It’s finally here, people. AEW and NJPW met for the first time on PPV, and there were so many amazing matches on paper. They’re far too many matches to run through tonight, but with the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Will Ospreay, Bullet Club, and Hiroshi Tanahashi on the card, we were in for a treat. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Quick Results

Pre-Show

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi defeated QT Marshall & Aaron Solo via pinfall.
Lance Archer defeated Nick Comoroto via pinfall.
Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland defeated El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru via pinfall.
Billy Gunn & Max Caster defeated Alex Coughlin, The DKC, Yuya Uemura & Kevin Knight via pinfall.

Main Show

The Matches

This match was always going to be brutal, but it was Yuta who started off the beatings by destroying Jericho with multiple German suplexes. It was barely two minutes until the action spilled to the outside, where all six men started brawling. Back in the ring, Guevara hit a dropkick on Yuta after a brief assault from Kingston. Umino tagged in, and was hit with multiple chops from Jericho, however, he fought back and tagged in the Mad Dog. Being the coward he is, Jericho tagged in Suzuki who stood toe-to-toe with Kingston. The chops started to fly from both men, but Suzuki was able to come out on top. The Wizard returned to the ring where Kingston landed a ton of chops, but Suzuki was able to break the momentum with an over-the-ropes armbar. Suzuki then took it to Kingston as Guevara tagged in, but Kingston nailed an Exploder suplex. Umino assaulted Guevara with a basement European uppercut, then took out Suzuki as well. He almost got the win with a Fishermen’s suplex, but Jericho broke up the pin, only to get wiped out with a cannonball off the apron. Guevara hit a shooting star press on Umino on the outside, followed by Yuta with a Tope Con Hilo and Kingston with a Tope Suicida to ringside. Suzuki teased some high flying, but simply knocked Umino to the mat. Guevara caught Yuta with a Spanish Fly as Kingston hit him with a back elbow. Kingston knocked Suzuki with a back fist as the action erupted into chaos. Jericho hit the Codebreaker on Umino, but he was able to kick out. He then drove his knees into the side of Umino’s head and went up top, but Umino connected with a top rope powerslam. Jericho went for the Lionsault on Umino, but Kingston hit him in the face, almost leading to a pinfall. Guevara hit Umino with the bat which almost saw Jericho capitalise with Judas Effect, but Umino landed a spinning DDT for a two-count. He locked in the Walls of Jericho on him as Guevara tried to superkick him out of it. Suzuki landed a Gotch-style Piledriver on Kingston as Guevara and Suzuki got taken out by Umino. Unfortunately, Jericho hit him with Judas Effect for the win. What an amazing match to kick off the night, but gutted for Umino.

ROH World & IWGP Tag Team Championship Winner Takes All Triple Threat Match: Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero) vs United Empire (Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan) (C) vs FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (C)

There’s so much quality in this much, it’s ridiculous. Ignoring the two championship teams, Beretta and Romero are equally impressive, and thankfully, not a second of the match dragged. The early stages were spent with each team getting used to each other, but the IWGP champs ended up asserting their dominance. O-Khan used his strength to beat the hell out of Wheeler as Cobb did the same, keeping him away from Harwood. He spun Wheeler into a sidewalk slam as O’Khan re-joined the action. With Harwood out of the ring, he tagged in Beretta who was able to gain some momentum with a spinning DDT on O-Khan. United Empire got back in control, but Romero was able to help his friend, giving Roppongi Vice some time on top. Wheeler tagged himself in and hit uppercuts and chops on United Empire until they took him out with a double-team move. Wheeler showed a ton of heart and fought back as Harwood returned to the match after seeking medical attention for his shoulder. He destroyed UE with multiple blows, followed by a lariat on O-Khan and multiple German suplexes on Cobb. Beretta and Harwood landed a double suplex off the top turnbuckle on Cobb as Wheeler landed a frog splash, but he kicked out. Romero assisted Wheeler with a spike piledriver off the top turnbuckle. Roppongi Vice hit stereo rising knee strikes on Cobb, but he was able to powerbomb Beretta. Cobb landed a standing moonsault on Romero, followed by the chokeslam and German suplex combo for a two-count. Roppongi Vice almost won with Strong Zero, but the pin got broken up. FTR then hit Big Rig on Romero to become IWGP Tag Team Champions as well as ROH World Tag Team Champions. Bravo, FTR. Easily the greatest team in the world right now.

