Buffalo gets a Forbidden Door appetizer!

Before Jon Moxley battles Tetsuya Naito, he and the Blackpool Combat Club face Los Ingobernables de Japon in a Six Man Tag match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Blackpool Combat Club VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins, by disqualification.
• 2024 Men’s Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal: Jay White VS Rey Fenix; White wins and advances.
• Six Woman Tag: Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa VS The Outcasts; Storm, Mariah & Mina win.
• Zack Sabre Jr. VS Kyle O’Reilly; ZSJ wins.
• Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland VS The Gates of Agony; Ospreay & Swerve win.

PLAY BY PLAY

MJF is here!

Buffalo, New York fires up as the Wolf of Wrestling makes his way to the ring, mic already in hand. MJF has them cut his music, and he revels in the fans cheering him on. MJF tells Buffalo- Wait! Daniel Garcia makes his way out here! Buffalo fires up even more for their hometown hero! Garcia steps into the ring, gets his own mic, and MJF smirks as the fans cheer on “DANNY! DANNY! DANNY!” MJF says he’s glad the people love Danny, but uh, tread lightly, okay? Garcia tells Max thanks for saving him last week. But since they’re out here in Buffalo, New York, Garcia says everything here is his business.

Garcia says he isn’t sure why MJF is out here. It might be to say some mean things about the city Garcia’s from. And maybe since Garcia interrupted, MJF might say mean things about him and his family. Mom’s right here in the front row. But Garcia is out here to do something what no one in the back has ever been able to do. Garcia is gonna say nice things about MJF! Even MJF is surprised to hear that. Garcia says nine months ago, he wasn’t doing a whole lot, but he was watching MJF every single week. MJF was the longest reigning, youngest ever, AEW World Champion, main eventing arenas around the world and making history.

The fans chant for “M J F! M J F!” and Garcia says MJF came over to him and had a conversation with him that lit a fire inside Garcia. MJF told Garcia that he was more than a lackey or a background character. MJF saw Garcia the same way he saw himself, and that was as a pillar of AEW. The fans cheer that! Garcia says MJF talked with Tony Khan, and Tony Khan said if Garcia could get enough wins, he could challenge MJF for the world title. The thing is, when Garcia did, it was one of the most embarrassing moments of his entire life. It wasn’t all bad, though, because that loss motivated him more than anyone could ever imagine.

That one loss helped Garcia go on the run of a lifetime, and he was part of the biggest moments, the biggest matches this company has ever seen. It motivated Garcia so much that now, he is someone the people can respect. Someone the people can believe in! And now he is contemplating, why settle for being a pillar when he can be the backbone, the workhorse, and the very foundation that the future of AEW is built on!? The fans cheer for “DANNY! DANNY!” Garcia says for all that, he wants to thank MJF. The fans cheer, and then Garcia says after saying all that, if MJF talks ish now, he’ll look real two faced, and he’ll have Buffalo coming for his head tonight.

MJF says okay, okay, hold on. First off, MJF is two faced? What? Okay, maybe a little, maybe a little. But hear him out. MJF did not come out here to talk trash on these fine people, no no no. He came out here for two reasons. One: to shamelessly shill Forbidden Door, August 30th, MJF is coming home to Long Island, baby! He wrestles a poorly drawn comic book character, Hechicero, get your tickets today! And then July 6th, he will be on the Memphis-Mississippi borderline for Collision! Get your tickets today, too. Done shilling. The fans cheer all those plugs and even Garcia gives a thumbs up.

MJF says reason two, before he was so rudely interrupted, he was gonna ask Danny to come out here anyway, because he has a question for him. But before that question, after everything Garcia said, MJF has only one thing to say to him. “Thank you.” The fans cheer as the two shake hands. MJF says no one has ever publicly talked about the nice things MJF does behind the scenes here, and he knows why. He’s not stupid. He’s a top guy in his 20s, is very rich, very handsome, and some people are very jealous. Let’s be honest! All those guys back there think they deserve their spot when the fact is, none of them are talented enough to beat him and take it.

However… MJF knows one guy who is getting closer and closer. MJF says he wants to get this straight. Garcia didn’t get the shot against the longest and greatest AEW World Champion ever–small brag–from pity. Garcia didn’t get it because he’s some multigeneration superstar. He didn’t get it because he had a friend in a high place here. And he damn sure didn’t get it because he made his name elsewhere, jumped into MJF’s company, and just expected a handout. MJF gave Garcia that match because unlike everyone else, Garcia EARNED it! The fans cheer that! MJF tells Danny that he reminds MJF a lot of MJF.

Let’s face it: two “undersized” kids, tough, cocky, arrogant, really talented, and from New York. Every morning, guys like them have to splash water in their face, look in the mirror, and remind themselves that it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog! And these two New York Pitbulls have a whole lot of bark and a whole lot of bite! But full transparency, when MJF gave Garcia that shot at the top spot, with all due respect… MJF did whoop that scrawny little ass without breaking a sweat. The fans boo but Garcia nods. MJF smirks and says however… Since then, Garcia has grown exponentially.

Garcia is stronger, faster, cagier, smarter, and has climbed the ladder here rung by rung by busting his ass! Garcia didn’t run from the grind, he IS the grind. So it got MJF thinking now, maybe Garcia gets one more shot at the king. But not just any shot. Here’s what MJF is thinking. This is the big question and Garcia can tell MJF how he feels about it. The folks at home and here in the arena can voice their opinions, too. Daniel Garcia VS Maxwell Jacob Friedman, WEMBLEY STADIUM, ALL IN!! Garcia loves that idea! The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” So what does Garcia say? Just look at Mama Garcia. This is huge!

But then wait! Will Ospreay makes his way out here! The fans fire up as the AEW International Champion, the Aerial Assassin, joins MJF and Garcia in the ring, a mic already in his hand. Ospreay looks between the two while the fans cheer him on. “Buffalo, stand up, lemme see those beautiful faces.” The fans cheer and Ospreay says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but he wanted to come out here to appreciate the homeboy, Danny Garcia. This guy has made it known he wants a shot at the International Championship, and Ospreay loves how he’s been doing it.

Garcia has been getting win after win after win. Bruv, you’ve been doing it quicker than Ospreay in the bedroom. “Sorry, babe, I’m trying my best, I promise.” But in all seriousness, Ospreay appreciates Garcia is letting him get Forbidden Door out of the way. Because of Garcia’s hard work, because Ospreay appreciates him, and because Ospreay loves Buffalo, next week, Garcia has it! International Championship, Ospreay VS Garcia! But…! Let’s sweeten the deal. How about, not only will this belt be on the line, but Ospreay will even put the world championship on the line, bruv! Fans really like that idea!

