AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 Results

It’s that time of year once again, when the boundaries between All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling become blurred, with the third annual Forbidden Door event coming live from Long Island, New York.

With the additions of STARDOM and CMLL, this years Forbidden Door shaped up to be a complex affair, with several titles on the line, as well as those all-important bragging rights.

So what happened at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024? Read all the results below.

Kyle Fletcher def. Serpentico - Zero Hour Pre-Show

Fletcher wasted no time in taking his frustrations out on Serpentico, with the recently dethroned ROH TV Champion dismantling the Spanish Announce Project’s chief Snake. Serpentico got his licks in, but Fletcher had an answer for everything, and after a belly-to-back Tombstone, Fletcher took Serpentico up-top for a delayed El Generico BRAINBUSTAAAA for the decisive win.

Kings of the Black Throne def. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Gabriel Kidd, and Private Party - Zero Hour Pre-Show

Lots of meat was dished out early on when Ishii and Brody King exchanged some hard strikes in a match with plenty of quick tags. One fall to a finish, with Private Party looking impressive as they tangled with the makeshift team of Kidd and Strong. Strong ended up saving Kidd’s neck when O’Reilly was on offence, with Roddy distracting his former team mate, but Strong and Kidd ended up bickering over who would get to chop Kyle.

Ishii and O’Reilly teamed well to keep the Kings of the Black Throne at bay, with a tandem rib kick sherrdrop brainbuster combo on King almost doing the job, until Zay broke things up with a Senton bomb. Quick parade of signature moves as everyone had their moment to shine, until Private Party levelled the playing field with a pair of tandem topes. It came down to Private Party and The Kings in the ring, with an End and a Ganso Bomb on Zay enough to seal the win.

Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano def. Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe - Zero Hour Pre-Show

Statlander ducked her former partner in order to tangle with Nakano at the bell, with Stat not taking Tam seriously before eating a barrage of elbows. Willow and Watanabe soon tangled, with Nightingale getting the better of Momo, combining with Nakano to lariat her opponent down. Nakano and Watanabe exchanged strikes, with Tam coming out on top… cue Stokely Hathaway with the well timed distraction, allowing Stat to sneak attack Nakano and tilt the advantage in her team’s favour.

Statlander delayed vertical suplex and a gun show pin only got a two, and Stat stayed on top after denying Nakano the hot tag by ripping Willow from the apron. The heels stayed in control, utilising quick tags to maintain their advantage, until Tam finally got the hot tag to Willow. Nightingale absolutely pasted Stat ahead of their Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match next week, but Kris got the saving tag to Watanabe before Willow really got going on her. Nightingale spinebuster got a two, then a missed Tam Nakano crossbody allowed Stat back in. High angle German on Stat by Tam got a nearfall, but Stat managed to tie up the faces, forcing Willow to spear Nakano before Watanabe came in with a sambo suplex on Nightingale for two.

Nakano tiger suplex on Stat as Willow hit an avalanche Spicolli Driver on Watanabe for two and five-sixths, but a follow-up Babe with the Power-Bomb attempts was reversed into a package Deadeye by Momo for two. Pounce by Willow before Nightingale took the fight to Statlander on the floor, as Tam Nakano hit a beautiful high angle bridging hammerlock German suplex on Watanabe for the win.

Mariah May def. Saraya - Owen Hart Foundation Tournament - Zero Hour Pre-Show

Mariah started out hot, keeping former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya at bay as Toni Storm cheered on from ringside. Trish Stratus headscissors and missile dropkick kept the momentum in May’s favour, but a missed running hip attack allowed Saraya into the bout. The two exchanged forearms on the top rope, Saraya coming out on top before exchanging insults with her former Outcast Storm.

Hikaru Shida watched on from backstage as May slowly fought back into the match, taking down Saraya with a standing headbutt before the two exchanged standing strikes in the centre of the ring. May finally hit the corner hip attack as Toni Storm and Harley Cameron fought on the floor, however this distracted Mariah allowing Saraya to hit Goodknight for a nearfall. May fought out of a submission attempt but was still on the backfoot as Saraya became increasingly frustrated. Roll-up out of nowhere saw Mariah steal the win, as Saraya looked shocked in the ring. May celebrated with Storm on the ramp, leading to Mina Shirakawa coming out for some celebrations of her own. Mariah will face Shida in the next round of the Owen.