All four of these guys were excellent, but it’s hard not to be consistently impressed by Miro. He showed off his power by destroying Connors in the early stages. PAC got taken out by Black after he evaded a top rope powerbomb. Both Miro and Connors tried to take out Black, but he was able to stop them both. PAC went for a diving crossbody, but Miro caught him and hit a fallaway slam. Connors once again tried to take out Miro, but he took every hit until he just threw him to the mat. Miro teamed up with Black to attack PAC on the mat, but they ended up going at it instead, trading blows in the centre of the ring. PAC hit a powerful superkick on Miro, then sent Connors over the rope, followed by a spinning flip on Malaki over the opposite side of the ring. PAC was flying, hitting a shotgun dropkick on Miro and a German suplex on Black. Black was able to get a bit of momentum, then headed for a table underneath the ring. He almost put Miro through it, but the beast was able to stop it from happening. PAC flew over the ropes, but Miro caught him. He tried to put PAC through the table and failed, just as Connors came from nowhere to spear Miro through it. Connors took out Black and PAC. He hit the Trophy Kill on PAC, but Black broke up the pin. PAC kicked Connors to the mat and went for the Black Arrow, but Black knocked his feet off. Miro then powerbombed Connors who was holding PAC and Black on the top turnbuckle. He booted PAC and locked in Game Over, but Black came in and sprayed him with Black Mist. Black then locked in an arm bar on Connors as PAC flew from the top rope into Black and locked in the Brutaliser on Connors to become the first-ever All-Atlantic Champion in AEW. So happy for PAC. It’s been a while since he had gold around his waist, but he’s finally done it. I just hope it doesn’t become a joke like the TNT Championship.

Dudes With Attitudes (Shingo Takagi, Darby Allin, & Sting) vs El Phantasmo & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) W/ Hikuleo

As The Bullet Club and The Young Bucks made their entrance, the lights went out and Sting appeared high up in the rafters. Seconds later, he dove off the face tunnel onto all four opponents. When the bell rang, Takagi and Sting took it in turns to elbow drop El Phantasmo. Allin entered the match but got stomped off Matt’s shoulders by Nick. Phantasmo and Matt showed off their athleticism against Allin, both being arrogant in the process. Allin finally tagged in Takagi who took out the Bucks with some big strikes and running splashes in the corner. He hit a twisting snap suplex on Nick Jackson, and after getting caught with a corkscrew kick, he landed a Death Valley Driver. Sting tagged in and took everyone out. Phantasmo and Matt got hit with Stinger Splashes. It all went crazy after Phantasmo broke up a Scorpion Death Lock attempt. Allin went for a Coffin Drop, but Matt got his knees up. Phantasmo hit Thunder Kiss on Allin, but Takagi broke up the pin. The Bucks took out Sting and Allin with Tope Suicida’s as Phantasmo landed a moonsault over the ropes. Sting got taken out by a triple superkick, but he dodged a BTE Trigger to double DDT the Bucks. Sting booted Phantasmo in the groin as Allin landed a Coffin Drop off the top turnbuckle to Hikuleo outside. Takagi landed a ton of blows on Phantasmo followed by his signature lariat, but only got a two-count. He then hit Last of the Dragon to pick up the win. A really entertaining match, and was so cool to see Takagi team up with Allin and Sting.

AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Toni Storm vs Thunder Rosa (C)

This was a slow starter, with both women being calculated in their attacks. They traded some big strikes until Rosa hit a stunner and a corner clothesline and some driving knees into Storm’s chest. Rosa continued to beat down Storm with some high-impact moves. Outside the ring, Rosa landed a Northern Lights suplex. Storm was able to hit a German suplex on the apron and a spinning DDT onto the mat outside the ring. Back in the ring, Storm hit a hip attack and another DDT for a two-count. Rosa was able to land a Death Valley Driver and a Fire Thunder Driver, but Storm managed to kick out. Storm hit a German suplex, but couldn’t connect with Storm Zero. Rosa landed the Final Reckoning to pick up the win. A balanced match with little excitement, just some solid moves. In no way a bad match, but it didn’t really do much for me.

