{"id":119358,"date":"2023-06-23T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=119358"},"modified":"2023-06-23T07:55:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T11:55:08","slug":"aew-njpw-forbidden-door-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/06\/23\/aew-njpw-forbidden-door-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Predictions and Preview: AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door (6\/25\/23)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>All Elite Wrestling<\/strong> and <strong>New Japan Pro Wrestling<\/strong> join forces once again as both promotions present the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> edition of <strong><em>AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door<\/em><\/strong>. Last year\u2019s iteration of the event brought about so many bouts that many could have only dreamed of in years past. The fantasy is over and it\u2019s time for wrestling fans to rejoice as this latest installment event looks to be better than ever!<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s not keep anyone waiting any longer and bust the gates open once more! This is a preview of the 2023 edition of <em>AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door<\/em>. Let\u2019s run it down.<\/p>\n<h3>Full AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door Match Card:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"style-scope ytd-watch-metadata\">The Buy-In: AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door (Pre-Show) &#8211; Women&#8217;s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament &#8211; Quarterfinals: Athena vs. Billie Starkz<\/li>\n<li>Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara &amp; Minoru Suzuki vs. Sting, Darby Allin &amp; ?<\/li>\n<li>Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, Shota Umino vs. The Elite, Eddie Kingston &amp; Tomohiro Ishii<\/li>\n<li>AEW International Championship Match: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia<\/li>\n<li>AEW Women&#8217;s World Championship Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Willow Nightingale<\/li>\n<li class=\"style-scope ytd-watch-metadata\">Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada<\/li>\n<li>Men&#8217;s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament &#8211; Quarterfinals: CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima<\/li>\n<li>IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship Match: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Will Ospreay<\/li>\n<li>IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: SANADA (c) vs. \u201cJungle Boy\u201d Jack Perry<\/li>\n<li>AEW World Championship Match: MJF (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Championship<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Despite MJF&#8217;s insistences to the contrary, Hiroshi Tanahashi is set to challenge the AEW World Champion June 25 when <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@aew<\/a> and NJPW present <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForbiddenDoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ForbiddenDoor<\/a> LIVE on PAY PER VIEW!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AEWxNJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AEWxNJPW<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BSJUAcXVe6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/BSJUAcXVe6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/njpwglobal\/status\/1669736592930668544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>If anyone ever told #AllElite fans just four short years ago that <strong>MJF<\/strong> will defend the <strong>AEW <\/strong>World Championship against one of <strong>NJPW\u2019s<\/strong> most prolific legends in the form of <strong>Hiroshi Tanahashi<\/strong>, that person would\u2019ve been met with a lot of skepticism. However, that\u2019s what <em>Forbidden Door<\/em> is all about; making the unthinkable possible!<\/p>\n<p>On last week\u2019s <strong><em>AEW Dynamite<\/em><\/strong> the \u201cMaster of the Century\u201d laid out the challenge to the \u201cSalt of the Earth\u201d stating that the title won\u2019t get the recognition it deserves as long as MJF has it. In addition to that sentiment, Tanahashi proclaimed that he <em>wants<\/em> one more crack at winning the AEW Title after getting so close to defeating <strong>Jon Moxley<\/strong> last year.<\/p>\n<p>After hearing about this challenge, MJF rejected the proposition, to no one\u2019s surprise, and threatened to no-show the event. It looks like everything has changed thanks to one <strong>Adam Cole<\/strong>, ultimately forcing MJF\u2019s hand to compete against the industry icon.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of how you feel about MJF, it will be one for the ages, as this match features one of the best and brightest stars of today and the reigning and defending AEW World Champion battling &#8220;The Ace.&#8221; Will MJF retain the title? Or will Hiroshi Tanahashi add another accolade to his already illustrious career?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: MJF<\/p>\n<h3>Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lDONK6nYdrg\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The dream match to possibly end all dream matches comes your way this Sunday night live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada as the \u201cAmerican Dragon\u201d battles \u201cThe Rainmaker! The word \u201cbest\u201d is thrown a lot in the ever-competitive landscape of professional wrestling. That said, two names always seem to spring up in the minds of most fans when they hear that specific term; <strong>Bryan Danielson<\/strong> and <strong>Kazuchika Okada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Danielson is probably one of the best pro wrestlers the world has ever seen. Putting on classic after classic. Winning gold whenever he went over the last 20 years, Bryan set the standard for every so-called \u201cunconventional competitor\u201d to break through into the sport. He is a technical marvel whose skills are second to none and it seems like he just keeps on getting better with each passing bout.