The Lucha Bros & Mistico def. LIJ (Titán, Yota Tsuji, & Hiromu Tanahashi) - Zero Hour Pre-Show

Loud ‘holy s***’ chants as the surreal sight of Lucha Bros and Mistico teaming together was in front of their eyes. Fenix and Titán started things off, both looking to out-manoeuvre one another, leading to a stand off. Penta and Tsuji tangled, Tsuji truly showing zero fear in the face of Penta, denying the ‘zero miedo’ and eating a gut kick for his troubles. Yota used his size advantage to power himself on top of the bout, taking Penta down with a bicycle knee strike then tagging in Hiromu Takahashi who wanted a piece of Mistico. Hiromu looked to take Mistico’s mask, but ended up getting tossed to the outside, as LIJ rushed Mistico in the ring. Mistico escaped with a tornillo to Horimu on the floor as the Lucha Bros hit tandem superkicks to Tsuji and Titán, then a double roundhouse to Hiromu. Mistico senton bomb got a two, but LIJ regrouped with a pair of hurracanranas and topes to the Lucha Bros, as Hiromu hit a sunset flip powerbomb on Mistico to the floor before manically waving down the camera.

LIJ were firmly in control of the match, hitting Mistico with everything they had, but couldn’t get the win. Mistico managed to fight his way out and into a tag to Penta, with Penta hitting a series of slingblades before Fenix launched off his brother’s shoulders to splash Titán for two. Things broke down into a brawl, ending when Titán absolutely folded Fenix with a thrust kick, but Fenix came back to assist Mistico with a big tornillo, then a tandem Fear Factor onto Hiromu, but the ‘Ticking Timebomb’ managed to escape to the floor. La Mistica on Titán, and the tap-out win for the luchadors.

MJF def. Hechicero

The main card kicked off with Hechicero taking on Long Island’s own MJF, with MJF making his first AEW PPV appearance since dropping the AEW World Championship to Samoa Joe at World’s End in December 2023. MJF of course got a heroes welcome from his fellow Long Islanders.

MJF’s offer of sportsmanship was accepted, but all Hechicero got was a kick to the gut for his troubles. An agile Friedman pulled off some acrobatics before poking his opponent in the eyes, then hit a big running knee over the barricade on the floor. Back in the ring Hechicero started to wear down MJF, fighting out of a Heatseeker attempt then following up with a tornillo and a Mad Scientist spinning shoulderbreaker for two, MJF selling the shoulder. Huge corner knee and a set of double birds for the crowd from Hechicero, but MJF wouldn’t stay down, fighting through the pain of his shoulder to hit a piledriver.

Hechicero with a form of monkey flip into an armbar, but MJF escaped to briefly lock in a Fujiwara armbar. Hechicero continued to focus on MJF’s shoulder, but dual clotheslines laid both men out. MJF was first to his feet, hitting some old-skool 10 punches and a Panama Sunrise as a message to Adam Cole. Sheerdrop brainbuster, and the 1-2-3 sealed the win for ‘our scumbag’.

The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed

Max Caster returned with the pre-match freestyle, namedropping Joe Biden, Justin Timberlake, Hello Kitty, and calling Okada a ‘bitch’ repeatedly.

Caster started off with Okada, with the ‘Rainmaker’ sucker punching Tanahashi from the off, drawing the ‘Ace’ straight into the bout then ducking his old rival to tag in Nicholas Jackson. Tanahashi took down Nicholas with a rebound crossbody before a fired-up Anthony Bowens tagged in to school the EVP. The Acclaimed hit a double Scissor Me Timbers on the Bucks as Tanahashi chased off Okada, before the faces engaged in some scissoring and air guitar for a lovely bit of fun. The Elite took control as Okada hit the overshoulder neckbreaker drop on Caster before Matthew Jackson hit the one-man criss-cross before planting a loving kiss on his brother’s cheek and smashing an air guitar - pro-wrestling is weird isn't it. Duelling ‘f*** the Young Bucks’/‘EVPs’ chants broke out as The Elite maintained control, until Caster got the hot tag to Bowens who ran wild, nailing a reverse Torture Rack spinning slam on Matthew for two.

