For the fourth straight year, AEW and NJPW are collaborating to put on their Forbidden Door PPV event. Forbidden Door is occurring at the O2 Arena in London, England. This event has a special start time of 1:00 p.m. ET with Zero Hour beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
This year’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door PPV is headlined by “Hangman” Adam Page vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship. Page and MJF have had one of the greatest rivalries in AEW history with two elite one-on-one matches. The last match between the two was at AEW Revolution in March.
Six more matches are taking place throughout this stacked nine-match card. The most significant prize in NJPW is on the line as Zack Sabre Jr. defends his title against former Ring of Honor Champion Nigel McGuinness.
Steve Buchanan provides information on how to watch Forbidden Door right here.
Check out the full card below with my predictions for each match at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door.
Full Card and Predictions
AEW World Championship (The title can change hands due to disqualification or countout, and MJF does not need to use his contract for this match.)
(C) “Hangman” Adam Page vs. MJF
This is an incredible match with huge stakes attached to it. You have “Hangman” Adam Page, who recently won his second AEW Championship at AEW All In Texas in July, but then there’s MJF, who seems to be at a crossroads. Since losing the title to Samoa Joe in December 2023, MJF hasn’t been able to get a world title opportunity until now.
Page finally won back the title after a long and hard four-year chase. On one hand, it seems like it is too soon for Page to lose his championship, but that could mean it is the perfect time to deliver a shocking moment. Since MJF debuted in AEW, he has delivered a unique, brash confidence and charisma that have captivated the audience.
Although Page has had a great title chase, his title reign hasn’t had that same energy. MJF is without question AEW’s biggest superstar, and another run as champion would not only benefit him but help elevate AEW as a whole. This story took a whole new turn when MJF forced Page to agree to his terms for their match, or else Mark Briscoe would be set on fire.
Prediction: MJF defeats “Hangman” Adam Page.
AEW Unified Championship
(C) Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland
Kazuchika Okada beat Kenny Omega for the inaugural AEW Unified Championship at All In Texas. Since then, he has only had one match, but now has a tough challenger in front of him with former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. Since Strickland lost his title, he has been searching for a new opportunity for AEW gold. This match has the potential to be the best on the card, featuring two of the greatest wrestlers in the world. Although Strickland is extremely talented, with the help of the Don Callis Family and The Young Bucks, it will be hard to dethrone Okada.
Prediction: Kazuchika Okada defeats Swerve Strickland to retain his title.
AEW Women’s World Championship
(C) “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Athena
The greatest AEW Women’s Champion, Toni Storm, is in the middle of her fourth reign with the title and will now face the longest reigning ROH Women’s Champion, Athena. Yes, Athena is an excellent challenger for Storm, but after defeating Mercedes Mone at All In, Storm has leveled up her game. The AEW Women’s division continues to get better, but the “Timeless” one is still at the top of the mountain.
Prediction: “Timeless” Toni Storm retains her Championship against Athena.
IWJP World Heavyweight Championship
(C) Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Nigel McGuinness
Zack Sabre Jr. has held the IWJP World Heavyweight Championship for a little over a month after he beat Hirooki Goto for the title at Tanahashi Jam. Right now, Sabre Jr. is the best wrestler in NJPW and is currently in his second reign as IWJP World Champion.
Although it would be surprising and cool to see McGuinness back with gold around his waist, he isn’t a full-time competitor and doesn’t seem likely to be in the near future. McGuinness has competed in two matches this year, with his last singles match coming in December 2024. He has only wrestled two one-on-one matches since he made his long-awaited return in 2024.
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Nigel McGuinness to retain the IWJP World Heavyweight Championship.
AEW TNT Championship
(C) Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Currently, in AEW, Kyle Fletcher has been their fastest-rising star. Fletcher, 26, has been in AEW since 2022, but has started to hit his stride with Don Callis. On July 31, Fletcher beat Dustin Rhodes for the AEW TNT Championship in a brutal street fight.
Now Fletcher is defending his title against 15-year NJPW veteran Hiromu Takahashi. Takahashi is a five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Fletcher already has one title defense, and this reign doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
Prediction: Kyle Fletcher defeats Hiromu Takahashi to retain the AEW TNT Championship.
AEW World Tag Team Championship
(C) The Hurt Syndicate vs. Brodido vs. FTR
The Hurt Syndicate has held the AEW World Tag Team titles for over 200 days and has been a dominant team. However, they face their toughest challenge of their reign so far, with two extremely hot teams: Brodido and FTR. Since turning heel and aligning with Stokely, FTR has been on a great run.
FTR says they are the greatest tag team today, and they have as good a case to that claim as anyone. They are two-time AEW Tag Team Champions, and with a win at Forbidden Door, they would tie The Young Bucks with the most AEW title reigns. An FTR win would set up a marquee match with Adam Copeland and Christian at AEW All Out on September 20.
Prediction: FTR defeats The Hurt Syndicate and Brodido to become three-time AEW World Tag Team Champions.
AEW TBS Championship
(C) Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persephone vs. Bozilla
Mercedes Mone has now held the TBS Championship for over 450 days. Mone has two challengers, Persephone from CMLL and Bozilla from Stardom. Both of them are 24 years old or younger, and that won’t bode well against the veteran in Mone. After losing to Storm, Mone is due for a big victory and this is the perfect opportunity.
Prediction: Mercedes Mone retains the AEW TBS Championship.
Lights Out Steel Cage Match
Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi), Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley), The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson), and Gabe Kidd
The alliance between The Death Riders and The Young Bucks has continued with the two teams teaming up to take on a megateam of fan favorites. Since AEW All In Texas, Jon Moxley and Darby Allin have had a heated rivalry. This match is stacked with superstars and will feature eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match in the UK. That is because Tanahashi is expected to retire in January 2026.
At All In, The Death Riders and The Young Bucks all suffered losses. AEW has done an excellent job of heating all of them back up, and this is a great spot for them to get revenge. They have the advantage in this match since Will Ospreay is fighting through an injury, Darby Allin hasn’t wrestled since December 2024, and Tanahashi isn’t at peak performance.
Prediction: The Death Riders and The Young Bucks pick up the victory.
Tag Team Match
Cope and Christian Cage vs. Kip Sabian and Killswitch
Sunday is the first time since 2011 that Adam Copeland and Christian are teaming together in a tag team match. They have faced off against each other in six matches in AEW, but haven’t been on the same team for quite some time. Since Copeland joined AEW in 2023, it seemed inevitable that the legendary tag team formerly known as Edge and Christian would make a return at some point.
Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne turned on Christian, creating a great feud for AEW TV. With Wayne being injured, Killswitch recently made a surprise return. Although they have continued to improve, this match is designed to showcase the Hall of Fame duo of Cope and Cage.
Prediction: Cope and Christian Cage defeat Kip Sabian and Killswitch.
AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door: FAQ
Where will AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door take place?
The event is taking place in London, England, at the O2 Arena.
What time does AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door start?
The main card begins at 1 p.m. ET.
How can I watch AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door?
Fans in the U.S. can view this event live on PPV.
