Tag: NJPW

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 results: All the winners from Toronto

AEW and NJPW come together once again for Forbidden Door. See who had their hands raised in Toronto.

It’s time to see which side of the Forbidden Door reigns supreme.

For the second straight year, AEW and NJPW are coming together to do something that only a few years ago would have been unthinkable, putting some of the top pro wrestling stars from North America and Japan (and all around the world, frankly) together on one massive card.

Following the success of the first Forbidden Door last year in Chicago, the sequel is coming to us from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. If anything, the card for 2023 looks even better than the original, with most of both companies’ big stars participating.

The night will start and end with big matches. The AEW World Championship is on the line right off the bat, with MJF (reluctantly, as is his wont) defending his title against the Ace of New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi. The main event is a dream meeting between two of the very best wrestlers on the planet over the last 10-15 years, Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada.

Yet neither may be the best bout of the night. That honor could very well go to a rematch of a pairing that many consider a top candidate for match of the year, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. The two men absolutely thrilled during their first meeting at Wrestle Kingdom in January, where Omega prevailed. Ospreay will pull out all the stops to get his win back, and there’s no reason to think the result won’t once again be spectacular.

We’ll be updating this post in real time as the action plays out.

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 results from Toronto:

(click any match with a link for full details)

Forbidden Door 2023 Zero Hour pre-show matches: LIJ, Athena and more

See which matches will be on the Zero Hour pre-show ahead of Forbidden Door 2023.

Before Forbidden Door returns for the second year, there’s going to be a Zero Hour loaded with AEW and NJPW talent.

That’s what happens when you simply have too many notable performers to stack on one show. Even though the main card on Sunday night in Toronto has 10 matches, there’s still some star power in reserve for the pre-show.

Several more matches were announced on AEW Collision on Saturday night, making the Zero Hour moniker more apt than ever in some ways. Los Ingobernables fans should certainly be happy, as while the group was conspicuous by its absence from Forbidden Door, three of its members will team to face United Empire prior to the main card.

(And Tetsuya Naito made the big show, as he turned out to be the mystery partner for Darby Allin and Sting.)

El Phantasmo and the team of Rocky Romero, Trent Baretta and El Desperado will also have matches, and there will be a Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament bout to boot.

The Forbidden Door Zero Hour pre-show begins at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT on Sunday night, and can be viewed for free live on Twitter, YouTube or Facebook. Here’s what you’ll see if you tune in.

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Zero Hour card:

  • Athena vs. Billie Starkz – Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round match
  • United Empire (Jeff Cobb, Kyle Fletcher and TJP) vs. Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi, Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi)
  • Stu Grayson vs. El Phantasmo
  • Mogul Embassy (Swerve Strickland, Toa Liona and Kaun) vs. Rocky Romero, Trent Baretta and El Desperado

Forbidden Door 2023 predictions: Who will win each match in Toronto?

Who will come out on top when AEW and NJPW come together once again in Toronto for Forbidden Door 2023?

While All Elite Wrestling treats a drama-free work environment like its own forbidden door, the actual Forbidden Door event looks to be the best pro wrestling show of the year on paper.

The card has a little bit of everything. It’s got a dream match between Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada. It also features a grudge match between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. We’ve even got arguably Japan’s biggest star going against AEW’s young sensation.

And yes, it even has CM Punk, who missed last year’s event due to injury. The show has got it all, and the backstage drama could make an unwanted cameo, too.

With that said, here are my predictions for the event, which emanates from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto:

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Will Ospreay

The first encounter between these two (Wrestle Kingdom 17) was arguably the best match of 2023 to this point, and it took place all the way back on Jan. 4. I have no reservations in believing that they will do everything in their power to top that at Forbidden Door.

As far as a winner, I’m going to go with Ospreay to regain the title he lost back in January. Ever since Omega left New Japan Pro Wrestling and joined AEW, Ospreay has been one of the people in line to replace him as the promotion’s top foreigner. Whether he has succeeded in filling Omega’s shoes is up for debate.

