID! If it isn’t Claudio, the fans will be disappointed because this feels like the same as Punk showing. We all know it’s coming, so just deliver it. And he can’t lose his first match back. Zack was given no time to introduce himself, so Claudio should win a hard fought technical match with him.
IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy.
Dave: When this match was announced, I had to go and listen to what Jim Cornette said about it, since we all know how he feels about “Pockets”. He nailed it, I know Tony Khan loves Cassidy and he definitely deserves a role in AEW, but Ospreay is a star for New Japan and there is zero chance that I could see them putting their Title on him. Zero.
Mike: I think the story here will be that Cassidy's style will throw Ospreay off and they'll show Cassidy can hang with Ospreay but at the end of the day, Ospreay retains while Cassidy gets to show his skills.
Richard: There is a chance that this match could steal the show and turn a lot of heads, but I think it was dependent on Cassidy 'wrestling' in the match on Wednesday, not 'OCing Around' like he normally does. We saw some of the former, but too much of the latter. If Cassidy does the gingerly placed (we love you Jess) kicks and slow motion stuff too much, I know I will not be a fan of the match. We don't need a Toru Yano/Will Ospreay match (but for next Forbidden Door, Yano/OC needs to happen). Ospreay wins because he just won the title.
Anthony: I can’t understand why NJPW signed off on this. Yes, Cassidy has had good matches. Yes, there’s the occasional chuckle we get from his antics. Will Ospreay is approaching THAT level of greatness. He is going to be made to look like a fool in this. No possible way should NJPW have signed off on this. Ospreay will win and retain, but his star power may take a beating having to fall for OC’s antics
Cory: Anthony and others aren’t hyped for this match, but I think it will surprise a lot of people, much like the match with Pac when Cassidy finally showed he could wrestle. If he leans on the athleticism and speed, he and Ospreay can have a high flying fast paced match that will be impossible to do play by play for, but Ospreay has to win here.
ROH Tag Team Champions FTR vs. IWGP Tag Team Champions Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb vs. Roppongi Vice with all titles on the line.
Dave: So if Roppongi Vice does the job, I guess that means no Titles change hands. I could see that happening. After all, FTR need to have the tag belts so that they can do the job to the Young Bucks and lose the Titles to them, right?
Mike: I am going to go out on a limb and call FTR win all the belts. It fits with their deal of collecting titles. Roppongi Vice look to be the ones earmarked to take the pinfall.
Richard: I wish this was not a 'winner takes all' but a situation like what Dave described where the team that loses, if they are a champion lose their titles. Since we have no idea when there will be a 'Ring of Honor' show, why not give the titles to O'Khan and Cobb. FTR can then win the All Mediterranean Tag Titles. Sorry Trent, you are taking the pin on this one, as is tradition.
Anthony: FTR is, quite simply, the greatest tag team going today. NJPW has proven recently that they’re ok just switching the tag titles all the time (hello Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale). O-Khan and Cobb are a good team, nothing special. NJPW doesn’t need them to be champions. I don’t imagine NJPW even wants to consider Roppongi Vice as champions. I’d love to see FTR go to Japan for a few matches as champions and I’m predicting that’s exactly what I’ll get to see.
Cory: FTR will be winning this one so that when they go into their feud with the Young Bucks, there will be too many damn titles on the line. Cobb and O Khan don’t need them (as they are working in the US most of the time anyway) and letting FTR work in New Japan shows will do nothing but build them up as even bigger stars.
Pac vs. Miro vs. Clark Connors vs. Malakai Black to determine the first-ever AEW All-Atlantic Champion.
Dave: I know nothing about Connors, but he is out since the first champ should be an AEW guy. I love Pac, but I don’t see them putting a Title on him at this point given his recent push. Black is a maybe but for me, the obvious choice is Miro and that is the choice I would make if it were up to me.
Mike: I think this is the moment where Miro gets his moment. My guess is Pac and Black take each other out to set up Miro forcing Connors to tap to the Redeemer.
Richard: If they are going to go with Wardlow seeking the TNT title, Miro is the best option for this title. Pac and Black neutralize each other but if one wins, it could lead to a long series of matches between them over the title where they can pass it around like the TNT title. I like Connors and he is one of the best graduates of the LA Dojo (with Fredericks and Coughlin) but he is not on the same level as the other three and a win by him would be a major upset. Miro forces Connors to tap out while Black and Pac fight outside the ring.
Anthony: Pac has that certain something that AEW likes when it comes to presenting a guy to an international audience. What’s tipped me off is they keep talking about this title representing every country that supports AEW. Pac fits that to me. Connors will turn heads, Black will spit mist, Miro will be dominant here and absolutely no way will eat the pin. This is Pac’s night.
