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LECLAIR’S AEW FORBIDDEN DOOR 2025 REPORT
AUGUST 24, 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND AT THE 02 ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW (Prime Video, YouTube, TrillerTV, etc.)
Announcers: Excalibur & Tony Schiavone & Bryan Danielson & Walker Stewart & Jim Ross
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-An opening video package aired.
-“It’s Sunday, you know what that means!” Excalibur shouted over a sweeping wide shot of the 02 Arena in London. He welcomed his broadcast partners, Tony Schiavone and Bryan Danielson.
-Adam Copeland’s music rang out and he charged onto the stage. Excalibur said they’re getting off to a raucous start. The crowd sang along excitedly with every word of “Metalingus.” They sang the full chorus back to Copeland after the music faded out. He was joined shortly thereafter by Christian Cage, receiving a similarly big reaction. Excalibur said that Copeland expressed the dream of teaming with Cage one more time before retirement, and now it happens.
Copeland and Cage leaned against the ropes together, Christian reluctantly partaking. Bryan Danielson said it’s such a fun atmosphere. Excalibur talked about Nick Wayne being unable to compete, replaced during Wednesday’s Dynamite by the returning Killswitch. Danielson wondered whether or not Copeland could or should trust Cage.
(1) ADAM COPELAND & CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. KILLSWITCH & KIP SABIAN (w/ Mother Wayne)
Adam Copeland began the match with Kip Sabian. The latter tried to roll out of the ring early, but Copeland telegraphed it, met him on the floor and dropped him to the mat with a clothesline. Copeland tagged in Cage and the two hit a Sidewalk Slam/Diving Reverse DDT combo. Cage cornered Sabian for mounted punches. The crowd chanted along with each shot. Sabian darted to his corner and tagged in Killswitch.
“Luchasaurus!” the crowd mockingly chanted at Killswitch. He went to engage with Cage, but Christian quickly tagged out. Copeland stared at him in disbelief, then entered the ring to go toe-to-toe with Killswitch. Copeland got met with a thrust kick to the face. Killswitch slammed Copeland against the northeast turnbuckle. Danielson said the kick was so well placed under the jaw that he was surprised Copeland wasn’t knocked out.
The Rated-R Superstar recovered quickly, tossing Killswitch to the floor and diving through the middle rope to topple him. He slapped Kabian in the face for good measure. Mother Wayne stepped in front of Copeland as the match approached 4:00. Sabian charged, but Cope side-stepped. Sabian collided with Killswitch. Mother Wayne de-escalated the situation. Killswitch slammed Copeland on the floor, then tossed him back into the ring. Excalibur said the ferocity of Killswitch is an upgrade over Nick Wayne. Schiavone agreed. Kip tagged himself in. Bryan noted that he was treating Killswitch with the same disrespect Cage used to.
Sabian charged Cope in the corner, leapt to the apron and gave Adam a jawbreaker. He followed up with a missile dropkick from the top rope for a cover and two count. Sabian aggressively tagged Killswitch again. The duo whipped Copeland in the corner. Killswitch assisted Sabian with a running cannonball, then shoved him out of the way to cover Cope for a two count. Mother Wayne tried to calm Sabian at ringside. Meanwhile, Killswitch dug into Cope’s shoulder. Copeland nearly reached Cage for a tag, but Killswitch cut him off and gave him a sidewalk slam. Danielson and Shiavone wondered if Cage was stretching the whole way for the tag.
Kip shouted orders at Killswitch from the apron. Killswitch tagged him hard and tossed him in the ring. Sabian was bleeding from above his eye. Copeland nearly reached Cage, but Sabian cut him off by shoving Christian to the floor. “You deserve this!” Mother Wayne told him. Killswitch entered the ring and put Sabian on his shoulders. Copeland hit a Spear off the top. Schiavone and Danielson said it seemed intentional. Copeland reached Cage. Sabian tagged Killswitch.
Cage gave Sabian a cheap shot on the apron. He slid down the back of a Killswitch body slam and fired off some big chops. Killswitch dropped him with a massive headbutt. He went for a lawn dart through, but Cage slid free and dumped Killswitch into the ring post. He choked him against the middle rope as the crowd sang lovingly toward him. Cage dropped Sabian into the ropes and choked him, too. Copeland delivered an Edgecution to Sabian on the apron. Cage dove onto Killswitch on the floor as the match approached 11:30. He climbed to the top rope, but Killswitch slid back in the ring and cut him off. Copeland pulled Killswitch away and dropped him. Cage hit a diving headbutt.
Kip was able to tag himself in, unbeknownst to Cope and Cage. They hit a double impaler DDT on Killswitch. Cage covered, but the ref informed him of the tag. Sabian rolled up Cage for two. Killswitch grabbed Christian by the throat from the apron. Copeland ran in with a spear, sending Killswitch to the floor. Cage hoisted Sabian into the air and tossed him up, allowing Copeland to run in for a Spear. Christian covered Sabian for a three count.
WINNERS: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage in 13:46
(LeClair’s Analysis: Fun opener that didn’t overstay its welcome. This was aided by the incredibly hot crowd excited to see Cope and Christian team again, and to cheer Cage despite his prickly demeanor. I thought the told the story of potential issues between Cope and Christian well, with Danielson doing some heavy lifting on commentary. I also liked the added layer of complexity on the Killswitch/Sabian side, with the latter bullying Killswitch in the way Cage often did. Killswitch’s Doomsday device spot didn’t really work, and it left the announcers sort of scrambling to recover after it didn’t actually qualify as a full turn. Just too much suspension of disbelief required there. Otherwise, this worked well.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the TNT Championship match.
Hiromu Takahashi was out first to a great ovation from the crowd. Excalibur introduced the New Japan commentary team, seated to their right at ringside. “Prototheme” by Hot Mulligan hit the speakers and the arena lights turned pink. Kyle Fletcher sauntered down the aisle-way, flanked by an adoring Don Callis and Lance Archer. Walker Stewart had replaced Tony on commentary. Callis joined them.
(2) KYLE FLETCHER (c, w/ Don Callis) vs. HIROMU TAKAHASHI – TNT Championship match
Kyle Fletcher tossed Hiromu Takahashi to the mat and posed to the crowd as the match began. He let Takahashi hit the ropes and promptly dropped him with a shoulder tackle. Hiromu popped to his feet and looked for a ‘rana, but Kyle caught him. Takahashi flipped through a kicked Fletcher to the mat. The TNT Champion popped up and caught Takahashi with a chest kick. Fletcher tossed his challenger to the southeast corner and gave him a hard chop.
Danielson talked about how impressed he is by Fletcher’s increase in size without sacrificing speed. Fletcher shouldered Takahashi again, then covered him for a quick two count. He gave him a hard kick to the spin. Takahashi came up with a little blood in his mouth. Fletcher delivered a picturesque body slam, grabbed wrist control and pulled Takahashi to his feet. He followed up with a picture-perfect spinning slam. Excalibur said the emphatic finish makes it extra impressive. “I like my men to be bred to win!” Callis said arrogantly. Kyle taunted Takahashi, slapping at his chest repeatedly. Danielson said he’d heard Taylor Swift was interested in Fletcher. “Where’d you hear that one?” Excalibur asked. “From Don,” Bryan laughed.
