This Sunday in Elmont, New York, the UBS Arena will host the third-annual AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, matching up stars from both promotions.
The Forbidden Door monicker references the old pro wrestling logic that suggests promotions shouldn’t intermingle talent or acknowledge one another on air or in the press.
Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, doesn’t buy into that philosophy, instead opting to keep that door open for the presumed health of the business. However, how open can that door be with Khan owning Ring of Honor, AEW no longer being friendly with TNA, and having zero chance of a WWE collaboration?
In fact, we’re surprised NJPW still talks to AEW after signing away so much of their top talent. Most recently, AEW signed Kazuchika Okada to big money, luring him away from his home country of Japan for the first time in his career.
For now, all is good between the two companies, and this weekend’s PPV features several solid matches despite not having much build-up. First up is a match between the current TBS Champion, Mercedes Mone, and Stephanie Vaquer, who holds the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.
AEW TBS & Strong Women´s Championship
- Mercedes Mone (C) -2000, -1000
- Stephanie Vaquer (C) +700, +550
Mone is projected to prove that she’s the legit boss and is favored by as much as -2000, depending on where you place your wrestling bets. AEW Women’s World Champion, “Timeless” Toni Storm, is favored over Mina Shirakawa by almost as much as Mercedes, as both AEW talents are predicted to easily retain their straps.
AEW Women´s World Championship
- Toni Storm (C) -1500, -700
- Mina Shirakawa +600, +400
The previously mentioned Ospreay is scheduled to rise in the ranks soon in AEW, but it seems that he is not designated for a World Championship reign at this time.
AEW World Championship
- Swerve Strickland (C) -800, -500
- Will Ospreay +425, +300
That could be due to an eventual showdown between Strickland and former champion MJF, who will return to action on Sunday. Perhaps Swerve and MJF could begin their feud as soon as this weekend, leading to a match at All In.
MJF vs. Hechicero
- MJF -5000, -5000
- Hechicero +1200, +1200
It might make more sense to have Swerve continue the feud with Ospreay into All In. Why? Because their title match could take place this August in front of a massive home crowd (for Ospreay) in Wembley Stadium.
At the time of Ospreay’s signing, there were rumors that a main event at Wembley was a sweetener to get him to sign on. Ospreay could take the title in London and then begin a feud with MJF.