Forbidden Boring???
- Katherine
- Jul 5, 2024
- 5 min read

This was the 3rd year of AEW and NJPW doing "Forbidden Door," and I must say it was good but I am wondering if the concept has run it's course. A few of the top names from NJPW have left and moved to AEW, like Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada. Unless NJPW can build another few top stars like the ones mentioned, will it be worth continuing to do this PPV?
There were four matches on the Zero hour, which I must say I missed the opening Zero match but seen that House of Black won. What are we doing with HoB? They have the promise of being one of the greatest factions in AEW history but it seems that they stop and start on a constant basis. The women's tag match featuring Kris Statlander and Watanabe vs Willow and Nakano was very good for a women's match (I am not a fan of women's wrestling). It did continue the feud between Stat and Willow which I must say has been very good. Although if Stat is going to be a heel, then she needs to be a heel on the level of a MJF. Then we got the Owen Hart Foundation Women's match between Mariah May and Saraya. I will say Saraya has looked fairly decent since her return but does need more reps in the ring, she does appear to be scared at times. Mariah is going to be a future women's champion in AEW and I can't wait for it. Then we had a six-man tag match against some NJPW wrestlers versus the Lucha Brothers and Mistico. Any match the Lucha Brothers are in is going to be good, and this was no different.
The main card for this PPV had plenty of matches and those that complain about it being too long, shut up and go watch something else. I will say from experience, AEW does give you your money's worth whether its a PPV or their weekly shows.
The show started off with MJF and Hechicero which probably was not the best idea, but I understand given that MJF is from Long Island. The match was very lack luster and raises the question if MJF is still contending with injuries.
The Elite and Okada took on the A-lame, I mean Acclaimed with Tanahashi. The Acclaim is not the sell that AEW hopes and its time to move on. I suggest breaking them up and let Anthony Bowens become a singles wrestler. Max Caster is not as good as he thinks and this whole gimmick is worn out. The crowds no longer pop for them like they did about a year ago. As much as I love Tanahashi, maybe its time for him to hang up the boots and focus on his role as president of NJPW.
Bryan Danielson and Shingo Takagi was one of the best matches of the night. Danielson, who is the GOAT of professional wrestling put on a masterpiece with his skill and selling ability. Shingo was looked good in this match and I think NJPW needs to push him to the IWGP world title.
Everyone wants Mina, including the females. Mina is a star and has really won over the American wrestling crowd. Her feud with Toni Storm over Mariah May has been excellent. Both ladies did a great job in the ring, and you actually thought Mina might pull the upset.
I have seen many say that this next match was the match of the night. I don't know what you were watching, but I must disagree 1000%. Zack Sabre Jr. is a master technical wrestler and is on track to be the best technical wrestler behind Bryan Danielson. Just like the Acclaim, Orange Cassidy is not getting the pop that AEW thinks he is. The crowd has come to find him boring and his gimmick lack luster. OC's gimmick works on the Indie scene but not in a company that is trying to go head to head with the WWE. I was happy to see ZSJ get the win and I may have yelled quite loud, HELL YEAH!
I love Jeff Cobb and was thrilled to see him, but why Jeff why did you have to team with Jericho and his branches? Many people hate Jericho's new gimmick, and I must say I am one. However, he is doing his job if the fans are chanting for him to reitre. I will write a piece on Jericho later on why I think he is still around. I am digging the Samoa Joe/Hook/Shibata team and would like to see them become AEW Trios Tag Team Champions, if AEW can get their head out of their asses and actually do something with the trios titles. I do need to see a Samoa Joe versus Jeff Cobb match in the future..... I know the perfect place for this to take place (January 5, 2025 in the Tokyo Dome...just saying).
The ladder match for the TNT title was a good match, but we all knew who was winning before this match ever took place. The match featured Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin, Takeshita, Jack Perry, Lio Rush and El Phantsmo. All these men put on a great match, and because I am bias, I am starting to get pissed that Takeshita has yet to have a title in AEW..what are we doing??? I was shocked to see Dante in another ladder match giving his fate last year in the ROH ladder match where he broke his leg. I actually thought he had injured himself again in this match, but it appeared he was just selling (thank God). Of course Jack Perry won, which I am not mad about. Since his return to AEW he has made you hate him and has gotten better at promos.
This match could be contender for match of the year in the women's department. Mercedes Mone vs Stephanie Vaquer. Each ladies title was on the line and Stephanie was so good that she had the American crowd cheering her and booing Mercedes. When Stephanie's contract is up with CMLL if she wants to come to the States she will be a star. Mercedes wins and gains the NJPW Women's Strong title that was suppose to hers originally until she got injured and they placed the title on Willow. As Mercedes was celebrating being a double champ we got a long awaited return...... The Doctor Will See You Now..... yes, none other than Dr. Britt Baker. Is this match going to be money, guess we will have to see how it plays out.
Moxley who won the IWGP Championship went up against Naito. Don't tell anyone, but I dig Naito and his costumes. The match was not what I expected from these two, although it was still good. The shocking thing about this match was not the outcome, but Moxley did not bleed.. what are we doing.. no blood Mox?? Naito wins and takes the IWGP Championship back to Japan.
The main event, and as it should be featured Will Ospreay vs Swerve, who is your AEW World Champion. There were lots of things that could have happened in this match, Suckman, I mean Hangman Adam Page showing up and costing Swerve, Don Callis costing Will... This match lived up to the hype and was everything someone who actually enjoys wrestling loved. It was brutal and physical and showcased great psychology in the ring. The near fall finishes were perfect and you actually believed Will was going to pull it off at times. In the end, Swerve retained, so much for you fuckers saying Swerve was a transitional champion for Ospreay. AEW has put their eggs in the Swerve basket and he has shown that he is the face of AEW. Could we see a rematch at Wembley??? Guess we will have to wait and see what TK has in store for us sickos.
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