Fletcher grabbed a seated chin lock in the center. Takahashi worked back to his feet and broke the hold with short elbows. He chopped Fletcher away, then caught him with a Hurricanrana. Hiromu gave him a boot to the face against the ropes, then a Poisonrana over the ropes and onto the apron. Back in the ring, Takahashi clotheslined Fletcher against the southwest turnbuckles and then covered him for a two count at 6:05.
Takahashi and Fletcher traded short-arm clothesline attempts, but neither went down. Takahashi flipped Fletcher around with a Dragon Screw. Danielson said it’s a smart game plan. Hiromu went for a clothesline, but Kyle ducked and caught the arms. He hit a half & half Suplex. Takahashi popped up and gave Fletcher one of his own. Kyle popped up and gave Takahashi the Protostar Driver. Both men were down for a count of five. Fletcher was first to answer the count, dragging Hiromu to his feet and landing another body slam. Fletcher sat on the top turnbuckle in the northwest corner. Takahashi met him there with chops. They jockeyed for position. Fletcher turned Takahashi away from the mat and connected with a spinning back Suplex off the top for a cover and two count. He immediately pulled Hiromu up and delivered a massive sit out Powerbomb for a cover and very close near fall.
A dueling chant broke out among the London faithful. “Fletcher’s the greatest TNT Champion of all time!” Callis exclaimed. Kyle kicked cockily at Takahashi’s face. Hiromu just laughed it off. Takahashi hit the ropes, but Fletcher topped him dead with a boot. He covered, but Hiromu kicked out at one and stumbled to his feet, crazed look in his eye. Takahashi fell to the apron. Fletcher posed to a chorus of boos. Fletcher hooked Takahashi from the apron. He tried for a Suplex, but Takahashi turned it around with a front Suplex right on the apron. He slid through Kyle’s legs and gave him a violent sounding Powerbomb off the apron to the floor.
The challenger tossed Fletcher back in the ring and hit a running lariat for a cover and near fall at 12:15. Kyle came up grabbing at his shoulder. Takahashi hoisted him into the air, but Fletcher slid down his back. They traded hard kicks to the chest. Kyle went for another Powerbomb, but Takahashi flipped down Kyle’s back and hit a Destroyer for a cover and near fall. Hiromu tried to drag Fletcher to his feet, but Kyle turned it over into Tombstone position. He connected with the jumping Piledriver and covered for a very close near fall. Danielson said Fletcher left too much space on the shoulders. Fletcher hit a running kick to the back of Takahashi’s head. He kissed his forehead, then hit it again. Fletcher followed up with the Sheer-Drop Brainbuster for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher in 15:27 to retain the TNT Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match, again aided by the hot crowd. Danielson, again, contributed a great deal on commentary. Fletcher continues to look, act, and be presented as a star. Danielson was glowing about his prospects as a future World Champion, and I thought that his sincerity was beneficial. The result never really felt as though it was in much doubt here, and that took away some of the match’s excitement, but it generally served its purpose and kept the crowd engaged.)
-Renee Paquette narrated a video package for the TBS Championship 4-way.
Alex Windsor was out first to a decent reaction. Tony Schiavone was back at the booth. He praised Walker. Bozilla was out next, representing Stardom. Excalibur noted that it’s her AEW debut. He said she’s a second generation wrestler with all the tools to make the best of the opportunity. Danielson heaped her praises as well. Persephone rounded out the three challengers. A large “CEO” chant broke out as the crowd rose in anticipation of the reigning champion. A precession of Royal Guards marched onto the stage, each one carrying one of Mercedes Mone’s championships. The CEO danced out between them, wearing the TBS title.
(3) MERCEDES MONE (c) vs. ALEX WINDSOR vs. BOZILLA vs. PERSEPHONE – 4-Way TBS Championship match
Alex Windsor, Bozilla, and Persephone surrounded Mercedes Mone as soon as the bell rang. She looked around fearfully. They tossed her to the floor and went to work on each other. Danielson quickly noted that Mone does not need to be pinned to lose her title. Bozilla cleared the ring of her other opponents. Mone slid back in the ring and comically tried to roll Bozilla up. She didn’t budge. Bozilla hoisted the champion onto her shoulders and pressed her up over the top rope, onto Windsor and Persephone on the floor.
Persephone leapt into the waiting arms of Bozilla. She gave her a spin-out slam. Alex Windsor leapt onto Bozilla’s back. Mone charged and ate a clothesline. Bozilla dumped both Windsor and Mone into the northwest corner. She charged, but both opponents moved. Bozilla hit the ring post and fell to the floor. Danielson said that’s her inexperience coming into play. Windsor and Persephone gave Mone a double Suplex. The champion rolled to the floor. Persephone hit a step-up ‘rana. Windsor popped to her feet and delivered an arm drag. Bozilla returned, giving both women a back Suplex.
Mone leapt onto Bozilla’s back as the match hit 3:45. Bozilla deposited her into the corner. Persephone monkey-flipped Mone into the waiting arms of Bozilla. Mone was stuck in Powerbomb position, fighting for her life with hits to the head. Persephone and Windsor cut Bozilla’s legs out, causing her to Powerbomb Mone. Windsor and Persephone fought Bozilla to the floor. Mone tried to dive on her, but Bozilla caught her. Persephone leapt through the middle rope onto both of them, but her feet caught the rope and she landed awkwardly. She and Mone fought back into the ring. Mercedes rolled her up for two, broken up by Windsor. Alex scored a two count of her own. Alex set up for a Sharpshooter on Persephone. Mercedes pulled her into the Mone-Maker, but Bozilla interfered. She gave Persephone an overhead belly-t0-belly. Persephone landed on the back of her neck.
All four women struggled, writhing in opposing corners. A “Bozilla” chant built in the crowd. She choked Mone in the corner, then drove both her knees into the face of Persephone. Bozilla got caught with a running kick from Windsor, then a quick leaping elbow. Bozilla popped right up. Persephone hit her with a missile dropkick. Bozilla popped up. Mone connected with the Meteora for a cover, but both opponents rushed in to break it up just before 8:00. Windsor battled Mone into the southeast corner. Persephone and Bozilla joined. Windsor German Suplexed all three of them from her tree of woe position.
Windsor gave Bozilla a draping DDT from the apron. Persephone rolled her up for a two count. Windsor fought to her feet and hooked Persephone for a Russian Leg Sweep. Mone charged and rolled them both into a tandem Crucifix. Instead of covering, she transitioned into a double Statement Maker. They broke the hold. Mone tried for another Statement Maker, just on Persephone this time. Windsor clotheslined her. She stacked her opponents and turned them over into a double Sharpshooter. Persephone and Mone screamed in agony. Bozilla sauntered into view, stepping on her opponent’s hands, preventing a tap out. She broke the hold.
