On 24 August, AEW once again holds its crossover show with New Japan Pro-Wrestling: Forbidden Door.
For the first time, the cross-promotional event will take place outside of North America – this year heading to London.
As a major pay-per-view, fans can expect significant storyline developments: while title changes are likely, we could also see major heel turns.
Below are six stars who could potentially turn heel at Forbidden Door.
6. Daniel Garcia
Daniel Garcia has not picked up a significant singles victory since losing the TNT Championship to Adam Cole in April – his only win since then coming in a squash match against Max Caster.
His most recent outing saw him added to the four-way TNT Title match at All In after Cole vacated the belt due to injury – only for Garcia to take the pinfall in that match.
The consistent losses have even become a storyline point, something Garcia himself acknowledged in a recent promo on Collision.
In need of a fresh direction and a character shake-up, a heel turn could be the perfect way to reinvigorate his presentation – and while nothing has yet been announced for him on the Forbidden Door card, the show could be the ideal moment to initiate that change.
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5. Kris Statlander
There have been strong teases on AEW programming in recent weeks that Kris Statlander could be turning heel once again.
Statlander has been regularly interacting with The Death Riders and even engaged in heelish behaviour herself – notably pulling the referee out of the ring on the 16 July edition of Dynamite just as opponent Willow Nightingale was about to pick up the win in their four-way match.
It certainly appears the company is building toward another Statlander vs Nightingale feud – a rivalry that previously delivered a critically acclaimed street fight at All Out 2024 – with Statlander playing the heel.
Could AEW pull the trigger on the turn at Forbidden Door with Statlander officially joining The Deathriders.
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4. Brody King
Brody King has been one of AEW’s most consistent performers over the past year, regularly delivering standout matches and earning fan support that exceeds his current push.
At 38, the big man holds significant potential as a monster heel – with his believable, ultra-aggressive style and dominant in-ring presence making him a natural fit for the role.
With Hangman Page now needing credible heel challengers, a turn for King could be perfectly timed.
Currently aligned in a tag team with Bandido, Forbidden Door could provide the perfect stage for King to betray his partner and launch a singles run as a dominating monster heel.
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3. Sammy Guevara
At AEW All In, as Dustin Rhodes won the four-way match to capture the TNT Championship, his tag partner – and opponent in the bout – Sammy Guevara appeared momentarily hesitant before ultimately embracing him.
The moment felt like a subtle planting of seeds for an eventual split between the Sons of Texas, with Guevara turning heel on Rhodes.
Few would argue that Guevara isn’t more effective as a heel – his natural smug charisma reliably generate heat.
The question is: could Forbidden Door be the moment that betrayal happens?
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2. Jay White
Jay White has been absent from AEW programming since March due to a hand injury.
In his most recent run prior to injury, he aligned with Cope as a babyface in the fight against the Death Riders — though many would argue we’ve yet to see the best of White in this AEW.
Historically, White has thrived far more as a heel, with his finest work coming as the cunning, supremely confident leader of Bullet Club in New Japan.
While a heel turn seems inevitable upon his return, recent reports from Fightful suggest he may be sidelined for the remainder of the year — making it unlikely that this shift happens at Forbidden Door.
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1. Wardlow
MJF’s time in The Hurt Syndicate appears to be short-lived – on the 23 July edition of Dynamite, Bobby Lashley made it clear that he wanted him out of the group.
With The Hurt Syndicate now seemingly positioned as babyfaces, it’s increasingly likely that MJF will look to recruit his own back-up to battle against the faction.
A prime candidate for that back-up is the returning Wardlow, who has been off AEW programming since last year due to injury and filming the reboot of American Gladiators.
Wardlow’s last run was as a babyface, but a return – possibly as soon as Forbidden Door – could see him realign with MJF, turning heel in the process.
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