Ospreay tells Garcia, “What you say we give these people the feeling?” Garcia says next week, in Chicago, Ospreay VS Garcia for all the gold, “Let’s get it!” They shake hands and MJF is a bit annoyed. Ospreay and MJF stare down now, but then Ospreay leaves. Will the Aerial Assassin be bringing both belts to the Windy City? Garcia tells MJF about All In- MJF has Garcia hold on now. Next week is a huge opportunity for him. Massive. MJF will let Garcia focus on that, and wishes him the best of luck. MJF heads out and Garcia isn’t sure what to make of that. But he still does his dance for the people! Will the potential showdown of MJF VS Garcia in Wembley be truly historic?

Swerve Strickland is watching backstage.

He can’t help but laugh. Oh, Will. Why’re you already offering title matches before Forbidden Door? Swerve says this is just like Ospreay, putting the cart before the horse. Swerve told Ospreay that he doesn’t have the strength to carry the weight of two worlds on his shoulders. But Ospreay better hold up his part of the bargain tonight as they face Gates of Agony. Ospreay has a focus problem it seems. And for Swerve, that’s not a good mindset for a world champion. Nana asks, “Whose house?” Then he sips his coffee. Will the two champions be able to work together this close to the Forbidden Door? Or will they fail to get past the Gates?

Six Man Tag: Blackpool Combat Club VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

Another world champion is preparing for battle as Jon Moxley brings Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta along to battle Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Titan! Bryan Danielson will be on commentary to watch closely, will the BCC soften up the Rampaging Dragon for him? Or will LIJ be the ones weakening The Maniac ahead of his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match with Tetsuya Naito?

The trios sort out and the fans rally up as Claudio starts against Takagi. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Claudio headlocks. Takagi powers up and out, but Claudio runs him over! Claudio fires up, the fans fire up with him, and things speed up. Claudio then drops down to have a headlock! Takagi fights up, powers out, but Claudio RAMS him! Takagi RAMS back, the two men roar, and then the forearms start flying! The fans fire up as Takagi gets the edge, and he eggs Claudio on. Claudio winds up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPER- NO, Takagi hooks Claudio! Claudio fights the Gory Especial and then whips Takagi to a corner.

Claudio runs in, Takagi dodges, and he HIP TOSSES! Claudio gets to his feet and the fans fire up. The two back up and tag out to Hiromu and Yuta. The two tie up, Hiromu waistlocks but Yuta spins around. Hiromu kicks low, whips, but Yuta reverses. Hiromu hops over to whip Yuta, but then ROCKS Yuta, drop toeholds him to ropes and KICKS the ropes to jam him up! Yuta staggers, Hiromu runs and RANAS! Yuta goes to a corner, Hiromu runs up to clothesline! Snapmare and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Takagi hops back in, and LIJ double whips. They both run Yuta over, and fans fire up as they both flex!

Hiromu tags Titan, and Hiromu sends Yuta to a corner. Takagi whips Titan in, LOCO LARIAT! Titan goes up top and CROSSBODIES! Titan rolls off the cover and he DROPKICKS Yuta out! Titan then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Titan puts Yuta in, covers, TWO! Yuta stays in this but Titan stomps him. The fans rally up, Titan kicks and kicks and brings Yuta up. Yuta atomic drops, then ENZIGIRIS! Titan flounders, Yuta brings him over, tag to Claudio! The fans rally as Claudio whips Titan to a corner. Claudio runs up, but into a BOOT! SOBAT! KICK! Titan fires more shots and SOBATS Claudio down!

The fans fire up as Titan skins the cat to the top rope. Claudio staggers up, Titan leaps, but Claudio catches him! BACKBREAKER! Claudio & Moxley BLAST LIJ and the fans are thunderous! The fans chant for the “B C C! B C C!” as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio points, the fans cheer more, and Claudio tags in Moxley! Moxley TOSSES Titan out, then goes out. Titan kicks but Moxley DECKS Titan! Moxley puts Titan in a corner to rain down fists. The ref counts, Moxley lets off, but then KNEES Titan into the barriers! Titan flops over, Claudio stares LIJ down, and Moxley wrenches Titan. Moxley goes after Titan’s mask, the ref reprimands, so Moxley CLUBS Titan and puts him in the ring. Moxley clamps onto Titan for an ELBOW, then a KICK! And repeat! Moxley hauls Titan up, tags Yuta, and Moxley suplexes Titan high and hard! Yuta SENTONS on top! Cover, TWO!

Yuta drags titan back, tags Claudio back in, and they split the wishbone! Claudio clamps onto Titan with a neck wrench and he endures. Claudio leans on the hold, lets off, and then brings Titan up. Titan CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and SOBATS! But Claudio grabs that leg and trips Titan up! GIANT SWING! Titan goes around and around and around, all the way to TEN! Titan flounders around all dizzy, and Claudio pushes him to a cover. TWO, but Claudio stays on Titan with an armlock. Titan endures all over again as Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally, Hiromu gets in and attacks, but Moxley goes after Hiromu!

Moxley TOSSES Hiromu, Yuta BLASTS Takagi! Moxley whips Hiromu hard into the barriers! Bryan loves it when things get chaotic. Claudio whips but Titan stops himself to then dropkick a leg out! Titan then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up, Titan and Claudio crawl, hot tag to Moxley! Moxley intercepts Titan but Titan CHOPS! Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley whips, Titan reverses then goes Matrix! CALF KICK! Moxley staggers back into a corner, Titan hot tags Takagi! The fans fire up as Takagi BLASTS Yuta as payback! Then he runs up, blocks Mox’s boot, then clotheslines through!

Takagi fires up and the fans are with him! Takagi fires forearm after forearm but Claudio gets in to CLUB Takagi. Claudio whips Takagi corner to corner but Takagi reverses! Takagi runs in to clothesline Claudio, then he runs to clothesline Moxley! Takagi waistlocks Claudio, Claudio switches and Moxley runs up, but Takagi BOOTS him! Takagi breaks free, sends Moxley into Claudio, then he DOUBLE LARIATS! Moxley & Claudio both stay up! Takagi apologizes, but then he catches Moxley and kicks Claudio. COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! The fans fire up but Yuta slides in! Takagi gets him for a spin and suplex, high and HARD!

The fans fire up even more as Takagi and Moxley rise. Takagi says “My time has come! TOKI GA KITA!” Moxley fires a forearm, but Takagi gives it back! They go back and forth, the fans torn, but Moxley gets the edge. Takagi ELBOWS! And JABS! And YUKON- NO, Moxley LARIATS first! But Takagi’s up to LARIAT anyway! Moxley gets back up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Moxley BITES Takagi’s forehead! Moxley runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, but Moxley SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins through to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans are fired up!

