The latest WWE and AEW News and Results
With WWE’s Clash in Paris on Sunday, Wrestling Weekly’s Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa look ahead with predictions for the show.
The guys also reflect on how AEW followed up their Forbidden Door PPV on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available for subscribers.
Dave Meltzer leads off with a look at last Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Here’s an excerpt:
“AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door didn’t seem as forbidden as in the past, with the only New Japan wrestlers being El Desperado and Yuya Uemura booked in an opening Zero Hour match announced the night before with no build-up, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney and Robbie X also added the night before, plus the previously announced Zack Sabre Jr., Gabe Kidd, Hiromu Takahashi and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Tomohiro Ishii did a run-in, although run-in would be the incorrect term for what he did. From CMLL came Hechicero (also announced the night before) and Persephone, while RevPro had late add Michael Oku and Stardom had Bozilla.
The show took place on 8/24 at the O2 Arena in London, and with the early Sunday night curfew in that building, they started the show at 4:45 p.m. local time and the main card at 6 p.m., meaning an 11:45 a.m. start on the East Coast and an 8:45 a.m. start on the West Coast. They also had probably the most loaded Zero Hour in history.”
Dave also looks at the bizarre Raja Jackson/Syko Stu incident on an indie show, a look at Sunday’s WWE Clash in Paris, and the rest of the news from the wrestling week.
Queen Aminata is stuck in the United Kingdom.
The AEW star posted a video on her Instagram Stories page on Monday revealing that she’s still in the United Kingdom following AEW Forbidden Door. Her backpack was stolen one day prior to the pay-per-view and as a result isn’t able to leave the country until later this week.
“I was supposed to fly home today but unfortunately on Saturday my backpack got stolen with everything,” she explained. “My debit card, my credit card, my driver’s license, my US passport, my glasses, my medication, my charger…everything is gone. So I am stuck here until Thursday at least, possibly a little bit longer, and yeah, I guess the UK loves the queen so much you guys didn’t want me to go home early. I’m laughing about it right now, but honestly, I just wanted to be home. It’s alright, though. Everything happens for a reason. Thank you guys for showing the love and support.”
Despite the incident, Aminata participated at Sunday’s Forbidden Door event, teaming with Harley Cameron, Kris Statlander, and Willow Nightingale in a losing effort against the Triangle of Madness and Megan Bayne on the pre-show. Later on pay-per-view, Aminata was being attacked by the Triangle of Madness when Jamie Hayter made her return, making the save for Aminata.
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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
*The most detailed coverage of the WWE’s deal with ESPN starting early, why the different moves were made by all sides, the costs, more details on Wrestlepalooza, the embarrassment to sports journalism that ESPN has been and emphasized this week, how WWE benefits and doesn’t from the changes,and more.
*Will Ospreay, his neck issues, comparisons with other major stars and their serious problems, and his future.
*More questions regarding the death of Hulk Hogan.
*A look at Forbidden Door and the card, AEW injury rate ,NXT Heatwave, WWE Clash in Paris, France attendance record and more.
*Full coverage of TripleMania, lots of behind the scenes stuff, why the next show is where it is and when it is, what Nick Khan told AAA talent, records set and a record claimed that was so far from accurate, actual viewer numbers for each match and more.
*A look at The G-1 Climax tournament, the booking, the business, Konosuke Takeshita, new record set and upcoming book New Japan bouts.
*Real attendance figures for WrestleMania in Las Vegas and stats on who traveled for the show vs. who lived in Las Vegas and bought tickets,
*Full coverage of UFC 319, business, Chimaev and his future.
*Dragon Gate’s Dangerous Gate 2025 show
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week, including weekly standings, nightly standings, head-to-head shows, segment numbers and more notes.
*Details of another big CMLL week
*Stardom Five Star Grand Prix update
*Kents vs. Marufuji
*Women’s legends show packs Korakuen Hall
*Cauliflower Alley Club awards
*Man who claims to have saved Scott Steiner’s life.
*Wrestler charged with murdering a neighbor in a brawl
*Sami Callihan retires
*Lots of thoughts on Chris Jerich as a free agent
*Tony Khan media call
*Unionizing wrestlers
*Ticket advances for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows.
*Dana White talks Jon Jones
*Sean Strickland suspended.
*PFL crowns new world champions.
*The farce that is Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis.
*Gable Steveson’s MMA debut.
*BJ Penn back in court.
*Time changes for a lot of the WWE TV shows over the next month.
*High level athletes being recruited by WWE.
*Rhodes talks about leaving AEW.
*Bronson Reed talks about his injury.
