AEW’s crossover show with New Japan Pro Wrestling returns on 24 August, this time taking place outside North America, coming from the O2 Arena in London, England.
Now in its fourth year, Forbidden Door has expanded beyond NJPW talent – with AEW’s relationships with Mexico’s CMLL and Japan’s Stardom also likely to bring stars from both promotions to the event.
And as with any AEW PPV, fans can expect several unexpected twists and turns.
Below are some of the surprises we could very well see at the O2.
6. Eddie Kingston Returns
Eddie Kingston has not wrestled since suffering a serious leg injury last May.
The 43-year-old sustained the injury in a New Japan ring during a brutal No Ropes Last Man Standing match against Gabe Kidd.
Kidd is now sidelined himself, having been forced to pull out of New Japan’s G1 Tournament due to injury, but is reportedly aiming to be cleared in time for Forbidden Door.
If the British star is able to make the show, what would be apt fitting than the return of Eddie Kingston — rekindling their feud and bringing it into an AEW ring?
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5. Unified Championship Changes Hands
AEW’s All In: Texas hosted the fourth chapter in the legendary rivalry between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega — a bout that ended with Okada becoming the Unified AEW Champion.
His first challenger appears to be Swerve Strickland, whom Okada attacked with a steel chair on the 23 July edition of Dynamite.
The title match is presumed to take place at Forbidden Door.
It might come as a surprise to see Okada lose in his first defence — but with Swerve’s current momentum, it’s a result that could very well happen on the PPV.
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4. Nick Wayne Challenges For The IWGP Jr Heavyweight title
Nick Wayne competed in New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament earlier this year, delivering a slew of outstanding performances.
While he didn’t win the round-robin competition, he did score a major upset by defeating current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado.
Traditionally in New Japan, anyone who beats the champion during block action earns a future title shot.
That opportunity seems likely to arrive at Forbidden Door, where Wayne could become the first AEW-contracted wrestler to capture NJPW’s prestigious title.
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3. Nigel McGuiness Wrestles At The 02
On the 27 July edition of Collision, AEW colour commentator Nigel McGuinness remarked that performing at London’s O2 Arena is, like Wembley, a bucket-list venue for any wrestler.
Having made his in-ring return at Wembley in 2024, the British legend appeared to foreshadow another match in the UK’s capital.
The former ROH World Champion has impressed in each of his comeback bouts, and fans in the UK would no doubt erupt at the chance to see him wrestle again.
The big question, however, is: who from the New Japan roster could be chosen to face McGuinness at Forbidden Door?
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2. The Hurt Syndicate Lose Tag Titles
The Hurt Syndicate have had arguably the most dominant reign as AEW Tag Team Champions to date — with some sections of the fanbase suggesting they’ve been too dominant, running roughshod over the division.
A tournament is currently underway on AEW programming to determine their next challengers.
Given the ongoing feud between the champions and FTR, it seems increasingly likely that FTR will emerge victorious and secure the title shot.
At Forbidden Door, could we finally see the Hurt Syndicate’s reign come to an end?
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1. Hiroshi Tanahashi Meets An Old Rival
In the modern era, few stars have been more important to their promotion than Hiroshi Tanahashi – a eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Tanahashi is widely credited with pulling New Japan Pro Wrestling out of its early-2000s slump and ushering in the company’s golden era throughout the 2010s.
His legendary career will come to an end on 4 January, when he retires at NJPW’s biggest annual event, Wrestle Kingdom.
Before hanging up his boots, Tanahashi has expressed a desire to face long-time rival and friend Katsuyori Shibata one last time — a match New Japan has refused to promote in Japan due to Shibata’s serious brain injury, suffered in their ring.
Could AEW’s Forbidden Door offer a final opportunity for Tanahashi to share the ring with one of his most storied rivals in a one-on-one bout?
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