Bozilla slammed Windsor into the southwest corner. Persephone rushed in and speared Windsor. Bozilla Chokeslammed Persephone. She stacked Windsor and Persephone and hit a Moonsault off the top, covering for a near fall just barely broken up by Mone. Mercedes begged off the corner, terrified of Bozilla. Bozilla went for a Powerbomb, but Mercedes spun in the air and hit a Poisonrana. Bozilla landed violently on her head. Mone covered, and Aubrey Edwards had to delay her count for Bozilla to kick in time. Bozilla shook off the cobwebs and tossed the champion to the floor. She turned her attention to Alex Windsor, dropping her with a big clothesline, then peppering her with headbutts in the corner.
Persephone returned to the fold, grabbing Bozilla off the middle rope and giving her a Razor’s Edge. Windsor kicked Persephone and covered her for a two count. She turned her over into a tight Sharpshooter. Mone returned and hit Windsor with a Lungblower. Persephone went for a Razor’s Edge on Mone, but she countered into a roll up for a three count.
WINNER: Mercedes Mone in 15:30 to retain the TNT Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Some innovative action here, but this was a pretty sloppy affair overall. Bozilla’s offense is impressive, but she’s clearly still green and sometimes gets ahead of herself on some dangerous spots. Persephone’s dive to the floor looked ugly, and Mone’s Poinsonrana counter on Bozilla was scary. The crowd gave each of these women their due, but this felt like a superstar in there with three other women still trying to find themselves, and, as such, the result just never felt like it was in question.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the IWGP World Heavyweight title match. Nigel McGuinness got a special intro featuring Johnny Saint. He received a huge reaction from the crowd. Excalibur wondered if this was the “second act Nigel is looking for”, much like Oasis. The crowd sang to Nigel after his music faded out. They were interrupted by Zack Sabre Jr.’s music. The World Champion sauntered to the ring confidently. Walker Stewart said these are the two best technical wrestlers in the world. He called the IWGP World title the richest prize in all of pro wrestling. Excalibur challenged him, calling it “friendly competition.”
(4) ZACK SABRE JR. (c) vs. NIGEL McGUINNESS (w/ Daniel Garcia) – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match
Nigel McGuinness backed Zack Sabre Jr. into the ropes to begin the match. The referee broke the hold. Champion and challenger locked up and traded kicks to break wrist control. Zack gave Nigel a quick Snapmare, but Nigel rolled right to his feet. Danielson said “life has a way of coming full circle,” noting that he’s on commentary while McGuinness wrestles for a World Championship. He promised not to bury Nigel throughout the match. Sabre Jr. grabbed a rolling headlock, but Nigel slid free and flipped over Zack’s back. The two opponents gave a curt clap for each other. Sabre Jr. grabbed a wrist lock, wrestled Nigel to the mat and twisted his arm over. Nigel used his legs to kick free as the match approached 3:00.
After each break broke wrist control with their ankle, Sabre Jr. wrestled McGuinness back to the mat and continued to work over the arm. Nigel wrestled to his feet and tried to break things off with a Russian Leg Sweep, but Sabre Jr. stayed in firm control. Daniel Garcia urged on Nigel and the crowd from ringside. Nigel manipulated Sabre Jr.’s fingers and toppled him to the mat, kneeling on his trapped arm. Nigel trapped both of Zack’s arms and caught him in a cover for a two count at 5:25. Sabre Jr. broke wrist control with a switch kick. He trapped Nigel’s head between his ankles and twisted. Sabre Jr. began wrist and finger manipulation, stomping on the bent hand of McGuinness.
The champion hurled some vitriol in Garcia’s direction while he marched confidently around the ring. Zack continued to work at the elbow of McGuinness. Nigel shook out his fingers, searching for feeling. McGuinness walked Sabre Jr. into the ropes, forcing a break. Zack went right back on the offensive. Nigel spun himself free, buying time. he slammed Zack into the northeast corner, then kicked him to the mat. The challenger worked Sabre Jr. into the corner and hit a step up clothesline. Sabre Jr. charged him, but Nigel took him out with a massive lariat for a cover and near fall just before 9:00.
McGuinness tried for London Dungeon, but Sabre Jr. crawled backward on his knees to drape a foot over the bottom rope. Nigel stayed on the offensive, placing Sabre Jr. on the top turnbuckle, looking for Tower of London. Sabre Jr. fought him off with a boot to the face. He rolled him to the mat, capturing both Nigel’s right arm and leg. Sabre Jr. applied a simultaneous leg lock and arm bar. Nigel turned his body around, trying to get a foot on the ropes. Garcia tried to push the rope toward him, but the referee caught and admonished him. Sabre Jr. broke the hold and gave Nigel an uppercut. McGuinness returned the favor. Both men stumbled around the mat, out on their feet. Nigel’s final shot dropped Zack to a knee. He came up bleeding a bit from the nose.
They restarted the exchange, stumbling through more uppercuts. Nigel invited more. Sabre Jr. delivered. Zack slumped against the middle rope. He ducked a shot from McGuinness into a bridged cover for two. Nigel turned it into a backslide for two of his own. McGuinness hit another ricochet lariat for a cover and near fall at 13:40. McGuinness hit Sabre Jr. with another lariat and scored another near fall. Danielson said Sabre Jr. has improved his resiliency significantly. Excalibur added that he’s competed regularly, unlike McGuinness. Nigel twisted Zack’s arm and pulled him into a stretch. Sabre Jr. flipped through it, but Nigel caught him in a Triangle Choke. Sabre Jr. got a foot on the bottom ropes.
Champion and challenger fought into the northeast corner. Sabre Jr. grabbed an arm bar and extended his body over the ropes, necessitating a break. He flipped to the floor and jawed with Garcia before returning to the ring. McGuinness caught him with Tower of London. He covered, but Zack got a foot on the bottom rope just in time. Sabre Jr. and McGuinness traded innovated roll ups for two counts. Sabre Jr. elevated his butt on the last one to create leverage and score a three count.
WINNER: Zack Sabre Jr. in 17:00 to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Sabre Jr. and McGuinness shared a handshake after the match. Zack paid his respects to legends at ringside. Daniel Garcia gave Nigel a hug in the ring. Tony Schiavone had joined them. He thanked the crowd for being part of Forbidden Door and announced that its the biggest wrestling crowd in the history of the 02, reporting the attendance as 18.992.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match of a dramatically different pacing than the rest of the card thus far, and, presumably, still to come. Sabre Jr. is always a joy to watch, bringing such a proficient and flashy technical style to the table that only few are able to hang with in a major way. McGuinness met that challenge head on. I was struck by the very clear demotion of perceived importance for the IWGP World title here. Much like ROH’s involvement over the years with Wrestle Kingdom, this felt decidedly mid-card versus the various happenings in AEW proper.)
-Backstage, Queen Aminata and Thekla were shown engaged in a brawl. They battled through the curtains and onto the entrance stage, fighting down the aisle toward the ring. Skye Blue and Julia Hart ran from the back to help Thekla. They got the advantage briefly, but Jamie Hayter’s music hit and she ran in to make the save. She chased Hart, Blue, and Thekla away. The crowd gave her a good ovation.
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the 3-way tag team title match.
-FTR was first to enter, with Stokely happily talking trash on the way to the ring. Brodido followed to a great reaction from the crowd. The Hurt Syndicate entered last, without MVP by their side. They walked to the ring leisurely, wearing the titles around their waist. Excalibur explained that they don’t need to be involved in the pinfall to lose the titles.
