Forbidden Door is now in the rear-view mirror. However, history has shown that wrestlers from NJPW as well as newer partners like STARDOM and CMLL likely feature in future programming.
The Forbidden Door as a concept has become a revolving door. If anything, it’s almost an open-border policy. To what extent the excitement and thrill of seeing these international wrestlers “pop” up on Dynamite and Collision has become normalised is debatable.
Both NJPW and AEW are in transition phrases. Both are “cold products” at present. Each company is looking to rebuild their identities and reignite their fan base. Each is experiencing its creative issues (I’ve covered AEW’s issues with creative potholes here and overreliance on outstanding wrestling here).
Some might argue the relationship is not balanced. NJPW has outright recognized this perception. Many think NJPW is secondary to AEW. In terms of the quantity of talent used, AEW has utilized more NJPW wrestlers than vice versa.
AEW has also signed NJPW’s top wrestlers. Yet NJPW in comparison have borrowed higher-profile wrestlers to support their cards. Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson. Jon Moxley (who I’ve argued is the greatest modern transitional champion) has been NJPW’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for stability.
While WWE’s “Prohibited Portal” is still fresh, new and shiny for NXT and TNA Wrestling fans, this long-established relationship between AEW and NJPW has not been fully exhausted. There is still new ground to be cultivated in this relationship. In the short and long term, a wider selective talent exchange between AEW and its partners could offer these promotions many benefits.
Go Away. Find The Missing Pieces
AEW has a bloated roster of talent. Despite the six hours of weekly TV time, Tony Khan’s crop rotation approach to talent has its positive as well as negative consequences. The biggest criticisms relate to card positioning and talent development.
On the one hand, AEW has so many “stars” that repetitive booking patterns and the stop/start nature of pushes, and appearances create a perception that normalises them. Konosuke Takeshita is someone fans were told last year when he beat Kenny Omega twice a week to look out for. The rest of the year he played the background figure in The Don Callis Family.
Despite an excellent showing against Darby Allin, Konosuke has fallen into the role of Don Callis heavy again.
On the other hand, many young wrestlers are unable to get the reps in to either develop their in-ring skills, microphone or character work. Anna Jay is an example of someone who I’ve discussed before. Anna has had under a hundred matches in her career. One match for a whole division per Dynamite is not enough for her or other young women’s development. Without weekly reps, her progress will be limited.
Without the time to develop organically in front of the camera or crowds, it has and will cause AEW wrestlers to have gaps in their game. Examples can be seen in AEW’s Four Pillars. Darby Allin, Jack Perry and Sammy Guevarra were not on the level of MJF’s devil. The former three had their weaknesses exposed on weekly TV.
Like in the old territory days, working elsewhere could address part of the problem. There is already a case study as evidence of one of those four pillars.
Scapegoat’s Second Chance
Jack Perry’s excursion to Japan revitalised the former Jungle Boy’s career. I’ve written more in-depth about Perry’s excellent in-ring acumen but lack of character development in his previous AEW run here.
Perry’s time in Japan allowed him to build the Scapegoat character around the fall-out of last year’s All In. Working with The House of Torture allowed Perry to become comfortable as a character.
With geographical distance from criticism for his part in CM Punk’s departure. Perry’s character work in some ways mirrored how wrestlers like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mick Foley or Al Snow developed their characters in ECW before becoming stars elsewhere.
Not that long ago, Tony Khan, stated he did not want to regularly send talent on excursion trips to Japan. Partly because of how it might impact NJPW’s sense of identity. While noble and respectful to his Japanese partners, the reality is that NJPW is relying on the AEW talent at present. See Jon Moxley.
Historically, NJPW has used gaijin through highs and lows. Whether it was Stan Hansen and Big Van Vader to Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle to Bullet Club. Likewise, NJPW’s North American sub-subsidiary, NJPW Strong could use some younger, lower-ranked AEW talent or prospects occasionally to aid their cards.
Yet more recently, Khan hinted at the Forbidden Door media call that AEW will send wrestlers to STARDOM. Beyond the women’s division, selectively sending some wrestlers to Japan, Mexico and further abroad could benefit AEW, its wrestlers and their partners.
