Tag: Aew Forbidden Door

CMLL reveals AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door TBS title match representative

Posted on by Ethan Renner

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:

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Sunday, August 24 on pay-per-view —

  • AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF
  • AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against winner of Tag Team title eliminator tournament
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena
  • TBS Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Alex Windsor, Persephone and Stardom TBD
  • TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Hiromu Takahashi
  • Lights out steel cage match: Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. The Death Riders (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli), Gabe Kidd & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 Preshow Start Times: US, UK, Australia and more

Posted on by Jake Skudder

The AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 preshow, commonly known as the “Zero Hour” or Buy-In, will begin at 4 pm BST on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Here, we’ll break down how that translates across key global regions: the US, the UK (BST is UK time), Australia, and beyond.

What time does the Forbidden Door preshow start?

UK (BST) – 4 pm BST (Preshow start)

For viewers in the UK, the preshow kicks off at 4 pm BST, straight from The O2 Arena in London. AEW has confirmed this as “doors open” time in London, meaning fans onsite and on screen can expect the pre-show to start around then.

US Eastern Time (ET) – 11 am ET

For East Coast fans in the US, the 4 pm British Summer Time translates to 11 am Eastern Time (ET).

US Central Time (CT) -10 am CT

In the Central Time Zone, that means the preshow begins at 10 am CT. It’s an early start, but a perfect chance to settle in before the main card starts.

US Mountain Time (MT) – 9 am MT

Mountain Time fans should log on at 9 am MT to catch the preshow.

US Pacific Time (PT) – 8 am PT

West Coast viewers get an even earlier wake‑up call: the preshow airs at 8 am PT.

Australia (AEST / AEDT) – 1 am (AEST) or 2 am (AEDT) next day

In Australia, the time difference means tuning in on Monday, August 25, at:

  • 1 am AEST (Queensland, Western Australia)
  • 2 am AEDT (New South Wales, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania)
    This is a serious late‑night/early‑morning viewing session, but totally worth it for the biggest AEW x NJPW crossover show of the year.

Global Preshow Start Time Comparisons

Region / Time ZoneLocal Preshow Start Time (August 24 – 25, 2025)
UK (BST)4 pm (Sunday, August 24)
US Eastern Time (ET)11 am (Sunday)
US Central Time (CT)10 am (Sunday)
US Mountain Time (MT)9 am (Sunday)
US Pacific Time (PT)8 am (Sunday)
Australia (AEST/AEDT)1 am / 2 am (Monday, August 25)

Jim Ross sets date for return to AEW broadcast booth

Posted on by Josh Nason

Jim Ross will be returning to the AEW broadcast booth in just a few weeks time.

The WWE Hall of Famer revealed on his Grilling JR podcast Thursday that through his communication with AEW head Tony Khan, he will be heading to London, England, for this month’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view from the O2 Arena to “call a couple matches.”

Ross loves the venue (“It’s a hell of a building”) and is excited to be heading there, comparing it to London’s version of Madison Square Garden.

The 73-year-old made his return to the booth for July’s All In Texas — his first show after he underwent successful surgery to remove colon cancer. He revealed afterward that he experienced “a bad fall” in his hotel room just days before the event, but was still able to make his scheduled appearances Friday and then Saturday.

Current AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door card | Sunday, August 24 | London, England

  • AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against winner of Tag Team title eliminator tournament
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. TBA
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena
  • TBS Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Alex Windsor

Forbidden Door TBS title qualifier added to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

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:

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, August 6 —

  • MJF vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Tag Team title eliminator tournament semifinals: The Young Bucks vs. Brodido
  • Mercedes Mone returns
  • Forbidden Door TBS Championship qualifying match: Queen Aminata vs. Skye Blue vs. Alex Windsor vs. Billie Starkz

Report: WWE NXT Heatwave set for same day as AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Josh Nason

The strategy of WWE and NXT premium live events going head-to-head or on the same day as AEW pay-per-views will apparently continue in August.

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Thursday, WWE has scheduled NXT’s annual Heatwave premium live event to run in South Carolina on the same day AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door runs in London, England: Sunday, August 24.