(5) THE HURT SYNDICATE (c, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, w/ Stokely) vs. BRODIDO (Brody King & Bandido) – 3-Way AEW World Tag Team Championship match
Brodido and FTR tried to isolate the champions quickly to begin the match, overwhelming them to the floor. The Hurt Syndicate were isolated in opposing corners. Dax Harwood and Bandido re-entered the ring to begin the match. They traded quick takedowns. Bandido caught Dax in a backslide for a two count. Cash Wheeler entered the ring to help his partner, but Bobby Lashley had blind-tagged in on Harwood. He dropped FTR with a double clothesline. Schiavone said it’s nearly impossible just to take Lashley down. Bobby gave Dax a stalling Suplex. He stared down Bandido, then tagged in Shelton Benjamin.
Dax backed Benjamin into the corner and gave him a couple of slaps to the face. Benjamin fought out, looking for a German Suplex. Harwood tagged Bandido. Bandido managed to his leverage to send Shelton careening to the floor. He hit Benjamin with a dive through the ropes. He went for another, but Benjamin slid in the ring and dropped Bandido with a flapjack. Shelton tagged in Bobby, who hit Bandido with a slam and covered him for a two count, broken up by Cash Wheeler. Lashley tossed Bandido to the floor, then tagged in Benjamin. Shelton slammed Bandido against the barricade and ring barrier repeatedly. He tossed Bandido around and covered him for a two count. The crowd began a big “f— the Revival” chant. Brody pointed at them, “that’s you,” he said, giving them the finger.
The Hurt Syndicate continued to isolate and dominate Bandido. Brody King tired to get involved, but ate a cheap shot from Lashley for his troubles. Bandido slide down Shelton’s back and caught him with a Superkick. Shelton shoved Bandido toward FTR’s corner, but Cash and Dax leapt to the floor to avoid being tagged. Danielson said many teams in AEW are straight up afraid of wrestling the Hurt Syndicate, and FTR may be one of them. Lashley tagged in, slapping at Bandido. “This is what we’ve got?” he asked arrogantly. Bandido tried to Suplex Bobby, but was blocked. Bandido nearly reached Brody King for a tag, but Benjamin, hot off a tag, cut him off.
Bandido caught Benjamin with a corkscrew off the top rope. Bandido made a leaping tag to Brody King. Benjamin tagged Dax Harwood. King attacked anything that moved. He hit Harwood with a sit-out Powerbomb for a cover and two count at 9:00. He stacked FTR in the northwest corner and prepared to Cannonball both of them. Benjamin tried to cut him off, but Brody toppled him into the opposing corner. He hit cannonballs on FTR, then turned his attention to Benjamin. Lashley stepped in his way and the crowd roared to life. They traded forearms to ringing “meat” chants. They hit shoulder tackles to a stalemate. Brody elbowed his way out of the corner and charged. Lashley gave him a chest slam. King popped right up and clotheslined Lashley to the floor. Benjamin attacked King from behind. FTR hit the ring and ate German Suplexes from Benjamin.
Shelton caught Bandido flush with a knee to the face. He grabbed waist control on King and hit one, two, three German Suplexes. Excalibur called it a “monumental task.” King hoisted Benjamin into the air, and Wheeler rushed in to help complete an impromptu Shatter Machine. “Do we know who’s legal here?” Danielson asked. Brody shot Cash toward the ropes. He flew into the waiting arms of the Hurt Syndicate. King launched his body at all three men, toppling them. Bandido ascended the northeast turnbuckles. Dax climbed with him. Bandido scooped him dangerously on the buckle and hit a flipping slam off the top, onto the cavalcade of wrestlers waiting below.
As the pile dissipated, the Hurt Syndicate rose first. Lashley speared Wheeler out of his boots. The Hurt Syndicate overwhelmed Brody in the ring. Suddenly, three masked wrestlers rushed into the ring and attacked Lashley and Benjamin. The fought them into the aisle-way and beat them down with a pipe. After an extended beat down, they pulled their masks off. It was Ricochet and Gates of Agony. Danielson noted their apparent new relationship with MJF. In the ring, King ate a chairshot to the head and kicked out of a close near fall. While the announcers continued to talk about the interference, King flipped Bandido onto Dax for a cover and three count. Cash awkwardly tried to stop the count, but wasn’t pulled back in time by King.
WINNERS: Brodido in 16:05 to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships
(LeClair’s Analysis: The setup here seemed a little too obvious – Lashley and Benjamin’s issues with dropping the titles have been so widely publicized that the 3-way seemed tailor-made to get them into a position to lose without really losing. They took it a step further here, not only not being involved in the decision, but being entirely incapacitated by Ricochet and Gates of Agony. I give AEW credit for cleverly weaving the trio into the Syndicate’s business, and kudos to Danielson for painting the clear picture on commentary. The problem here is that the finishing sequence came so quickly after the major reveal that it felt overly chaotic and poorly shot. The camera missed a near fall in the ring trying to catch Ricochet taking his mask off. The finish itself was particularly egregious, with all four wrestlers seeming confused, leading to a false count and then Cash Wheeler just sort of…watching his partner get pinned because King may have been out of position. A fine match, but terribly sloppy closing sequence.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the AEW Unified Championship match.
-Swerve Strickland was out first, accompanied initially by Prince Nana, who departed to comply with Continental rules. Excalibur welcomed Jim Ross to the desk, joining he and Bryan Danielson. Swerve received a significant ovation. Kazuchika Okada was out next. The camera spun around him before Don Callis emerged at his side. Don carried the Continental and International titles, while Okada wore the new Unified belt. Callis joined the announce desk.
(6) KAZUCHIKA OKADA (c, w/ Don Callis) vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND – AEW Unified Championship match
Kazuchika Okada and Swerve Strickland trading some quick chain wrestling to open the match as the crowd taunted Don Callis. Strickland broke the stalemate with a dropkick. Okada rolled to the floor, but Swerve followed. He drove the champion rib-first into the ring apron, then returned to the ring. Swerve flipped over the top rope onto Okada. Strickland came up lame on his right knee, shaking it out. The crowd sang, “Swerve’s house, in the middle of our street!’ Strickland goaded them on.
Back in the ring, Strickland turned Okada over for a pair of neckbreakers. He walked Okada to the southwest corner and gave him a Snapmare, then an Uppercut from the middle rope. Strickland danced around the ring. Callis said he’s a lot better without Nana. Swerve launched Okada into the top turnbuckle pad. Okada stumbled out, then tripped Swerve to the mat. He catapulted him up over the top rope to the floor. Strickland caught himself against the announce desk and stumbled back toward the ring. Okada hit a baseball slide through the bottom rope. The kick connected with a violent thud. Strickland shook off the cobwebs and regained control, walking Okada around ringside and slamming him against the ring steps. Strickland tossed Okada onto the apron and walked him to the steel steps, now dislodged from the ring post. Swerve set up for a Piledriver, but Okada turned it into a Spike DDT on the steps.