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match: Orange Cassidy vs Will Ospreay (C) W/ Aussie Open

Cassidy evaded Ospreay’s attacks in the beginning, but Billy GOAT was able to punish Cassidy with a big boot for mocking him. Ospreay ran around the ring and launched himself into Cassidy with the help of Aussie Open right into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Ospreay punished Cassidy. He connected with a spinning backbreaker for a two-count and then whipped him into the corner. Ospreay locked in an abdominal stretch while placing his hand in Cassidy’s pocket, pulling it out and flipping his middle finger at the crowd. Cassidy was able to smash Ospreay’s head into the corner and follow up with a diving crossbody but ended up getting kicked in the head following an impressive spin. Ospreay landed an elbow to the back of Cassidy’s head off the top turnbuckle and lined up the Hidden Blade, but Cassidy fell to the mat. Ospreay mockingly kicked Cassidy in the head multiple times before stomping on his head. Cassidy was able to land a dropkick after putting his hands in his pockets, leaving both men on the mat. He then did his little kicks into Ospreay’s face but followed up with a bunch of heavy ones. Ospreay hit a huge pump kick, but he missed the Oscutter. Cassidy hit Stundog Millionaire and a Michinoku driver for a two-count. Cassidy hit a DDT and a Tope Suicida then took out Aussie Open. He climbed the top turnbuckle and landed a DDT for a two-count. Ospreay connected with a Spanish Fly and a Cheeky Nandos, but Cassidy launched his head into the camera on one of the turnbuckles. Cassidy played possum, but Ospreay was able to hit a moonsault after missing, however, Cassidy ended up hitting Beach Break for a near win. Cassidy went for Orange Punch and missed, allowing Ospreay to hit an Oscutter, but couldn’t get the three-count. Cassidy dodged the Hidden Blade and reversed Stormbreaker, almost pinning Ospreay once again, but he finally connected with a Hidden Blade which Cassidy kicked out of. It was all over when Ospreay connected with Stormbreaker. This was easily the match of the evening. Ospreay consistently puts on incredible matches regardless of his opponents. He is an exceptional wrestler and heel, and, in my opinion, the best in the world right now. After the match, Aussie Open and Ospreay took out Cassidy, but Roppongi Vice ran out to make the save. Unfortunately, it didn’t work and they were sent outside. Katsuyori Shibata’s music hit and he took out Aussie Open, then pump-kicked Ospreay. He continued to beat the hell out of Ospreay until Aussie Open made the save. Oh, wow. What an amazing surprise. Cassidy put his sunglasses on Shibata as they both celebrated in the ring.

Zack Sabre Jr vs Claudio Castagnoli

About damn time. What an incredible reception for Claudio Castagnoli. He wasted no time, almost pinning Sabre Jr within a minute. He threw Sabre Jr into the guard rail and delivered a running European uppercut. Back in the ring, Sabre Jr applied pressure to Claudio’s arm, but he was able to land a delayed vertical suplex in response. Sabre Jr locked in a leg submission through the ropes, then one while hanging off the apron. He continued to show off his submission prowess in the ring by wrenching at Claudio’s arm and fingers, continuing to wear him down with a variety of other submissions. Claudio landed two huge backbreakers and a running European uppercut in the corner for a two-count. Claudio deadlifted Sabre Jr as he locked in a Juji Gatame, but they fell over the ropes with the move still locked in. Claudio carried Sabre Jr up the steps and slammed him into the ring, finally breaking the hold. Sabre Jr countered Claudio with a guillotine, but he was able to launch him into the turnbuckle. Claudio smashed Sabre Jr with another European uppercut on the top turnbuckle, then landed a gut-wrench powerbomb. Claudio hit multiple European uppercuts, and after a two-count, swung Sabre Jr in circles. Zack was able to lock in an ankle bar submission, but Claudio double-stomped his chest. Sabre Jr continued to apply submission after submission, however, Claudio wouldn’t tap. Sabre Jr hit some big kicks to Claudio’s chest, but the Swiss machine fought back and landed a pop-up uppercut and discus lariat, followed by a powerbomb for the win. It took a while for him to finally show up, but it’s so good to finally see him in an AEW ring.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way Match: Adam Cole vs “Hangman” Adam Page vs Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White (C)

