AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026: Updated Card
The fifth annual Forbidden Door is heading to the West Coast for the first time, bringing together the biggest stars from AEW, NJPW, CMLL, and STARDOM live from the SAP Center in San Jose.
This stacked card features high-stakes tournament finals, dream cross-promotional matchups, and a massive Steel Cage grudge match with World Title implications.
Check out the updated lineup after tonight’s Dynamite.
*6/26 Updates
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026
Men's Owen Hart Cup Final: Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland (Winner earns an AEW World Championship match at All In)
Two of AEW’s premier athletes collide in what could steal the show. Ospreay, the Aerial Assassin with NJPW roots, brings unparalleled athleticism and high-flying innovation. Swerve Strickland, a former World Champion known for his vicious striking and versatility, is a proven main-eventer.
This feels like a dream match that could define the next era of AEW’s top stars. Expect flips, strikes, and near-falls galore.
Women's Owen Hart Cup Final: Mercedes Moné vs. Maya World (Winner earns an AEW Women's World Championship match at All In)
Following her victory over STARDOM’s Hazuki on Dynamite, the "CEO" sat back to await her opponent—and she got a massive shocker. Maya World pulled off the ultimate underdog upset, defeating ROH Women's World Champion Athena to punch her ticket to the finals.
The celebration was short-lived, however, as Moné and Athena immediately joined forces for a brutal post-match beatdown on the young finalist. Now, Maya World enters the biggest match of her career with a massive chip on her shoulder, looking to spoil the CEO's plans for London and secure a guaranteed ticket to Wembley.
Triple Threat Trios Showcase: The Young Bucks vs. Shingo Takagi & Titán vs. Místico & Máscara Dorada
Forbidden Door is at its best when it throws three completely different wrestling philosophies into one ring, and this triple threat is going to be absolute insanity.
You have the elite, meta-heavy tag-team psychology of The Young Bucks, the sheer, unadulterated power and "Dragon Gate" pacing of Shingo Takagi's Unbound Co., and the mind-boggling, gravity-defying lucha libre of CMLL's El Sky Team (Místico, Máscara Dorada, and Titán).
Expect a breathless, high-velocity sprint where bodies are flying everywhere, the Bucks are looking to steal a win, and the San Jose crowd loses their absolute minds. This is exactly the kind of international flavor that makes this PPV legendary.
Singles Match: Kenny Omega vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
A pure wrestling clinic is guaranteed. Kenny Omega, the “Best Bout Machine” and multi-time champion, returns with his signature explosiveness and charisma. Zack Sabre Jr., the NJPW technical wizard and current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (or recent holder), is one of the finest grapplers on the planet.
This rematch/reminder of their classic chemistry is a must-see for any wrestling purist.
Steel Cage Match: Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong, Konosuke Takeshita & Darby Allin vs. MJF and Don Callis Family (Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher, Jake Doyle, Kazuchika Okada & Andrade El Idolo).
(If Briscoe’s team wins, Mark Briscoe earns an AEW World Championship match against MJF).
This is the marquee grudge match of the night. AEW World Champion MJF has aligned with the cunning Don Callis Family (including Kevin Knight and others), while Mark Briscoe leads a squad featuring Conglomeration allies.
The Steel Cage ensures no escape and maximum chaos—think weapons, high-risk spots, and personal vendettas. Briscoe is fighting for respect and a title shot, while MJF aims to prove he’s untouchable.
AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: Cope and Cage (Adam Copeland & Christian Cage) (c) vs. The Dogs (David Finlay & Clark Connors)
A massive international generational clash. The legendary, newly aligned duo of "Cope and Cage" put their AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line against the modern, ruthless iteration of New Japan's Bullet Club.
The War Dogs are looking to take the gold back to NJPW, while the veteran champions look to prove they still run the tag team division.
AEW Women's World Championship Match: Thekla (c) vs. Starlight Kid
After weeks of Thekla publicly disrespecting the STARDOM locker room and even spitting on their logo, STARDOM has sent one of their absolute best to shut her up.
This marks Starlight Kid's highly anticipated AEW debut—and she already holds a 2-0 singles record over the "Toxic Spider" from their past encounters in Japan.
AEW Continental Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Bandido
This marks a major title opportunity for Bandido following his recent return to action. Under strict Continental Rules, Moxley's Death Riders stablemates will be completely barred from ringside, forcing the champion to defend the gold in a pure, one-on-one contest.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match: PAC (c) vs. Shota Umino
"The Bastard" PAC is taking the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship to the ultimate international stage. Following a dominant victory over Jay Alexander on Collision, the champion didn't have to wait long for his next challenger. NJPW’s rising star Shota "Roughneck" Umino has officially stepped up to challenge the dangerous champion.
PAC’s notoriously brutal, hard-hitting style will meet Umino’s relentless spirit and fighting heart in what promises to be an absolute show-stealer. With the prestigious New Japan gold on the line, this cross-promotional clinic has classic written all over it.
Forbidden Door 2026: Zero Hour Pre-Show Card
Tag Team: Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano vs. Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe
A massive crossover tag match featuring top tier talent from both the AEW and STARDOM women's divisions.
The long-standing rivalry between Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander boils over into the pre-show, with both women bringing elite STARDOM reinforcement.
International Trios Lucha Showcase: Yota Tsuji, Titán, & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Místico & Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fénix)
TBS Title Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Skye Blue vs. Maika
Potential Undercard & Speculation
While the above represents the confirmed/updated core, expect a loaded Zero Hour pre-show and additional matches including:
NJPW stars challenging for AEW gold or vice versa.
Trios or tag team dream matches blending factions.
Possible involvement from CMLL and STARDOM talent for international flavor.
Forbidden Door always delivers surprises, returns, and title implications.
