AEW Forbidden Door (2024) Rundown

 Alright, what a freaking PPV, am I right?? Just a little downer.. I did not watch the Zero Hour but tried to keep up with the winners. Last night was pretty wild trying to get the little one down for bed, so Zero Hour just wasn't in our schedule this go around. Regardless, that did not stop us from watching the main show. We have a lot to get into... so let's go!

-MJF vs Hechicero

I didn't expect this match to be first, but in a way I can understand why. I also didn't expect this match to be this good. I felt it was a very good way to not only showcase Hechicero in AEW but was a great way to bring back MJF into the wrestling fold. A good bit of the match, MJF got his ass kicked. I won't lie when I say I was a little worried, however in the end MJF hit Hechicero with a beautiful brain buster.. getting the win. I am pretty excited to see how this goes from now on, will there be more of a battle with Will? What about Danny? This makes me seriously excited for Wednesday.

-The Acclaimed and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs The Young Bucks and Okada

I don't know about anyone else, but I was really looking forward to this match. The way it has been building for weeks has been so great, and felt this match really delivered. I was relieved to hear Max rapping again, and did he just snap there at the end? Because we were rolling.The match was pretty good, and did give the indication at some points that The Acclaimed were going to actually win this. However, it just wasn't good enough and The Bucks/Okada take this win. 

-Owen Hard Men's Quarterfinal: Bryan Danielson vs Shingo Takagi

Did this match scare the shit out of everyone else? Because I was on the edge of my seat like, the entire time. When Takagi put Danielson on his head, the way I gasped. Regardless, the entire match was grueling and was very hard hitting. In the end, it was Bryan that got the win moving on to the next round. Did anyone else see Takagi tap? Or did he pass out? I wasn't sure what exactly happened in the end, seeing that it was a submission hold that ended the match. 

-AEW World Women's Championship: Toni Storm vs Mina Shirakawa 

I was DYING during this match. First of all, Toni made her entrance and it was great. Let's not sleep on Mina either.. her entrance was beautiful. May was in the ring already, ready to give the ladies their flowers at the start of the match. From what I am told, this is a Japanese tradition during a title match. I believe Excalibur mentioned this as well. I thought this match was very well done, seeing the back and forth relationship of May with Toni and Mina. In the end, Toni delivered a Storm Zero getting the win over Mina. After the match was done, there was a handshake and in Toni/Mina/May fashion.. there was a 3 way kiss to seal the deal. I've been told recently that Mina has not be signed on to do anything else with AEW in the near future but really hope that changes. I'd love to see her more often. 

-Orange Cassidy vs Zack Sabre Jr

I have been HYPE for this match since the moment it was announced. And it DELIVERED. This had to be one of the most "on the edge" situations when it came to Orange. The match itself was very technical and gave a major importance to Orange winning this match. This comes from the last few matches Orange has had, and his change in character after losing almost everyone in his friend circle. Sadly, it just wasn't good enough and ZSJ did take the win. What is next for Orange? Will we be seeing another change? Will Orange finally snap and become heel?

-Samoa Joe, Shibata, Hook vs Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Jeff Cobb

It is no secret that I cannot STAND "the learning tree" character. Seriously, I would rather hear grandpa eat a nectarine for 5 hours than listen to Chris say "hey guys" one more time. Regardless, he does it so well. This match was not my favorite for a couple of reasons.. and the crowd... oh my. The crowd did NOT like the learning tree gimmick and let Chris know. You could hear chants of: "please retire", "you still got it" followed by "no you don't". In the end, Hook hit Chris with the Judas Effect and got the pin for the win. I thought that was great and thought the right team won. You could hear Taz say, "he beat homeboy with his own move" which was hilarious. You can tell how proud he is, for sure. 

-Ladder Match for NEW TNT Champion 

Ladder matches are not my favorite thing. I don't know why exactly, but they just scare me half to death. I think I am also traumatized from the last one with Dante. Can we all agree that Mark is insane? Because my God. It wasn't a major surprise that Jack Perry won, I mean come on. I almost would have rather just give it to him. Now we have all gold in The Elite. Is it my favorite? Nope, not at all. I feel it's the same vibe as that horrible time in WWE. I really hope and pray that this changes soon but to have all gold on one faction just isn't it. Okada has defended maybe once? I just don't agree with this booking at the moment, but regardless the story telling is interesting. 

-Title For Title: Mercedes Mone vs Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer took me by surprise. Seriously, she is hard hitting, quick, and very good! I enjoyed this match very much, and you could tell that what was at stake. I don't know much about her relationship with AEW or if she has any other plans but I am praying she will be coming back. I feel Vequer could really do good things in AEW. In the end, Steph tapped out to the Bank Statement. But that wasn't the end, oh no. As Mone celebrated, her music ended a few moments in. And what came next, made the whole damn place come unglued. That is when Dr Britt Baker, DMD made her return to AEW. That is right! Let me tell you, we were screaming. Britt Baker is my husband's favorite and has been DYING for her to come back. I felt this was a major surprise for everyone and cannot wait to see what is next for her. All we are missing now is Jamie! 

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxly vs Tetsuya Naito

This might not be popular, but here we go. This match did not deliver for me. It was a little odd to me, and something just felt off. By the end, I honestly felt that Mox won it back for the single reason of having the title change again at Forbidden Door. Maybe I am reading into it wrong, but for me.. very hard pass. 

 -AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland vs Will Ospreay

This match... good God. I felt this match very well delivered after the weeks of build up. It was hard hitting, and at certain moments quick and technical. However, we knew that Don Callis would show his snake self. He did his best to get Will to cheat via screwdriver, however that did not work. Within the same time, he also didn't use his devastating Tiger Driver 91. Sadly, it just wasn't good enough and Swerve capitalized taking the win to retain his title. The crowd was RED HOT during this match, and felt it was very well done. I did think it was beautiful with Swerve showing his respect to Will. Both men did a great job. 

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Overall this PPV was pretty damn good. I enjoyed it and felt it was very much worth the money. There is A LOT coming out of it, and feel it will be addressed coming in to Wednesday night. Who knows, I feel we are in for a couple of surprises as well. 

Rating: 8.5/10