Tony Khan may have already considered the possibility of making Forbidden Door an annual event in the U.S., but NJPW’s president is thinking about a sequel even sooner than that — on New Japan’s home turf.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports (h/t to Fightful for the translation), NJPW president Takami Ohbari said he’d like to see AEW stars return the favor and compete in Japan for the next Forbidden Door.
“In my opinion, there are some wrestlers who were unable to come (to the U.S.) at the last minute. There are still wrestlers and matches I would like to see. I would like to see a continuation of this event. I think there is a need to see this event in Japan. The 50th anniversary year is a good opportunity to make it happen. I think there are some (AEW wrestlers) who would like to compete in front of Japanese fans.”
One part of that quote that jumps out at you is Ohbari saying the 50th anniversary year is the best time for a Forbidden Door 2 in Japan … because that’s right now. NJPW was founded in 1922, and has been celebrating 50 years of strong style all year.
Could Forbidden Door 2 be put together that quickly? Perhaps. Considering NJPW would be handling the bulk of the logistics by hosting, it wouldn’t be as much strain on AEW except for, of course, making talent available.
AEW’s final PPV of any calendar year is Full Gear, which takes place in mid-November. There is a stretch in-between that and New Japan’s big early January Wrestle Kingdom two-day extravaganza that might work.
It does seem fair, for lack of a better word, for AEW stars to make their way to Japan, and FTR has already said they’d love to defend the IWGP titles they just won in their country of origin. If you’re a believer in speaking things into existence, you have to appreciate what Ohbari is going for here.
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