The crowd came unglued as Okada and Tanahashi finally clashed, Tanahashi getting a two from a Bret’s rope Senton bomb. Dragon screw and a Texas Cloverleaf on Okada, then a parade of quick attacks by all men, Bowens avoiding a Rainmaker as the Acclaimed hit a Mic Drop on Okada. The Bucks prevented Tanahashi hitting a High Fly Flow, Okada getting the knees up when the ‘Scissor Ace’ finally flew. A quick pump of their Reebok Pumps and The Bucks held a Superkick party, leaving Okada to hit the elbow drop on his old rival Tanahashi. Rainmaker scouted by Tanahashi, but Okada nailed a beautiful dropkick and the Rainmaker for the win.

Post-match, Okada went for another Rainmaker but was chased off by Billy Gunn.

Bryan Danielson def. Shingo Takagi - Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

Dragon vs. Dragon, although it was the ‘American Dragon’ who enjoyed the first spoils of this bout, tying up Shingo as the two looked to exchange holds. Shingo outpowered Danielson to floor him with a shoulderblock, but a Pumping Bomber attempt was dodged as Danielson fired back. Shingo caught Danielson mid-tope suicida, then crunched Danielson on the floor with a spinning DDT from the apron as Dr. Sampson checked on ‘AmDrag’. Danielson beat the 10-count only to receive a big vertical suplex from Shingo, as the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion asserted his control of the bout.

Standing striked seemed to be in Shingo’s favour, but Danielson landed a release German suplex and the running Goat knee in the corner to fire back. The two fought up top, Danielson knocking Shingo with a series of trapping elbows and a big back suplex to wipe both men out. Danielson yes kicks rolled into a triangle choke, but Shingo powered up-and-out into a powerslam, but Takagi was first up, hitting a Pumping Bomber in the corner, then a super-duperplex, and a basement lariat for two. Danielson avoided a Made in Japan, but after missing a corner knee was turned inside out with a huge Pumping Bomber, then somehow managed to kick out at two after a Made in Japan.

Danielson was out on his feet, with Shingo mocking him with ‘yes’ chants and hammer and anvil elbows of his own, but another basement lariat was countered into a reverse armbar. Danielson capture shoulder suplex rocked Shingo, then yes chants and a Busaiku knee… but it only got a two count. Danielson vowed to kick Shingo’s ‘f****** head in’, then stomped on Takagi’s head before locking in a triangle choke, Danielson peppering elbow shots as Takagi looked to fight out with a powerbomb. Danielson wrenched Shingo with a big armbar, Takagi giving up and handing the ‘American Dragon’ the win. Danielson will take on PAC in the next round of the tournament.

Toni Storm (c) def. Mina Shirakawa - AEW Women’s World Championship

Time for the Mariah May invitational, with Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa fighting for May’s affection, as well as Storm’s AEW Women’s World Championship.

Storm came to the ring to strains of ‘America the Beautiful’ whilst dressed as the Statue of Liberty, shades of Ghostbusters 2, before Mariah presented bouquets of flowers to both competitors and exited the ring looking conflicted. Mina showboated and drew Toni’s ire as duelling chants rang out inside the UBS Arena, Shirakawa getting early control of the match. Shades of Bret Hart as Mina locked in a figure four leglock around the turnbuckle post, looking to wear down Storm’s knees. Toni fired back, hitting a Perfectplex for two, then sending Mina to the floor with a hip attack. Follow up hip attack missed as Toni launched into the ringsteps, Giving Shirakawa enough time to fly from the top with a crossbody to fell Storm and butler Luther.

Storm’s knee continued to bother her as Mina continued her assault on the joint, sinking a figure four in the middle of the ring before the two exchanged sitting slaps. Both competitors made it to their feet to exchange elbows, Mina felling Toni with a big rolling elbow. As Mina went up top, Storm met her on the top rope for another strike exchange, before Mina hit a diving DDT then a follow-up Impaler DDT in the ring for two. Storm fought out of a Glamorous Driver attempt to hit a release German suplex then the running corner hip attack for two as a concerned Mariah May watched on. Backfist rolling elbow combo by Mina dropped Storm, but a follow-up Glamorous Driver could only warrant a two count. Two headbutts and a release German suplex opened Mina up for the Storm Zero snap piledriver, Storm getting the pinfall to successfully retain the AEW Women’s World Championship.

