The 2024 Forbidden Door was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow co-produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the Japan-based New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It was the third annual Forbidden Door event and took place on June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in the Long Island hamlet of Elmont, New York. The event also featured the involvement of wrestlers from NJPW's sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom, as well as Mexico's Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), a partner of both AEW and NJPW.
AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door | |||
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![]() Promotional poster featuring various wrestlers | |||
Promotion | All Elite Wrestling New Japan Pro-Wrestling | ||
Date | June 30, 2024 | ||
City | Elmont, New York | ||
Venue | UBS Arena | ||
Attendance | 11,000[1] | ||
Event chronology | |||
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Forbidden Door chronology | |||
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Fifteen matches were contested at the event, including five on Zero Hour pre-show. In the main event, Swerve Strickland defeated Will Ospreay to retain the AEW World Championship. In other prominent matches, Tetsuya Naito defeated JonMoxley to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Mercedes Moné defeated Stephanie Vaquer in a Winner Takes All match to retain the AEW TBS Championship and win the NJPW Strong Women's Championship, Jack Perry defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin, Lio Rush, and El Phantasmo in a Ladder match to win the vacant AEW TNT Championship, and "Timeless" Toni Storm defeated Mina Shirakawa to retain the AEW Women's World Championship. The event also featured the return of Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., who had been on hiatus since September 2023.
Production
Background
Forbidden Door is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event co-produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Japan-based New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Established in 2022, the event is held in June and features direct competition between wrestlers from the two companies.[2][3] The event takes its name from the same term often used by AEW when referring to working with other professional wrestling promotions.[4]
On April 11, 2024, AEW announced that the third Forbidden Door would take place on June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in the Long Island hamlet of Elmont, New York.[5][6] Rocky Romero, who is a vice president for both AEW and NJPW, said that wrestlers from World Wonder Ring Stardom, a women's Japanese company and sister promotion of NJPW, would also take part in the 2024 event. He also said that wrestlers from the Mexican partner promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) would be involved.[7]
Storylines
Forbidden Door featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines.[8] Storylines were primarily advanced on AEW's weekly television shows Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision, the YouTube series Being The Dark Order, and also at NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL events.
During the May 22 episode of Dynamite, it was announced that on the following week's episode, a Casino Gauntlet match would be held to determine who would challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door.[9] The match was won by Will Ospreay.[10]
At Double or Nothing, Adam Copeland legitimately injured his leg in his successful title defense of the AEW TNT Championship.[11] On the following episode of Dynamite, AEW executive vice presidents The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) stripped Copeland of the title due to the injury. As they were about to award the championship to their Elite stablemate Jack Perry, Christopher Daniels—who had been fired by the Bucks two weeks prior—appeared, revealing that AEW president Tony Khan had reinstated him as an interim executive vice president in the absence of Kenny Omega, who had surgery due to diverticulitis, and that any announcement made by Daniels came directly from Khan. Daniels then announced that the TNT Championship would not be handed to Perry and instead, the next champion would be determined by a ladder match at Forbidden Door and the six participants would come from qualifying matches over the next few weeks.[10][12] The first qualifying match took place on that week's episode of Rampage, where Konosuke Takeshita defeated Penta El Zero Miedo.[13] Mark Briscoe then qualified on the next week's Dynamite by defeating Brian Cage.[14] Perry qualified next by defeating Dustin Rhodes on the June 12 episode of Dynamite,[15] followed by Dante Martin defeating Lee Moriarty on the June 15 episode of Collision.[16] Lio Rush then qualified on the June 21 episode of Rampage by defeating Action Andretti.[17] El Phantasmo earmed the final spot in the ladder match by defeating AR Fox on the June 28 episode of Rampage.[18]
Following her successful defense of the AEW TBS Championship on the May 29 episode of Dynamite, Mercedes Moné was interrupted by NJPW Strong Women's Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who performs in NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL. The two subsequently stared each other down while holding their respective titles up.[10] The following week, it was announced that the two would face each other at Forbidden Door in a Winner Takes All match for both championships.[14] Before that, however, Moné was scheduled to defend the TBS Championship against Vaquer's CMLL World Women's Tag Team Championship partner Zeuxis on the June 12 episode of Dynamite and it was announced that if Moné lost her title to Zeuxis, then the Forbidden Door match would only be for Vaquer's Strong Women's Championship; Moné retained.[15]