However, Forbidden Door presents an opportunity for Ospreay to not only win back the title he lost at Wrestle Kingdom, but also put the world on notice that he is indeed capable of fulfilling the role Omega once held and thrived in.

By the way, I have a not-so-sneaky suspicion that Don Callis will have some involvement in the outcome.

Winner: Will Ospreay

Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada

If there is one match I have to watch on this show, it’s this one. Before this match was announced, it had never occurred to me that Danielson and Okada never had a match together — and that I also wanted to see it so very badly.

The story tells itself: Danielson is widely regarded as the best technical wrestler in the world. Okada, while not quite as technical as Danielson, can lay claim to being simply the best all-around wrestler on the planet given his classics with Omega and others. These two worlds collide (no pun intended) on Sunday, and it should make for an absolute classic.

So who will win this match? For me, this is one of those proverbial toss-ups. You really can’t go wrong either way, but my gut is telling me that Danielson will pull off the victory.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

MJF has had some pretty big matches during his short career, but I believe Hiroshi Tanahashi represents his biggest contest to date.

MJF, as he has reminded everyone on many occasions, has proven that he can hang with the best in the world time and time again. But I’m not sure he has faced someone with both the star power and the longevity like Tanahashi. Yes, MJF has gone up against the likes of Danielson, CM Punk and Chris Jericho, but none of them were the face of a major promotion for as long as Tanahashi was with New Japan.

MJF has many feathers in his cap, but I believe beating Tanahashi will be the biggest.

Winner: MJF

AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Willow Nightingale

Since Toni Storm recently won the title, I’m going with her to retain. However, I think Willow Nightingale will put on a star-making performance in defeat.

Winner: Toni Storm

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Sanada (c) vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry

No matter who Sanada faced in this match, I was probably going to pick him to retain. Seeing that his opponent was going to be Jack Perry only confirmed my thoughts. Nothing against Perry, who I am a big fan of, but I could not imagine New Japan putting its top title on him at the moment.

Winner: Sanada

Men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament (Quarterfinal): CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima

According to reports, Punk was originally scheduled to face KENTA in what would have been another dream match over the who is the master of the GTS.

However, that never came to fruition and in steps Satoshi Kojima, who is a tremendous replacement.

Regardless of whether it was KENTA or Kojima, I’m still picking CM Punk to win and advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

Winner: CM Punk

10-man tag: The Elite, Eddie Kingston and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita and Shoto Umino

This match feels like it will be pure chaos. When the dust settles, however, I think the bad guys come away with the win mainly because I think AEW wants to maintain the momentum the Blackpool Combat Club has built up in recent months.

Winner: Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita and Shoto Umino

Six-man tag: Le Suzuki Gods (Chris Jericho, Minoro Suzuki and Sammy Guevara) vs. Sting, Darby Allin and ???

As of this writing, it has not been confirmed who Sting and Darby Allin’s partner. However, that will be unveiled on the second episode of Collision Saturday night.

Regardless of who the mystery partner is, I’m going with the good guys with this one.

Winner: Sting, Darby Allin and their mystery partner

AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Orange Cassidy has found miraculous ways to retain his title, and I think his run of good fortune continues at Forbidden Door. Although the outcome feels like more of the same, I believe this is a match that could steal the show.

Winner: Orange Cassidy

Adam Cole vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor

SPOILER WARNING IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED RAMPAGE YET …

… but Tom Lawlor shows up on the show and attacks Adam Cole, setting up a match between them at Forbidden Door.

Lawlor is great, but I have no reason to expect Cole to take a loss in this one on his way to getting another match with MJF.

Winner: Adam Cole

Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament (Quarterfinal): Billie Starkz vs. Athena

This may be a nitpick in some people’s eyes, but I think it would have been nice to get this onto the main card instead of the pre-show. Obviously, something has to be on the pre-show, but the main card currently features only one women’s match.

Shoving the other women’s match to the pre-show is a move fans lambasted WWE for routinely doing just a couple of years ago.