Post-match a visibly conflicted Mariah May entered the ring to congratulate Storm, Mariah looking over with concern at Shirakawa. Storm hoisted Mina up to her feet, Shirakawa offering her hand to the champ, to which Toni took it and shook it. Mariah convinced the two to hug it out, and it seems like friendship was the real winner tonight, before the three engaged in a Tommy Dreamer-esque threeway kiss as Nigel McGuinness rose to his feet in applause.

Zack Sabre Jr. def. Orange Cassidy

ZSJ came into this with a chip on his shoulder after coming up short on his previous Forbidden Door appearances, with TMDK’s technical wizard not entertaining ‘orange bollocks’ shenanigans and looking to make a show of the former AEW International Champion. OC found himself on the receiving end of a Japanese stranglehold as ZSJ looked to wear down Cassidy, but he managed to slink his way out, wrapping ZSJ up as Sabre Jr. sarcastically begged OC to put his hands in his pockets. ZSJ wrenched Cassidy’s neck then rocked him with a stiff European uppercut, then folded OC with more uppercuts and hitting some mocking sloth style kicks of his own before a big PK as Sabre Jr. firmly took control of this bout. Cassidy was not down and out though, sending ZSJ reeling with a lovely Dragon screw.

A fired-up Cassidy crushed ZSJ with a tope suicida and more Dragon screws on the floor, Cassidy looking to wear down Zack’s knee. Sabre scouted a Stundog Millionaire attempt but ate a Michinoku Driver for his troubles, Cassidy following up with a diving DDT from the top rope for a two count. Orange Punch attempt thwarted, ZSJ taking Orange down and stamping on his elbow to take his arm out of commission. A fired-up Cassidy fought back and sank in a Texas Cloverleaf, then followed up with a Beach Break for two. ZSJ absorbed an Orange Punch then laid in a stiff kick before the two competitors jockeyed for position with a series of technical pins and roll-up attempts. Sabre escaped a mousetrap attempt to lock in an excruciating looking lock, wrenching both of Cassidy’s arms, his legs, and his neck for the submission win.

ZSJ handed Orange Cassidy his sunglasses on his way out of the ring as an apparent show of respect.

Samoa Joe, HOOK, & Katsuyori Shibata  def. The Learning Tree & Jeff Cobb

After being serenaded with ‘please retire’ chants, Chris Jericho told Long Island he was a hometown hero and enthusiastically clapped and thanked the fans for their support.

Big Bill started things of with Shibata, felling Shibata with a big boot and a vertical suplex for two before Jericho came in to serve up some chops, Shibata absorbing everything the FTW Champion had before laying in some chops of his own. HOOK and Shibata did the Samoa Joe ‘nope’ spot as Jericho flew with a rebound crossbody, before Cobb and Joe came into the ring to ‘MEAT’ chants. Cobb and Joe exchanged big meaty shoulder barges, before Joe laid into Cobb with a series of strikes until eating a huge sambo suplex from Jericho’s hired gun. HOOK tagged in with a series of diving clotheslines to Jericho and Cobb, but he wanted to suplex Big Bill, to no avail. Bryan Keith hopped on the apron to distract HOOK, allowing Cobb in to manhandle the former FTW Champ.

Bill and Keith suckered HOOK whilst referee Aubrey Edwards was distracted, Jericho following up the assault whilst sarcastically waving at Taz on commentary. HOOK was on the receiving end of a ton of Learning Tree offence, but got a hot tag to Shibata after levelling Cobb with a diving clothesline. Shibata hit then Tenryu combo on Cobb before the faces ran a corner train on the NJPW World Television Champion. Cobb fought back to ground Shibata, Jericho tagging in to attempt a Lionsault to no avail. Big Bill manhandled Joe on the floor as HOOK cut the Redwood down with a huge axehandle. Bryan Keith again distracted the ref as Jericho hit a lowblow on Shibata and locked in the Walls of Jericho, but Shibata fought out to bring HOOK back in. Big Bill chokeslam on Joe, Shibata heel trip, Cobb spinning backsuplex, then a big HOOK t-bone suplex. Jericho Codebreaker on HOOK got a two count, with HOOK locking in RedRum on ‘Le Champion’, as Shibata choked Bill, and Joe clutched Cobb. Big Judas Effect by HOOK on Jericho got the win.