This Week’s Back Issue
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— Garrett Gonzales and I did our Friday show talking about the WWE’s deal with ESPN as well as new deals ESPN is looking at with WWE and UFC, Chris Jericho, Forbidden Door, Will Ospreay and injuries, and a lot more. Bryan and I will be up later tonight covering Forbidden Door NXT, and the rest of the weekend news.
— Perhaps the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in a wrestling ring took place last night at the Knokx Pro show in Sun Valley, CA. This is the wrestling school that is being run by Solofa Fatu (Rikishi), the father of Jimmy & Jey Uso. Raja Jackson,the son of Rampage Jackson, was at the show and wrestler Syko Stu (Stu Smith) hit him with a beer can, which he didn’t react to at all and others told Smith Jackson was not a worker. Still, they all talked things out and set up a spot later in the card (all of this was being filmed) where Jackson would do a run-in and slam Stu. He did but followed up throwing 21 all out punches from the mount, probably 20 after Smith had been knocked out. Smith is back home but it looked terribly scary. Los Angeles police are investigating. Smith apologized and they shook hands and the person running the show thought it would be cool to do a run-in spot since the beer can spot was taped.
The slam was planned but then Jackson, a trained MMA fighter, just unleashed on Stu with punches. Jackson will likely be in a lot of trouble because he was filming himself and even after the two shook hands, he was on camera saying after the slam he’s going to hit Smith as hard as he can, over and over, until they pull him off.
— Vince McMahon turns 80 tomorrow. He had a birthday party last night at Gotham Hall in New York. Among those attending were John Cena, Undertaker, Glenn “Kane” Jacobs, Michelle McCool, Sgt. Slaughter, Gerald Brisco, Shane McMahon, Sheamus, Bruce Prichard, John Layfield and Ron Killings.
— If the 18,988 figure for Forbidden Door attendance today is accurate, that would not only have set the O2 Arena attendance mark, breaking the 2023 Money in the Bank record, but would have been the largest attendance for an arena pro wrestling show in the history of the U.K. The largest was 18,514 in Manchester for an April 4, 1998 WWE show with a double main event of Undertaker vs. Kane and HHH vs. Steve Austin.
— After the PPV was over, they tended to Will Ospreay and carried him out on a stretcher. Many cable systems shut off before the angle had taken place.
— We’re looking for your thoughts on Forbidden Door and NXT Heatwave, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]
— We’ve had a ton of recommendations when it comes to great matches this weekend. At the Friday Arena Mexico show, very strong last three matches with a great main event of Mistico & Neon & Titan vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Stuka Jr., plus TJP & Templario defending the New Japan Strong tag titles against Villano III Jr. & El Hijo del Villano III, Mercedes one vs. Emersyn Jayne, Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay Joshua, Leon Slater vs. Michael Oku, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Zozaya, as well as Momo Watanabe vs. AZM in the finals of the Five Star Grand Prix and Ishii vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Young Bucks vs. Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly from Collision.
— WWE results from yesterday’s show in Liverpool, UK:
— We’re looking for reports from today’s WWE house show in Newcastle, UK, results,. finishes and highlights to [email protected]
— Jake “The Milkman”Milliman, a cult favorite AWA enhancement wrestler of the 1980s, has entered hospice care according to Mick Karch. He was always a popular enhancement guy until getting a cult push as an unlikely star during the dying days of the company. He was a guy who in the Midwest in the early 80s when AWA was a television institution, everyone knew him.
— Not much as far as trends. Raja Jackson was at 500,000. Forbidden Door was 20,000 earlier today while the UFC show yesterday was at 10,000.
— AEW announcing 12/13 and 12/17 shows for Collision in Cardiff, Wales and Dynamite in Manchester at Co-op live would in theory based on the dates be part of the Continental Classic tournament.
— The PFL tournament matches on Thursday night on ESPN were helped by a strong Little league World Series lead-in and the show did 356,000 viewers and 0.08 in 18-49, its best numbers of the year. The game that preceded it did 1,575,000 viewers and 0.21. In the time slot it was behind the NFL post-game show on the NFL Network and Impractical Jokers on TBS for third place in the time slot.
— Brian Jossie, who was a manager in WWE as Abraham Washington, underwent surgery for a torn intestine. During surgery he aspirated which causes fluid to go into his lungs and was put in an induced coma and on life support. He did fully recover and was able to return home on Thursday after a month in the hospital.
— Josh Emmett vs. Yousseff Zalal has been added to the 10/4 UFC 320 PPV show in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena.
