10 matches fans need on AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door

The long-anticipated AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling supershow is happening in June at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door. Here are matches we need on the card.

On June 26, 2022, pro wrestling fans will finally get the answer to what an All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling supercard will look like. Tony Khan and Takami Ohbari are delivering after months of teasing as AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door will take place live from the United Center in Chicago and, of course, on PPV.

Unsurprisingly given the talent prevalent in each promotion, there are going to be marquee matches from top to bottom on the card. But as we’ve yet to see that match card take shape for the show, we are left to dream.

In that light, these 10 matches are ones that fans should be dying to see on the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door match card.

AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door match card – 10 matches fans need to see

1. Kenny Omega vs. Kota Ibushi: For years, fans have been hooked on the story of the Golden Lovers. This story has included rivalries, relationships, betrayals, reunions and everything in between, along with classic matches across two promotions. One thing it hasn’t had is a conclusion — one that deserves the biggest stage possible. What better way to conclude this story than with a match for the ages on PPV?

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada vs. Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson: Four of professional wrestling’s most iconic performers meeting up in a tag match is enough for most fans to be intrigued. But when you add how similar the stories of these pairings are, it gets even more intriguing.

Bryan and Moxley team up to defend their version of combat while Tanahashi and Okada team up at times in order to defend their company’s honor. Both teams have a reason to fight — which wins out combat or honor!

3. CM Punk vs. Will Ospreay: This match is something both men have talked about wanting ever since CM Punk returned to professional wrestling. Even getting to the point of Ospreay calling out Punk at an NJPW press conference. This one is simple who is the best at what they do.

4. Tetsuya Naito vs. Andrade El Idolo: Former allies and compadres clash as the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon battles the man who inspired him in Mexico to start his own version of the original faction.

5. Dark Order (John Silver, Alex Reynolds, 10, Alan Angels) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, Bushi): A big multi-man faction war is needed on a show like this, especially one between two of the most beloved factions in their respective promotions.

You have high fliers like Angels and Silver with Hiromu and Bushi. You have sound wrestlers like Reynolds and Sanada going at it with the big powerhouses like Shingo and 10 clashing. This is the type of match that would really raise the excitement level.

6. Undisputed Elite (Adam Cole, The Young Bucks) vs. Chaos (Tomohiro Ishii, Yoshi Hashi, Hiroki Goto): Two of pro wrestling’s best trios go at it as the Undisputed Elite and Chaos take over the squared circle. Both sides are no strangers to each other as the brash Elite ran roughshod over NJPW for years as they went to war with Chaos. This is a battle of dirty tactics and cockiness vs. heart and grit.

7. Hangman Adam Page vs. Jay White: One of pro wrestling’s most beloved babyfaces going up against one of pro wrestling’s most hated villains. This will be a rematch from their bout from Strong Style evolved, but will be very different as both men have blossomed into main eventers with each carrying their promotions at different points since the match in 2018. A classic good vs. evil match is something fans all need and latch onto as Hangman will once again have to deal with a villain from his past.

8. Toru Yano vs. Orange Cassidy: Not everything in professional wrestling needs to be super serious as getting a good laugh and enjoyment from comedy in pro wrestling can be as good at times as a good match. From opposite ends on the personality scale, this one will live up to that and give fans all the laughs they need. Orange Cassidy’s nonchalant demeanor against Yano’s over-the-top Looney Tunes-inspired antics.

9. Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz vs. Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr.: Two trios that are no strangers to physicality and violence face off in an encounter that will leave fans wanting more and more. Eddie Kingston is no stranger to Minoru Suzuki, a competitor who targeted him in both AEW and NJPW. This time, both men have trusted backup behind them to go to war with.

10. MJF vs. Katsuyori Shibata: A lot of fans will love to see the no-nonsense Shibata dish out strikes to the hated MJF. MJF’s nefarious tactics drive fans mad at times, especially if they were used against someone like Shibata, who has an emotional connection with the audience since his injury and return this year. This makes for a perfect emotional component that fans will need at a show of this stature.

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