WWE has yet to announce the show, but if accurate, that could come as soon as this Saturday when NXT Great American Bash goes head-to-head with AEW All In: Texas. WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event will run after All In as well followed by Evolution on Sunday.

In May, NXT Battleground took place against AEW Double or Nothing, preceded the night before by Saturday Night’s Main Event. If accurate, Heatwave will come the same week NXT runs in the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia just eight days before AEW begins a residency there.

AEW reveals venue & date for Forbidden Door, debut country for Dynamite & Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

The venue and date for this August’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door has been revealed in addition to venues and dates for AEW’s debut in Scotland.

In an interview with the BBC London News, AEW head Tony Khan said that the annual pay-per-view featuring AEW talents taking on both NJPW and CMLL talent will emanate from the O2 Arena in London on Sunday, August 24th.

It will be the fourth-such event in company history dating back to 2022. It will be the second time it will be held internationally following 2023’s event in Toronto, Canada.

Tickets will go on-sale on May 2nd with fans able to sign up for a presale.

AEW debuting in Scotland

With the news came another reveal: AEW will debut in Scotland for the first time ever.

Khan said both the Forbidden Door go-home editions of Dynamite and Collision will be held at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on Wednesday, August 20th for a dual taping.

The brand debuted in Wales last August for the All In go-home editions of Dynamite and Collision.

Tickets will go on-sale on May 2nd with fans able to sign up for a presale.

Jim Ross will be at AEW Forbidden Door despite recent ER visit

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jim Ross is making the trip to New York for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

Earlier this week, Ross’ status for the pay-per-view was put into question when he needed to visit the emergency room after having difficulty breathing. The announcing legend has been battling health issues on-and-off and had to miss AEW Double or Nothing this May because of the flu, raised heart enzymes, and breathing issues.

Ross told Dave Meltzer that he was doing ok after the ER visit and still had the goal of working Forbidden Door. Today, Ross confirmed that he is traveling to the PPV.

“Flying to NYC Saturday for #ForbiddenDoor,” Ross tweeted. “Wouldn’t miss it @AEW.”

Forbidden Door is being held at UBS Arena in Long Island this Sunday (June 30). It’s the third straight year AEW & NJPW have joined forces for the event.

In March of this year, Ross revealed that he had signed a new contract with AEW. It’s a one-year deal where Ross’ role is to provide commentary at AEW PPV events. Ross is happy with the role and is hoping that there will be some more commentary assignments for him along the way.

Fight Game: AEW Forbidden Door takes shape, NXT & TNA working together

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca is off at a family event, so Paul Fontaine is the guest co-host on this week’s Fight Game.

We recorded this episode live on YouTube which you can watch at the bottom of this page.

Paul and I kicked off with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week in wrestling followed by our top five topics of the week which included discussions about the following:

  • AEW Forbidden Door World title match is set, and other matches that appear to be happening at the June PPV
  • TNA & NXT working together
  • AEW Dynamite ratings
  • AEW TV rights rumors
  • A&E’s biography on Eddy Guerrero
  • Stories from the F4W Convention

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Will Ospreay to challenge for AEW World title at Forbidden Door

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Will Ospreay will challenge for the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door.

Ospreay won a casino gauntlet match on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite to earn the right to face Swerve Strickland for the World title at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view set for Sunday, June 30.

Outlasting Jay White, PAC, Mistico, Shota Umino, Claudio Castagnoli, Lio Rush, Orange Cassidy, and Hechicero, Ospreay came away victorious in Wednesday’s casino gauntlet to put himself in line for the shot at Swerve’s title next month.

After Wednesday’s gauntlet match, Strickland came to the ring for a staredown with Ospreay.

Ospreay is the current AEW International Champion after defeating Roderick Strong to win the title at last Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view.

Swerve vs. Ospreay is the first bout official for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on Sunday, June 30 at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York.

A ladder match to fill the TNT Championship vacated by the injured Adam Copeland will also take place at the event, with qualifying matches for that bout to begin on this week’s AEW Rampage.

Our full report from Wednesday’s Dynamite is available here.

Forbidden Door casino gauntlet announced for next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The next AEW World Championship challenger will be decided in a casino gauntlet match on the May 29 Dynamite.

