Forbidden Door

[Thumper Moore III]

I’m very conflicted about this whole event. It seems like the worst possible timing for everyone who is want to see participate in dream matches. Danielson and Punk are hurt, Omega isn’t ready to return, and Andrade, Penta and Fenix are not allowed to participate due to CMLL/NJPW beef. Neither world title match has much intrigue— I can’t imagine either title changing hands (though it would be intriguing to have Hangman as IWGP champ and Tanahashi as AEW champ for a couple months).

That being said… even with all of the “might have beens”, it still looks amazing on paper. If you told me a year ago we’d have Okada v Switchblade v Hangman v Cole for the IWGP title, I’d have wondered what planet you were on. Mox v Ace should be incredible. Frickin 63 year old Sting is on the card and he can still go a bit. That 8 man tag looks like it could be fire. And ZSJ vs Claudio might just tear the roof off the place.

Thoughts? Predictions?

[Slashmaster]

I'm exactly where you are. I was really looking forward to the match for (completely unnecessary) All Atlantic title and then Ishii gets injured. I hope Malakai kicks his replacement's head off. Both world title matches still seem amazing, and I'm thinking we'll get Sabre VS Claudio too. Could be match of the night.

It sucks that so many people are injured, but I don't think this will be a one-off show. Next year Punk, Omega, Danielson and AEW's ace Dr. Luther should all be good to go. Then we can have the dream matches we didn't get this year.

[Dyno]

I don't watch NJPW so am more interested to see what all the buzz is about, but AEW (and wrestling as a whole) at the moment isn't a great watch tbh.

My first thought for Danielson's replacement was Gargano.

[joshdoingthings]

Remember what happened the last time NJPW teamed with what many consider to be the second most well known wrestling promotion?
Yeah collision in Korea happened. This has almost nothing to do with Forbidden Door I just wanted to mention the North Korea event because that was a thing that existed

[Skullgore]

Apparently I’m higher on this than most people around here are. I didn’t attach any expectations to what it was going to be when it was announced, though. I certainly didn’t think there were going to be a bunch of marquee singles matches, especially with the G1 right around the corner. The injuries don’t help and neither does the third-party restricted wrestler list. The latter is definitely something AEW should have gotten clear on before they announced it.

I think the main event makes more sense than the planned one. There is an established story there. If they are going to do a Japan event then I’d rather them do ZSJ/Danielson there in front of an audience that doesn’t need to start a chant every 30 seconds. Assuming Claudio is the replacement, that’s more than a sufficient replacement match for me. Honestly, I like having a show that is aimed at someone like me and not one focused on courting favor with casual fans - as if casual wrestling fans really exist anymore. If people who don’t normally watch much New Japan take a chance on it, I think there are a few wrestlers from NJPW for whom this could be a breakout night; namely Shingo, Hiromu, Desperado, and perhaps O-Khan. The reputations of Okada and Tanahashi already precede them, even for those who aren’t familiar with New Japan.

Ultimately, there is only one thing that truly matters: will it be a good show? Not the show some people expected or the show that could have happened, but the Forbidden Door that will actually happen on Sunday. Will *that* show deliver? I think it will.

[soullessminion]

My girlfriend and I are excited to see this, there will be many wrestlers we don't know, as we only watch AEW and I used to watch WWE for many years before. Really hoping Claudio is the mystery, Gargano would be good too or maybe it will be someone completely different. That, or Ospreay v Cassidy I think should be the match of the night. Hopefully more doors will be able to open and allow for more cross-promotion events in the future.

[Dyno]

I'm just happy I'm finally getting to watch Will Ospreay regularly after all these years (aside from his brief tenure on that ITV show).

Anyone else think him and Freddie Flintoff were separated at birth?

[Duke Mongoose]

I kinda wish they had done something to make the show feel less like a standard AEW pay per view. The entranceway was basically the same, the ring was the same, etc.

The New Japan ring announcer was a nice touch, but he added almost nothing to the show since they didn't do formal in-ring introductions.

[Magnifico jr.]

Can’t wait to see my boy go from tag team specialist with a terrible theme song to a tag team specialist with a terrible theme song (this is a dumb joke and not passive aggression)

[Dyno]

That was a very very very good PPV. I'd say it was Takeover worthy.

Couple of minor annoyances (why did Pac not get any celebration time?).

The main thing that struck me though was how good the commentary was with Kevin Kelly leading. Sure, Taz & Man in the Mask (thank you Regal) slipped up a couple of times but that seemed to be more when Schiovane (who just annoys me at the moment...man) and then Ross joined the table.

Looked like a fair few injuries on the back of the event sadly, hopefully none too long-term.

But yeah, loved it. Looking forward to the return in Japan.

[Duke Mongoose]

Kevin Kelly and Ian Riccabonne are probably the best play-by-play guys in the business. It's a shame that AEW hasn't gotten either on a permanent basis.

I'm a fan of Excalibur & Taz as a duo. They have a bizarre and often hilarious chemistry, although I can see why some fans would be against their style.

I really enjoyed this show, but as I mentioned above I wish they had done more to differentiate this event from standard AEW fare.