Cole and White rolled out the ring, leaving Okada and Page to kick things off, but they both pulled them out of the ring and started to beat them up. Cole and White were at ringside refusing to fight, allowing Okada and Page to attack them. Hangman hit a Tope Suicida on Cole as White suplexed Okada onto the apron. Cole and White landed a double hanging vertical suplex on Hangman straight onto the ramp, and then teamed up on Okada. Cole hit a neckbreaker as White hit a couple of knife-edge chops. Hangman finally got into the match and landed diving crossbodies on Cole and White, then a diving clothesline on Cole off the top turnbuckle. Cole superkicked Hangman in the face as he went for a moonsault off the top turnbuckle as Okada launched a barrage of strikes on him and White. Outside the ring, Okada sent White over the guard rail, then did the same to Cole. Back in the ring, Okada locked in the Money Clip, but White broke it up and launched him with a Saito suplex. Hangman got in the ring and got flattened by White, but he countered the German suplex with a pin for two. Cole and White traded a Too Sweet, but then hit White with a backstabber and neckbreaker for a two-count. He missed the Boom as White was able to drop him with a side suplex. White locked in a sleeper, then landed a knife edge chop. He hit a sleeper suplex on Cole and Okada, then landed one on Hangman. Okada dropkicked Cole and Hangman landed a discuss lariat on Okada, leaving all three men on the mat. Okada traded blows with Cole as Hangman traded blows with Hangman. Hangman superkicked Okada then landed a sit-down powerbomb on White. He then landed an Orihara Moonsault on Cole and Okada at ringside before connecting with Dead Eye on White in the ring. He hit Buckshot Lariat on White, but Okada broke up the pin. Hangman and Okada went at it, but it was Hangman who got the upper hand. He was about to connect with a Buckshot, but Hangman pulled him off the apron. Okada countered Panama Sunrise and went up high to land an elbow drop. Cole dodged Rainmaker as Hangman attacked him. Cole superkicked Okada and only got a two-count. Okada connected with a picture-perfect dropkick and missed another Rainmaker, then superkicked Hangman off the apron. Okada hit another dropkick, followed by a Falcon Arrow. He missed a third Rainmaker as White came in and hit Blade Runner from out of nowhere to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It was a fun match, but nobody was going to beat White tonight.

Interim AEW World Championship Match: Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

It took a bit of time before one of these men gained an advantage, but Moxley was able to hit a double underhook off the turnbuckle, then a piledriver for a two-count. He locked in a Texas Cloverleaf, but Tanahashi grabbed the bottom rope. Ace was able to find some momentum with a senton off the top turnbuckle, but Mox clotheslined him over the ropes. He whipped Tanahashi into the guard rail and slammed him through the ring announcer’s table. Tanahashi got back in the ring, but Mox was right there with kicks to the chest and a Juji Gatame. Tanahashi broke out and delivered some double stomps to Mox, followed by a sling blade. I’m not sure how it happened, but Mox got busted wide open, with blood pouring heavily from his head. Tanahashi jumped off the top turnbuckle to land a crossbody to Mox on the outside. Back in the ring, Mox tried to hit a Paradigm Shift, but couldn’t. He tried again and nailed it, but Ace kicked out. Mox connected with multiple hammer and anvil elbows. Tanahashi got fired up and kneed Mox in the face and hit another diving crossbody. He climbed back up and hit the splash, but Mox kicked out and locked in the Bulldog Choke. Tanahashi broke out and went for a roll-up for two, and as Mox went for a sleeper, Ace almost pinned him. Mox hit a huge King Kong Lariat, but Tanahashi kicked out at one, only angering Mox who hit a ton of hammer and elbow strikes. He locked in another choke, but Tanahashi wouldn’t fade. Mox hit the Death Rider to pick up the victory and become the interim AEW World Champion. A great match to bookmark a phenomenal PPV. After the match, Jericho and Danny Garcia attacked both Moxley and Tanahashi until Kingston ran out and took out Jericho. The Blackpool Combat Club ran down with Ortiz and Santana, followed by the rest of the JAS. Claudio finally ran out to help even the odds as Regal made his way out. Claudio span Parker around the ring as the BCC stood tall alongside Santana and Ortiz.

Interesting developments at the conclusion of this main event here at the #ForbiddenDoor PPV; we'll see you all at #BloodAndGuts next Wednesday in Detroit!#AEWxNJPW pic.twitter.com/UqfjSUg3jy

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022

The Promos

Juice Robinson and Jay White were backstage with Tony Schiavone. Robinson talked about being the IWGP United States Champion, as White said he would walk out as the champion tonight.

Schiavone was trying to talk to Shota Umino as Angelo Parker and Matt Menard walked up to him and blew a fireball in his eyes.

Match of the Night: Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy

Best in Show: Will Ospreay

Overall Rating: ****½

All images and videos courtesy of AEW and NJPW