Which Wrestlers Would Benefit Where?
AEW could borrow in part from NJPW’s Young Lions system. Send younger members of their roster away for additional training and working lower-card matches in Japan, Mexico or elsewhere. This could add vital skills and versatility to many of its wrestlers. It would also act somewhat as a developmental system for talent who AEW see as long-term prospects.
NJPW- Who Should Go to Japan?
For New Japan, a few additional bodies in key divisions would again add depth and diversity to their ranks.
Let’s start with the obvious. HOOK taking an extended trip to Japan would be ideal. As I’ve written in more depth here, HOOK is essentially a living meme. A character comes to life from a Shounen anime. As a character, HOOK’s development has been in a holding pattern. In the ring, while the son of Taz’s martial arts-inspired offense is still sharp, it has become somewhat repetitive.
A trip to Japan could allow HOOK to find further layers of authenticity to his offense, selling and character work. Upon return, a fresher, more rounded HOOK might be ready to transfer into more dynamic storylines and situations.
Top Flight and Action Andretti working in NJPW’s Junior and junior tag team division could aid the trio’s growth. Learning to connect with the crowd beyond high spots. Developing characters beyond the aerial excellence and Andretti’s ability to down a bottle of water in one gulp. Such a run could prepare them upon their return for a run with the AEW trios championships.
In terms of heavyweights, imagine Will Hobbs, decimating one of NJPW’s Reiwa Three Musketeers. Giving time for Hobbs to perfect being the big final boss heel could set him up for a possible run at the AEW World Championship.
STARDOM
It seems clear that due to her interactions this year with STARDOM talent Anna Jay will get a well-deserved tour of Japan. STARDOM has produced AEW’s top women like Toni Storm and Mariah May, plus countless other women in AEW and WWE. This should be a formative experience for any young female wrestler.
However, beyond the obvious, other women on AEW and ROH’s roster should likewise get some time in the East. Red Velvet has been a wrestler who maximized her limited time throughout her AEW career. Criminally, Velvet has been underused despite her character work and the development of her offense. Getting the chance to work the Joshi style will elevate her striking game further.
It’s obvious also that Queen Aminata is someone AEW see tremendous value in. You can read about Aminata’s potential in a profile by my colleague and editor, Chinyere Okafor here. Like Velvet, Aminata’s striking and presence on screen has been a joy to watch.
Generally, AEW has so much young female talent who could benefit over time with a trip abroad. Alternatively, giving more Joshi wrestlers a chance to appear on AEW, will only draw more Western fans to STARDOM. I’m not going to pretend until recently I paid much attention to the Joshi scene. However, after seeing AZM and Mina Shirakawa this year, I will be.
CMLL- Who Should Go to Mexico?
The obvious answers would be high-flyers. Depending on how long AEW plans to stretch out the eventual turn of Killswitch, seeing The Patriarchy in Mexico would be a treat.
The former Luchasauras and Nick Wayne as a tag team, as a newer heel version of The Jungle Express could be a missed opportunity. It could add more of a shelf-life to the dinosaur’s gimmick. For Wayne, it could allow the Prodigy to build his character work and wrestling psychology.
Whether in English or Spanish, Christian Cage insulting the heritages and fathers of various luchadors sounds extremely appealing. The idea of seeing Christian’s brand of psychology-driven wrestling mesh with Lucha is a clash of styles that I’d pay good money to see.
In terms of filling the gaps, allowing a big hoss like Wardlow a run in CMLL might seem strange. Surely Japan would be better? Well, Wardlow’s strengths in-ring are also his weaknesses. In AEW, his style of power moves over time have become repetitive and dull. Giving the War Dog the chance to work with a different style, like many AEW wrestlers, could add further dynamism to his offense and his selling.
Right now, Wardlow as a character is washed. Reduced by booking, as well as the man’s limitations, rolling the dice seems worth a go. The chance to sink or swim in international waters could be the making of the man.
I mean, a former big man from WCW and WWE, Mark Jindrak, turned Marco Corleone and made himself a big name in Mexico. What is there to lose?
