My Top 5 Matches From AEW And NJPW Forbidden Door.

Intro.

Back in 2021 the rumours of AEW working alongside NJPW started to become a thing, after a clip circulated of Tony Khan meeting the president of the company, this is so that NJPW talent could appear on AEW's weekly TV show Dynamite. This would be a move that would see the upstart North American make waves in co promoting, a move that would make the term 5 star classic mean a lot more than what it already meant. It has became a standard in the industry, for creating magic from nothing. So here's my top 5 favourite Matches from the PPV.

5. Swerve Strickland vs Will Osperay For The AEW World Heavyweight Championship.

This Match had the internet divided, but when you dig beneath all of the booking politics, this acted as a way to set Will up for what was to come down the line. The Match was a solid affair that focused on their history through working the indy scene in America, and the UK. And the results paid off. Swerve would go on to lose the belt Bryan Danielson at All In, whilst at the same event. Will would go on to beat MJF for the International Championship. So you could say that all is well, that ends well, well kind of I guess.

4. Orange cassidy vs Zac Sabre Jnr.

When this Match got announced back in 2023, this had me very excited. Both men have unorthorbox styles that would mesh together perfectly well, and I wasn't wrong. This Match was epic, and it's been on my rewatch list for the past three years. If you like solid in ring work, and great back to basics work ethics from both men, then this is your Match.

 3. Orange Cassidy vs Will Osperay.

This Match was a fantastic balance of styles and counteractions working well together, both men on this night put on a clinic, and it a was a fast paced, incredibly operated ride from start to finish. I love this Match.

2. Jon Moxley vs Hiroshi Tanahashi.

I felt that this was the start of the decline for Tanahashi as an in-ring talent. With this being the start of his swansong, he put forth a valiant effort, against the man who at the time was considered the ace of AEW. This was a fantastic bloodsoaked war that has lingered on my brain for the past three years, and to say that I still come back to it is a true testement to both men.

1. Kenny Omega vs Will Osperay.

This Match was centred around the overarching theme of their previous encounter from 2023's NJPW Wrestle Kingdom. Even though I did like that clash, this was clash was better for my money. I felt the ergentcy come through my computer screen, and that's a feeling that you can't take away. The physicality, bloodshed, and the near falls, all blended together to make something special.