AEW’s next pay-per-view, Forbidden Door, takes place on 24 August from the O2 Arena in London.
As their annual crossover show, originally run in partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, recent years have also seen it expand to include newer partners such as CMLL and Stardom.
As a result of its crossover nature, the event is likely to feature several debuts.
Here are five stars we could see make their AEW debut in London.
5. Persephone
Starting with someone who has been officially announced for the show is a four-way match for Mercedes Moné’s TBS Title.
Recent AEW signee and the UK’s own Alex Windsor was the first to secure a spot in the bout, and on the 13 August edition of Dynamite, CMLL’s representative was revealed as Persephone.
The 24-year-old has previously appeared on Ring of Honor, most recently taking part in a four-way at the Supercard of Honor pay-per-view, but has yet to make her in-ring debut on AEW itself.
At Forbidden Door, the luchadora Persephone will attempt to relieve Moné of the TBS Title, with fans now left to await the fourth and final competitor being added to the match.
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4. Callum Newman
Callum Newman is having a breakout year in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The 22-year-old scored a pinfall victory over legendary NJPW star Tetsuya Naito and has delivered a slew of standout performances in the prestigious G1 Climax Tournament.
As a British star of NJPW, it appears likely we will see the young protégé of fellow Brit Will Ospreay on the Forbidden Door card.
Athletically gifted, Newman is also one to keep an eye on — with a future that could very well see him land on the AEW roster full-time in the coming years.
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3. Hazuki
Last year at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Strong Style Evolved, Mercedes Moné faced Stardom’s Hazuki in a bout widely celebrated as one of the best women’s matches in North America in 2024.
While Stardom has yet to reveal their representative for AEW’s Forbidden Door, there is every chance it could be the 27-year-old Hazuki.
This is not just because of her proven chemistry with Moné, but also because Stardom is currently in the middle of its 5StarGP tournament, which finishes the day before Forbidden Door — making it difficult to get the promotion’s top stars to London — and Hazuki is not in the tournament this year.
The addition of the exceptionally talented Joshi star could turn the bout into a potential show-stealer.
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2. Zandokan Jr.
On 2 August, MJF appeared in Mexico’s CMLL, taking on Light Heavyweight Champion Averno.
After capturing the title and insulting the Mexican crowd, he was confronted by Zandokan Jr., who received a rapturous reception from the Arena Mexico audience as he stepped up to defend the honor of both the company and country, challenging MJF for the title in a bout set for 15 August.
Zandokan Jr. is a potential top star, a palpably charismatic luchador who sports a pirate gimmick.
While not yet announced for AEW’s Forbidden Door, there is little doubt his in-ring debut for the company would get over massively with the UK audience.
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1. Michael Oku
It was widely speculated last year that standout British star Michael Oku was set to sign with AEW.
Nothing seemingly came of it, and the 32-year-old never formally appeared on AEW programming — although he did take part in a dark match on the Dynamite before last year’s All In at Wembley Stadium.
However, he did recently appear in AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor, at their Supercard of Honor pay-per-view, in a thrilling bout against mat technician Hechicero.
It seems he is once again on AEW’s radar, and with the show taking place in Oku’s native UK, we could very well see him debut on the card.
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