All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling were set up for success with the second Forbidden Door pay-per-view, as the first event was significantly hindered by injuries. The 2023 show allowed both companies to utilize more of their top stars, and before the show started, the card was one for the ages; the two headlining matches alone made it appointment viewing, as fans buzzed about the rematch between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega, as well as the dream bout between Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada.
As a whole, the event lived up to the hype, and it delivered what may go down as a match of the year contender.
Omega And Ospreay Waged War In An Instant Classic
Back in January, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay stole the show with their match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. When Forbidden Door 2023 was announced, many fans predicted that the two foes would clash again. The match was later confirmed, leaving the wrestling world to wonder whether Omega and Ospreay could top themselves. As it turns out, it’s fair to say they did.
By the end of the bout, both men were covered in blood. The two stars threw everything they had at each other, and the closing stretch featured multiple thrilling near falls. Repeated interference from Don Callis, including “The Invisible Hand” returning to ringside after he had already been ejected, gave the match a somewhat overbooked feel, but the intense action left fans on their seats for the duration of the bout. Ospreay emerged victorious, but Callis’ involvement sets the stage for a rematch. Given the excellence of their first two encounters, that bout will have to read a high bar.
Danielson Finally Gets ‘Final Countdown’, Injury Hampers Celebratory Mood
Since Bryan Danielson arrived in AEW in 2021, fans had been waiting to hear the iconic opening to “The Final Countdown”, his classic theme that he used back in Ring of Honor. The song was apparently too expensive, but AEW CEO Tony Khan made a deal for Forbidden Door, so Danielson came to the ring with Europe’s hit, much to the fan’s delight. This surprise was a wonderful moment in itself, and it only contribute to the special nature of the show.
Danielson’s clash with Okada was set to be a dream match that the wrestling world would remember for years, but it’s hard to say it lived up to the hype. The match quality was surely affected by the fact that Danielson seemingly suffered a fractured forearm in the final minutes, but that was revealed at the post-show scrum. In the moment, the ending felt somewhat abrupt, and it left the fans wanting more. As with Omega and Ospreay, there’s a general sense that the two stars will face each other again, and hopefully the rematch will deliver where this first encounter missed.
MJF Continues To Defy The Doubters
Hardcore AEW fans can easily point to multiple MJF matches as proof that he is an “elite” wrestler, He silenced many critics with his impressive showing in an Iron Man match against Bryan Danielson at AEW Revolution 2023. However, some doubters have continued to view MJF as a talker first and a wrestler second. A match with Hiroshi Tanahashi, the “ace” of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, was a fitting chance for MJF to prove himself in front of a partially new audience.
The match was an interesting choice for the opener, as the action wasn’t fast-paced or necessarily heart-pounding. Instead, MJF and Tanahashi wrestled a comparably slow, methodical contest that was reminiscent of past generations. In doing so, they successfully told the story of the match; MJF consistently showcased his disrespect for NJPW, complete with a robe that said “New Japan is an indie” on it, whereas Tanahashi was the foil, as he is often seen as the heart and soul of the company. MJF’s tainted win, which came when he hit Tanahashi with his diamond ring, was the latest notch on the champion’s belt and it helped build his credibility as a true world champion.
Heading into AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, at least one of the top two matches needed to deliver for the show to be a true success, apart from what wound up being a record-setting gate. That’s exactly what happened, as the war between Ospreay and Omega won’t soon be forgotten. Plus, Danielson using “The Final Countdown” was a surprise that vastly delighted the wrestling world, and the majority of the matches on the card were strong components to the loaded card.
Catch up on our coverage of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door here.