Cory: In a perfect world, this would be a match that Pac wins. He then takes the title with him all around Europe and the US, defending it on any show that will have him. Pac has suffered from start/stop/start/stop due to injury and having to go back to England. If he has this title, it could be a way to get the title onto someone who isn’t around a lot so we don’t have title overload. That being said, I’m pretty sure they will put it on Miro.
Eddie Kingston & Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta vs. Chris Jericho & AEW TNT Champion Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki.
Dave: Uh, OK. I think Kingston needs a win at Blood and Guts so I will say Jericho’s team wins here.
Mike: Dave nailed it here. They need to build the heat for the Blood and Guts match. It will be nice to see Suzuki go at it with Kingston.
Richard: I agree that the Suzuki and guys who take up time on Dynamite team should win this match and if Umino is the one taking the pin, I think that means a pissed off Moxley because his protege would have taken the loss (long term booking). If there is no Kaze Ni Nare because of Judas, I change my pick and I hope Jericho gets pinned in 2.99 seconds (sorry Nattie, you lose another record).
Anthony: I’ll take Random teammates for $500 Alex. Shota had a nice outing recently against White. He’s got the cache of being Moxley’s “boy”. Suzuki is a made man in Japan and won’t suffer at all should Shooter score the upset pin on him. As an added bonus, we’d get to see Suzuki torture the kid moving forward. Kingston, Shota & Wheeler winning here makes perfect sense
Cory: This feels like a prelim for Blood and Guts more than a match for this show. And I can’t see Jericho losing Blood and Guts twice, so this is one where Eddie and his team win.
Shane Strickland & Keith Lee vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Dave: It would make no sense to have the rising AEW team to lose here. If Khan’s plan is to have Swerve and Lee lose then……wait for it….I hope that desperado comes to his senses.
Mike: This should be OK. Is there where Lee finally has enough of Strickland and walks out?
Richard: Desperado and Kanemaru are a good juniors tag team but I don't see them beating Strickland and Lee because they need to do something to justify their release from Rampage.
Anthony: Lee and Swerve win but argue. No one knows who Kanemaru is in the U.S. so him losing means nothing. Lee and Sweve need this one to further their story, which is way too early to go right into the feud.
Cory: This is the one match I don’t care about. They have done nothing to build it, Lee and Swerve are still not a good tag team (they are working on it, according the Lee on Rampage) So, if they are going to have them keep teaming, they have to win.
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks & El Phantasmo & Hikuleo vs. Darby Allin & Sting & Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi.
Dave: The babyface win because Sting is on that team and this match doesn’t mean much of anything anyway.
Mike: This is one of the most insane fever dream tag team lineup I've ever seen assembled. My guess is that Hikuleo is there to take the loss and they'll have Sting get the pin.
Richard: I have enjoyed Hikuleo's improvement on NJPW Strong and El Phantasmo had a great run in BOSJ and should do okay (but not win too much) in the G1. I hope Hiromu and Darby don't try to do an 'I can try to permanently injure myself better than you' compettion in this match. Sting will absorb the power of 30 super kicks from the Bucks and then pound his chest and pin the tag team champions to set up Sting and his son for the tag titles. I wish LIJ was being used better but at least people will get to see Shingo in action.
Anthony: it is insane to me that the Los Ingobernobles representatives were essentially blown off in their intro by having Darby refer to them as just “Shingo and Hiromu”. Talk about not caring one bit about trying to get them over to an American audience. Hikuleo exists here to get pinned
Cory: This is your car crash match, and I expect Sting to get the pin. On Dynamite it seemed as if they will roll from this to Darby and Sting in a longer program with the Bucks, and I don’t think that is a way to bu8ild up the tag team division, but what do I know, I am saying they should switch titles between companies!
The Buy-In: Max Caster & The Gunn Club vs. NJPW Dojo's Kevin Knight & The DKC & Alex Coughlin & Yuya Uemura.
Dave: The AEW young guys should beat the New Japan young guys.
Mike: The work here should be solid, but I don't see Caster and The Gunns losing. This will be a nice introduction to Uemura and Coughlin, who are both going to be excellent in the years to come.
Richard: Billy Gunn is on a PPV (well a Buy In) in 2022. DKC will probably get pinned by Shorter Gunn. Was the QT Factory not available to continue their feud from NJPW Strong?
Anthony: The AEW guys need this one a hell of a lot more. I’m going with them.
Cory: Caster and the Ass Boys are really building their way into being crowd favorite with the pure goofiness of their antics. They usually take the loss, but for the buy in, I think they have more star power that the NJPW Strong lower carders. Max and the Ass Boys get the win here.
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