Moxley and Takagi crawl, they reach out, hot tags to Yuta and Hiromu! They DOUBLE LARIAT, then they fire off forearms! The fans rally as Decoder gets the edge on the Ticking Timebomb! Yuta roars, runs, but Hiromu follows to UPPERCUT! Hiromu runs, but Yuta follows to LARIAT! Yuta then fakes Hiromu out to ELBOW! But Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Yuta rewinds, gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta roars, Hiromu staggers around, and Yuta storms up, only for Hiromu to fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives, Bryan is relieved, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS Moxley off the apron!

Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Moxley gets a chair! The ref sees but can’t stop him! Moxley SMACKS Hiromu with the chair!!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by disqualification

The Maniac’s temper gets the better of him, but now it’s a brawl! Takagi is after Moxley, Claudio is after Takagi, but Titan is after Claudio! The fans fire up but the ref says stop! Yuta goes after Titan, Hiromu goes after Yuta! Claudio drags Takagi out while Moxley stomps Titan, but here comes NAITO! The leader of LIJ is here, but where is he then? Naito takes his time strutting out in his red suit and coat. The coat comes off, the sleeves are unbuttoned, and the vest is put aside. Moxley wants Naito to get in here to fight him already! Naito takes the dress shirt off, but Moxley has had it! Naito gets the pants off and he brawls with Moxley!

Naito ROCKS Moxley, fires off more shots, but Moxley CLAWS Naito’s eyes! Naito returns the favor, they scrap around the way and to the side of the stage! The fans fire up as Naito throws hands on Moxley! The brawling at ringside continues, too! Takagi puts Yuta in the ring, and he makes sure Bryan sees this! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Bryan storms off commentary to get in the ring! The fans fire up as Takagi lets off of Yuta and stares Bryan down. The fans want to see it now but they have to wait until Sunday. Which dragon slays the other in their chase of the Owen Hart Cup?

2024 Men’s Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal: Jay White w/ The Bang Bang Gang VS Rey Fenix w/ Penta El Zero Miedo & Alex Abrahantes!

Speaking of the Owen Hart Cup, The Switchblade and the Immortal Firebird battle it out in an opening round match to build the other side of the bracket. Will White win “by order of the Bang Bang Gang?” Or will Fenix say #ANIMO to being one step closer to glory?

The Bang Bang Gang says “GUNS UP!” but the Lucha Brothers say “CERO! MIEDO!” The ref wants this all to calm down but the dueling continues. “GUNS UP!” “CERO! MIEDO!” It’s too much, and the ref EJECTS The Bang Bang Gang, and he EJECTS Penta & Abrahantes! Penta is fine with it, because at least now things are even. White protests but the bell rings, and Fenix rolls him up! TWO!! White escapes, dodges a lariat and knees low! White CHOPS and CHOPS and stomps Fenix. Fenix sputters, White stomps more then bumps Fenix off buckles. White RAMS into Fenix again and again, then brings Fenix around to CHOP!

The fans duel, “Let’s Go, Switchblade!” “Let’s Go, Fenix!” White whips, Fenix reverses but White reverses back. Fenix tiger feint rewinds, White ducks the heel kick to kick low. White scoops, Fenix slips free and waistlocks. White throws elbows, gets free, and he CHOPS! White whips again, but Fenix handsprings! White CLUBS Fenix, but Fenix rebounds to tilt-o-whirl RANA! The fans fire up, Fenix goes corner to corner, but White puts him on the apron. Fenix CHOPS, springboards, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! White staggers up but Fenix DROPKICKS him back down! The fans fire up as White bails out, and Fenix DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp!

The fans fire up while White sputters, and even Fenix needs to catch his breath for a moment. Fenix gets White up and brings him around, but White shoves Fenix away. Fenix SUPERKICKS back, then goes up, only for White to trip him up! Fenix crashes down on the apron, White pushes him in and stalks him to a corner. White UPPERCUTS, then he scoops for the flip and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives, White is frustrated, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Fenix bails out of the ring but White pursues. White stands Fenix up but Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! White CLAWS Fenix’s eyes! The ref reprimands, White leaves Fenix behind, but only long enough to refresh the count. White then storms over, but Fenix CHOPS him! White CHOPS back! Fenix drops to his knees, White argues with a kid in the crowd, then hurries after Fenix. White CLOBBERS Fenix, refreshes the count again, then puts Fenix in the ring. Cover, TWO! Fenix stays in this but White stays on him with a facelock. White grinds Fenix down, leans his weight on him, but Fenix fights up to his feet.

Fenix fifes body shots but White CLUBS him! White turns Fenix for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed but he drags Fenix up, to CHOP him back down! White sits Fenix up, to CHOP him down again! Fenix sits up to CHOP back! Fenix eggs White on so White CHOPS again! White eggs Fenix on, Fenix sits up and reaches out, but falls over again. White stands Fenix up to JAB to the corner. White CLAWS at Fenix’s face, the ref counts, and White lets off at 4. White shakes out his hand as Fenix rises up. White brings Fenix around to CHOP! Fenix falls over, Dynamite returns to single picture, and White asks, “Is he dead?”

White stands on Fenix’s head, lets off, but Fenix gets up to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! White CLAWS the eyes, KNEES low, then CHOPS again! White suplexes, Fenix slips free but White CHOPS! White scoops, Fenix slips free again to shove and SUPERKICK! White leans against ropes, Fenix tightrope walks to PENALTY KICK! White is down, Fenix goes up, FROG SPLASH! Fenix bounces off and has to crawl back to the cover, TWO!! White survives, the fans fire up and Fenix stands! Somersault RANA! Cover, TWO!! White escapes and the fans fire up! Fenix spins to SOBAT! And he KICKS a leg! Fenix aims, but White blocks the kick!

White spins Fenix, wrenches through, and DDTS! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! White crawls over, brings Fenix up, and he suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives and White pleads with the ref. The ref says his count was fair so White has no choice but to go back to Fenix. White clamps on with a SLEEPER, but he also drags Fenix up. The fans rally, SNAP- NO, Fenix pops free to victory roll! TWO!! White escapes, clinches Fenix, and hits an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives again and White is losing his cool. White snarls as he drags Fenix up into the clinch, BLADE- ROLL UP!! TWO!!!

