AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door

In February 2021, the American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) started a partnership with the Japanese promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), with Kenta being the first NJPW wrestler to appear on AEW's primary weekly television program, Dynamite.[1] Since February 2021, both AEW and NJPW have had their wrestlers appear on each other's shows in the United States. On April 15, 2022, it was reported that a planned co-promoted event held by the two promotions was in the works.[2] On the April 20 episode of Dynamite, AEW President Tony Khan introduced NJPW President Takami Ohbari to make a major announcement regarding their respective companies. They were interrupted by AEW wrestler Adam Cole, who officially announced that a co-promoted event titled AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door would be held on June 26 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.[3] The event takes its name from the same term often used by AEW when referring to working with other professional wrestling promotions.[4] The event will air on pay-per-view (PPV) via traditional PPV outlets, the Bleacher Report app, FITE TV, and will stream in Japan on NJPW World.[5]

AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door will feature professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.[6]