Scrapped AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 Plans Revealed

The original plans for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door called for more New Japan wrestlers to be on the card.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Callum Newman was originally set to challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW Continental Title at Forbidden Door. The match didn't happen, though, due to Newman suffering a dislocated shoulder at NJPW Dominion. Moxley instead defended the Continental Title at the June 28 pay-per-view against Bandido.

Shota Umino, meanwhile, was originally scheduled to defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Gabe Kidd at Forbidden Door, but those plans were switched to Umino vs. PAC due to visa issues for Kidd. That match will instead be taking place at NJPW's Road to G1 Climax event on July 6.

Tomohiro Ishii was also originally scheduled for Forbidden Door, with the assumption being he would have been a part of Team Briscoe in the Death's Door Steel Cage Match, as he is already a member of The Conglomeration. Ishii was written out of AEW several weeks ago due to a legitimate neck injury.

Across Forbidden Door, the only full-time NJPW wrestlers on the card were Shota Umino, Drilla Moloney, Zack Sabre Jr., and Shingo Takagi.

Another talent in Sareee was also planned for Forbidden Door, with the assumption being she would have reached the final of the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament. Sareee was not cleared to compete in the tournament, however, due to a neck injury and she was replaced by eventual finalist Maya World.