AEW, NJPW to hold co-branded ‘Forbidden Door’ event in Chicago
PITTSBURGH — It appears that the rumor surrounding a working relationship between All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is now true.
During Wednesday’s broadcast of AEW Dynamite on TBS, AEW president Tony Khan made an announcement regarding an upcoming pay-per-view event. During the announcement, Khan introduced the audience to NJPW president Takami Ohbari. The announcement would be interrupted by two familiar faces in NJPW history, Adam Cole and Jay White, who actually made the announcement.
It was likely a cross-promotional show was in the works, especially as AEW programming recently made its debut on NJPW World. Now, it appears to be the case.
The two promotions will be presenting ‘AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door’ from Chicago’s United Center on Sunday, June 26. The show is expected to feature marquee matchups between members of both promotions’ rosters.
‘Forbidden Door’ manifests from epic planning from beyond
The show itself is a reflection of Khan’s business demeanor, working with all levels of professional wrestling. It has manifested in previous relationships with Impact, DDT, NWA, GCW, and more recently, Mission Pro Wrestling.
“As the world continues to reopen, I’m making sure the Forbidden Door follows suit,” stated Khan. “We can finally give fans the dream events they’ve always imagined.”
The United Center was home to one of AEW’s biggest events in promotion history. That event saw the return of CM Punk to pro wrestling since leaving the business in 2014.
“This summer, fans of AEW and NJPW can expect the unexpected during this extraordinary, first-of-its-kind pay-per-view between our two incredible companies,” Khan adds.
“As we have done for more than 50 years, the power of pro-wrestling can energize people by fulfilling their dreams,” said Ohbari. “Now, it’s quite an important mission for us, the pro-wrestling industry as a whole.”
“We are not only opening this door,” Ohbari continued. “We will show you NJPW’s genuine Strong-Style beyond the Forbidden Door.”
The announcement further opens the Forbidden Door, especially as Khan acquired Ring of Honor Wrestling just over a month ago. Khan produced the Supercard of Honor show in Dallas, Tex., featuring some title changes.
When tickets for ‘AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door’ are available
A press release Wednesday reveals how soon tickets will be available for the event, and it’s coming quickly. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, May 6 at 11 a.m. Eastern at AEWTix.com and Ticketmaster.
Watching the PPV
‘Forbidden Door’ will be available on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada via Bleacher Report or through their local cable or satellite provider. English and Spanish commentary will be available for the broadcast.
Internationally, the PPV will be available through FITE. Meanwhile, fans in Japan can catch the show on NJPW World with live Japanese commentary.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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