The UK
AEW, like WWE, sees a future with UK wrestling fans. Already a Battle for Britain may emerge. Revolution Pro Wrestling has ties to Will Ospreay. Owner Andy Quildan has spoken nothing but positivity for Khan and AEW.
Sending some AEW talent to Britain, to compete for Rev Pro, as well as other indy promotions in the country would set AEW further apart as an alternative to WWE. Memories of the damage caused by NXT UK on the British indies have not been forgotten by fans, wrestlers or promotions.
If anyone would benefit from working in the UK indies, it might be pillar Sammy Guevara. I do not just mean RevPro events. Guevarra, as well as other spot-heavy wrestlers, make serious gains from working the British holiday camp scene. Seriously.
I remember first-hand watching Gangrel capture the attention of children and families who otherwise would not have watched wrestling. Kids who moments before were desperate to go on the fairground rides stopped. Worn-out parents who looked like they rather be anywhere else were cheering and booing The Brood along with their children.
These Saturday matinees taught me as a wrestling fan a lot about wrestling psychology. The moves were basic. The crowd manipulation was what made many future indie legends.
All-Star Wrestling’s Butlin’s camps impacted the careers of Colt Cabana, Chris Hero and Nigel McGuinness. Yet no one has spoken more fondly of how fundamental these experiences were for their career than Bryan Danielson.
Danielson has credited this experience with helping him learn how to get over with any crowd. This and the bare-bones nature of these shows could help some of AEW’s talent become future standouts become legendary workers.
Chris Jericho: International Ambassador
The first article I wrote for Last Word was 5 Things That Should Happen to Re-GOAT Chris Jericho in November of last year. It’s kind of funny how relevant those points are now. Look, some people love The Learning Tree. Yet does it justify the TV time? Especially, while younger wrestlers like Konosuke Takeshita and Anna Jay and others are, to quote WhatCulture’s Michael Hamflett, “dying on the vine”.
If Jericho remains on screen for the foreseeable future, he will be divisive. Perhaps a better way of using his talents is to take them where they would be more universally appreciated. It was proven by the reaction from fans in Arena Mexico where Jericho attacked Mistico that fans have not tired of Lionheart. Jericho is a wrestling legend and his value to AEW. But it’s better off being used elsewhere for everyone’s benefit.
If Jericho were to be like an international travelling ambassador for AEW for a few months, it would allow fans to miss Jericho and allow the inaugural champion to come back to a more positive reception. Additionally, sending Jericho to represent AEW, both in front of crowds and, more importantly, behind the scenes could help foster new relationships.
Australia has a thriving indie scene right now. Many top talents in WWE and AEW, from Rhea Ripley, Grayson Waller, Toni Storm, Buddy Matthews and Aussie Open come from the Outback. Sending Jericho to WSW or MCW to build relationships, scout talent and help the local promotions gain more eyes could only further AEW’s altruistic appearance.
It would score points against WWE whose history of monopolising regions isn’t going to go away any time soon. For The Learning Tree gimmick, spreading his roots and branches across continents could work in character and add to Jericho’s legendary career.
Conclusion: This is Not a Magic Bullet
Such talent exchanges won’t restore the feeling of AEW or resolve wider issues. Yet in the long run, it would win other battles. Strengthen AEW’s relationships abroad and add positive RP. Score points in the Cold War against WWE. Give wrestlers more opportunities to grow and travel, rather than sit at home frustrated with restricted avenues for progression.
For us dedicated fans, knowing that a wrestler is getting reps elsewhere gives the impression that long-term the company is still invested in it. It might be a hangover of WWE’s dominance, but not seeing a wrestler on TV makes me assume they are in catering. This negative association unfortunately impacts my view of those AEW wrestlers unfairly. But it’s there and I know I am not alone in these thoughts.
Seeing on social media clips of a wrestler abroad cooking up a new gimmick, generating buzz is only going to make fans more excited for his return. If some wrestlers fail, well at least AEW tried something different. Likewise, if wrestlers find fulfilment elsewhere, in Japan or Mexico, it gives them additional options once their contracts are up.
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.