— A&E has WWE programming tonight with WWE’s Greatest Moments on Tag teams of the 90s at 9 p.m., Mic Drops of the 90s at 9:30 p.m. and LFG at 10 p.m.
— Undertaker was at today’s PBR event while Kevin Owens was at yesterday’s NASCAR event.
— Nyla Rose won the Pro Wrestling Eve title last night in London. She will return to defend against Rhio on 11/7 and Willow Nightingale is also on that show in her Eve debut.
— Dana White has announced Fight Pass would free for a month. This announcement came just as ESPN was reported as being interested in buying Fight Pass from UFC to give them MMA programming after UFC moves to Paramount.
Update —
The official announced attendance for Forbidden Door is 18,992 fans.
**********
During the pre-show for today’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, it was revealed that the show had set a new attendance record for professional wrestling at London’s O2 Arena.
AEW said that more than 18,000 fans are in attendance for Forbidden Door, which surpasses the previous O2 record that had been held by WWE Money in the Bank 2023. However, the WWE show likely drew more in ticket sales given higher prices.
Later in the main PPV show, AEW announced 18,992 as the official attendance.
AEW President and CEO @TonyKhan was joined by the head of the @Owen_Foundation, Dr. Martha Hart and Oje Hart for a big announcement!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 24, 2025
Watch #ForbiddenDoor ZERO HOUR!
▶️ https://t.co/W0MFQhvaRA pic.twitter.com/cmIh3X4G1a
Tony Khan celebrated the record while appearing on the pre-show alongside Dr. Martha Hart and her son Oje Hart.
“All of you have made history today for the biggest pro wrestling live crowd in the history of The O2,” Khan announced.
The O2 has been around for nearly two decades, having opened in 2007.
Forbidden Door 2025 will be one of the four biggest gates in AEW history, with three of the top four being shows held in London. All In 2023 and 2024 (London’s Wembley Stadium) and All In 2025 (Globe Life Field in Texas) make up the rest of the top four.
All In 2023 holds the overall AEW attendance record with the promotion saying 81,035 tickets were sold (turnstile count of 72,265).
Four new matches have been added to AEW Forbidden Door’s pre-show.
One of them will be a title match, with Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, and Robbie X) challenging champions The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs) for the Trios titles. The War Dogs made their presence felt on Dynamite during a chaotic brawl that saw War Dogs help their fellow stablemate Gabe Kidd, who is part of a Lights Out Steel Cage match at Forbidden Door.
In addition, two All Star tag team matches were added to the pre-show. In one, Cru will team up with Hechicero, and Josh Alexander will take on Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) and NJPW’s Yuya Uemura and El Desperado. A second match will have the Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue) and Megan Bayne take on Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron, and Queen Aminata.
A fourth match will have Ricochet and the Gates of Agony take on Michael Oku and JetSpeed. Additionally, it was announced that Daniel Garcia will be in Nigel McGuiness’ corner as he takes on Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Championship.
Here is the full lineup for Sunday’s Forbidden Door:
Image: AEW
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door PPV is this Sunday and on today’s Wrestling Weekly with Vic Sosa and Les Thatcher, we’ll give our predictions for all the matches.
We’ll also look at the rapidly changing TV/PLE landscape in WWE and just how much you have to spend to keep up with the product.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales are back with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss the latest happenings in the world of pro wrestling.
We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before getting to our big topic of the show which the AEW Forbidden Door preview.
We also talked about the following:
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CMLL has revealed which wrestler they will send to London to represent the promotion in the TBS title match set for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
On Wednesday’s CMLL Informa talk show, the promotion announced that Persephone will challenge for the TBS Championship in the four-way set for the show. Mercedes Mone will defend against Persephone, Alex Windsor, and a representative from Stardom yet to be announced.
The updated Forbidden Door lineup:
A four-way qualifier for a spot in a TBS title match at Forbidden Door has been added to Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
Tony Khan announced in a social media post Monday that Mercedes Mone will defend the TBS Championship in a four-way at Forbidden Door on Sunday, August 24. Mone will defend against one representative from AEW, one from Stardom, and one from CMLL.
Details on how the Stardom and CMLL participants will be determined were not announced, but the AEW challenger for Forbidden Door will be decided in a four-way qualifying match on the Wednesday, August 6 Dynamite when Queen Aminata, Skye Blue, Alex Windsor, and Billie Starkz square off.
Mone will make her return to AEW for the first time since All In on Wednesday’s episode as well.
A Tag Team title eliminator semifinal match is also set for the show, plus a Mark Briscoe vs. MJF singles bout.
The updated card for Wednesday:
