AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door Was Pro Wrestling At Its Best
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"God, this is so much fun!" That was the genuine reaction from Tony Schiavone during an incredibly fun trios match. That sentiment would aptly describe the entirety of AEW and NJPW's inter-promotional PPV, Forbidden Door.Since AEW's emergence, pro-wrestling fans have been salivating at the prospect of a super card with New Japan Pro Wrestling. While injuries may have kept several top stars sidelined, the show delivered what was expected and more. Much more. AEW and NJPW produced one of the most memorable and well-executed PPVs of the last decade. Excellent match quality, great surprises, and expert pacing rounded out the outstanding show.Forbidden Door was a pedal-to-the-metal celebration of pro-wrestling and a love letter to its fans.RELATED: AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2022 Winners And Losers: Claudio Debuts, All-Atlantic And Interim Champions Crowned
The Fans Were Electric For AEW & NJPW
Despite the PPV taking place in the United States, the New Japan stars got some of the loudest reactions on the night. From Clark Connors' miraculous hope spots to Kazuchika Okada's deafening pop to the tear-inducing "Go Ace" chants for a rallying Tanahashi, the fans were ecstatic to see Japan's best at work.
The Chicago crowd did not choose sides between AEW and New Japan. They sided with excellent work. When excellence presented itself (and it did quite often on this show), the capacity crowd reciprocated that effort.
The main event started over three hours into the show (four hours if you count the Buy-In). Early in the match, Moxley and Tanahashi exchanged headlocks. Still, the United Center crowd was as active and energetic as they were for the thrilling opening contest, which is a testament to the tremendous work of Forbidden Door.
The Rotating Commentary Team Kept Forbidden Door Fresh
One of the most beautiful elements of the Forbidden Door broadcast was the use of the commentary team. AEW's Excalibur and Taz teamed with New Japan's Kevin Kelly for the duration of the PPV. The one-two punch of Excalibur and Kelly was like getting a wrestling history lesson for each match. Taz added the perfect amount of color and humor to the trio.
A fourth commentator was added throughout the show - tipping a hat to the pro wrestling world and its rich history. Caprice Coleman joined the squad for the Ring Of Honor / IWGP Tag Team Championship match. Tony Schiavone was on the call for the party trios match. He earned his paycheck, delivering his "It's Stiiiiiiing!" line as the 63-year-old legend leaped off the entrance tunnel. Finally, the voice of wrestling, Jim Ross, donned the headset for the final four matches, injecting even more of a main event feel than the matches already had.
What was so enjoyable about the rotating commentary team was not how respectful and thoughtful it was but how each member seemed to be having the time of their life.
Both AEW and NJPW Looked Strong At Forbidden Door
Early into the show, it was clear that there'd be no need to keep score for Forbidden Door. Which promotion was better? Which promotion got more wins? Which promotion had the more impressive outing? These questions were inconsequential as both AEW and New Japan looked tremendous.
The wrestlers fed off each other's masterful performances; they lifted each other up and executed some of the most dramatic matches we've seen all year. Each promotion's talent got big wins and pinfalls. More importantly, every wrestler on the card looked like they belonged on the biggest show of the year.
AEW fans unfamiliar with New Japan got a fantastic taste of the high level of work that promotion sees every week. The same could be said for New Japan fans who aren't weekly AEW viewers. These promotions worked together to scratch each other's backs (when they weren't raking each other's backs).
RELATED: AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door: Every Match Ranked From Worst To BestIt's no secret that the work in New Japan aided and inspired Tony Khan to open his checkbook and initiate the birth of AEW. Three years later, the two promotions collaborated to deliver a sensational wrestling event.
For the fans in attendance and the fans at home, it was evident that they were watching something extraordinary. A unique experience that not only delivered on high expectations but also teased what's to come for both promotions. It's scary to analyze how incredible this show was without stars like Kenny Omega, CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, KENTA, Tomohiro Ishii, and Naito (to name a few). The number of dream matches still left on the table for future inter-promotional events is countless.
This was a masterclass in what inter-promotional PPVs should look like. Thankfully, it seems like this won't be the last.
