Category: New Japan Pro Wrestling

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door 2026 Results – Jay White Returns

AEW returned with another supersized edition of Forbidden Door, bringing together talent from AEW, NJPW, CMLL, and STARDOM for one of the most stacked cards of the year. The event featured championship matches, interpromotional dream encounters, Owen Hart Cup Finals action, and a major return that could have significant implications moving forward.

Before the main card began, fans were treated to several matches on The Buy In pre-show.

The Buy In Results

Drilla Moloney def. Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia targeted Drilla Moloney’s knee throughout the contest while Marina Shafir provided a constant distraction at ringside. Garcia appeared poised for victory after locking in the Dragon Tamer and later connecting with Twist and Shout.

However, Moloney overcame the odds and capitalized on a timely distraction from Shafir. He caught Garcia in mid-air and planted him with the Drilla Killa to score the win.

Maika def. Skye Blue

TBS Championship Survival of the Fittest Qualifier

In her AEW debut, STARDOM standout Maika impressed with a dominant performance against Skye Blue. Blue used every shortcut available to keep herself in the match, but Maika’s power proved too much to overcome.

After a brutal brainbuster on the apron, Maika finished things off with a Michinoku Driver to advance to the upcoming Survival of the Fittest match for the vacant TBS Championship.

Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) def. Thunder Rosa & Olympia

AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Thunder Rosa and Olympia came close to dethroning the champions, generating several near falls during an energetic tag team encounter.

The champions eventually regained control when Lena Kross and Megan Bayne connected with From Heaven to Hell on Rosa, allowing Kross to secure the pinfall and retain the titles.

Forbidden Door 2026 Main Card Results

The Young Bucks def. Sky Team and Unbound Company

The opening match featured a chaotic trios showdown pitting The Young Bucks against Sky Team’s Mistico and Mascara Dorada and NJPW representatives Shingo Takagi and Titan.

The action never slowed down, with high-risk dives, Canadian Destroyers, and multiple near falls highlighting the contest.

In the end, The Young Bucks capitalized on a brief opening and connected with the Meltzer Driver on Titan to score the victory.

Kenny Omega def. Zack Sabre Jr.

Two of the best wrestlers in the world delivered another technical masterpiece.

Sabre focused relentlessly on Omega’s arm throughout the match, constantly looking for submissions and ways to neutralize Omega’s offense. Omega repeatedly escaped danger and responded with several V-Triggers and Snap Dragon suplexes.

After surviving a Zack Driver and multiple submission attempts, Omega finally landed the One-Winged Angel to secure a hard-fought victory.

Jon Moxley def. Bandido

AEW Continental Championship Match

Bandido brought speed and creativity while Moxley delivered his trademark brand of brutality.

The champion ripped at Bandido’s mask, busted him open, and repeatedly dragged the match into deep waters. Despite several impressive near falls and a tremendous effort from the challenger, Bandido eventually faded while trapped in the Bulldog Choke.

Moxley retained the Continental Championship via submission before helping Bandido to his feet in a rare show of respect after the match.

Shota Umino def. PAC

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match

PAC dominated much of the early action, attacking Umino before the bell and controlling large portions of the match.

Umino survived everything from a Brutalizer attempt to an Awesome Bomb through a table before mounting a comeback. Following a hard-fought exchange, Umino connected with the Northern Lights Bomb to retain the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.

Afterward, Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared to celebrate with Umino while Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir observed from ringside.

Thekla def. Starlight Kid

AEW Women’s World Championship Match

Thekla and Starlight Kid battled in one of the night’s most intense women’s matches.

Starlight Kid repeatedly targeted the champion’s leg and came within inches of capturing the title on several occasions. Thekla, however, survived every challenge and eventually halted the challenger’s momentum with a decisive spear and a pair of crushing stomps.

Thekla retained the AEW Women’s World Championship before escalating her rivalry with STARDOM President Taro Okada following the match.

Cope & Christian Cage def. The Dogs

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage reunited to face David Finlay and Clark Connors in tag team action.

The War Dogs controlled much of the contest, isolating Christian and attacking his arm. After Copeland received the hot tag, momentum shifted dramatically.

As Finlay appeared poised to steal the victory with a shillelagh, the lights suddenly went out. When they returned, Jay White had made his return, laying out Finlay with a Blade Runner.

Copeland capitalized moments later by hitting a Spear on Finlay for the victory.

Mercedes Moné def. Maya World

Owen Hart Cup Final

Maya World pushed Mercedes Moné to the limit in one of the standout matches of the night.

Despite surviving multiple Meteoras, the Money Maker, and numerous submission attempts, Maya continued to battle back and came close to pulling off a major upset.

The CEO ultimately managed to lock in the Statement Maker, forcing Maya to submit.

With the victory, Mercedes Moné won the Owen Hart Cup for the second consecutive year and earned another AEW Women’s World Championship opportunity at All In.

Team Briscoe def. Team MJF

Blood & Guts Match

Chaos defined the annual Blood & Guts match.

Weapons, tables, thumbtacks, ladders, backpacks, and even a Nintendo Entertainment System became part of the action as both teams waged war inside the cage.

The closing moments saw tensions finally boil over within Team MJF. Andrade shocked everyone by turning on MJF and revealing a shirt that read:

“F** Don, F*** MJF.”*

The betrayal opened the door for Mark Briscoe to deliver a decisive Jay Driller, earning the victory for his team.