Fenix hurries to scoop White now! White slips free, gut wrenches, but Fenix slips free again! Clinch, BLADE- NO, Fenix slips free to waistlock! White resists, Fenix CLUBS and ROUBNDHOUSES White! Then fireman’s carry, for a DEATH VALLEY- BLADERUNNER!! White turns Fenix over for the cover, WHITE WINS!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

White snatches that one outta nowhere, and now the Bang Bang Gang returns so they can celebrate! White will await either Jeff Jarrett or the yet to be determined wild card in the next round, but wait! The Patriarchy comes out here? Christian Cage leads Mother Shayna, Nick Wayne, and Killswitch/Luchasaurus down to the ring, and Bullet Club Gold is ready to stand their ground! White stares Captain Charisma down, daring him to do something. Christian grins and backs away. The fans chant “He’s Your Father!” but White invites “dad” into the ring. The Patriarchy heads back to the back, but will they all Breath With The Switchblade?

The Young Bucks speak.

They pump up their custom Reeboks, and Nicholas says it is time to address some business. Last week, The Acclaimed, they know Nick has a temper. He gets angry, he gets mad. He brought a foreign object into the ring and The Acclaimed took advantage! That’s how they won that match. But guess what? When these titles are actually on the line, the results will be a little bit different. Matthew says it’s fine, they are still the AEW World Tag Team Champions. And The Rainmaker is still Continental Champion. After Forbidden Door, there will be a NEW TNT Champion, and his name will be Jack Perry.

But ladies and gentlemen, The Bucks have plans. In fact, here’s some BREAKING NEWS! Next week on Dynamite, The Elite have decided to insert their very own Wild Card into the Owen Hart Cup! That man will run through the tournament, get a shot at the world title, and bring it back home to The Elite, where it belongs. Then they will have all the power and all the gold. Let’s keep changing the world! Alright, let’s have a good show! Next segment! Also, tie your shoes, guys. Moron. Uh, cut? Okay, but who is this wild card The EVPs are about to deal against Double J next week?

The Acclaimed is here!

Max Caster skips doing a diss track as he’s on his way out with Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn, because they’re gonna address some business of their own! What will Platinum Max, the Five Tool Player & Daddy Ass have to say? We find out, after the break.

Dynamite returns and Caster has the mic. The fans sing “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” Billy is having so much fun, he does a somersault! Caster then says, “Yo! Yo! YO! Listen…! Last week, The Acclaimed fought the Young Cucks, right here in this ring, and the result surprised nobody, because The People’s Choice pinned the World Tag Team Champions, and earned themselves a title shot!” The fans cheer, and Caster tells the “Young Cucks” that they were exposed for the soft ass, self important EVPs that they are! The Acclaimed proved that Matt & Nick can’t run production, can’t run the company right, and they can’t run from a fight!

“Because The Acclaimed is gettin’ up in that ass and gettin’ those titles back! And that’s a mic drop.” The fans cheer that, and Bowens takes over. Bowens says all they need to do is beat those two enema nozzles one more time! And Nick, they heard what you said, talking about cheating and all this nonsense. Don’t go making excuses, because next time, he’ll have none when they’re all face to face. The Acclaimed have been strategizing on when would be the best time to challenge for the titles. And when they do, you will be looking at the NEW, TWO-TIME A E W World Tag Team Champions! WHY? Because EVERYONE loves The Acclaimed!

Now Buffalo, throw those scissors high in the air! “SCISSOR ME, DADDY-” Wait, someone is saying to wait. It’s Kazuchika Okada! He and The Bucks make their way out here, the fans boo, and Okada tells The Acclaimed, “Scissor me, b*tch.” Matt stops Okada there, and thanks him for that. But first, if the fans could all shut their mouths so Matt can get to business… The fans boo but Matt tells them to have some respect for the EVPs! Nick says they are here to conduct business! At Forbidden Door, The Elite challenges “the three of you PR*CKS!” How’s that!? Billy has the mic to say he has something to say.

Billy isn’t sure what The Elite said, because the fans were busy saying how The Elite sucks. But as much as Billy would love to kick the crap out of all three of them by himself, he has something even better in mind. He knows how to deal with EVPs. He’s kind of a big deal himself, and has people in high places. And Billy happens to even know a president. PRESIDENT ACE, THAT IS! Hiroshi Tanahashi is on the tron and he tells his “old friend,” Okada, this is his greatest rival speaking. And he is coming to Forbidden Door to fight Okada and The Elite! “Scissor Ace is coming!” The fans fire up with that idea!

The Elite seem amused by this notion. But will the Rainmaker & Bucks be ready for Tanahashi & The Acclaimed? Or will Tanahashi get one last win over Okada?

Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe.

Renee Paquette is with “the conglomeration” of Freshly Squeezed, Violent Artist & Sussex County Chicken, and notes this is Forbidden Door Season. Mark, please do us the honors. Mark says this Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, it is the convergence on the Big Apple! The conglomeration gonna be there kicking ass ‘n’ taking names! Mark is in the ladder match for the TNT Championship! He has two shoulders but only one belt, so he needs to add that TNT strap to the collection. Then his man, OC, has Zack Sabre Jr. in 1v1 action, IF there is anything left of Zack after tonight! Kyle O’Reilly asks if he could take over here.

Kyle tells ZSJ, “you limey scallywag! The word of the day is synchronicity! See, this is one hand. See, this is another hand! What’re they doing? They’re washing each other!” And that is what Mark has helped Kyle do with the power of motivation! ZSJ, with your square jawline, it’d be a shame if Kyle put his shin bone through it so that Zack Sabre Senior won’t even recognize his son anymore! “Oh, he ‘urt mah boy! His bones is topsy-turvy!” Kyle hopes Mark likes that. Mark loves it! Sprinkle in a little bit of this. “Zack Sabre Junior, you ain’t nothing but fish ‘n’ chips, boy! You ain’t nothing buy a spot o’ tea! You soft, son! You Peppa Pig, boy!”

Mark says Kyle is gonna whoop that ass tonight, then Orange will whoop that ass on Sunday! The conglomeration is up in here and ain’t going nowhere! Let’s go, baby! New York City! Forbidden Door, baby! LET’S GO! Kyle loves it, they head out, and Cassidy says that was good. Renee agrees, they’re both good. But will the Violent Artist prove he is the true Submission Master? Or will ZSJ make Kyle #JustTapOut?

Six Woman Tag: Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa VS The Outcasts!

The Leading Lady leads her protege and her future opponent against their common enemies! Saraya & Harley have added Anna Jay to the group, but will the Star of the Show help them outshine the AEW Women’s World Champion? Or can Storm and Mina put their differences aside long enough to get through tonight?

