Wrestling Moments

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When

Summer 2026 — typically held in June or July. AEW and NJPW traditionally target a joint PPV window after Double or Nothing.

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Location

Venue TBD. Previous editions have been held across North America. A Japan leg or UK stop would be historic for the crossover event.

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Watch

Live on Bleacher Report Pay-Per-View in North America. NJPW World for international fans. TrillerTV and FITE also expected to carry the event.

Predicted Match Card

Eight to ten cross-promotional matches blending AEW and NJPW rosters — every match a dream contest.

AEW World Championship Main Event

Jon Moxley (c) AEW vs Tetsuya Naito NJPW

The embodiment of Forbidden Door. Moxley's brutal, unhinged brawling collides with Naito's tranquilo charisma and technical brilliance. A feud that transcends promotions — expect a war.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event

IWGP Champion (c) NJPW vs Swerve Strickland AEW

Swerve has the star power and athleticism to carry an IWGP title program. His flamboyant style vs whoever holds NJPW's top title creates a generational Forbidden Door showdown.

AEW TNT Championship

TNT Champion (c) AEW vs SANADA or KENTA NJPW

SANADA's cold, calculating style is a natural TNT title challenger, while KENTA's hard-hitting offense always produces fireworks against AEW's midcard talent.

IWGP United States Championship

Will Ospreay AEW vs IWGP US Champion NJPW

Ospreay returning to NJPW for a title shot is peak Forbidden Door storytelling. The best wrestler in the world against NJPW's US title holder guarantees a five-star candidate.

Tag Team Showcase Dream Match

FTR AEW vs Bishamon NJPW

The greatest tag team in the world today against NJPW's premier duo. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood's old-school intensity vs Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI's hard-nosed partnership is a natural fit.

Pure Wrestling Dream Match Most Anticipated

Bryan Danielson AEW vs Zack Sabre Jr. NJPW

Quite possibly the best technical wrestling match that can be produced in 2026. Two submission specialists who can carry a 30-minute clinic without a single spot that isn't perfect. This is the reason fans watch Forbidden Door.

AEW Women's World Championship

AEW Women's Champion (c) vs STARDOM Top Talent NJPW/STARDOM

Forbidden Door has historically featured the best women's wrestling on any AEW card. STARDOM's world-class roster provides incredible challenger options for AEW's women's division.

Tag Team Clash

The Young Bucks AEW vs NJPW Tag Champions NJPW

The Bucks have history with virtually every NJPW tag team. Whether it's FinJuice, LIJ duo, or House of Torture, this match will be fast, chaotic, and full of near-falls.

NJPW Talent Preview

The stars from New Japan you need to know heading into Forbidden Door 2026.

Tetsuya Naito

Los Ingobernables de Japon

NJPW's biggest home-grown star of his era. Naito's tranquilo persona and relentless offense make him the natural challenger to Moxley's chaotic world title reign.

Will Ospreay

AEW / NJPW Alumni

The best wrestler on earth returning to NJPW soil for Forbidden Door adds a unique dimension. Ospreay's rivalry history with virtually every NJPW talent runs deep.

Zack Sabre Jr.

Submission Master

ZSJ is a submission machine who can deconstruct any opponent on the mat. His match with Danielson is a once-in-a-generation technical showcase waiting to happen.

SANADA

Cold Skull

SANADA's ice-cold demeanor and technical precision make him a perfect fit for AEW's mid-card title scene. His Skull End submission has finished off many NJPW champions.

KENTA

Ruthless Striker

Known as the original GTS — Go 2 Sleep — striker. KENTA's brutal, stiff style is always a highlight on any card. His NXT history means some AEW fans know him well.

Hirooki Goto

Bishamon

One-half of Bishamon alongside YOSHI-HASHI, Goto is one of NJPW's most battle-tested warriors. Their chemistry as a tag team makes the FTR showdown irresistible.

Forbidden Door History

2022

Forbidden Door I — United Center, Chicago

The inaugural crossover event. CM Punk vs Hiroshi Tanahashi headlined. Jay White vs Kazuchika Okada was a sleeper hit. Proved the formula worked and AEW-NJPW joint events could draw.

2023

Forbidden Door II — Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega vs The Acclaimed in the opener. MJF vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW title. The event cemented Forbidden Door as a marquee annual date.

2024

Forbidden Door III — Elmont, New York

Swerve Strickland vs Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship. One of the best matches of 2024. The event drew a strong buy rate and positive critical reception across both fanbases.

2025

Forbidden Door IV — Location TBD

The collaboration continues to deepen with stronger NJPW participation. Each year the card improves as the two promotions develop their working relationship further.

2026

Forbidden Door V — The International Supercard

With the relationship fully mature and NJPW's roster at peak strength, 2026 could be the greatest Forbidden Door event in history. The talent pool has never been deeper on both sides.

Why Forbidden Door Is The Must-See Show

Dream Matches That Can't Happen Anywhere Else

Forbidden Door is unique because the dream matches it produces are exclusive to this event. You cannot see Danielson vs ZSJ or Moxley vs Naito on any other card — that exclusivity drives anticipation to fever pitch.

The Best In-Ring Work on Any 2026 Card

Both AEW and NJPW are renowned for match quality over presentation. Forbidden Door consistently delivers the highest average match quality of any wrestling show in a calendar year.

Two Passionate Fanbases, One Show