No one can make the excuse that there just isn’t enough time. AEW’s pay-per-views typically run well over three hours because everyone is trying to have their own mat classic, which can make for a lot of great wrestling, but it typically comes at the expense of the women’s roster.

I feel like AEW’s women’s division is deep enough to have two matches on every pay-per-view, and if that means having a men’s match on the pre-show then so be it. If that meant putting the International title match (for example) on the pre-show, then so be it.

As far as the winner, I’m going to roll with the Ring of Honor women’s champ.

Winner: Athena

Don’t count on Goldberg appearing at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Tony Khan tried to downplay the possibility of Goldberg appearing at Forbidden Door.

On Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite, AEW completed the majority of its build-up for Forbidden Door. Among the announced matches, Darby Allin and Sting will team with a mystery partner to take on Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, and Minoru Suzuki.

At Thursday’s media call, AEW President Tony Khan was asked if Bill Goldberg, who has been speculated to have his retirement match soon, will join Allin and Sting on Sunday for Forbidden Door. While Khan confirmed discussions with Goldberg, it does not sound like he will be their partner.

“I have had nice conversations with Bill about being involved with AEW at times,” Khan said. “It’s a good thought. I don’t know if it would be the perfect fit for who Sting and Darby are going to bring to Collision this weekend, but I also want to leave all doors open for them and their partner for Forbidden Door. It would ideally be somebody that would step in and be a good fit for the Forbidden Door show.”

Khan continued to praise what Goldberg had accomplished in pro wrestling but still refrained from making any declarations.

“Bill Goldberg is a legend in pro wrestling, one of the biggest names in the sport, and I have certainly had nice conversations with him at times. As for who Sting and Darby bring in this weekend, there have been a lot of guesses, and a lot of them have been more in line with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest names. Goldberg has gone over and competed in New Japan too. I’ve had nice talks with Bill about doing things with AEW, and that’s probably all I can say.”

Allin and Sting will announce their mystery partner on Saturday’s episode of Collision. Whether it’s someone from AEW, NJPW or a legend like Goldberg, the options available remain endless.

Sanada says he doesn’t know who Jack Perry is, thinks IWGP belt superior to AEW title

Sanada also bemoaned his title being put up in an open challenge, calling it “worth more” than AEW’s top championship.

During his time in AEW, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry has made plenty of new fans. Alas, the man holding NJPW’s top title, Sanada, doesn’t appear to be among them.

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion issued an open challenge for his title ahead of Forbidden Door this Sunday in Toronto. It’s fair to say he expected … well, someone other than Perry to answer it.

Not only does Sanada claim to not know who Perry is, he sounds like he’s rethinking the whole open challenge thing.

“I have no knowledge of Jack Perry,” Sanada said to Tokyo Sports (h/t DeepL). “It’s sad to see someone like that challenge the IWGP. Is an open challenge really that easy to decide? It’s the IWGP. I think it’s worth more than the AEW belt.”

Sanada added that he has no intention of allowing the IWGP title to head overseas with the G1 tournament coming up.

Perry, meanwhile, had his chance at the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing, but saw MJF retain the title in a four-way match that featured all of AEW’s so-called “Four Pillars.” He’s spoken openly about his desire to claim a singles title in 2023 — and he’ll have semi-regular tag team partner Hook in his corner this weekend — but it’s fair to say not many people are picking him to upset Sanada.

The second annual Forbidden Door supershow is set for the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto this Sunday. Other New Japan talent confirmed for the card include Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Minoru Suzuki, Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima and Zack Sabre Jr.

Forbidden Door is back in select movie theaters this weekend

Considering seeing AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door in a movie theater this year? We’ve got the details for you.

Want to check out AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door this weekend but aren’t fortunate enough to be able to attend in person in Toronto and don’t want to splash out for the $50 on PPV? AEW and Joe Hand Promotions have a potential solution for you.

