Forbidden Door is in the bag and wowed millions, but Tony Khan and Takmi Ohbari have already started to look before Forbidden Door 2.
The showcase of AEW and NJPW pitted both companies top stars against each other, with dream matches like Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy the highlights of a jam packed show.
With Tony Khan revealing the event grossed over $6 million, there looks likely to be sequel to one of the most anticipated wrestling pay per views in years. AEW’s relationship with New Japan seems stronger than ever and there is no doubt going to be more crossover event some time in the future.
Despite the huge number of dream matches, which included a fantastic debut for Claudio Castagnoli against Zack Sabre Jr, there are still untold bouts that could take place to make Forbidden Door 2 even bigger than the first.
Both presidents of AEW and NJPW seem to agree on this fact, according to recent interviews…
Forbidden Door 2
Speaking to Tokyo Sports about the hugely successful Forbidden Door show, NJPW President Takami Ohbari spoke the potential of a second Forbidden Door event. He spoke about the wrestlers (or fighters as he calls them) who missed out, and some of the dream matches that were not made possible.
He stressed that Forbidden Door 2 should take place in Japan, given that it is the 50th Anniversary of New Japan Pro Wrestling. It would be fitting for the wrestling world to come together for the golden anniversary of one of the best wrestling promotions to ever appear.
In the interview about Forbidden Door 2, Ohbari said;
“There are still fighters and cards I would like to see. I would like to see a continuation of this event.”
“I think there is a need to see this event in Japan. The 50th anniversary year is a good opportunity to make that happen. I think there are fighters [from AEW] who would like to compete in front of Japanese fans.”
While the first Forbidden Door took place in Chicago in the United States, it gained a huge audience from both the US, Japan and worldwide. It was broadcast on New Japan World in Japan, getting some fans a glimpse of the top AEW wrestlers for the first time in their history.
This has gained many new fans for both AEW and NJPW. The dream matches had everyone intrigued about the other company and there has been rampant speculation on the card for the 2023 Forbidden Door.
Forbidden Door Matches
For Forbidden Door 2023, many matches have been speculated for the return leg to Japan.
The most wanted match is Bryan Danielson vs Kazuchika Okada, which was impossible this year both due to injury and Danielson originally being booked in another dream match against technical wizard Zack Sabre Jr.
Zack Sabre Jr instead faced off against a debuting Claudio Castagnoli (previously Cesaro), as a last minute replacement for Danielson. While Forbidden Door 2 could see Danielson vs Okada, it’s much more likely to have the originally planned match against Zack Sabre Jr on the card.
Other matches that were booked but didn’t take place include the AEW Championship match between CM Punk and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Two icons of the sport finally clashing is a huge match and would be a welcome addition to the show.
Kenny Omega was absent for Forbidden Door, but is likely to have returned by the sequel and take on Bullet Club leader Jay White. The two clashed in New Japan in 2018 but a rematch would be even bigger and better now if booked for Forbidden Door 2.
We have analysed other matches for Forbidden Door 2, which you can read about by clicking this link.
