The Steel Cage War at Forbidden Door

Mark Briscoe is the new number one contender for the AEW World Championship. Briscoe and his allies secured the shot by defeating MJF and the Don Callis Family inside a steel cage at Forbidden Door 2026 on June 28, 2026. As reported by Wrestling Inc, this match pivots the promotion's main-event plans for the rest of the summer.

10. Callis Family's Pre-Match Games

Don Callis attempted to control the match before the bell even rang. His stable used physical intimidation during the entrances to delay the match start, trying to rattle Briscoe's squad. The delay lasted for nearly four minutes as security struggled to restore order. While effective in building heat, the sequence dragged on too long and killed the initial crowd energy before the cage door locked. It ranks at the bottom because it lacked actual in-ring action.

9. The Initial Cage Collision

Once the door closed, the physical reality of the cage took over immediately. Mark Briscoe did not wait, charging straight at MJF to initiate a chaotic brawl. MJF tried to climb the cage early to escape, but Briscoe dragged him down, hitting a Russian leg sweep off the middle rope. The spot was basic but showed escape was not an option. It sits above the pre-match antics because it finally gave fans the physical action they paid to see.

8. The Isolation Segment

The Don Callis Family showed their tactical discipline by cutting the ring in half and isolating Briscoe's partners. For a six-minute stretch, the heels used quick tags and lawn-darted Briscoe's allies directly into the steel mesh. However, the execution of this segment felt repetitive, with too many irish whips into the cage walls. The referee also seemed confused about the rules of a cage match, failing to enforce basic tag ropes. Still, it ranks above the opening brawl because it built genuine sympathy for the babyface team.

7. Kyle Fletcher's High-Risk Moonsault

Kyle Fletcher took the biggest risk of the match, climbing to the top of the cage and executing a massive moonsault. He wiped out three wrestlers on the canvas, showing no regard for his own safety. The landing looked rough, with Fletcher's knees crashing hard against the mat. It was a spectacular visual, but it felt needlessly reckless given the injury risks in modern wrestling. It ranks ahead of the isolation segment due to its sheer scale, but behind the more storytelling-focused spots.

6. Konosuke Takeshita's Powerbomb

Konosuke Takeshita proved why he is the most dangerous asset in Don Callis's group. He caught a cross-body attempt, rolled through, and executed a massive sit-out powerbomb onto a pile of steel chairs. The impact left Briscoe's team down for multiple minutes, forcing a dramatic comeback sequence. The only flaw was the camera work, which missed the setup of the chairs. It ranks above Fletcher's dive because it felt like a tactical, damaging move rather than a spot for the sake of a spot.

5. MJF's Ring Deception

MJF tried to steal the win by introducing his signature weapon, looking to strike Briscoe when the referee was distracted by Callis. The tension peaked as MJF prepared to strike, but his execution was blocked at the last second. The sequence worked because the crowd was fully invested in Briscoe escaping the trap. The execution was clean, but we have seen MJF run this exact distraction routine in almost every major match this year. It ranks above the physical spots due to the emotional reaction it drew.

4. The Breakdown Between MJF and Callis

A major turning point occurred when a miscommunication led to MJF accidentally striking Kyle Fletcher with a forearm. Don Callis screamed at MJF from the outside, causing a verbal argument that distracted the heels. This booking decision was smart, showing that ego is always the undoing of MJF's teams. The argument felt realistic, though it did slow the match pace down right when it should have been accelerating. It ranks higher than the previous entries because it directly set up the finish.

3. Mark Briscoe's Comeback

With his team down, Mark Briscoe mounted a furious comeback, executing a series of red-neck kung fu strikes and a running boot that sent Takeshita into the cage. The crowd erupted as Briscoe fought through the blood to clear the ring. Briscoe's babyface fire is unmatched, and his ability to sell the physical toll of the cage was masterclass. Some strikes looked soft, but the energy of the moment covered the minor physical flaws. It ranks above the heel breakdown because the babyfaces seized control of their own destiny.

2. The Finishing Jay Driller

The climax of the match saw Briscoe hit his signature Jay Driller on Kyle Fletcher directly onto a steel chair. The referee counted the three, ending the brutal steel cage war. The execution of the Jay Driller was perfect and safe, protecting Fletcher while looking devastating. It ranks above the comeback because it was the official end of a grueling war. It only sits below the top spot because of the massive future implications of what the victory actually represents.

1. Mark Briscoe Secures the Title Shot

The most important moment of the night was the official confirmation that Mark Briscoe is now the next challenger for the AEW World Championship. By defeating Team MJF in the main event of the evening, Briscoe has earned a shot at the richest prize in the promotion. This is a bold creative decision that rewards Briscoe's long-term consistency and crowd connection. The promotion must now follow through on this momentum and deliver a compelling title match. This moment ranks at the top because it has the most significant long-term impact on the entire AEW roster.

Honorable Mentions

The pre-match package did a solid job recapping the months of tension between MJF and Mark Briscoe. Also notable was the post-match medical check on Fletcher, highlighting the physical toll of the steel cage structure. These moments added context but did not match the in-ring importance of the top ten.