Jack Perry def. Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Briscoe, Lio Rush, Dante Martin, & El Phantasmo - TNT Championship Ladder Match

Jack Perry had a massive target on his back heading into this due to his association with The Elite, Perry hunted by the other competitors before eating a big elbow from Takeshita. With Perry down the others swarmed Takeshita, then brought the ladders into play as this went into full-blown chaos - as you’d expect. Mark Briscoe was swinging a chair, as he fought with Lio Rush on the floor, before setting a table up at ringside.

Jack Perry made a beeline for the title as everyone else brawled on the floor, but was cut off by Lio Rush. Rush threw Perry into a corner ladder before nailing Briscoe off the apron with a somersault kick, but his attempts at the title were ended when El P caught him with a reverse TKO through a separate ladder. El P went for the same move on Dante Martin but ate a knee, then a crossbody fro the ladder after Dante was launched from the steps by Takeshita. Takeshita then hit a deadlift rolling Brainbuster on Martin onto an upturned ladder, before Mark Briscoe cleared house with the Terry Funk special. Briscoe set Takeshita on the table, then placed a ladder on top of him, before nailing a Sabu-esque chair assisted running Senton from the ring through Takeshita.

Pery made a ladder bridge but it worked against him when El P cut Perry off as he made an attempt for the belt. Phantasmo himself was cut off by Dante Martin, but Perry sent the two flying from the ladder, as Martin clutched his knee, prompting fears that he injured his knee again after his horrific injury at Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor 2023. Perry set up another table on the floor then ate a corner dropkick from a hobbling Dante Martin as Briscoe set up a ladder on the apron across the way, Lio Rush torpedoing through the ladder with a tope to flatten Takeshita. Briscoe then climbed the ladder to the very top to hit a splash onto Perry on the table, the table not breaking much to the delight of Maffew.

Back in ring, former partners Martin and Rush made attempts for the title, Takeshita crushing Dante with a massive powerbomb, then a Last Ride into a ladder on Rush. With everyone else down Takeshita made a beeline for the title but a springboarding El Phantasmo cut him off, only to eat a knee to the jaw, but avoided a rolling elbow to hit two superkicks. El P went for CR2 off the apron through two tables, but Takeshita muscled out to hit a pair of knees and a mean Blue Thunder Bomb through the wood. Takeshita was fired up, making an attempt for the title to a huge reaction, but Mark Briscoe cut him off and hit a Jay Driller onto a corner propped set of ladders.

Mark Briscoe was alone in the ring, but as he reached the top of the ladders he ate a set of ladders to the ribs from Jack Perry, the ‘Scapegoat’ then wailing on the Ring of Honor World Champion with a chair before climbing the ladders and winning the TNT Championship.

Mercedes Mone (c) def. Stephanie Vaquer (c) - TBS Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship

As the ref was talking to both competitors, Vaquer rushed Moné, laying out the ‘CEO’ as the bell rang. Moné quickly regrouped as the two jockeyed for position, before sending the STRONG Women’s Champion across the ring with a big corner armdrag. Moné took Vaquer down with a headscissors on the floor, but as the fight returned to the floor a tornado DDT attempt was scouted as Vaquer shoved Moné into the apron. Vaquer followed up with a big springboard crossbody to the floor, firmly establishing control as the action returned to the ring. Mercedes fired back with two amigos, the third suplex cut off as Vaquer flew into a bodyscissors, and a stacked armbar. Moné’s hamstring was giving her grief, but that was the least of her worries as Vaquer repeatedly drove the ‘CEO’s face into the apron.

