Closing out AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door was the singles match between Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada. Danielson submitted Okada to secure the victory. Danielson used Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’ song. He has not used that theme since his time in Ring of Honor.
IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
For the first time ever, Bryan Danielson takes on Kazuchika Okada in your main event on Forbidden Door!Order #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor on PPV right now!
🇺🇸: https://t.co/QkT7hO9Xh4
🔗: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/Kkr8Ozy5tJ— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
AEW President Tony Khan tweeted that Forbidden Door 2023 is the biggest live gate in the company’s history. A total of $1.2 million USD was generated.
There were advancements in both the women’s and men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament brackets. On the Zero Hour pre-show, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defeated Billie Starkz. Athena is scheduled to take on Willow Nightingale in the semifinals. On the main card, CM Punk picked up a win over Satoshi Kojima. Punk is going to take on the winner of Roderick Strong versus Samoa Joe. During the match with Kojima, Punk said the ‘Kojima, lariat, lariat’ line from the Straight Shootin’ interview with Samoa Joe.
you’re welcome, internet. #ForbiddenDoor pic.twitter.com/RyNOydQDEd
— NHATional Scissoring Day ✂️ (@nhathanielh) June 26, 2023
Orange Cassidy’s reign as AEW International Champion continues. He pinned Daniel Garcia in a four-way involving ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata and NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. It was Cassidy’s 25th defense of the International Title.
The opening match for the main card was MJF defending the AEW World Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi. MJF retained the title after hitting Tanahashi with the Dynamite Diamond ring. On his way to the ring, MJF sported a robe that had the text, “New Japan is an indie” on the back of it. His gear also had the following on it: “Ace is Ass”.
Classic MJF 💀 pic.twitter.com/xObV6piFIh
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) June 26, 2023
In the 10-man tag that saw Eddie Kingston, Tomohiro Ishii and The Elite (Hangman Adam Page, Matt & Nick Jackson) defeat Konosuke Takeshita, Shota Umino and Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta), Eddie Kingston pushed Moxley out of the way of a Young Bucks dual superkick and took the shot. Moxley continued going after Kingston throughout the match.
The Young Bucks trying to finish things off here, but a conflicted Kingston complicates the situation?!
Order #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor on PPV right now!
🇺🇸: https://t.co/QkT7hO9Xh4
🔗: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@youngbucks pic.twitter.com/U82waVdz9m— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
Toni Storm defeated NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale to retain her AEW Women’s World Championship.