Prior to signing with AEW in November 2023, Mariah May performed in Stardom where she teamed together with Mina Shirakawa as part of Club Venus. After signing with AEW, May became a protege of AEW Women's World Champion "Timeless" Toni Storm, who also previously performed in Stardom from 2016 to 2019. Storm made a surprise appearance at Stardom American Dream on April 4 after a Club Venus match and teased a match at Forbidden Door;[19] in return, Shirakawa made her first appearance in AEW on the April 10 episode of Dynamite, saving May from a post-match beatdown before kissing her.[20] Over the next two months, Shirakawa would periodically appear on AEW shows and compete with Storm for May's affection. During Stardom's June 2 event, Storm, along with May, appeared in a vignette where Storm said she had been observing Shirakawa and while she also considered Shirakawa a friend due to her friendship with May, Storm wanted to challenge Shirakawa to a match at Forbidden Door with the AEW Women's World Championship on the line.[21] Shirakawa accepted the challenge and the match was made official on the June 5 episode of Dynamite, with May listed as the cornerwoman for both participants upon her request.[14][22]
At Forbidden Door in 2023, AEW's Orange Cassidy won a four-man match which also involved NJPW's Zack Sabre Jr.[23] The following year on the June 8, 2024, episode of Collision, Sabre challenged Cassidy to a rematch as a singles match at Forbidden Door, claiming the two men had unfinished business.[24]
At NJPW's Windy City Riot in April, AEW's Jon Moxley defeated NJPW's Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.[25] After retaining the title at NJPW's Dominion on June 9, Moxley cut a promo for anyone to challenge him. Naito came out to confront Moxley, and a rematch for the title was set for Forbidden Door.[26]
At Double or Nothing, MJF made a surprise return from injury after being out since Worlds End in December 2023.[11] He subsequently made his first appearance back on Dynamite on the June 5 episode where he badmouthed The Elite.[14] Following MJF's match on the June 19 episode, Cage of Agony (Brian Cage, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun) and CMLL's Hechicero appeared on the titantron. Cage subsequently announced that The Elite had a gift for MJF and it was that he would be facing Hechicero in MJF's hometown at Forbidden Door.[27]
The Owen Hart Cup is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by AEW in partnership with The Owen Hart Foundation in honor of Owen Hart. It consists of two single-elimination tournaments, one each for men and women, and the respective winners receive a trophy called "The Owen". Additionally, for 2024, it was announced that the respective winners would earn matches for AEW's men's and women's world championships at All In in August.[28] During the June 19 episode of Dynamite, it was announced that AEW's Bryan Danielson would face NJPW's Shingo Takagi at Forbidden Door in a first-round tournament match.[27]
Event
Role | Name |
---|---|
Commentators | Excalibur (Pre-show and PPV) |
Taz (PPV) | |
Nigel McGuinness (Pre-show and PPV) | |
Matt Menard (Pre-show) | |
Jim Ross (last 2 matches) | |
Ring announcers | Justin Roberts (PPV) |
Bobby Cruise (Pre-show) | |
Takuro Shibata (Pre-show and PPV) | |
Referees | Aubrey Edwards |
Bryce Remsburg | |
Mike Posey | |
Paul Turner | |
Rick Knox | |
Stephon Smith | |
Red Shoes Unno | |
Pre-show hosts | Renee Paquette |
RJ City | |
Jeff Jarrett | |
Rocky Romero |
Pre-show
Preliminary matches
Main event
Results
See also
References
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (July 1, 2024). "Tony Khan Says AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Had $1 Million Live Gate". 411Mania. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Nason, Josh (February 4, 2021). "AEW, New Japan Pro Wrestling Established Working Relationship". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (April 20, 2022). "Tony Khan Announces First-Ever AEW, NJPW Joint Pay-Per View Event". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (February 10, 2022). "Tony Kahn Admits He Butchered His 'Forbidden Door' Definition, Which Led To Securing Jay White". Fightful. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
The term "forbidden door" has always been used in reference to companies working together and not signing exclusively with one company.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 11, 2024). "AEW Announces Dates And Locations For 2024 PPV Events". Fightful. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Knight, Cain A. (April 11, 2024). "AEW announces full PPV schedule for 2024, including events on back-to-back weekends". Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Joseph (May 8, 2024). "Rocky Romero Confirms STARDOM Involvement in AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, CMLL 'Very Likely'". 411Mania. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (May 22, 2024). "Forbidden Door Casino Gauntlet Set For 5/29 AEW Dynamite". Fightful. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Powell, Jason (May 29, 2024). "AEW Dynamite results (5/29): Powell's live review of a Casino Gauntlet match for a shot at the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door, AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Killswitch, TNT Title update". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (May 26, 2024). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Swerve Strickland vs. Christian Cage for the AEW World Championship, Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Mone for the TBS Title, Anarchy in the Arena". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Quiles Jr., Fernando (May 29, 2024). "Adam Copeland Stripped of TNT Championship on AEW Dynamite by The Young Bucks". