On August 24th, 2025, the Forbidden Door opens at The O2 arena in London, England, UK and fans around the world will enjoy some of the most hard-hitting action to come their way in a long time!
One evening, seven title defenses, one historic reunion and one Lights Out Steel Cage match, and that's barely scratching the surface of what Forbidden Door 2025 is all about.
Legends Adam Copeland and Christian Cage come back together in one of the most anticipated reunions in the sport's history. Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada, Zack Sabre Jr, Mercedes Mone, The Hurt Syndicate and Toni Storm will all put their titles on the line against some of the most dangerous competitors out there – Hiromu Takahashi, Swerve Strickland, Nigel McGuiness, Athena and many others will seek to make their dreams come true at any cost.
In the spotlight, the AEW World Championship will be on the line as Adam Page puts it all out there in his battle with MJF, who is at his most dangerous when his back is against the wall. This promises to be an explosive feud with huge implications between two of this generation's absolute best.
Then energy, emotion and everything else will culminate as The Death Riders, The Young Bucks and Gabe Kidd will have to face the consequences of their actions and enter a Lights Out Steel Cage match against Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Let's break down some of the most intense matches on the card and see exactly why this is one Pro Wrestling event fans cannot afford to miss.
The Reunion – Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
A long time in the making and the reunion that fans around the world have all been waiting for. One of the greatest Tag Teams in Pro Wrestling history returns, much to the delight of anyone who'd tune in throughout the 90s and early 00s. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage are finally back together and will be a sight to behold.
In a moment that had fans standing up from their seats during August 13th's AEW Dynamite, Christian Cage saved his former tag team partner and once best friend from a vicious attack by FTR. What would follow is a thing of beauty, as an emotional Adam Copeland gave his old friend a hug inside the ring.
At Forbidden Door 2025, their rekindled partnership will be put to the test as they'll collide with Christian Cage's past in a Tag Team match against The Matriarchy. It's one of Pro Wrestling's most legendary tag teams against one of its biggest prospects. Who takes this one? We'll have to wait and see!
A Classic in the Making - Okada vs Swerve
When talking about all-time classic Pro Wrestling matches, there is always an implicit magic in the air. From the people involved, to the time and place, all the way to the reaction of the fans. And this match is destined to become a future classic.
The one and only, the legend, the best big match wrestler on the planet, Kazuchika Okada will put his AEW Unified Championship on the line. His opponent – the former AEW World Champion, someone many consider the future of Pro Wrestling, the fan favorite and the one who always has the crowd chanting – Swerve Strickland!
Both competitors are truly exciting. Okada already has his name etched in Pro Wrestling history, while Swerve Strickland is one of the best modern wrestlers on the planet. Both have proven to be very dangerous and have shown they never give up.
From a stylistic perspective, this match has all the makings of a future Hall of Fame induction. But there is another layer to it, and that's the competitive nature of both. They are both fierce and neither is ever willing to give up even an inch. So, let's take a deeper dive to see how they stack up.
Okada is more experienced – he has been around and has had a storied career that's worthy of a movie. He knows how to handle himself better than most veterans out there. But Swerve isn't just any contender – he's held something that Okada has yet to hold, and that's the AEW World Championship. Additionally, for all his experience, Okada doesn't have the best track record at previous Forbidden Door events, having lost to Bryan Danielson in singles competition and Jay White in a Four Way with Adam Cole and "Hangman" Adam Page. His one win comes from a Tag Team match where The Elite defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and The Acclaimed. On the other hand, Swerve has completely dominated at Forbidden Door in the past, having defeated the one and only Will Ospreay in a successful AEW World Championship defense, as well as two Tag Team wins.
On August 24th it will come down to who wants it the most. This is going to be a thriller, but we'll have to wait to see how it all ends. One thing is for certain – fans will be on the edge of their seats!
It's Both Personal and Business – Adam Page vs MJF
Adam Page will put his AEW World Championship on the line against MJF at Forbidden Door 2025, in a match that can only be described as a product of pure escalation of anger and frustration. It's personal, it's business and the roles between the two competitors keep switching. It's like being on a rollercoaster that will hit its peak on August 24th.
