This Sunday, AEW and NJPW will produce the fourth annual “Forbidden Door” pay-per-view, emanating from the O2 Arena in London.
The event has customarily presented both companies with an opportunity to promote never before seen dream matches. While there are more interpromotional AEW matches than ever before, NJPW has lent stalwarts like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiromu Takahashi and even the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr. NJPW has also enlisted help from its sister promotion, STARDOM—bringing Bozilla into the fold for Mercedes Mone’s fatal-fourway match for the TBS Championship.
So, without further ado, here’s Ramblin’ Ray’s Gamblin’ Guide to “Forbidden Door.”
(Betting odds courtesy of BetOnline)
AEW World Tag Team Championship
The Hurt Syndicate vs. FTR vs. Brodido
There are no betting odds available for this match, which is unfortunate—because this is one of the most fascinating matches on the entire card. Backstage reports have disparaged MVP and The Hurt Syndicate for their unwillingness to drop the titles to FTR, among other opponents like JetSpeed. Did Tony Khan introduce Brodido into the fold to force the tag team champions to capitulate or to obfuscate the preconceived outcome? Personally, I don’t understand why Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler need the AEW World Tag Team Championships to feud Adam Copeland & Christian Cage down the road. Nonetheless, that seems to be where we’re heading.
WINNER: FTR
TBS Championship
Mercedes Mone [c] (-1500) vs. Persephone (+700) vs. Alex Windsor (+700) vs. Mayu Iwatani (+750)
Yes, you read the betting line correctly. Mayu Iwatani signed a contract with Marigold within the past week, so she certainly won’t be appearing in this contest. With that said, Mercedes Mone’s victory seems preordained. While Alex Windsor, Persephone and Bozilla are all fine competitors, overwhelming odds on favorites are rarely upset in professional wrestling. I believe “Nine Belts” Mone with all of her championships intact.
WINNER: Mercedes Mone
AEW Unified Championship
Kazuchika Okada [c] (-700) vs. Swerve Strickland (+400)
This Sunday, “The Rainmaker” will defend his AEW Unified Championship against former AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland—in one of the most highly anticipated contests of the afternoon. Kazuchika Okada is the longest reigning champion in AEW history and I don’t think that reign will be broken on Sunday. While this may be Okada’s greatest challenge yet, Strickland is still the underdog according to the odds.
WINNER: Kazuchika Okada
AEW Women’s World Championship
“Timeless” Toni Storm [c] (-600) vs. Athena (+350)
In professional wrestling, these are the kind of betting lines that denote a truly competitive matchup. While “Timeless” Toni Storm is the one, true ace of the women’s division—Athena has proven herself as a truly unstoppable force, holding the ROH Women’s World Championship for nearly 1,000 days. If I were to endorse any upset this afternoon, I would pick Athena. Still, my money is on Storm. This women’s division seems rudderless at times, but it’s guided by the north star that is Toni Storm.
WINNER: “Timeless” Toni Storm
Tag Team Match
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (-2000) vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian (+700)
The betting line does not reflect the addition of Luchasaurus, in lieu of Nick Wayne. If they did, would it dramatically affect the odds, here? Probably not. After all, this is the return of one of the greatest tag teams in pro-wrestling history, Adam Copeland & Christian Cage. I have a feeling that this will be a triumphant return for the duo.
WINNER: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
TNT Championship
Kyle Fletcher [c] (-3000) vs. Hiromu Takahashi (+900)
Hiromu Takahashi is a legendary junior heavyweight pro-wrestler, who delivered some of the most spectacularly junior heavyweight style matches of the past 20 years. Kyle Fletcher is no junior heavyweight, though. He’s one of the fastest rising stars in all of professional wrestling. And, on Sunday afternoon, he’s poised to make his second successful title defense. Watch out, though. This pairing has the potential to steal the entire show.
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher
Lights Out Steel Cage Match
Team Ospreay (-320) vs. Team Moxley (+210)
My excitement for this match is bordering on morbid curiosity. Will Ospreay needs neck surgery. Kenny Omega has been absent due to injuries. Both Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi’s careers have been derailed by debilitating injuries. Oddly enough, it’s Darby Allin who is the healthiest of the bunch. Together, they’ll join forces to face Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks—in what may prove to be this year’s answer to “Blood & Guts.”
While Ospreay and company may be the favored team, the margins are thin. I’m inclined to bet on the babyfaces though. This is a veritable dream team, featuring four of the most incendiary performers in NJPW history—as well as AEW’s resident daredevil.
WINNER: Team Ospreay
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Zack Sabre Jr. [c] (-5000) vs. Nigel McGuinness (+1200)
This is the sort of unprecedented dream match scenario that “Forbidden Door” was created for. Zack Sabre Jr. and Nigel McGuinness are both legendary British wrestlers. They’re also two of the most technically sublime wrestlers of the 21st century. However, this will be their first singles encounter. For Sabre, this is assuredly a dream encounter. Throw the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the mix and you have a recipe for success. That said, McGuinness doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. Long live the front man.
WINNER: Zack Sabre Jr.
AEW World Championship
“Hangman” Adam Page [c] (-1000) vs. MJF (+550)
On Sunday afternoon, two of the sport’s most promising young stars—”Hangman” Adam Page and MJF—will battle for the most prestigious prize in all of professional wrestling. This is their second singles encounter in 2025. Their first was at “Revolution” in March, where Page was triumphant. The champion will have his work cut out for him this time, though. Not only has MJF coerced Page into accepting this match, but he can still execute his Casino Gauntlet contract at a moment’s notice. I find it hard to believe that Page will lose the AEW World Championship, less six weeks removed from his victory at “All In: Texas.” It’s time for AEW to give the “Hangman” his due.
WINNER: “Hangman” Adam Page
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