<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side, you got Kazuchika Okada. Potentially one of the most complete wrestlers to ever grace the squared circle. Okada\u2019s fundamentals and smooth but physical style are considered by many to be unparalleled. He has dominated Japan and raised the bar for many of his peers, regardless if it\u2019s in the Eastern or Western part of the globe.<\/p>\n<p>Both competitors have the right to lay claim to the title \u201cbest wrestler in the world.\u201d Unfortunately, only one will walk away with their hand raised high. Who will it be?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: Kazuchika Okada<\/p>\n<h3>CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">is this a dream?<br \/>\nNow I&#8217;m eating bread and looking at this information.<br \/>\nBut it must be real.<br \/>\nI&#8217;ll do my best thank you.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AEWxNJPW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AEWxNJPW<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForbiddenDoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ForbiddenDoor<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3WP2f8i24C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3WP2f8i24C<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u5c0f\u5cf6\u3000\u8061\u3010SATOSHI KOJIMA\u3011 (@cozy_lariat) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cozy_lariat\/status\/1671726870268899328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After almost a year away from the ring,\u00a0<strong>CM Punk<\/strong> made his triumphant return on the inaugural edition of\u00a0<em><strong>AEW Collision<\/strong><\/em>. The &#8220;Best in the World&#8217; teamed up with\u00a0<strong>FTR<\/strong>. They defeated the team of <strong>Bullet Club Gold<\/strong> and his long-time arch-nemesis\u00a0<strong>Samoa Joe<\/strong>. The match was non-stop action from start and finish and it proved how good Punk still is despite the time off.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, there&#8217;s no rest for the wicked. As <em>Forbidden Door<\/em> will feature the first match of the Men&#8217;s <strong>Owen Hart<\/strong> Foundation Cup Tournament, and it features CM Punk. His opponent? None other than the legendary <strong>Satoshi Kojima<\/strong>. The former two-time\u00a0<strong>IWGP<\/strong> Heavyweight Champion was elated when he heard the news, calling it a &#8220;dream.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, it&#8217;s not. It&#8217;s a full-blown reality and it has CM Punk versus Satoshi Kojima going at it one-on-one for the first time ever! Who will advance to the second round of the Men&#8217;s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: CM Punk<\/p>\n<p>Everything goes down this\u00a0Sunday night live on pay-per-view!<\/p>\n<h4>More from LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h4>\n<p><em>Stay tuned to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for 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.\u00a0 You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCFN4JkGP_bVhAdBsoV9xftA\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube<\/a>. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.\u00a0<\/em><em><span class=\"s1\">You can rewatch all 2021 NJPW events and plenty more tremendous wrestling content from New Japan Pro-Wrestling on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/njpwworld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NJPWWorld.com<\/a>; The King of Sports Streaming. Make sure to catch Forbidden Door on Sunday, June 26th, and stay tuned to LWOPW for Forbidden Door card updates.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling join forces once again as both promotions present the 2nd edition of AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door. Last year\u2019s iteration of the event brought about so many bouts that many could have only dreamed of in years past. The fantasy is over and it\u2019s time for wrestling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3735,"featured_media":119360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,13,14,6,2192],"tags":[8320,6601,8332,1634,140,3657,491,962,7655,1029,8315,3868,192,501,386,4909,620,2546,2423,619,1034,2240,588,423,628,598,101,3625,172],"class_list":["post-119358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-international","category-njpw","category-north-america","category-wrestling","tag-athena","tag-billie-starkz","tag-blackpool-combat-club","tag-bryan-danielson","tag-cm-punk","tag-daniel-garcia","tag-darby-allin","tag-eddie-kingston","tag-forbidden-door","tag-hiroshi-tanahashi","tag-jericho-appreciation-society","tag-jungle-boy","tag-katsuyori-shibata","tag-kazuchika-okada","tag-kenny-omega","tag-konosuke-takeshita","tag-minoru-suzuki","tag-mjf","tag-orange-cassidy","tag-sanada","tag-satoshi-kojima","tag-shota-umino","tag-sting","tag-the-elite","tag-tomohiro-ishii","tag-toni-storm","tag-will-ospreay","tag-willow-nightingale","tag-zack-sabre-jr"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3735"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119358\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}