The action went to the top, but as Vaquer flew through from the rope Moné cut off a crossbody attempt with a pinpoint dropkick. Mercedes hit a series of corner knees, then a rope assisted rebound top rope tornado DDT for a nearfall. Moné went for a Money Maker but Stephanie countered it with a DDT for two, a follow-up running leg drop producing the same result. Vaquer avoided another Money maker attempt, but an attempt for a Jay Driller was also scouted, both competitors going down after duel clotheslines. After duel kip-ups the fight continued, Vaquer locking in a crossface, before Mercedes locked in one of her own after a running headscissors. Vaquer fought to her feet with Moné on her shoulders, dropping into a stomach breaker to rapturous applause. Moné fired back with a pair of Backstabbers as the New York crowd heckled the Boston born Moné and chanted ‘f*** the Celtics’, but Vaquer scouted a Moné top rope attack, before planting the TBS Champ with a nasty Dragon screw and a running double knee for two.

The two jockeyed for position as Moné locked in another crossface, but as Vaquer attempted to escape Moné caught her with a Money Maker another crossface for the tap-out win and the NJPW Strong Womens Championship. The ‘CEO’ is now a double champion. As Mercedes celebrated with the titles, Dr. Britt Baker made her return to AEW to huge reaction, sending a message to the TBS STRONG Champion.

Tetsuya Naito def. Jon Moxley (c) - IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Jim Ross returned to the commentary booth for this one, as New Japan’s Red Shoes took over officiating duties.

Moxley was aggressive from the start, but Naito was not to be outdone, spitting in the champ’s face before hitting the tranquilo pose and avoiding a PK. A frustrated Mox threw a series of chairs into the ring, but a calm Naito caught Mox with a pair of boots, though Mox caught the second and fired back with a series of blows and a rope hung suplex. Mox wrapped Naito’s knee around the ringpost, then hit a backdrop onto the Spanish announce table. Naito continued winding up Mox, again spitting in his face, but Mox locked in a single leg Calgary crab, then transitioned into an STF, then hit a stalling piledriver for a two count. Mox backdrop driver got another two before both competitors exchanged standing slaps and strikes in the centre of the ring. The fight went up top, but Naito fought out of a superplex attempt to send Moxley flying to the floor.

Naito speared Moxley into the timekeeper’s area and mockingly whipped Moxley with a bit of railing padding, then hit a Manhattan drop and a series of strikes in the ring, before a delayed neckbreaker for two. Naito went for an avalanche Frankensteiner but was dropped with a huge diving powerbomb by Moxley, but Mox waited too long to follow-up, Naito hitting a tornado DDT to level the playing field. Diamond Dust by Naito downed Moxley, but a follow-up Destino attempt was scouted, Mox locking in a choke, but as Naito broke free he hit a first Destino, but a second was scouted as Mox hit a DDT. A huge Mox lariat was followed up with a Death Rider… for two. Mox stared down Red Shoes unhappy with the count, then grabbed another chair, threatening Red Shoes with it before setting it up for a Death Rider, but the ref removed the weapon to Mox’s chagrin. Such shenanigans gave Naito time to recover, hitting a form of a Destino as Mox went for a Death Rider, then hitting a scoop brainbuster and another Destino for the win and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Swerve Strickland (c) def. Will Ospreay - AEW World Championship

Ospreay paid tribute to late great Hayabusa during his entrance, a video package showing both Ospreay and the legendary ‘Phoenix’ of FMW. Dipset’s Jim Jones heralded Swerve to the ring, Prince Nana swerving alongside the champ as is tradition.

Rabid crowd as the bell rang, loud ‘AEW’ chants as Swerve and Ospreay faced off. Both men attempted headscissors and thrust kicks to no avail, the rapturous audience applauding both men’s efforts. Ospreay sank a few chops into Strickland’s chest, but the world champ fired back with strikes of his own, Ospreay absorbing them and beckoning Swerve to come fight him. The fight spilled to the floor with Ospreay hitting a vaulting body press as duelling chants rang out, Ospreay hitting an apron dropkick to firmly take control of the bout. Back in the ring Ospreay lit Swerve up with a hard chop, but a trip up top allowed Swerve to drop Ospreay then nail a diving European uppercut to the International Champion.