“How much damage was done?” J.R. asked as the match crossed 6:30. Danielson said Okada is so patient, and he thinks that makes him the best big match wrestler in all of pro wrestling. The champion worked Strickland into the corner and caught him with a couple of forearms. Swerve elbowed free, looking for a monkey flip. Okada caught him on his shoulders and slammed him for a cover and two count. The Unified Champion kicked at the back of his challenger’s head. Swerve struggled to his feet and fired off a weak forearm. Okada hit one of his own with far more bite. Swerve began ramping up the intensity, trying to match the champion. Strickland rolled into a jump and hit a Flatliner, then a float-over Suplex.
Okada stumbled into the northwest corner. Strickland followed, hoisting him onto the top turnbuckle. Swerve hooked him for a back Suplex, but Okada fought free. They jockeyed for position. Swerve regained control and hit the back drop off the top for a cover and two count at 10:25. The replay showed Swerve bracing hard after the impact. Back live, Okada had rolled to the floor. Strickland tried to deliver the Swerve Stomp from the apron, but Okada moved, causing Swerve to jam his knee. Kazuchika took advantage, hitting a Tombstone on the floor. The champion rolled Strickland back in the ring and gave him a body slam. He climbed the ropes and hit his signature elbow drop. Okada took position for his signature middle finger camera spot.
Grabbing wrist control, Okada called for the Rainmaker. Swerve blocked it, but Okada spun him around and hit a short-arm lariat. He held onto the wrist and hit two more. Okada tried for the Rainmaker again, but Swerve ducked and caught Okada with the House Call. Even Callis was impressed. Swerve held onto Okada’s wrist and dragged him to his feet. Strickland hit lariats of his own. He called to the crowd and charged. Okada picked him out of the air with a perfect Dropkick. Swerve popped to his feet and ate another one. Okada went for the Rainmaker again, but Swerve ducked and gave Okada a Powerbomb. He climbed to the top, calling for the Swerve Stomp. He connected, but his knee gave out on him. Strickland stumbled into a leg hook for a near fall at 14:30.
“That mere hesitation may have cost him the Championship,” Callis said. Danielson agreed. Okada rolled to the apron. Swerve climbed the ropes. Okada met him just below. Kazuchika gouged the challenger’s eyes. Swerve fell, getting his ankle tied up in the buckle. Okada hooked Swerve’s leg and delivered a Kneebreaker on the top buckle. Swerve blocked another Rainmaker. Okada blocked a Stomp. Swerve hit the House Call and signaled for another. He charged, but Okada ducked. He pulled Strickland into the Rainmaker for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Kazuchika Okada in 16:38 to retain the AEW Unified Championship
As soon as the match ended, Okada dragged Strickland to the corner and sandwiched his leg between the ring post and the steel steps. He grabbed a steel chair and drove it into the steps repeatedly, crushing Strickland’s knee between steel. Prince Nana ran to Strickland’s aid, carrying a steel pipe. He chased Okada and Callis away, but the damage was already done.
Prince Nana checked on his friend. Wardlow entered the ring behind the pair, dressed in an all black suit. He attacked Nana, then looked down at Strickland. Wardlow mounted Nana for punches. Danielson wondered if Wardlow may be the “insurance policy” that Callis talked about earlier in the night. Security rushed into the ring to hold Wardlow back. Wardlow fought them all off. Strickland, unable to stand, just had to watch the assault.
The Callis Family all converged around Wardlow in the aisle. Kinosuke Takeshita came out last, giving a nod of respect to Wardlow.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match with a fairly surprising fully clean finish, but this just never really hit the third or fourth gear I expected it may. The aftermath seemed to have been a means to write Swerve off of TV for a while, which makes sense, given his reported injury. Okada continues to have solid matches when called upon, but his star power still feels significantly diminished after more than a year of shoddy booking and presentation. Wardlow’s reintroduction is welcome, but adding him to the Callis Family feels like a potential misstep. That faction is already immensely crowded, full of wrestlers with competing interests and motivations. Too many wrestlers in too many similar positions fighting for the same things.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the AEW Women’s World title match.
Athena headed to the ring, Billie Starkz in tow. Tony Schiavone had rejoined the announce desk. Toni Storm entered alone, receiving a big ovation. Excalibur said this is her fifth defense of her fourth women’s title reign. Athena signed her contract, making the match official. Aubrey Edwards passed off the contract, then held the title high in the air.
(7) TONI STORM (c) vs. ATHENA (w/ Billie Starkz) – AEW Women’s World Championship match
Toni Storm and Athena charged one another right out of the gates. Danielson was surprised by how quickly they got out of the blocks. Champion and challenger rolled to the outside. Storm tossed Athena aside, then grabbed Billie Starkz and gave her Storm Zero, eliminating her from the equation. Storm was blindsided by a charging Athena. She kicked the champion right into the barricade. Athena tossed Storm back in the ring and took her down for a cover and quick two count. Athena cranked the injured neck of Toni Storm. Bryan noted the Piledriver on the steps that Storm endured on Dynamite.
Athena continued to work over the neck, choking Toni against the middle rope. Toni fought her off with a couple of elbows, but Athena stayed in control with a take down. She worked Storm against the ring post, broken up by referee Aubrey Edwards. Athena grabbed the neck again, then kneed Toni repeatedly in the face. She tossed her aside and posed to the crowd, asserting her dominance. Athena yelled in Edwards’ face as the forced another break against the ropes. Athena worked the champion against the middle rope. “Off with her head!” she proclaimed, sizing Storm up for a bicycle kick. Storm moved. Athena still managed to trip Toni into the middle turnbuckle.
Mocking the champion, Athena danced across the ring and charged. Toni exploded up and took down the challenger with a clothesline, then a Northern Lights bridging Suplex for a two count. Toni tried for a cross-faced chicken wing, but Athena broke free. The two traded quick counters, ending in a sit-out Powerbomb from the champion for a cover and two count. Danielson wondered if Storm might be suffering some pain and numbness in her right arm from the work Athena’s done on her neck. Champion and challenger traded blows as the match approached 9:00. Storm hit a pair of Mongolian chops. Athena rolled to her feet and caught the champion with a thrust kick. She covered for a two count.
Billie Starks had returned to her feet now, but was still showing the effects of the Storm Zero on the floor. In the ring, Athena dragged the champion to her feet. Storm caught her with a big boot out of the corner. Starkz leapt onto the apron to distract the champion. Athena flew in with a kick to the face. She hit a ‘rana from the top. Athena landed on her feet and dead-lifted Toni into a Liger Bomb for a cover and two count. Athena rolled Storm into a modified Koji Clutch. Storm used the ropes to roll it over into a cover. Athena broke immediately to avoid the pin.
Storm avoided an uppercut and grabbed a chicken wing. Athena easily deposited the champion through the ropes to the floor. She hit the ropes and dove onto Toni through the middle. Athena dragged the champion to the steps, looking for another Piledriver. Storm bit her knee to free herself. She trapped the leg and ripped Athena face-first onto the steps. Storm tossed her challenger into the LED barricade, then back into the ring as the match crossed 12:45. Storm caught Athena with a headbutt, then a Storm Zero. She hooked the leg for a close near fall.