The trios sort out and Mina starts against Anna. The two circle, tie up, and Anna puts Mina on ropes. The ref counts, Anna lets off and she kicks low. Anna whips, Mina rolls over the dropdown then eggs Anna on. Anna runs up, Mina sidesteps and follows, but Anna catches her to spin and suplex! Mina slips free, slides and shows off for the fans. Anna snarls, kicks, but Mina swats that to trip Anna! Mina KICKS Anna, then swaggers a bit more. The fans cheer, Mina whips Anna to a corner, but Anna reverses. Anna runs up but Mina slips out to the apron. Mina ROCKS Anna, steps in and goes up to ENZIGIRI!

The fans fire up as Mina reaches out to Storm, only to tag Mariah instead! Storm is left hanging, but she should’ve known that was coming. Mariah & Mina run and DOUBLE DROPKICK Anna! Team Rose Gold shimmy and shake but Storm is not amused. Harley tags in, runs up and gets around Mariah to throw her down by her hair! The ref reprimands, but Harley throws down ELBOW after ELBOW into Mariah’s shoulder. The fans rally but Harley taunts the fans as she ELBOWS Mariah down. Harley runs, but into a scoop! Mariah hits a SPIN OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up but Saraya is mad as Mariah brings Harley up.

Mariah looks to her corner, but both mentors are looking at her expectantly. Mariah isn’t sure who to choose, but then they both tag her! The ref says that doesn’t count! Then Saraya & Anna YANK Mina & Storm off the corner anyway! Mina and Storm are sent into barriers, Harley CHOKES Anna in the corner, but the ref counts. The fans boo, Harley whips Mariah, and then ELBOWS Mariah down, right as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Harley covers, TWO! Harley is upset but she drags Mariah up. Harley bumps Mariah off buckles, gets space and runs in to SPLASH! Tag to Anna and Harley whips her in so she can LEG LARIAT! Mariah sputters but Anna tags Saraya. Anna puts Mariah in the ropes for Saraya, and Saraya fires KNEE after KNEE on Mariah. The ref counts, Saraya lets off to step inside, and she tags Harley in. Harley AX KICKS Mariah in the ropes! Then AX KICKS again! Harley pushes Mariah down, dribbles her off the mat, then stands on Mariah. Harley CLUBS Mariah down, puts her in ropes again, and then Harley argues with the ref so Saraya can CHOKE Mariah!

Saraya gets away before the ref sees, then Harley CHOKES Mariah herself! The ref counts, Harley lets off, and she drags Mariah from ropes. Mariah fires forearms but Harley CLUBS her back down! Harley hammers away on Mariah, taunts both Mina and Storm, then puts Mariah on the ropes. Harley CHOKES Mariah, but Mariah turns things around to CHOP! Harley turns things around to fires off forearms! Dynamite returns to single picture as the ref reprimands. Harley whips, Mariah ducks ‘n’ dodges, but DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as Mariah and Harley crawl, hot tags to Saraya and Storm!

The fans fire up as Storm rallies on The Outcasts! She gets around Saraya to SNAP GERMAN! Saraya flounders to a corner, Storm BOOTS Harley then runs in, HIP ATTACK! Mina tags herself in, she tells Storm to move aside, and then she keeps Saraya from The Outcasts. But Saraya boots free, tag to Harley! Harley ROCKS Mina then hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, Mariah breaks it! Well, Storm certainly wasn’t going to. Mariah then HEADBUTTS Harley, but Anna runs up to FLATLINER! Storm gets in to THESZ PRESS Anna! Saraya BOOTS Storm! Saraya TOSSES Storm but Mina URAKENS! Harley is up, she wrenches Mina, but Mina blocks the boot!

URAKEN!! Mina fires up, brings Harley around, GLORIOUS DRIVER MINA!! Cover, Mina and team win!

Winners: Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall

Mariah is happy, and she brings in champagne for her mentors. They are to toast their celebration, and they say fine. They toast, drink up, and then Mariah hugs with Mina. Storm dances with Mariah but Mina grabs the champagne bottle. Mina taps Storm on the shoulder, Storm turns around, but then Storm ducks in time! The bottle SMASHES on Mariah’s head!! Mina panics as she hits the wrong person! Mina and Storm both check on Mariah while the fans tell Mina she messed up. Mina and Storm glare at each other, but the ref wants them to save it for Sunday. More refs rush out to keep this from getting physical, but what about Mariah?

Mercedes Mone speaks.

“Hola~! Stephanie, chica, I flew all the way to Mexico to watch your title match. And here I am at Dynamite, but… where are you? You must still be salty after I kicked your ass and held both titles high above my head. And that’s exactly what’s gonna happen at Forbidden Door. Because I told you, there’s a price to pay when you mess with Mone. So I heard you have a match this Saturday on Collision, right here in Buffalo~. Wow. I guess the TBS Champion is gonna have to make her way to TNT and sit ringside just for your match.

“So enjoy your final days as the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. Because this Sunday, I’m gonna right my final wrong. And then Two Belts Mone? Well, she changes everything.” Mone is ready to be truly golden, but will she just get an eyeful of why Vaquer is La Primera?

Chris Jericho is here!

Buffalo is torn as The Learning Tree leads “Bad Apple” Bryan Keith and “The Redwood,” “Big Bill” Morrissey to the ring. Keith has his arm in a sling after The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata, tore at it last Saturday Night Collision. But even so, Jericho and Bill still wave to the fans. Bill gets a mic to say, “Joe, Hook, Shibata, look at what you did to our Apple! You took him out, and then you had the nerve to challenge us to a Six Man Tag, knowing that we no longer have our third man available. But in the wise words of the sensei of the sickos, the Learning Tree, Chris Jericho, when one door closes, another door, perhaps a Forbidden Door, opens.”

See what they did there? These fans know what Bill’s talking about. The mic is then handed to Jericho and he says, “Hi, guys~!” Jericho knows that everyone who knows him knows that Jericho is in AEW for one reason and one reason only: he’s here to help the young guys! That is why Jericho has brought so many of them into the “Jericho Vortex,” so that he can help their careers. That includes The Redwood and The Bad Apple. So that’s why it is not fair that Joe, Hook & Shibata hurt Keith. But! “Samoa Joke, the joke is on you! Because we found another partner!

“He’s one of the toughest men that I ever met in the history of my time in Japan, and I’ve been to Japan almost 60 times, which is a lot, guys. And much like The Acclaimed had their video with Tanahashi, we’ve got a video from this guy, as well. But we haven’t watched it yet, because I wanted to share it with all of you and watch it for the first time together with all my Branches.” The fans cheer that, at least. So Joe, Hook & Shibata, you’re gonna learn a hard lesson that you’re not gonna like. But que sara sara, right? So here he is! A fellow Wrestling Observe Newsletter Hall of Famer, just like Jericho! Their Forbidden Door partner is…

MINORU SUZUKI! The fans fire up and the King of Pancrase tells Jericho, “I understand why you want me to be your partner at Forbidden Door. But you are mistaken about one thing. I don’t want to wrestle by your side. I want to wrestle YOU, one-on one. Are you trying to avoid me because you’re scared? You’re not chickening out, are you? I hate your soft way of thinking now. The Learning Tree. The heck is that? I want nothing to do with anything like that! I will Not be your partner. Instead, you put your FTW Title on the line, and you wrestle ME! CHRIS, EFFIN’, JERICHO! Thank you, guys~! See you soon.”

