Tony Khan Had Been Trying To Get 'The Final Countdown' In AEW For Years

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II was an eventful show, with Will Ospreay regaining the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from Kenny Omega, and Bryan Danielson defeating Kazuchika Okada in a certified dream match.

For the main event, Danielson came to the ring to a familiar sound, with Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’ heralding The American Dragon’s arrival, the same music Danielson used during his legendary run in Ring of Honor.

When Danielson debuted in AEW in 2021, many hoped he would use the 80s mega-hit once more, but reports stated that the costs to license the track were too high even for Tony Khan. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Khan revealed why Forbidden Door 2023 was the perfect time to use ‘The Final Countdown’:

“Well we were negotiating for years [to get Europe's ‘The Final Countdown’], trying to get the deal done and this is the best rate I ever got recently, and it was something I felt would add to the presentation of Forbidden Door. And Bryan-Okada is one of those special matches and anything I could do to add to the presentation and make the night more special, I really wanted to do so, that’s what led to The Final Countdown at Forbidden Door this past weekend as part of the great event,” said Khan.

Whilst it was seemingly a one-night-only theme for Danielson, Khan revealed in the post-Forbidden Door press conference that it is licensed for replays and streams of the PPV event.

H/T: POST Wrestling