AEW Forbidden Door
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AEW Forbidden Door is this weekend, and it’s stacked with championship matches and elite talent. With so much on the line and various talent from around the world, these match previews will answer all prediction questions. Final card as of August 22, 2025, 4:00 am Eastern.
AEW World Championship: Hangman Page vs. MJF – Title changes hands on DQ or countout
After a brief and unnecessary stint with The Hurt Syndicate, MJF is back in the title picture. There is the added stipulation that the title may still change hands on countout or DQ, so that will surely come into play. While the challenger isn’t one to deliver the blood messes of the champion’s recent rivalries, he always has an interesting heel-antic to win. Both men have been booked strongly lately, so there’s sure to be more than just a wrestling match. Page recently turned babyface to win the championship, so it’s way too quick to drop it. MJF is now in bad standing with THS, so look for them to get involved in the finish, helping Hangman retain.
Lights Out Steel Cage Match At Forbidden Door: Ospreay, Allin, Tanahashi & Golden Lovers v Young Bucks, Moxley, Castagnoli & Kidd
It’s hard to be negative about a steel cage match involving such high-calibre talent, but the story feels empty. In a PPV stacked full of championship storylines, this feels like just finding something for these guys to do. If fans can get over the lack of depth, the match is going to be insane. Every entrant has proven both their technical abilities, along a willingness to go extreme. The Young Bucks recently lost their jobs in upper management, and Moxley recently dropped the championship. It’s most logical for them to keep giving back. Look for one of the Bucks to get pinned in an exhilarating showing. It’s likely to be Ospreay, who may miss time after this for surgery.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match At Forbidden Door: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Nigel McGuinness
Here’s another that does not need to be on the card. One can understand the desire to showcase the biggest championship in Japan, but it’s being defended against someone, while important in wrestling history, certainly not the most exciting talent today. With no backstory outside of McGuinness winning the four-way match to earn this opportunity, the booking feels shallow. Zack Sabre Jr. is an elite talent and is expected to retain his championship.
AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland At Forbidden Door
After Strickland played his part in causing The Young Bucks to lose their management jobs, their good friend Okada is now seeking revenge. This will be a pleasant break from the recent bloodbaths Swerve has delivered, but it’s not going to lack any of the physicality. This should have the stiff work to please the old-school, and amazing high spots for those so inclined. It would be a strange decision to have Okada lose the championship in the first match after its unification, but they will seek a way to protect Strickland in the loss.
AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Hurt Syndicate vs. FTR vs. Brodido
The Hurt Syndicate is one of the few examples of ex-WWE talent getting over further in AEW. FTR and Brodido battled to a draw on Dynamite, in a match full of intensity and top-tier false finishes. As a result, both teams won the title shot. It’s nice to see Bandido and Brody King getting more of a spotlight, but it’s hard to imagine them winning the titles from two long-term, distinguished tag teams. While a great match is expected, there isn’t enough of a build-up for a title drop – Take THS to pin a member of Brodido.
AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm vs. Athena
If AEW wants to do something refreshing, this needs to go to Athena. The company booked her on a historic ROH run, really investing time to build her as “The Forever Champion.” The Toni Storm gimmick has run its course, with the over-the-top theatrics never including further character development. It’s tough to choose between the company’s top female draw and the talent they have invested so much time in building up. There’s no other woman on the roster with the amount of hard work and success that could legitimately contend for Storm’s title. It’s time for a change – it’s time for The Fallen Goddess.
AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persphone vs. Bozilla
Mone has a challenger from three different promotions, which is the easiest prediction of the evening. The modern-day female Hulk Hogan won’t drop her title that she has creative control over, especially not to one of the two outside promotions.
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Fletcher has looked sharp lately using the more aggressive heel persona. After joining Don Callis and a rivalry with Will Ospreay, he’s now in the enviable position of TNT Champion. He welcomed the best from Japan to challenge him at Forbidden Door, and Takahashi answered the call. This is another match where it seems obvious that the championship isn’t leaving its home promotion. He has the advantage of his faction to help in the finish.
Cope & Christian Cage vs. Kip Sabian & Luchasaurus
After losing all of his aura and a few failed storylines, Cope is now begging for relevancy through Christian Cage, who has re-flourished his career in AEW. A tag match against Cage’s old faction-mates doesn’t have room on such a stacked card, and the match isn’t going to have anything you wouldn’t see on Dynamite. Fans are already wondering what’s next for Cope and Cage after this victory.
AEW tends to put talent you want to watch on overfilled cards. Fans want to see them all, but at a certain point, there’s only so much emotional depth to invest.
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