“That was a monumental kick out, Toni can’t believe it!” Schiavone proclaimed. Danielson recommended Storm go right back after Athena’s neck. Starkz tried to pull Athena to safety, but Toni kicked her away. Storm set up Athena for a Storm Zero on the apron, but Starkz grabbed her ankle. Storm kicked her away. Athena was set up on the top rope. She caught Storm with the O-Face from the apron. Aubrey went to check on a downed Athena. Meanwhile, Mina Shirakawa ran down and chased Starkz to the back.
Athena went for another O-Face, but Storm blocked it. She turned Athena into the Crossface Chicken wing and wrapped the legs. Athena tapped.
WINNER: Toni Storm in 15:16 to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought they’d done a good job building Athena into a credible challenger for Toni’s title given her relative lack of involvement with main roster AEW TV for the majority of her run, and it’s kind of shocking that its taken so long to get to this point. The match was good, though not quite at the level of some of Storm’s other defenses, especially the one against Mone last month. I still see no reason that Athena shouldn’t be full time on the AEW side of things, and I think revisiting this program down the line is certainly worth considering. Again, this was good, but, like a lot of the other matches on this show, it just feels like it never really got turned into third or fourth gear.)
-Excalibur tossed to a video package for the men’s World title match.
MJF was first out. The crowd sang along to his theme music. He barely got to pose atop the turnbuckles before being interrupted by “Hangman” Adam Page’s music. Page marched to the ring with purpose. Excalibur explained that Page accepted stipulations that allow him to lose the title by count out or disqualification. Justin Roberts delivered Championship match introductions.
(8) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE (c) vs. MJF – AEW World Heavyweight Championship match
“Hangman” Adam Page and MJF stood in opposite corners as referee Bryce Remsburg called for the opening bell. They circled one another and teased a lock up, but MJF quickly leapt to the floor and took a lap around the ring. He sat atop the barricade and posed for the crowd to a chorus of boos. Excalibur and Danielson talked about Page’s temper and the possibility that it could lead to him losing the title without being pinned or made to submit. MJF returned to the ring and ate a quick right hand from the champion. He cornered him and beat him to the mat. Remsburg had to pull Page away as MJF escaped to the outside.
The champion followed MJF, beating him against the barricade. Schiavone said MJF will be willing to take punishment in the hopes of earning a disqualification victory. Page slammed Max over the barricade, then rolled in the ring to break the count just before 3:00. Page clotheslined Max right over the barricade into the laps of people seated in the front row. Danielson suggested that Page try to win the match by count out right there. Hangman tossed MJF back in the ring and gave him a back Suplex. MJF rolled to the floor again. Danielson said it’s part of his strategy, angling for a disqualification or count out.
MJF took a breather in a chair at ringside. The champion charged and toppled him with a big boot. Page retrieved a chair, but Remsburg quickly reminded him of the stipulation. Page tossed the chair aside. The brief hesitation gave Max an opening. He tossed Page in the ring and mounted him for some quick blows. Max posed for the crowd on the turnbuckle, they booed him heavily. MJF raked at the champion’s eyes. He flipped him with a Snapmare, then grabbed a seated chin lock. MJF ripped Page to the mat by the hair. Page rose slowly, firing off some rights. Max cut him off with a kick to the gut. He went for a Piledriver, but page turned it around on him. MJF rolled through it into a sunset roll up for a two count. After a counter exchange against the ropes, Max faked a knee injury to lure Page in. He stepped over a lariat attempt and turned Page around into a spike Piledriver for a cover and two count.
After catching the champion with a double arm stomp off the middle rope, MJF turned over Page’s arm to soften him up for the arm bar. He flipped Page over, arm first, and wiped his hands clean, taunting the crowd. Max hoisted Page onto the top turnbuckle in the northeast corner and bit his forehead. Max twisted the arm again, but Page fought back with his free hand. He bit Max’s head in retaliation. Hangman hit a flying clothesline off the top, then a pair of them on the ground. Page followed up with a Fallaway Slam and kip up. Page clothesline Max to the floor. His momentum carried him to the apron, where he climbed the outer edge of the turnbuckles. Page hit a Moonsault onto Max on the floor.
Page rolled the challenger back in the ring at the referee’s five count. He gave Max a pop-up Powerbomb for a cover and near fall at 10:35. Page rolled to the apron, looking for the Buckshot Lariat. Max stumbled into position, but then quickly collapsed against the middle rope, closing the distance and saving himself. He tried for the Heatseeker, but Page pushed him away and flipped in for the Buckshot. Max caught his arm and dragged him to the mat, applying Salt of the Earth. Page was locked in it in the center of the ring. He managed to turn Page over for a cover and two count. Page stepped over right into a Crossface. Max slid free into a cover and two count of his own. He immediately grabbed a headlock. Page slipped free, but was sent careening onto the apron. Max tried for the Heatseeker again. Page blocked a second time. Hangman tried to leap onto the rope, but Max countered into a cutter. He immediately scooped the champion up and delivered a Hammerlock DDT for a cover and near fall.
Max left the ring and barked orders at the timekeeper’s area. He pulled their table over the barricade and moved it to the ramp side. MJF dragged Hangman to the floor and laid him out on the table. Max ascended the northwest turnbuckles and tried to pull Page into position, hovering over the table. Page fought him off and pushed him to the floor. He moved the table closer to the apron. Max was laid out on the apron. He tried to crawl back into the ring, but Page grabbed his ankle. He scooped him up and delivered a Deadeye off the apron, through the table.
“Get him in the ring and pin him!” Danielson exclaimed. Page did. Max got his foot on the bottom rope just before three. Page lined up Friedman for the Buckshot Lariat, but MJF fell down and rolled to the floor. Page pounded the steps, bringing the crowd to life. He charged the recovering MJF. Max tripped him, delivering a drop toe hold onto the face of the chair. Max rolled into the ring to break the count. “It was an accident!” he told Remsburg, in response to using the chair. Hangman writhed on the floor. “Just like you, he f—ing sucks!” Max screamed at Bryan Danielson. Bryan said he’d love to go punch Max in the face, but that’s exactly what he wants – it would win him the World Championship.
MJF retrieved a now bleeding Page at ringside. He scooped him up and delivered a running Tombstone onto the wreckage of the already broken table. Max rolled in the ring, asking for a count out. Hangman hadn’t stirred at 7. Page grabbed onto the apron at 8, rolled at 9, and darted into the ring just before 10. The crowd rallied behind him. MJF removed the top southwest turnbuckle pad as the match crossed 21:00. Max charged at Hangman, but the champion moved. Max hit the exposed turnbuckle and came up bleeding heavily from the forehead. “You deserve it!” the crowd told him. Max struggled against the ropes, using them to drag himself to his feet. His gaze met Page in the opposite corner. They limped to center and began trading right hands.
Dueling rolling elbow strikes dropped both champion and challenger. Returning to their feet, they each teased Tombstone attempts, then rapid succession roll up attempts, each only scoring one counts. Page attempted a jackknife cover. MJF floated up, but Page lifted him up and over into Deadeye. He covered for a near fall at 25:20. Page rose slowly, trying to regain his breath. He kicked at Max. MJF pulled the Dynamite Diamond Ring from his tights and placed it at Hangman’s feet, inviting him to use it. Page declined. Max spit in his face. Page grabbed the ring. Max invited it. Page feigned using it, but instead, spit in Max’s face. Chaos ensued, leading to Bryce Remsburg being knocked over in the scuffle. MJF tossed Page to the apron and connected with the Heatseeker. Max covered. Page got a foot on the bottom rope, but Remsburg counted to three.