Strickland was cruising as he nailed a rope hung neckbreaker on the challenger, Prince Nana barking instructions, but Ospreay had a tiny opening and pulled off his handspring somersault kick. A second vaulting body press to the outside was scouted, Swerve sending Ospreay into the front row. Strickland attempted a piledriver on top of the barricade but Ospreay hit a Frankensteiner, then a diving forearm as he brought the fight back into the ring. Back-and-forth action, Swerve locking in a short-arm-scissor as he sought to cut Ospreay’s momentum at any turn, before mocking his long-time friend with chest kicks, in-turn firing Ospreay up. Standing strike exchange led to a parade of scouted finisher attempts, Ospreay ending the exchange with a powerbomb and a Styles Clash for two. Ospreay went for an Os-cutter but Swerve met him in mid-air with a Swerve Stomp as Daniel Garcia watched on from a private box.

Ospreay dodged a Swerve dive as the World Champ landed cleanly on the floor before meeting the ‘Aerial Assassin’ on the top rope and hitting a massive avalanche Olympic Slam. Swerve went for an apron brainbuster, but Ospreay rolled out to hit a head kick, although a follow-up Os-cutter attempt got nothing but apron. Swerve readied for an apron Swerve Stomp but Ospreay rolled to the floor, but this only allowed Strickland to hit a diving stomp onto Ospreay into the Spanish announce table to big ‘holy s***’ chants. Strickland was on fire, hitting a barricade piledriver before sending Ospreay into the ring to hit a scoop Falcon Arrow for two. Strickland readied for another Swerve Stomp but Ospreay dropped him crotch first onto the top rope, then met the champ up top with an avalanche Os-cutter, then a regular Os-cutter… for two. Hidden Blade blocked by Swerve, but Ospreay nailed a pair of headkicks to ready for another Os-cutter attempt, only for Swerve to scout it and lock an armbar, Ospreay rolling into a two count. Os-cutter nailed, and a Stormbreaker clean in the middle of the ring… but Swerve kicked out.

MJF was shown watching on from backstage as Ospreay again locked in the tiger underhook on Swerve, Ospreay headbutting Strickland then calling for the Tiger Driver. Swerve rolled out of the Tiger Driver attempt to hit a Hidden Blade, but a Swerve Stomp attempt missed, with Ospreay accidentally nailing referee Paul Turner with a Hidden Blade. Ospreay poison-Frankensteiner and a Hidden Blade took down Swerve, only for Don Callis to arrive and hand the screwdriver to Ospreay. Nana shoved Callis away as Ospreay threatened the Prince with the screwdriver, before realising what he was doing and throwing the screwdriver down. As Ospreay rolled into the ring Swerve was waiting with a House Call, then a big Swerve Stomp for two as replacement referee Aubrey Edwards counted the attempt. Swerve with a second huge House Call but again Ospreay kicked out. Running on adrenaline a wobbly legged Ospreay removed the elbowpad and hit a weak Hidden Blade as Swerve caught his friend and dropped him to the mat. A third House Call and a JML Driver for the win as Strickland retinas the AEW World Championship after another banger.

Medical staff attended to Ospreay as Swerve and Nana celebrated in the ring. Strickland then noticed Ospreay and consoled his friend in a show of respect, whilst Kyle Fletcher made his way ringside to check on his United Empire/Callis Family partner from the floor.

Full results - AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, June 30 2024:

• Swerve Strickland (c) def. Will Ospreay - AEW World Championship
• Tetsuya Naito def. Jon Moxley (c)  - IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
• Mercedes Mone (c) def. Stephanie Vaquer (c) - TBS Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship
• Jack Perry def. Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Briscoe, Lio Rush, Dante Martin, & El Phantasmo - TNT Championship Ladder Match
• Samoa Joe, HOOK, & Katsuyori Shibata def. The Learning Tree & Jeff Cobb
• Zack Sabre Jr. def. Orange Cassidy
• Toni Storm (c) def. Mina Shirakawa - AEW Women’s World Championship
• Bryan Danielson def. Shingo Takagi - Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
• The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed
• MJF def. Hechicero
• The Lucha Bros & Mistico def. LIJ (Titán, Yota Tsuji, & Hiromu Tanahashi) - Zero Hour Pre-Show
• Mariah May def. Saraya - Owen Hart Foundation Tournament - Zero Hour Pre-Show
• Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano def. Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe - Zero Hour Pre-Show
• Kings of the Black Throne def. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong & Gabriel Kidd, and Private Party - Zero Hour Pre-Show
• Kyle Fletcher def. Serpentico - Zero Hour Pre-Show