New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) are the two most recognized wrestling promotions in the world. CEO and President of AEW, Tony Khan, has confirmed that both companies will have their first-ever joint pay-per-view. The show will take place on 26th June 2022, and will be called “AEW X NJPW: Forbidden Door.”
.@AEW & @njpwglobal Announce First-Ever Joint PPV Event, #AEWxNJPW: #FORBIDDENDOOR live from the @UnitedCenter in Chicago on Sunday, June 26! Tickets go on sale Friday, May 6 at 10am CT / 11am ET at https://t.co/UN1cNiJJrQ & @Ticketmaster
Full release – https://t.co/GYpShNYRjT pic.twitter.com/cKh4vC37w0— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 21, 2022
Both companies have incredible wrestlers who are capable of producing 5-star performances. Here are a few matches fans want to see at Forbidden Door.
1. Kenta vs. CM Punk
CM Punk‘s finisher GTS was first introduced by NJPW’s Kenta. Both wrestlers have worked for the same company before (WWE), but they never crossed paths with each other. Punk started using this move in 2005 without Kenta’s discretion. Kenta has been outspoken about his beef with the Best in the World. It would make for an great match should Tony Khan decide to make it happen.
Who has the better GTS? CM Punk or Kenta? pic.twitter.com/gwHtYD6L5e
— isaiah* (@isaiah_ad) November 10, 2020
2. Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
For years, fans have been clamoring for a match between the Bryan Danielson and the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. Okada has been the top star in NJPW for years. The Rainmaker revealed that he wanted to test his mettle against the American Dragon Bryan Danielson in an interview with Sports Illustrated. This match could be a match of the year contender. It is worthy of being the main event of Forbidden Door.
3. Sammy Guevara vs. Will Ospreay
Current TNT Champion Sammy Guevara and Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay are two of the best high-flyers in wrestling. Both superstars are early in their careers and still in their 20s. This match could be a spectacle of high-risk and aerial maneuvers. The Spanish God vs. the Aerial Assassin is a match that modern wrestling audiences would love to see at the joint pay-per-view.
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)
Hiroshi Tanahashi is one of Japan’s finest wrestlers. The Ace was the one who coined the term “forbidden door.” This was a reference to the AEW and NJPW crossover during his feud with Chris Jericho in 2021, which he lost. He has been one of NJPW’s most influential stars of all time. Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), on the other hand, is a young rising star in AEW and the best heel in the company. MJF has beaten Chris Jericho, something that Tanahashi wasn’t able to do. This angle could work for a match between the two stars.
The Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. The Pain Maker Chris Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5!!
Jericho said it would be Tanahashi’s last match!!
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP#njwk14 @tanahashi1_100 vs. @IAmJericho #njpw #njpst #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/xYrtfmDAGI
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) November 3, 2019
5. Adam Cole vs Jay White
Adam Cole and Jay White are two of the most charismatic performers today. Both have been a member of the Bullet Club. Fans have expressed their desire for this match to happen for a long time. But it did not come to fruition due to Cole performing in WWE. Their history of being Bullet Club members could create an believable rivalry. AEW should make the most of this situation and make the match happen at Forbidden Door.
Tony Khan announced the joint pay-per-view on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite just months after acquiring Ring of Honor. Many ROH superstars have appeared on AEW television such as Samoa Joe, Jay Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt. Fans are now expecting a high-profile match card for possibly what could be the biggest show of the year, not produced by WWE.
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