The bell never rang. Max checked on Remsburg, looking for the official decision. Mark Briscoe’s music hit and he tried to rush to the ring. Officials spilled from the back, holding him back. Meanwhile, Remsburg suddenly sprang to life and saw Page’s foot on the bottom rope. He told Max that the match will continue. MJF shoved Page into Remsburg, then kicked him below the belt just out of view. While Bryce checked on the champion, Max retrieved the AEW World title and his contract. He slid both in the ring. Remsburg grabbed the belt away and returned it to ringside. freeing up Max to clock Page in the head with the contract. MJF covered for a close near fall.
Remsburg again went to check on Hangman Page. Max pulled the Dynamite Diamond Ring from his tights again. He sized up the champion, but Bryce caught his hand and ripped it away, tossing it to the floor. With his back turned, Page cracked Max in the head with the contract. He gave him a Deadeye, then the Buckshot Lariat for a cover and three count.
WINNER: “Hangman” Adam Page in 31:37 to retain the AEW World Heavyweight Championship
Page celebrated with his title while Max held on tight to his contract in the ring.
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought the bulk of this was really good, until the closing sequence that just became an overbooked mess of “too cute” scenarios and situations that just seemed so completely implausible and ridiculous. The crowd ate it up, but this kind of convoluted overbooking simply isn’t for me. Credit to Page and MJF for executing all the shenanigans perfectly, because similar scenarios had produced far less clean results earlier in this very show. Still, I wish there would be a firmer commitment to delivering straight forward matches and finishes in big situations, especially between two wrestlers as immensely talented and over as these two.)
-Bryan Danielson recused himself from the commentary desk due to “personal issues” with some of the wrestlers involved. Excalibur tossed to a video package for the main event as the cage began to lower from the rafters.
Justin Roberts introduced the “lights out” concept, describing the upcoming cage match as unsanctioned. The oversized steel cage surrounded the ring, giving ample space around ringside between the ring and the steel walls. Think Hell in a Cell, but shorter and without the top. Jim Ross had rejoined the commentary team. Darby Allin entered first, followed by Hiroshi Tanahashi making his final official appearance in the U.K. The Golden Lovers were next out, each getting their own entrance to a significant reaction. Will Ospreay was last, with a special video introduction from his fiance, Alex Windsor. Ospreay climbed to the top of the cage and led the London faithful in their signature chant of his name.
The babyface team shared hugs and handshakes in the ring as the crowd serenaded them while they awaited their opponents. The Young Bucks were out first. Their music played initially, but quickly cut off. Hanson’s “MmmBop” kicked in. The crowd sang along. Omega sang along and danced in the ring. Excalibur noted that the Bucks specified that they wanted their “old music” back tonight, which was evidently mistaken to be their very first theme on the independents. The Bucks were enraged, jawing with fans on their way to the ring. Death Riders were last to enter, sauntering through the crowd and with Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir in tow.
(9) DARBY ALLIN & HIROSHI TANAHASHI & KOTA IBUSHI & KENNY OMEGA & WILL OSPREAY vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS (Matthew & Nick Jackson) & DEATH RIDERS (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli & Gabe Kidd, w/ Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) – Lights Out Steel Cage match
The Death Riders and Young Bucks charged the ring as soon as they met at the mouth of the aisle-way. The action quickly devolved into a series of brawls. Will Ospreay worked over Gabe Kidd on the right side. Hiroshi Tanahashi fought off Nick and Matt Jackson, then gave Claudio Castagnoli a Dragon Screw. Tanahashi played the air guitar and got tossed to the floor for his troubles. Ospreay and Kidd hit the ring, trading hard chops. Ospreay hit a flipping kick, then Enziguri. Kidd tumbled to the floor. Ospreay hyped up the crowd, then hit a back handspring Moonsault over the top onto Kidd on the floor. The cage buckled as Kidd crashed into it.
In the ring, Darby Allin toppled Jon Moxley and tossed him to the floor. He leapt into Mox and Castagnoli’s arms on the outside, clearing the ring for another showdown inside. The Young Bucks came face to face with the Golden Lovers. Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi fought off the Bucks and sent them careening to the floor. Omega and Ibushi charged at opposing corners, hitting Moonsaults to the floor onto the Bucks. Tony Schiavone then realized that Darby Allin was handcuffed to Jon Moxley. Mox called on Claudio to help him break the cuffs. Darby gave Claudio a Code Red, pulling Mox with him. The cuffs snapped as the match crossed 4:00.
Omega was left alone in the ring with Gabe Kidd. Kenny hit the rolling slam, then leapt to the middle rope, Ibushi handed him a trash can. Omega tried for a Moonsault, but Kidd moved. Omega crushed the trash can against his own chest. The Bucks overwhelmed Ibushi with tandem Superkicks. “This is what we freaking do!’ they told the crowd to a chorus of boos. Nick retrieved a bag from underneath the ring. He dumped out the bag, but it was just a bunch of gummy bears. Moxley questioned them. Ospreay leapt onto Mox, then tossed Jon and Nick to the floor. Omega caught Nick’s ankle. Tanahashi gave Jackson a bulldog onto the gummy bears. The crowd popped big. Kenny grabbed a handful of gummy bears and stuffed them in Jackson’s mouth. He kicked him the face, and Ibushi gave him a bridging German Suplex for a cover and two count just before 7:00.
Claudio rushed in, cornering Omega. Ospreay went for a cutter, but Claudio dropped him with an Uppercut. Will climbed the apron again, but got sent flying into the cage wall by the Bucks wielding a ladder. The Bucks gave Allin a tandem Powerbomb onto a propped ladder in the corner. They balanced one end of the ladder against the bottom rope and laid Darby across it. Matt held it up while Nick executed a Swanton off the top, onto Allin and the ladder. Matt cleared the ring of as many gummy bears as he could. The camera cut to show Will Ospreay stumbling to his feet, forehead covered in blood.
The Bucks dropped Ospreay and punched away at his open wound. J.R. called it a “very personal night” for Ospreay. The Bucks tried to hit him with the ladder, but Will ducked, hit the ropes and kicked the ladder into the Bucks’ faces. Moxley charged at Ospreay with a chair. Will ducked, stole the chair away and cracked it over Mox’s back. He wrapped the chair around Moxley’s neck. Kidd returned, pulled Will in for a Spike Piledriver. Blood poured from the cut on Ospreay’s face, staining the mat. “He may be done,” Schiavone said. Omega and Kidd battled on the apron, jockeying for position. The Bucks helped Kidd deliver a tossing Powerbomb. Claudio leapt into view and immediately put Omega in the swing. Nick leapt off the ropes onto Ibushi on the floor. Moxley tossed Kota into the ring, where the Bucks converged to hit him with tandem Superkicks.
