Quick Read
- AEW Forbidden Door 2025 brought AEW and NJPW stars together for a historic event at London’s O2 Arena.
- The Opps retained their AEW World Trios Championships during the Zero Hour pre-show.
- Adam Page successfully defended his AEW World Championship against MJF in the main event.
- Toni Storm retained the AEW Women’s World Championship, defeating Athena in a hard-fought match.
- Kazuchika Okada and Zack Sabre Jr. retained their respective titles in thrilling bouts.
The wrestling world converged on London’s O2 Arena on August 24, 2025, for the highly anticipated AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 event. This fourth installment of the annual crossover extravaganza brought together top talents from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) for a night of thrilling contests, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments.
The Zero Hour Spectacle
The evening kicked off with the “Zero Hour” pre-show, setting the tone for the night’s action-packed festivities. The AEW World Trios Champions, The Opps—comprising Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs—successfully defended their titles against Bullet Club War Dogs members Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, and Robbie X. In a high-paced 10-minute bout, The Opps showcased their dominance, with Joe pinning Robbie X after a devastating Muscle Buster.
Other Zero Hour highlights included Megan Bayne and The Triangle of Madness securing a victory against a team led by Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, further intensifying the ongoing tension between Statlander and Nightingale. Additionally, a standout six-man tag match saw Ricochet and the Gates of Agony outmaneuver Michael Oku, Kevin Knight, and Mike Bailey, with Ricochet delivering a decisive Sprit Gun to Oku. NJPW’s Yuya Uemura and El Desperado also teamed up with Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong to triumph over Action Andretti, Lio Rush, Hechicero, and Josh Alexander.
Main Card Highlights: Championships on the Line
The main card delivered on its promise of championship drama. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage reunited for a tag team match against Kip Sabian and Killswitch, earning a decisive victory to the delight of the UK crowd. Meanwhile, Kyle Fletcher retained his TNT Championship in a fierce contest against Hiromu Takahashi, capped off with Fletcher’s signature Brainbuster.
Mercedes Moné defended her TBS Championship in a four-way match against Persephone, Bozilla, and Alex Windsor. The match highlighted Bozilla’s breakout performance, but it was Moné who secured the win with a hurricanrana reversal. In another marquee bout, Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Nigel McGuinness to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, showcasing a masterclass in technical wrestling that culminated in a show of mutual respect between the competitors.
The AEW World Tag Team Championships changed hands in a chaotic three-way elimination match. Bandido and Brody King emerged victorious over FTR and The Hurt Syndicate, with Bandido pinning Dax Harwood to seal the win after an unexpected attack on The Hurt Syndicate by Ricochet and Gates of Agony.
High Stakes and Emotional Clashes
The AEW Women’s World Championship was fiercely contested as Toni Storm defended her title against Athena. Despite Athena’s confidence and aggressive strategy, Storm retained her championship by forcing Athena into submission, proving her dominance in the division.
In one of the night’s most heated rivalries, Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW Unified Championship against Swerve Strickland. The bout ended with Okada delivering his signature Rainmaker, followed by a brutal post-match assault on Strickland’s knee. The attack was interrupted by a returning Wardlow, who joined forces with the Don Callis Family, setting the stage for future confrontations.
The main event saw Adam Page defend his AEW World Championship against MJF in a match rife with mind games and underhanded tactics. Despite MJF’s attempts to bend the rules, including using his diamond ring, Page emerged victorious with a Dead Eye and Buckshot Lariat combination, solidifying his reign as champion.
A Night to Remember
The O2 Arena witnessed a historic night, with AEW Forbidden Door 2025 breaking attendance records and delivering a series of matches that left fans in awe. From title defenses to emotional reunions and shocking betrayals, the event showcased the best of AEW and NJPW’s talent.
As the forbidden door continues to swing open, fans can only anticipate what the future holds for this groundbreaking collaboration in professional wrestling.