Compared to the previous two Forbidden Door events, there is a slightly different vibe this year. That’s not a criticism but it’s perhaps a necessity.
As AEW’s PPV calendar expands, NJPW is going through a transitional phase with Jon Moxley (perhaps the greatest transitional champion of the modern era?). It’s hard to repeat the previous magic of promotion vs. promotion when arguably the two central partners are in rebuilding mode.
This year’s addition of CMLL and STARDOM wrestlers brings more dimensions to proceedings. Also, AEW’s decision to pull the trigger on the match many expected to main event All In, is already setting up an unpredictable summer.
Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay has been one of the tightest and harder-to-call world title matches in recent AEW history. While Forbidden Door is no longer just a dream match card featuring AEW vs. NJPW stars, it has a chance to set the tone for the remainder of AEW’s year.
AEW Forbidden Door takes place live from the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Sunday, May 30, 2024. The Buy-In is set to begin at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT with the main card action set to get underway at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
The event will be available to watch on Bleacher Report, Triller (FITE TV), and DAZN.
Full Forbidden Door 2024 Card:
Zero Hour:
- Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabae vs. Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano
- Women’s Own Hart Cup Tournament: Saraya vs. Mariah May
- Los Ingoberanbles de Japon (Yoto Tsuji, Titan and Hiromu Takahashi) vs. Sin Cara and The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix and Penta el Zero Meido)
Main Card:
- The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho and “Redwood” Big Bill) and Jeff Cobb vs. Samoa Joe, HOOK and Katsuyori Shibata
- The Elite (The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) and Kazuchika Okada) vs. Scissor Act (Hiroshi Tanahashi and The Acclaimed (Max Caster and Anthony Bowens))
- MJF vs. Hechicero
- Men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi
- Ladder match for the vacant AEW TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Dante Martin vs. Lio Rush vs. El Phantasmo
- Winner Takes All for both the AEW TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Moné vs. Stephanie Vaquer.
- Zack Sabre Jr vs. Orange Cassidy
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
- AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
- AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay
Gamble of the Night: TNT Championship Ladder Match
Multi-person ladder matches in AEW history tend to be either show-stealers or place fillers. There have been occasions where, due to booking decisions (MJF’s All Out casino ladder match 2022), lack of chemistry, or card placement, the matches have failed to live up to expectations.
Sometimes being more than an arm’s length away from hitting the high ceiling, fans have come to expect this stipulation. Considering the styles, experience, and athleticism available in this match, this might be a perfect opening contest, if everything hits.
With aerial artists like Dante Martin, Lio Rush, and El Phantasmo, tick the box for high-flying displays. Given that Rush has also picked up his former alliance with Martin, expect this storyline thread to lead to teamwork and/or betrayal.
Mark Briscoe is more than the veteran and a wild card with his redneck kung-fu offense. Briscoe’s ability to connect with the crowd makes him a heavy favourite. I’m expecting already a massive froggy-bow crashing into (“get out of here”) Jack Perry!
Konosuke Takeshita’s power and technique could make him an interesting and dynamic bully in this match. Given what he was able to do with Darby Allin, imagine how easily The Alpha will throw Lio around like a paper plane. Someone’s going for a ride!
Seeing banger after banger of multi-man tag matches on Dynamite sets the bar high. For one man, the TNT Championship will elevate them to a more prominent position.
The other favourites are Perry and Takeshita. Perry returned during a ladder match. Foreshadowing? Or given Perry’s second chance has led to a career revival, might Perry be The Elite’s wildcard for Beach Break?
Then maybe my prediction for the men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament will be proven right (which you can read here).
AEW World Women’s Championship: A Champagne Ending for Who?
The “Timeless” Toni Storm continues to evolve layers. A full analysis of her character progression can be found here.
This sapphic-centric storyline, the fight for Mariah May’s affection has been one of AEW’s strongest storylines. This match has added heat, spice, and glamour given Storm’s challenger, Mina Shirakawa.
The Club Venus leader has been a formidable force of personality who has been able to rival Storm’s eccentric and outlandish persona. Compared to Storm’s previous defenses, this one will be more story than wrestling-driven.
Variety and diversity on an AEW PPV are welcome. If you want hard-hitting Joshi wrestling, get hyped for Mercedes Moné vs. Stephanie Vaquer.
Not that this won’t have Joshi flavour. All three women are linked by STARDOM. In theory, this could be the high point of the “Timeless” championship run so far.
Although the fall determines who is the AEW Women’s champion, it’s hardly a secret that the other prize is Mariah. A gender reversal of the classic Hollywood trope of two leads fighting for the heart of the girl they believe is theirs has an added twist.
Mariah’s long-term goal of surpassing Storm. How this plays into the finish… Given Mina accidentally clocked May with a champagne bottle…
AEW often gets accused of not making memorable moments. Well, every match involving these three women has ended with a major talking point.
What direction the complex relationship between these three goes in post-match is as much interest as the match itself. This might be AEW at peak soap opera weaved into the fabric of a wrestling narrative.
Yet many fans are invested in the character and their arcs. And whatever the result, it’s going to be a fun ride.
With possible laughs and maybe a bit of heartbreak, broken down with hot girl graps.
AEW World Championship: Hesitating Before the Kill Shot?
The question heading into this world championship match is not, “Who is the best in the world?” It’s not about which man wants to be the face of the company more. It’s about if the challenger, Will Ospreay, is willing to do everything he has to gain the AEW World Championship.
Swerve has shown some signs of humanity behind his grills. And yet, when pushed, Strickland will not hesitate to strike harder.
As shown after this week’s Forbidden Door go-home show, Swerve isn’t going to think twice about putting someone he referred to as a “friend” down. Swerve’s story has seen him evolve into an anti-hero. As champion, Swerve has had to find his footing.
It’s been obvious from the chase to being crowned champion that Swerve has been serious about being the man to lead AEW forward. Whether it’s in bulking up, sharpening his verbal skills, or in-ring subtly trying to prove that he can out-do the Billy Goat.
Consider how Swerve’s first match after winning the championship was against United Empire and Don Callis Family stablemate Kyle Fletcher. The same man Ospreay defeated in his AEW re-debut this year.
Whether this is subtle storytelling, foreshadowing Fletcher’s involvement in the end, or even fan projection, it does play into the meta concern for Swerve’s championship reign. The fear that Swerve was destined to be another transitional champion is something I discussed as Swerve was about to become champion (here). Likewise, when discussing Ospreay’s own transition into a weekly TV character (here).
It’s hard to deny that in-ring, Swerve and Ospreay are the two best wrestlers in AEW this year. As characters, both men have proven they deserve a main-event spotlight.
Only one can be the champion. One final question: could this be a match-of-the-year contender?
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