After connecting with the T.K. Driver on Kota Ibushi, the Bucks covered for a near fall, broken up by Darby Allin just before 12:30. Claudio pressed Allin high above his head and threw him violently out of the ring and into the steel cage wall. Allin bounced off the steel, and then the floor, in a heap. Tanahashi entered the ring, completely surrounded by the heels. He thwarted Kidd, then Nick and Matt. he gave Claudio a twisting neckbreaker, but ate a Paradigm Shift from Moxley. Jon dragged Allin back in the ring and barked orders at his teammates. Claudio slid him a chair. Mox opened it up in the center of the ring. Kidd sat Darby down. Castagnoli used a roll of duct tape to trap Allin the chair. Mox retrieved a fork and stabbed right through Allin’s ear. He ripped violently, stretching the ear to its limit.
“He’s gonna lose that ear!” Schiavone screamed. Mox finally let go. He gave Darby a body slam, still attached to the open chair. Mox shouted more orders to Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir on the outside. They began moving tables into place. The Death Riders continued to beat down anything that moved at ringside. The camera focused on Allin’s mangled ear. The Bucks retrieved a barbed wire table from underneath the ring. Shafir and Yuta were stacking tables at the mouth of the aisle. Mox tried to walk Allin up a ladder to the top of the cage. Tanahashi tried to stop it, but the Bucks smothered him and pulled him away.
In the ring, Tanahashi managed to slam Moxley’s face into the barbed wire wrapped table. Kidd came to his rescue briefly, but Tanahashi caught him with the sling blade. He gave one to Moxley, too. Claudio gave Tanahashi the Neutralizer. The Bucks pulled him up and delivered the BTE Trigger. They covered Tanahashi, but Ospreay tossed his body onto the pile to break up the count at 18:45. Castagnoli stomped at the ailing Ospreay. The crowd sang to him to little avail. Mox pulled Ospreay to this feet by the back of his neck. Will cried out in pain. Ospreay managed to used Mox’s momentum against him, running him back and through the barbed wire table.
Omega returned to the fold, toppling several opponents with snap Dragon Suplexes. Moxley tried to intervene, but ate one as well. Ibushi leapt into the waiting arms of the Bucks on the floor. The Terminator clap shook the 02. Omega flipped over the top rope onto the Bucks and Moxley below. Kenny and Tanahashi began rearranging weapons at ringside. Tanahashi began climbing a ladder. Ospreay and Ibushi begged him to rethink it. Ospreay climbed the cage instead. A full quite of wrestlers collected below. Ospreay hit a Moonsault onto all of them.
Back in the ring, Gabe Kidd sized up a recovering Kenny Omega. They traded hard forearms. Omega hit a pair of hard knees. The Bucks cut him off with tandem Superkicks. They tried the same to Tanahashi, but the latter countered with two Dragon Screws. Castagnoli returned and gave Tanahashi a Brainbuster. Moxley gave Ibushi a cutter. Dary Allin gave Moxley a reverse DDT. Ospreay caught the Bucks with two Hidden Blades. Kidd gave Ospreay an Uppercut. Will shrugged it off and hit Kidd with a Styles Clash. He pointed to Omega. They hit a V-Trigger/Hidden Blade combo. Claudio broke up the pin attempt at 25:25.
There were bodies everywhere. Nick Jackson hit a springboard DDT onto the apron. Ospreay hit an Oscutter onto Nick. Allin gave Castagnoli a Coffin Drop. A bloody Moxley came face to face in the ring with Kenny Omega. They traded clotheslines. Omega hit a pop-up knee, then a V-Trigger against the ropes. He hit the One-Winged Angel and covered, but the Bucks and Claudio broke it up at the last moment. Schiavone noted how tough it is to score a fall because of the sheer number of bodies in the ring. Moxley stumbled around ringside, pouring blood. He moved a ladder against the cage wall and began to climb. Wheeler Yuta climbed the outside of the cage. The met at the top. Yuta helped pull Mox to the outside. Darby Allin climbed to meet them. He got a handful of Yuta’s hair, pounding on him from atop the cage. Yuta fell off the top, body bouncing off the Japanese announce desk. it didn’t break.
Moxley was trying to escape, walking gingerly between the cage wall and ringside barrier. Allin followed him. They fought into the open area near the aisle. Allin sandwiched Moxley between the stacked tables. He began to climb the cage. Marina Shafir pulled Moxley to safety, away from the tables. Darby didn’t realize that Gabe Kidd was climbing up to meet him. he gave Allin a low blow. Both men sat straddled atop the cage wall, four stacked tables beneath them. “Please don’t die!” the crowd chanted. Allin raked at Kidd’s eyes. They fell together, crashing through four tables on the floor.
Kota Ibushi and Claudio Castagnoli traded blows in the ring. Castagnoli fired off a big right, but Kota ducked and gave Claudio a half and half. Kenny kicked Castagnoli. Ospreay gave him a Stormbreaker. The Golden Lovers avoided an attack from Nick Jackson and delivered a Golden Trigger. Ospreay leapt off Nick’s back to deliver a Hidden Blade to Matt. Omega hoisted Matt into position for the One-Winged Angel. Ospreay came off the top with a simultaneous Hidden Blade. Matt was laid out. Tanahashi gave him a frog splash for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, & Darby Allin in 32:27
Will Ospreay was left alone in the ring after Tanahashi’s music faded out. The crowd sang to him. He clapped for them and blew a kiss as his music played and Excalibur offered their best wishes.
Just as Will tried to leave the cage, Castagnoli flew in and dropped him with a massive uppercut. Moxley was there waiting to close the door and lock it behind him. The Death Riders tossed Ospreay in the ring and began beating him senselessly. The faces pounded against the now locked door of the steel cage. The Opps ran to the ring, but were held back by the threat of Shafir and a kendo stick. Moxley and Claudio placed a chair around Ospreay’s neck and stepped on it.
The cage finally began to raise, causing the heels to run off. Omega and company poured into the ring, checking on Ospreay. Omega argued with officials as the broadcast faded to black. After a moment, it returned. Paramedics rushed into the ring and began placing a brace on Ospreay’s neck. The broadcast quickly cut again, and this time, didn’t return.
(LeClair’s Analysis: This had its moments, but, like they often do during Anarchy in the Arena every year, there were spots here that crossed into “too dangerous for my liking.” Everyone has a personal level of tolerance for this type of match, and I’ve gone on record many times stating that I think AEW relies on it too heavily and too often. This felt like a bit of a shoehorned combination of wrestlers, with flourishes like Tanahashi that seemed only present to bolster the “Forbidden Door” aspect that was admittedly very light on this iteration of the show.
The post-match angle felt a little unnecessary given Ospreay’s known status, but it felt all the more egregious seeing the faces just stand back and watch as the carnage was committed in the ring. Shafir at a Kendo stick, but the sheer number of babyfaces on the outside could have easily overwhelmed the heels in the ring and prevented this. The optics just came off incredibly poorly.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I think Forbidden Door as a concept, given the relative cooling of NJPW as a co-promoter, has kind of reached its logical useful end, at least for the time being. With that being said, I did like a number of the small changes to formula – including better match pacing, shorter undercard bouts, and a better delineation of styles. Some of the closing sequences of matches either fell flat or felt overly contrived or overbooked, but the hot crowd from start to finish helped mitigate and mask some of those issues and made the show feel more consequential than it actually was. Ultimately, a mild thumbs up.
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