Uh oh… Jericho hears it from the fans, he messed up. Keith says Chris ain’t no chicken! But then here come Samoa Joe and the boys! Joe has a smirk and a mic as he says, “Well, isn’t this awkward? You came here to Buffalo, New York looking for a savior, and yet you have struck out again.” Joe laughs, and tells Jericho, “What we’ve learned tonight is that The Learning Tree is much like the Jericho family tree: it just don’t have enough branches. So Chris, know that what stands before you, your opponents are very much students of the game. And we have gone back and meticulously watched every single Learning Tree segment to garner everything we could about our opponents.

“And y’know what the funny thing is? We were discussing it amongst ourselves, we said, how do we describe this feeling that we have when we see you drop these nuggets of wisdom on the world? And my friend Shibata here, the wordsmith that he is, well, he best summed it up better than anybody.” Shibata has his phone say use text to speech: “Oh brother, this guy sucks!” The fans chant, “This Guy Sucks!” but then Jericho SLAPS Joe! Joe smirks, then turns into a glare. Joe HEADBUTTS Jericho! Then Shibata & Hook go after Keith & Bill! Joe beats down Jericho, Jericho and Keith get out but then Bill flops out of the ring!

The Learning Tree and his Branches make like a tree and leaf! Suzuki wants the FTW Championship, Joe and the rest want a fight, what is Jericho to do?

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Kyle O’Reilly!

The Submission Master wants after “Orange Bollocks,” but that’s for Forbidden Door. As the Violent Artist and the Sussex County Chicken said, the plan is to break down the Brit before ever getting to Long Island, will it happen? Or will we see that ZSJ > KOR?

Speaking of Freshly Squeezed, Orange Cassidy has joined commentary. And because they can’t seem to leave Kyle alone, The Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett have front row seats at ringside to watch this match. And wait, with them is the NJPW Strong Champion, Gabe Kidd. What’s the Mad Man doing hanging out with those guys? Well, anyway, the bell rings and the fans rally up. ZSJ and Kyle feel things out. They circle, clinch, and ZSJ facelocks. ZSJ waistlocks, Kyle switches, but ZSJ switches back. ZSJ wrangles Kyle to the mat, Kyle gets his leg guard up, and fans cheer while ZSJ backs off.

The two reset, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. The fans duel, and ZSJ powers his way to a straitjacket stretch. Kyle powers up to turn things around, but ZSJ bridges, trips Kyle, then covers. ONE, ZSJ goes for a waistlock but Kyle turns that right around on him. ZSJ has his leg guard but Kyle cartwheels over. ZSJ stands, and the fans cheer the standoff. Kyle and ZSJ reset, circle again, and Cassidy admits, these guys are doing moves he doesn’t know how to do. Kyle and ZSJ tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, then they end up in a corner. The ref counts, ZSJ wrenches to whip corner to corner. Kyle reverses but ZSJ goes up and under!

Kyle goes up and under but ZSJ steps over to sunset flip, but Kyle drops to the ARMBAR! ZSJ slips out to ARMBAR! Kyle slips away and the fans cheer this newest standoff. Both men shake out those arms, Roddy shouts, “C’mon, Kyle!” Kyle and ZSJ tie up, and then Kyle goes for the arm. Kyle wrenches, ZSJ rolls, bridges, and spins to slip free. The fans cheer as ZSJ swaggers, and then ZSJ talks a bit of smack on Gabe. Gabe wants Kyle to just punch ZSJ for him. Kyle and ZSJ reset, knuckle lock, and Kyle rolls, wrenches, but ZSJ fights off the wrangle by hooking a leg and pulling an ear. Kyle still wrangles ZSJ and covers, ONE!

Kyle still has the arm but ZSJ reaches up with his legs to get a headscissor! The fans cheer, and ZSJ squeezes tight. Kyle endures, fights around, and he rolls back to tie up ZJS’s legs. The fans cheer as Kyle switches to a cravat and snapmare, and he KICKS ZSJ in the back! Kyle gets ZSJ up to throw knees, then he snapmares. ZSJ bridges up to snapmare back! Kyle bridges up to snapmare again! ZSJ gets up, but Kyle hops on for a SLEEPER! ZSJ tries to roll but Kyle blocks that. So ZSJ throws Kyle down, and NECK TWISTS! Kyle writhes, ZSJ isolates an arm and STOMPS it! Kyle writhes more as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

ZSJ waits on Kyle while he clutches that arm. Kyle is okay to continue so ZSJ grabs that arm, for a DISARMER! Kyle endures, even as ZSJ shifts to an omoplata. ZSJ bends fingers, SNAPS them, then SNAPS the other fingers! Kyle writhes but ZSJ stands him up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! Kyle staggers around, ZSJ RAMS into him at the ropes. ZSJ shoves Kyle, but Kyle catches ZSJ to a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! But ZSJ wrenches free to WRING the arm out! Kyle writhes and goes to the apron while ZSJ swaggers a bit. ZSJ heads over, but Kyle gets a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Now ZSJ flops down and writhes!

Kyle steps in, paces as ZSJ rises, and then Kyle grabs the leg! DRAGON SCREW, but ZSJ steps through! NECK TWIST! Kyle writhes again and Gabe is frustrated for him. ZSJ clamps onto Kyle with a top wristlock and he pulls on the arm. Kyle endures, even as ZSJ shifts around and isolates that arm. ZSJ STOMPS the arm and Kyle clutches the elbow. The ref checks Kyle but he’s still in this. ZSJ cravats Kyle for a neck wrench, but Kyle endures. Kyle moves around, Dynamite returns to single picture, and he UPPERCUTS free! Kyle fires forearm after forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm! ZSJ whips, Kyle reverses, but ZSJ turns kitchen sink into COBRA TWIST!

The fans fire up as Kyle endures, but ZSJ shifts around to an IRON OCTOPUS! Kyle still endures, and he pulls on ZSJ’s leg to have an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ turns over to kick and kick. Kyle lets go but ZSJ ducks the Penalty Kick! Kyle blocks a kick to give a kick! ZSJ swings, Kyle bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off a strike fest! KICK! KICK! ZSJ has to sit down! The fans fire up while Kyle paces. Taven & Bennett applaud, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS Kyle back! ZSJ double wristlocks but Kyle fires knees! The fans chant “This is Wrestling!” as Kyle fires another strike fest! LEG SWEEP! Kyle grits his teeth, ZSJ crawls to a corner.