Adam Page finally managed to pull the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley's claws at All In Texas, in a show of pure brutality fitting for both men. Since then, he's defeated Moxley again and has asserted his dominance in the wrestling world.. Hangman is known for his toughness, aggression, ferocity and no-nonsense attitude. He recently managed to do the unthinkable and swapped roles with MJF, outmaneuvering him, making him lose his cool and then cashing in his title opportunity at Forbidden Door 2025. In Adam Page's own haunting words – "You know you don't have what it takes to take this away from me".
Those words made MJF snap and lose his strategic genius and calm demeanor. Having been on the receiving end of some mocking by Mark Briscoe, and worse, ultimately being kicked out of The Hurt Syndicate, MJF feels like he's been slighted, and he just wouldn't have that anymore. We saw him accept Adam Page's challenge in a blind rage, throwing all caution to the wind and entering Forbidden Door 2025 with no backup and no reassurances.
But in a surprising twist of fate, while Hangman was the one outsmarting MJF, it was MJF that ended up brutalizing Adam Page in the parking lot that very same night. MJF ended up delivering his own chilling message to the defending champion - "Look at me… remember when I said I was gonna break you? You ain't seen nothing yet!"
We saw the devil get outsmarted, while the cowboy got brutalized. But it's never been about who wins a battle. It's always about who will win the war. Tune in on August 24th and find out!
Lights Out! Camera! Action!
The Death Riders have been the biggest menace in AEW ever since their inception. Having partnered up with The Young Bucks on several occasions, they have been tearing through anyone who would stand in their way. And if there is nobody standing in their way – they'll find others to torment regardless.
However, a returning Darby Allin changed that dynamic recently. Having put people in body bags, popping out from the shadows and exacting his revenge, Darby has become a recurring nightmare for The Death Riders and an avatar of vengeance. The consequences of their actions are finally catching up with them, and they are all now embodied in one of AEW's most beloved wrestlers. But he is not alone. On August 13 at Dynamite, Will Ospreay joined the fray with a memorable message – "You get your friends, I'll get my friends! Meet me in London! Lights out, steel cage bruv!"
And so with these words we've come to what is shaping up to be the most brutal match at Forbidden Door 2025. Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi will clash head on with The Death Riders, The Young Bucks and Gabe Kidd inside a steel cage. This will probably be one of the most intense and star-filled matches we've seen in recent memory.
Is it retribution time? Could this be the end of The Death Riders? Or does this match feel too "at home" for them, regardless of the foreign venue? We'll just have to wait and see how this one hammers itself out.
But Wait, There is So Much More
One would think that this lineup is enough to warrant the attention of all Pro Wrestling fans, but we're just getting started! At Forbidden Door 2025 you will also see AEW resident mega star and Women's World Champion Toni Storm put her title on the line against the dominant ROH Women's World Champion Athena, who has been on an absolute rampage throughout her long title reign.
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and fan favorite Zack Sabre Jr. will put his title up for grabs against the one and only Nigel McGuinness, in a match that promises fireworks across the board. The UK crowd will be on their feet, having the belt be decided between two resident greats of Pro Wrestling. Cheers for this one.
Also on the card, a Four Way match for the AEW TBS Championship as Mercedes Mone will have to defend it against not one, but three other contenders. Will she come out victorious as she always does, or is this the end of the line and we'll see a new champion crowned? Time will tell.
Kyle Fletcher will put his AEW TNT Championship on the line against Hiromu Takahashi in an attempt to solidify his legacy. Will he defend it successfully or will the former multiple IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion be able to take the TNT title home? You'll need to tune in to find out.
The Hurt Syndicate will also be in action, defending their AEW World Tag Team Championship. Will they continue their dominant reign? There are so many questions to be answered. So lock in on August 24th and don't miss a single moment!
An opinion piece by Ivan Spasov
Editor-In-Chief at TrillerTV