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jason (May 31, 2024). "AEW Rampage results (5/31): Powell's review of Konosuke Takeshita vs. Penta in a qualifier for the TNT Title ladder match, AEW Women's Champ Toni Storm vs. Viva Van". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (June 5, 2024). "AEW Dynamite results (6/5): Powell's live review of MJF returns, Swerve Strickland vs. Roderick Strong for the AEW World Championship, Saraya vs. Mariah May". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (June 12, 2024). "AEW Dynamite results (6/12): Powell's live review of Will Ospreay vs. Rey Fenix for the AEW International Title, Mercedes Mone vs. Zeuxis for the TBS Title, Dustin Rhodes vs. Jack Perry in a ladder match qualifier". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Don (June 15, 2024). "AEW Collision results (6/15): Murphy's review of Christian Cage's Father's Day special, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Thunder Rosa in a No DQ match, Lee Moriarty vs. Dante Martin in a ladder match qualifier". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Don (June 21, 2024). "AEW Rampage results (6/21): Murphy's review of Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb in an Owen Hart Cup tournament match, Lio Rush vs. Action Andretti in a ladder match qualifier for the TNT Title at Forbidden Door". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Don (June 28, 2024). "AEW Rampage results (6/28): Murphy's review of El Phantasmo vs. AR Fox in the final qualifier for the TNT Title ladder match at Forbidden Door, Queen Aminata vs. Skye Blue, Shingo Takagi vs. Dalton Castle". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 4, 2024). "Toni Storm Makes Surprise Appearance at Stardom American Dream". Fightful. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 10, 2024). "AEW Dynamite results (4/10): Powell's live review of the Young Bucks presenting footage of the CM Punk and Jack Perry altercation at All In, AEW World Champ Samoa Joe vs. Dustin Rhodes in an eliminator match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Roy, Bishal (June 2, 2024). "Toni Storm Makes Surprise STARDOM Appearance To Challenge Mina Shirakawa At Forbidden Door". SE Scoops. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (June 6, 2024). "WWE Entrance Fails, Tony Khan Makes Forbidden Door Graphic Change, Dory Funk Talks NWA Powerrr Appearance". Fightful. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 25, 2024). "AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP U.S. Championship, MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 8, 2024). "AEW Collision results (6/8): Powell's live review of FTR vs. Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli, Toni Storm vs. Lady Frost in a non-title match, Orange Cassidy vs. Kyle O'Reilly". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (April 12, 2024). "Jon Moxley Wins IWGP World Title At NJPW Windy City Riot, Gets Attacked And Challenged By Ren Narita". Fightful. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Haley (June 9, 2024). "AEW's Jon Moxley To Defend IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Against New Japan Legend at Forbidden Door". ComicBook.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (June 19, 2024). "AEW Dynamite results (6/19): Powell's live review of MJF vs. Rush, Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Pac and Kris Statlander vs. Nyla Rose in Owen Hart Cup tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (May 26, 2024). "Winners Of 2024 Owen Hart Cup To Get World Title Shots at AEW All In". 411Mania. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (June 29, 2024). "4-Way Tag Team Bout Set For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door: Zero Hour". Fightful. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 26, 2024). "Kris Statlander And Momo Watanabe vs. Willow Nightingale And Tam Nakano Added To AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 27, 2024). "Mariah May vs. Saraya Added To AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 27, 2024). "Lucha Bros To Team With Mistico Against Los Ingobernables de Japon At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (June 19, 2024). "MJF To Face Hechicero At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (June 26, 2024). "The Elite vs. Scissor Ace (The Acclaimed And Hiroshi Tanahashi) Set For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (June 19, 2024). "Bryan Danielson To Face Shingo Takagi In First Round Of Owen Hart Cup Tournament At Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (June 5, 2024). "Toni Storm To Defend AEW Women's World Title Against Mina Shirakawa At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 8, 2024). "Zack Sabre Jr. Challenges Orange Cassidy For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 22, 2024). "Samoa Joe Issues Trios Challenge To Chris Jericho For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (June 15, 2024). "Dante Martin Qualifies For TNT Title Ladder Match At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (June 5, 2024). "Mercedes Mone To Face Stephanie Vaquer In Title For Title Match At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 9, 2024). "Jon Moxley To Defend IWGP World Heavyweight Title Against Tetsuya Naito At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door". Fightful. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (May 29, 2024). "Will Ospreay To Challenge Swerve Strickland For AEW World Title At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024". Fightful. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (June 30, 2024). "AEW Forbidden Door pre-show results: Hiromu Takahashi, Titan, and Yota Tsuji vs. Mistico and Lucha Bros, Mariah May vs. Saraya, Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano vs. Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (June 30, 2024). "AEW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship, Jon Moxley vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 30, 2024.