Kyle runs in, forearm smash! Kyle wrenches an arm, but ZSJ has a SLEEPER! Kyle drops to throw ZSJ off but ZSJ wrenches an arm to PELE it! ZSJ runs, into a KNEE! Kyle runs, into a cradle! TWO!! Kyle suplexes for the FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! ZSJ clasps hands, Kyle pulls at it, but ZSJ rolls back. ZSJ has an ANKLE LOCK! Kyle rolls to get an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ rolls again, for an ARMBAR! Kyle rolls back, he has the ANKLE LOCK again! Cassidy is speechless seeing this, but ZSJ reels Kyle in for a headlock! Kyle SAIDOS free! The fans are thunderous, Kyle gives ZSJ AX & SMASH! But ZSJ KICKS in return!

ZSJ kicks again but Kyle ducks it! Kyle avoids the sweep, ZSJ avoids the Penalty Kick, but DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES hit! They wobble, ZSJ runs up, but into a KNEE!! The fans are thunderous, Roddy shouts for Kyle to end this! Kyle gets ZSJ up, hooks a leg, but ZSJ CLUBS away on Kyle! Kyle kicks but ZSJ blocks! SLAP! Kyle wobbles, but he blocks a kick! Kyle SLAPS, ZSJ SLAPS, they SLAP back and forth! ZSJ fires off a flurry, but Kyle SLAPS, SLAPS and SLAPS! ZSJ umps into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! TRIANGLE HOLD! Kyle stacks it, TWO, and ZSJ shifts to a DISARMER! And DEEP! Kyle TAPS, ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission

The Front Man of TMDK proves The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Cassidy is a bit upset, Roddy and Gabe also have their own argument going on, but ZSJ invites Cassidy down to the ring. Cassidy does go down to the ring, but he rolls into the ring rather than step through the ropes ZSJ holds open. The Kingdom then storms into the ring so that they can check on their “friend,” Kyle. ZSJ gets Cassidy to focus on him now. And then the rest of TMDK appears, backing ZSJ up. ZSJ says it’s fine, but then TOMOHIRO ISHII is here!? The Stone Pitbull has been a friend to Cassidy in the past, so he’s here now to back Cassidy up!

The fans fire up as Cassidy has Chaos by his side, and then Gabe Kidd just starts barking at everyone. Tensions are running high in all different directions, is The Forbidden Door going to get ripped off its hinges?

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!

Roderick Strong and Gabe Kidd are going to team up together to take on The Infantry! Will the Savior of the Backbreaker and the Mad Man of New Japan make for a strong combination? Or will Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo be ready for a war with the War Dog?

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS The Gates of Agony!

While the Aerial Assassin and The Mogul are battling for THE AEW World Championship on Sunday, they both have beef with the former Embassy. Will Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona come to regret leaving Swerve’s House? Or will they make sure neither champion nor challenger reaches the Forbidden Door?

The teams sort out, and while Swerve and Ospreay argue, The Gates attack! The fans boo but Liona TOSSES Swerve out and Kaun CLUBS away on Ospreay. Swerve and Liona brawl outside, and Liona knees low to then whip Swerve into railing! Kaun CHOPS Ospreay, then seethes as he drags Ospreay up. Kaun whips corner to corner, Ospreay goes up and over, things keep moving. Kaun hurdles, Ospreay shoves him then hurdles back. Ospreay MONKEY FLIPS Kaun and the fans fire up! Ospreay runs in at the corner but is put on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Kaun, springboards, PIOP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, ONE!!

Kaun is tough but Ospreay tags Swerve. The champs double whip, then POP-UP ROUNDHOUSE! Swerve somersaults to FLATLINER! Ospreay STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Swerve says this is on Ospreay’s timing, not his. Swerve gets Kaun up to suplex, but Kaun slips free. Kaun waistlocks, Swerve switches and Ospreay storms in. Kaun slips away so Ospreay almost boots Swerve! Swerve blocks it in time, and Ospreay says sorry. Swerve lets Ospreay’s foot down, but Liona runs up to DOUBLE LARIAT! The Gates then DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX Swerve! Kaun covers, ONE!!

Swerve is also tough but Kaun tags Liona. Nana keeps the fans going with “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Kaun whisp Liona in but Swerve bails out, and Dynamite goes picture in picture. So Liona just goes up and out to the apron! Liona ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Swerve and Ospreay! The Samoan-Boricua hybrid roars as he and Kaun stand tall at the corner. Liona has a sadistic grin as he goes back for Swerve and puts him in the ring. Swerve staggers away but Liona storms up to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Liona steps off, and he gets in the ref’s face. Liona goes back for Swerve but Swerve throws hands!

Liona BODY SHOTS Swerve, CHOKES him in the corner, and sits him down before letting go. The ref reprimands, but this lets Kaun CHOKE Swerve behind his back! Ospreay storms over but the ref stops him, letting Kaun get away! Liona then storms up, drags Swerve up, and he brings Swerve over. Tag to Kaun, and he slingshots to sunset flip! Swerve holds onto ropes but Liona SUPERKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Swerve escapes but Kaun CLUBS Swerve. Kaun CHOPS, kicks low, but Swerve hits back! Kaun fires off forearms in the corner! Kaun drags Swerve up and over, tags Liona, and they mug Swerve.

Liona scoops Swerve to SLAM him, then runs to FALLING HEADBUTT! Liona clamps onto Swerve’s shoulder, Swerve endures, and he fights up. Liona throws Swerve down by his hair! The ref reprimands, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the shoulder claw clamps back on. Swerve endures, the fans rally, and Swerve fights up. Swerve reaches out, Liona throws him down again! Liona tells the fans off, reaches for Swerve, but Swerve UP KICKS! Liona staggers, Kaun hurries in, but Swerve puts Kaun on the apron! Kaun falls hard, Liona grabs Swerve! Swerve reaches out for Ospreay, but Liona waistlocks.

Swerve throws elbows, Liona grabs the tights, but Swerve kicks free and ROCKS Liona with a right! Swerve turns around, but Kaun YANKS Ospreay down! Then Liona SPLASHES Swerve, and Kaun gets in! The Gates DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives but Liona tags Kaun. The Gates drag Swerve up, fireman’s carry to a GUT- NO, Swerve blocks the gutbuster! Kaun still kicks Swerve away and Liona waistlocks. Kaun runs up, but Swerve slips free, the SHOTGUN hits Liona! The fans fire up and as Swerve then gator rolls and deadlifts for the BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down, Ospreay returns!

