AEW and NJPW are less than two weeks away from their second annual Forbidden Door supercard, this time in Toronto. But before that door could be opened for the first time, Rocky Romero had to help will it into existence.
The 40-year-old American has wrestled all over the world, but has been a regular in New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2010. Fans have seen him win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, tag team gold a number of times — including with AEW star Trent as Roppongi Vice — and much more.
Yet his most important role these days may be as a liaison between AEW and NJPW, a force for getting things done behind the scenes. And it was wearing that hat that Romero helped turn the first Forbidden Door from a dream to a reality, as he recently told Under the Ring host Phil Strum.
“It all started out with a text that I sent [AEW CEO and GM] Tony [Khan],” Romero said. “I think I was traveling or something and I kept thinking like, ‘man, I think it would be cool if we tried to do something, and I think that we could pull it off.’
“So I sent a text to Tony about, ‘Do you think that we could pull off a supershow type of thing?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I would love to,’ and he starts sending me back ideas for matches and stuff.”
Romero said the idea was that not every match on what would become Forbidden Door needed to be a crossover, and that both companies could continue telling their own stories on the show. The collaboration was the most important part.
“So I went back to New Japan, and I talked to them, and I said, ‘hey, I talked to Tony and there’s this crazy idea and I think that we can do this. Let’s see if we can iron it out.’ The lawyers were able to pull it together, and now here we are.”
Listen to Romero’s full episode above to hear more on:
- Why AEW and its fans make such a good match for NJPW
- How difficult it is to produce crossover shows
- Whether Romero thinks more all-star shows are destined to be part of the future of pro wrestling
- If Romero himself enjoys crossover shows as an in-ring performer
- What is most appealing about New Japan to the American wrestling fan
- Stories from throughout his career, including his run as Black Tiger and his CMLL program with Volador Jr.
Under the Ring drops new episodes every week, with Strum utilizing contacts gleaned from years of pro wrestling fandom and coverage to have an in-depth conversation with a wrestler or other notable personality. Recent guests have included co-creator of Vice’s acclaimed “Dark Side of the Ring” series Evan Husney, recent Crockett Cup winner and former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Trevor Murdoch, and NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton.
To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to Under the Ring on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice, or check out the Under the Ring YouTube channel to see all of the interviews in video form.