AEW revealed during this week’s episode that a casino gauntlet match will be held on the Wednesday, May 29 Dynamite with the winner awarded a World title shot at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view set for Sunday, June 30.

No participants have been announced for the casino gauntlet bout to this point.

Swerve Strickland is the current AEW World Champion and will defend his title this Sunday at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas against Christian Cage. Swerve has held the title since defeating Samoa Joe for the belt at Dynasty in April. He has since managed one successful defense of the title, beating Claudio Castagnoli on the April 27 Collision show.

The UBS Arena on Long Island in New York will host this year’s third-annual Forbidden Door event. The United Center in Chicago hosted the inaugural Forbidden Door in 2022, while Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena hosted the 2023 edition.

AEW to offer next three PPVs on Triller/FITE for US buyers

Posted on by Josh Nason

After years of B/R Live being the sole domestic streaming source to buy AEW pay-per-views from, the next three AEW PPVs will also be available to purchase on Triller, the former FITE.

That change in availability will begin with next month’s AEW Dynasty and will continue with May’s Double or Nothing and June’s Forbidden Door. It’s unknown what will happen after that point as it was described as a “right now” situation.

On Tuesday, the ability to purchase Dynasty went live on Triller for the traditional $49.99 PPV price. The ability to purchase all three PPVs as a Triple Pack bundle as international buyers are able to do will not be an option for domestic buyers.

The news comes on the heels of last month’s Revolution which was marred by so many technical issues early on that the PPV was made available to buy on Triller for the U.S. audience as the show was going on. 

Triller and AEW have been in business together for years as the former offers AEW Plus for international audiences — a monthly subscription package that includes Dynamite, Collision and Rampage. Additionally, that is where AEW PPVs can be purchased.

B/R Live is owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery who holds both AEW’s domestic TV rights and PPV streaming rights through what’s believed to be the end of 2024. Dynasty is currently available to purchase on that service.

AEW to bring Forbidden Door to NYC’s Arthur Ashe Stadium

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW will be returning to Queens, New York, this year, but not for their traditional Grand Slam event. 

Instead, the company will bring their third-ever Forbidden Door pay-per-view to Arthur Ashe Stadium in June according to Andrew Zarian.

Earlier in the day, PWInsider reported that AEW would return to the famed tennis venue but not necessarily for their September Grand Slam editions of Dynamite and Rampage and that a PPV was being considered instead.

AEW has yet to confirm the news, but could do so next week during media interviews for next Sunday’s Revolution PPV or at the PPV itself.

If confirmed, it will be the third different city to host the annual show, following Chicago and Toronto, Canada. The event has featured AEW vs. NJPW action but could include CMLL wrestlers as well as has been reported.

In terms of the future for the Grand Slam event, Zarian said that it will happen but a venue and date has yet to be confirmed.

AEW first ran the stadium in September 2021, drawing over 20,000 fans for a live Dynamite that featured a 30-minute draw between Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson and a taped Rampage with CM Punk vs. Powerhouse Hobbs in Punk’s first non-PPV AEW match.

They returned in September 2022 for a Dynamite with Danielson vs. Jon Moxley for the then-vacant AEW World title and a taped Rampage featuring the in-ring debut of rapper Action Bronson in front of nearly 14,000 fans.

Finally, they ran the venue in September 2023 in front of 11,000 fans for a Dynamite headlined by then-AEW World Champion MJF defeating Samoa Joe and a taped Rampage with The Young Bucks & Hangman Page winning the ROH Six-Man titles.

Wrestling Observer Radio: RAW report, Forbidden Door fallout, ratings and more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including fallout from Forbidden Door, ratings for Rampage and Smackdown, AEW and NXT previews, the RAW report leading to Money in the Bank, mailbag and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Vince McMahon taking more interest in WWE creative

2:51: Dan Parris passes away

5:41: Fallout from Forbidden Door, All Out weekend schedule, AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT lineups

12:44: Ratings

15:50: Elon Musk/Mark Zuckerburg fight

18:56: Boxer dementia study

24:42: WWE Raw recap

44:13: Q&A

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