Complete AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025: An Inside Look at the Collaboration

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AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025: Show Set to Thrill London Fans

The O2 Arena in london will host a monumental clash of wrestling titans this Sunday, August 24, 2025, as All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling present AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. The Pay-Per-View event boasts a stacked card of nine matches, seven of which are championship bouts, promising a night of high-octane action for fans worldwide.

World Championship Showdowns: Page vs. MJF and Storm vs. Athena

The AEW World Championship will be on the line as newly crowned champion ‘Hangman’ Adam Page defends his title against Mjf. Mjf earned this possibility after winning the casino Gauntlet Match last month at AEW All In.This marks Mjf’s second attempt to reclaim the AEW World male Title, having previously held the championship between november 2022 and December 2023.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm will put her AEW Women’s World Championship at risk against the current ROH World Champion, Athena. Like Mjf, Athena secured her title shot by winning the Casino gauntlet Match at All In.

International Competition: Sabre Jr. and Okada Headline

The prestigious IWGP World heavy Championship will also be contested, as Zack Sabre Jr. defends his title against Nigel McGuinness. McGuinness earned this championship opportunity following a victory in a Fatal 4-Way Match on August 16th’s AEW Collision. He will be accompanied by Daniel Garcia for this notable challenge, marking his sixth match since returning from retirement in 2024.

Kazuchika Okada, the unified AEW champion, is slated to face Swerve Strickland in his first title defense since defeating Kenny Omega at AEW All In – Texas. This match sets the stage for a potential resurgence for Strickland, who last held a major championship in august 2024.

Additional Championship Contests

Beyond the main events,the card features two further championship matches. kyle Fletcher will defend his AEW TNT Championship against Hiromu Takahashi. Moreover, The Hurt Syndicate, comprised of Bobby Lashley and Shelton benjamin, will defend their AEW world Tag Team Championship against either Ftr (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) or Brodido (Bandido and Brody King), a team determined in a prior Dynamite match.

High-Stakes Chaos: Lights Out Steel Cage Match

A highly anticipated 10-Man Lights Out steel Cage Match will pit two formidable teams against each other. Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi will face off against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks. Gabe Kidd makes his return to action after being sidelined due to a knee injury, while Will Ospreay competes despite recent neck issues.

Tag Team Reunion: Copeland and Cage

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage will reunite as a tag team to battle Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian. This pairing comes after a period of betrayal and reconciliation following events at All In, where Copeland made a dramatic return.

Championship	Champion(s)	Challenger(s)
AEW Men’s World Championship	Adam Page	MJF
AEW Women’s World Championship	Toni Storm	Athena
IWGP Heavyweight Championship	Zack Sabre Jr.	Nigel McGuinness
Unified AEW Championship	Kazuchika Okada	Swerve Strickland
TBS Championship	Mercedes Moné	Alex Windsor, Persephone, and a to-be-determined competitor
AEW TNT Championship	kyle Fletcher	Hiromu Takahashi
AEW World Tag Team Championship	The Hurt Syndicate	Ftr or Brodido

Did You Know? Hiroshi Tanahashi, a veteran of the industry, has announced his retirement at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, adding emotional weight to his participation in the Lights Out Steel Cage match.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the tag team championship match, as the outcome will be determined by a contest happening on AEW Dynamite prior to Forbidden Door.

The Growing Popularity of Crossover Events

The success of events like AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door demonstrates a growing trend in professional wrestling: collaborative events featuring talent from multiple promotions.these events not only offer fans a unique and diverse viewing experience but also help to expand the reach and appeal of all participating organizations. This strategy is mirroring trends in other sports entertainment, such as boxing and mixed martial arts, where unification fights are becoming increasingly common.

Frequently Asked Questions about AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

• What is AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door? It is a collaborative Pay-Per-View event between All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
• Where is AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door taking place? The event is being held at the O2 Arena in London, England.
• Who is defending the AEW World Championship? ‘Hangman’ Adam Page is defending the title against Mjf.
• What is the meaning of the Lights Out Steel Cage Match? It features a star-studded roster and carries a high level of intensity, plus marks a potentially important moment in Hiroshi Tanahashi’s career.
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  How did the strategic booking for Forbidden Door 2025 contribute to the event’s overall success?

  The Road to Forbidden Door 2025: A Joint Effort

  The 2025 edition of AEW x NJPW: forbidden Door,held on June 29th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto,Ontario,Canada,marked another significant chapter in the ongoing partnership between All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.This year’s event built upon the success of previous iterations, delivering a card packed with dream matches and showcasing the best talent from both promotions. The collaboration continues to be a major draw for professional wrestling fans globally, blending distinct styles and storylines. Key to the event’s success was the strategic booking, focusing on interpromotional feuds and capitalizing on the unique strengths of each roster.

  Match Card Breakdown & Key Highlights

  Forbidden Door 2025 featured a ten-match card, blending established stars and rising talents. Here’s a detailed look at the key matchups and outcomes:

  Main Event: Jon Moxley vs. kazuchika Okada: A brutal, hard-hitting encounter that saw Moxley retain the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. The match was praised for its intensity and storytelling, with both wrestlers pushing each other to their limits.

  IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA (c) vs. Bryan Danielson: Danielson finally captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, ending SANADA’s reign. This victory was a major moment for the American Dragon, solidifying his status as a top star in both AEW and NJPW.

  AEW Women’s World Championship: Hikaru shida (c) vs. Giulia: Shida successfully defended her title against the formidable Giulia in a fast-paced, athletic contest. The match highlighted the growing prominence of women’s wrestling within both promotions.

  ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs.Tetsuya Naito: Naito dethroned Briscoe, becoming the new ROH World Champion. This win signaled a potential shift in focus for Naito, bringing his talents to a wider audience.

  Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy: Ospreay secured a decisive victory over Cassidy in a high-flying, technically impressive match. This bout was a showcase of Ospreay’s athleticism and cemented his position as a top performer.

  United Empire (Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare) vs.Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli): A tag team clash that delivered hard-hitting action and showcased the contrasting styles of both teams.

  Konosuke Takeshita vs. Swerve Strickland: Takeshita defeated Strickland in a compelling contest, further establishing himself as a rising star in AEW.

  El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Taiji Ishimori: A breathtaking lucha libre showcase, with Vikingo emerging victorious.

  Stardom Depiction: Mayu Iwatani & Giulia vs. Riho & Emi Sakura: A special attraction match featuring top stars from Stardom, adding another layer of excitement to the event.

  Pre-Show: Aussie Open vs. Top Flight: Aussie Open secured the win in a fast-paced opening match.

  The Benefits of the AEW x NJPW Collaboration

  The partnership between AEW and NJPW offers several key benefits for both promotions and the wrestling industry as a whole:

  Expanded Reach: The collaboration allows both companies to tap into each other’s fan bases, expanding their global reach and increasing viewership.

  Dream matches: Forbidden Door consistently delivers dream matches that fans have clamored for, creating buzz and generating significant interest.

  Talent Exchange: The exchange of talent between AEW and NJPW provides opportunities for wrestlers to showcase their skills on different platforms and gain exposure to new audiences.

  Increased Competition: The partnership fosters healthy competition, pushing both promotions to innovate and deliver high-quality wrestling.

  Cross-Promotional Opportunities: Joint marketing efforts and cross-promotional opportunities enhance brand awareness and attract new fans.

  Behind the Scenes: Logistics and Coordination

  Organizing an event like Forbidden Door requires meticulous planning and coordination.Key logistical challenges include:

  Visa Requirements: Securing