As was the case last year and generally has been for AEW PPVs, the companies are joining forces to bring Forbidden Door 2023 to select movie theaters this Sunday, June 25. Participating theater chains in the U.S. include AMC, Cinemark, Marcus Theaters and Regal, while Cineplex and Landmark Theaters will show the event in Canada.

Some Dave & Buster’s and Tom’s Watch Bar locations will also carry the card, which is headlined by multiple title matches and a dream bout between Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada.

“The ‘Forbidden Door’ event has the professional wrestling community buzzing,” Joe Hand, Jr., President, Joe Hand Promotions, said in a press release. “AEW continues to create exciting events that bring fans together in community settings. Fans can expect to catch this event at select Dave & Buster’s, Tom’s Watch Bar locations and many of America’s premier movie theaters.”

You can click here for AMC Theater ticket information, or here for tickets and showtimes at Regal. We’ve also got a guide on how to watch Forbidden Door in general if you want to explore other options.

More Forbidden Door 2023 resources:

Spider-Man spinoff film had reportedly circled Mercedes Moné for role

Before Sony removed the film from its calendar, Mercedes Moné was eyed for a role alongside Bad Bunny.

Since departing WWE, Mercedes Moné‘s star power has risen, and she has evidently been planning something else to further boost her profile.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Spider-Man spinoff film, “El Muerto” had eyed Moné for a role alongside its star, Bad Bunny (also of recent WWE fame). While Sony circled Moné for the film, Sony had not officially cast for it.

“El Muerto” was scheduled to release on Jan. 12, 2024, but Sony recently removed the film from its calendar due to the ongoing writers’ strike. Additional edits were needed for the script, but it could not be completed.

Strike aside, THR’s report noted that Bad Bunny’s touring schedule impacted when the movie could begin production. With a full slate, it is unknown if the film will move forward with him attached.

Sony had set Bad Bunny to star as the titular character, El Muerto, in Marvel’s first live-action film featuring a Latino character in a starring role. Based on the comic book, El Muerto, a luchador, inherits his father’s mask, granting him superpowers.

Perhaps the movie happens at some point, but if not, Moné will find other opportunities outside the ring. She appeared in Disney’s “The Mandalorian” television series as Koska Reeves in five episodes and will also play a part in the 2023 movie “The Collective,” alongside Ruby Rose and Tyrese Gibson.

Meanwhile, Moné remains out with an ankle injury suffered at NJPW STRONG Resurgence in May, when she lost the inaugural NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship match to Willow Nightingale. According to Fightful Select (subscription required but recommended), AEW wanted Moné at Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, but obviously, the injury eliminated that possibility.

Either way, Moné will return to a ring or other entertainment platform at some point to build on the momentum she created after departing WWE in 2022.

How to watch Forbidden Door 2023: PPV, theaters, live stream

Everything you need to know to watch AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 this weekend.

For the second consecutive year, AEW and NJPW will host the Forbidden Door pay-per-view. This brings dream matches and title matches to the forefront at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada on Sunday, June 25.

As with the 2022 event, year’s Forbidden Door show will feature the top talents from both companies, including world champions. In some cases, championships will even be up for grabs.

MJF will put his AEW World Championship on the line against Hiroshi Tanahashi. While a title change is not expected, this pits arguably the face of NJPW of the last two decades vs. AEW’s top heel and champion in what should be a fantastic match.

NJPW’s top title will also be contested as “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry, with Hook at his side, faces Sanada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada will face off, and Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay will have a rematch on this card full of intriguing bouts. No matter which match it is, elite pro wrestling talent is all over this.