The fans fire up and Swerve crawls over. Hot tag to Ospreay and he CLOBBERS Kaun! And CLOBBERS him again! Ospreay whips, Kaun reverses but Ospreay CLOBBERS him again! Liona returns to CLUB Ospreay! The ref reprimands but the Gates double whip Ospreay. Ospreay ducks the double lariat to handspring and DOUBLE NEURALIZER KICK! Liona falls out of the ring, Ospreay STANDING SHOOTING STARS onto Kaun! Cover, TWO! Kaun is still in this so Ospreay drags him to a drop zone. Ospreay climbs, Liona storms up, but Ospreay kicks him down. But Kaun is up to go after Ospreay!

Ospreay elbows Kauna way, adjusts, but Kaun goes right up after him! SUPER JACKHAMMER!! Cover, SWERVE BREAKS IT! Liona runs up, Swerve ducks the lariat to RISING HEADBUTT! But that hurts Swerve a bit more than it did Liona… Liona roars and runs in, but Swerve DUMPS him out! Swerve then steps out to FLYING KILL STOMPS!! The fans fire up, Swerve hurries back up, but Kaun DECKS him! Kaun turns around, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Ospreay kicks Kaun low. Underhooks and… Swerve says just do it then! Ospreay is hesitant, but he goes for STORM BREAK- NO, Kaun slips free!

Kaun shoves Ospreay at Swerve, but Ospreay puts on the brakes! Kaun runs in, Ospreay moves, Swerve ROCKS Kaun! Ospreay aims, but Kaun moves, SUPERKICK hits Swerve! Liona returns, Kaun DROPKICKS Ospreay into the POUNCE!! Kaun covers, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Kaun tags Liona. The Gates get Ospreay up, but Ospreay fights free! Swerve returns and Ospreay ducks, the BOOT hits Kaun! That was the plan, wasn’t it? Liona runs up, but the champs dodge this time! TIGER WALL KICK, ENZIGIRI ROUNDHOUSE COMBO! Then POISON- NO, Liona’s a bit too big for that! So Swerve BOOTS Liona into the POISON-RANA!

Ospreay then goes up, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Liona survives and shocks everyone! But Ospreay takes his elbow pad off and aims from a corner. Kaun hurries in but Swerve intercepts to wrangle him by that arm! Kaun traps the arms, and STOMPS one apart! Even Ospreay winces at that! But then HIDDEN BLADE on Liona! Cover, the champs win!

Winners: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

The Assassin and The Realest come out on top, making it work despite being rivals. But Swerve tells Ospreay again, he’s not ready for both belts. But then Ospreay snatches the world title away, just like he did a couple weeks ago! Ospreay smirks, but then Swerve KICKS a leg out! And HOUSE CALL!! The fans are torn, but Swerve picks up his belt to stand over Ospreay with it. Will this be the scene that closes The Forbidden Door? Or will Ospreay walk into the Windy City as the Two Belt Bruv?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite here as we enter the Forbidden Door go-home week. Great opening promo with MJF, Garcia and Ospreay. Ospreay one-upping MJF with his title match offer was good follow-up to that earlier stare down the two had, and MJF’s change in attitude after makes me wonder if he’ll struggle to not be the old, selfish Heel MJF. He wanted to be the magnanimous one offering Garcia this great opportunity, and Ospreay goes and doubles down by offering up to two titles against Garcia. Swerve’s promo in response was good, because Ospreay is counting chickens before they hatch offering a double title match.

We got a great main event tag match with Ospreay & Swerve naturally winning, but then Swerve being the one to stand tall is some intriguing go-home math. There’s still Collision on Saturday, so if Ospreay gets the better of Swerve there, then we know Ospreay isn’t winning the world title at Forbidden Door. But as it stands, the Beach Break match of Ospreay VS Garcia really could get bigger if Ospreay wins the world title. And Forbidden Door aside, depending on how Ospreay VS Garcia goes, I could see MJF pivoting to want after Ospreay in Wembley because of how Ospreay’s been getting on his nerves, undercutting the big moment he was going to give Garcia.

Great Six Man Tag of BCC VS LIJ, but I should’ve known there’d be shenanigans to give us a non-finish. Yuta was clearly the guy who was going to take the loss, if not for how he’s still ROH Pure Champion, so Moxley losing his cool was a good way to get out of this. Naito showing up to brawl with Moxley was good stuff, muddies up the go-home math, but Naito winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is still the right call. Then we got some good tension between Takagi and Bryan. As I’ve said before, Takagi is great but it feels more like Bryan is going to be facing Pac next round.

Great Owen Hart Cup match from White VS Fenix, but yeah, I figured White would win this. AEW’s getting that story integration stuff going again, as Bullet Club Gold has The Patriarchy going after them for the trios titles but White has to focus on this tournament. The Bucks saying the wild card is on their side is an interesting detail, and after Jeff Jarrett’s emotional promo from last Saturday, I hope he finds a way to beat this wild card but it feels like that person is gonna get some real Heel heat by beating Owen Hart’s best friend. The Acclaimed had a real good promo to call out The Bucks, and then Tanahashi joining forces with them is a great twist. #ScissorAce VS The Elite will be a great Six Man Tag, but it might be where The Elite get their win back.

Great promo segment from the Jericho story, because while I sensed Jericho was bringing up Suzuki, I also sensed that Suzuki was gonna refuse the offer to team up. Jericho VS Suzuki in an FTW Championship match, aka an FTW Rules match, is going to be great stuff. And we also got good stuff from Joe, Hook & Shibata there, and maybe someone else joins Jericho’s side while Keith is hurt so that we still get that great Six Man Tag match. Great Six Woman Tag tonight, and that went about how I expected with the Faces winning. However, Mina getting the pin, then her accidentally taking out Mariah, that’s a clear sign Storm retains at Forbidden Door.

Another great promo from “The Conglomeration,” and I even appreciate Kyle doing his best to copy Mark’s style. I kinda want that trio of Kyle, Cassidy & Mark to stick together to go after the trios titles, really help build the trios division up, but who knows what’ll happen as things move forward. Great match from ZSJ and Kyle, pretty much the best match of the whole night, but I also like that there are so many stories blending in here. Gabe Kidd is here cuz Forbidden Door but he and Ishii have stuff in NJPW so they integrated that here while also revisiting Ishii being a friend of Cassidy’s. ZSJ has the momentum going into his match with Cassidy, which could go either way, and I feel like we should get The Conglomeration VS The Undisputed Kingdom to settle Kyle’s story with Roddy.

My Score: 8.9/10