The action goes down on Sunday evening. Here’s everything you need to know to watch Forbidden Door:

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023

United States and Canada

  • Cable TV: Available on all major U.S. & Canadian providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, U-verse and Optimum, among others (U.S.); Rogers, Bell, Shaw, SaskTel and TELUS (Canada)
  • Satellite TV: DIRECTV and DISH
  • Digital Streaming: Bleacher Report (Web, Mobile, Roku, Xbox, FireTV,  Apple TV)

Bar & Restaurant locations

  • Select Dave & Buster’s locations
  • Select Tom‘s Watch Bar locations

Theater locations

  • Select Regal Cinemas
  • Select Cinemark Theaters
  • Select AMC Theaters
  • Select Emagine Entertainment Theaters
  • Select Galaxy Theaters
  • See Joe Hand Promotions for participating theater nearest you

International Markets

  • Cable/Satellite providers in Canada
  • FITE​​.TV
  • YouTube (Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, France, UK, South Korea)
  • PPV.com (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland)
  • SKY Germany – (Germany)
  • SKY Italia – (Italy)
  • DAZN (UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Bulgaria)

Report: CM Punk-Kenta not happening at Forbidden Door

Kenta apparently wasn’t kidding when he said on social media he wasn’t going to wrestle CM Punk at Forbidden Door.

It looks like the battle over who gets to “claim” the Go to Sleep isn’t going to happen this weekend after all.

Fightful Select (subscription required) says it learned Kenta “expressed to NJPW and AEW that he isn’t facing CM Punk at the Forbidden Door show,” and that word began making the rounds last weekend at the premiere episode of AEW Collision.

Kenta has been pretty adamant on social media that he had no plans to wrestle CM Punk at the show in Toronto, so on one hand, this shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Still, many fans hoped it was all part of the build when Kenta tweeted that Tony Khan would need to pay him a ton of money to appear, and that things would trend in that direction this week.

Fightful Select’s sources say that was indeed the plan, “but as of this weekend, it wasn’t happening.” That would seem to suggest Kenta won’t be on the card at all.

As for Punk, it would be a bit strange for AEW to make such a big deal about his return on Collision and then leave him out of a big event immediately in its wake. Fightful’s report noted that “there were other options being evaluated” for him; commenters on the article thought that perhaps the storyline with MJF threatening to no-show the event would play out and leave Punk to face Hiroshi Tanahashi — a match that was supposed to happen last year at Forbidden Door before Punk was injured.

Considering that Punk was protected on Collision by working in a six-man tag match, it also wouldn’t be a shock if AEW continued to be cautious and worked up another multi-person match for him — NJPW wrestlers are well accustomed to being part of six- and eight-man tags. That won’t quite have the same impact as Punk vs. Kenta would have for some hardcore wrestling fans, but just seeing Punk at Forbidden Door at all should be fine for the masses.

Forbidden Door 2023 betting odds: MJF to stem NJPW tide?

The AEW World Championship should remain with MJF, but oddsmakers like NJPW talent to win several big matches at Forbidden Door 2023.

MJF made it clear he’d rather not compete at Forbidden Door 2023, and especially not against someone from NJPW. The bad news for the AEW World Champion is that he got matched up against one of the company’s icons, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and despite his bluster, is likely going to have to wrestle the Ace in Toronto.

The good news is that he’s widely, widely expected to win. Betfair has MJF as a huge favorite at the moment, sitting at -2500 in American odds.

It makes sense as it would be surprising indeed to see Tanahashi sporting the AEW world title at this stage of his career. But his New Japan counterparts are expected to do better, with oddsmakers favoring Will Ospreay to win his highly anticipated rematch against Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada to prevail in a dream match against Bryan Danielson.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Sanada is also close to MJF levels as a favorite against “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.

As always, we don’t endorse wagering on pro wrestling matches given that someone already knows the outcomes, but we enjoy examining the betting lines as a way of determining critical consensus on what will happen on upcoming cards.

We’ll update this post as more matches are confirmed for Forbidden Door, which is a near certainty as the week progresses. For now, here’s a look at what’s already been announced, converted into American-style lines.

(Latest update: June 20, 2023, 12:45 p.m. ET)

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 betting odds:

AEW World Championship match
  • MJF (c): -2500
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi: +700
Singles match
  • Kazuchika Okada: -175
  • Bryan Danielson: +125
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match
  • Will Ospreay: -275
  • Kenny Omega (c): +175
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match
  • Sanada (c): -1425
  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry: +500