As a result, Briscoe secured a future AEW World Championship match against MJF.

Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland

Owen Hart Cup Final – Main Event

The main event delivered an instant classic between Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland.

Both competitors endured a brutal battle filled with near falls, blood, and increasingly desperate attempts to put the other away. Hidden Blades, House Calls, Storm Breakers, Styles Clashes, and vertebreakers all failed to end the match.

Late in the contest, Jon Moxley and the Death Riders appeared at ringside, creating a dramatic atmosphere as Ospreay fought through exhaustion and punishment.

After surviving everything Swerve threw at him, Ospreay finally resorted to the Tiger Driver, a move he had previously vowed to avoid. The maneuver proved decisive, allowing him to score the pinfall victory.

With the win, Ospreay captured the 2026 Owen Hart Cup and earned his long-awaited world championship opportunity on one of AEW’s biggest stages later this summer.

AEW Forbidden Door 2026 Results

The Buy In

  • Drilla Moloney def. Daniel Garcia
  • Maika def. Skye Blue – TBS Championship Qualifier
  • Divine Dominion def. Thunder Rosa & Olympia – AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Main Card

  • The Young Bucks def. Sky Team & Unbound Company
  • Kenny Omega def. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Jon Moxley def. Bandido – AEW Continental Championship
  • Shota Umino def. PAC – IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
  • Thekla def. Starlight Kid – AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Cope & Christian Cage def. The Dogs
  • Mercedes Moné def. Maya World – Owen Hart Cup Final
  • Team Briscoe def. Team MJF – Blood & Guts Match
  • Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland – Owen Hart Cup Final

Forbidden Door 2026 featured major interpromotional clashes, championship defenses, the return of Jay White, and two Owen Hart Cup winners. The biggest headline coming out of the event is Will Ospreay’s victory over Swerve Strickland, positioning him for a marquee championship opportunity in the months ahead.

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door 6/28/2026 (Card)

AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door – Sunday June 28 –

CARD

  • Steel Cage Match: MJF, Kevin Knight & Kyle Fletcher, Jake Doyle & Andrade El Idolo vs. Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin & Konosuke Takeshita
  • Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Finals: Mercedes Mone vs. Maya World
  • Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Finals: Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Thekla (c) vs. Starlight Kid
  • AEW Continental Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Bandido
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (c) vs. The Dogs
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match: Shota Umino (c) vs. PAC
  • The Young Bucks vs. Mistico & Mascara Dorada vs. Shingo Tagaki & Titán

NJPW Announces New Ownership

A major business shift is coming to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Bushiroad Inc., which has owned NJPW since 2012, announced on Wednesday that it is transferring all of its shares in the promotion to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. The move marks the end of Bushiroad’s 14-year run as the parent company of one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the world.

Under the new structure, NJPW will become a consolidated subsidiary of TV Asahi, with CyberAgent also taking a significant ownership stake.

According to the announcement, Bushiroad believes the change will help strengthen NJPW’s future in digital distribution and video content expansion. The company pointed to the growing importance of streaming platforms and diversified media strategies in modern professional wrestling as key reasons behind the decision.

TV Asahi has a deep history with New Japan, serving as the promotion’s broadcast partner since 1973. Meanwhile, CyberAgent brings extensive digital media experience to the table and already has ties to the wrestling industry through ownership of promotions including Pro Wrestling NOAH and DDT Pro Wrestling.

Bushiroad stated that it feels it has accomplished its role in helping increase NJPW’s corporate value and sees the new ownership setup as the best path forward for the promotion’s continued growth.

Financial details of the deal were also revealed. Bushiroad sold all 10,500,400 of its NJPW shares for a total of 3.597 billion yen. Of those shares, TV Asahi is expected to acquire 3,550,200 shares for roughly 1.216 billion yen, while CyberAgent will purchase 6,950,200 shares for approximately 2.380 billion yen.

The transaction is expected to officially close on June 30.

Despite NJPW no longer being part of Bushiroad’s consolidated business structure, the company expects to record an extraordinary financial gain of approximately 1.616 billion yen, which converts to around $10.1 million USD.

The announcement immediately sparked discussion among wrestling fans about what the future could look like for NJPW under the combined influence of a major television partner and a digital-focused media company. With streaming and global distribution becoming increasingly important in wrestling, the ownership change could signal a stronger push toward expanding NJPW’s reach both inside and outside Japan.

Report: Former IWGP Champion EVIL Signs With WWE, Name Change Expected

WWE may be adding another internationally recognized name to its roster.

According to PWInsider, multiple sources have confirmed that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL has officially signed with the company. The move comes after the 39-year-old star announced back in January that he would not be renewing his contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, signaling the end of a long run with the promotion.

EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, spent over a decade in NJPW after debuting in 2011. During that time, he built a decorated résumé and became a key figure in factions like Los Ingobernables de Japón and later Bullet Club. His resume includes a reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, along with runs as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, NEVER Openweight Champion, and multiple tag team title victories. He also found success in six-man competition, capturing the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Titles on several occasions.

For fans in the United States, EVIL isn’t entirely unfamiliar. He’s previously competed in Ring of Honor and made appearances in Jeff Jarrett’s now-defunct Global Force Wrestling, giving him some exposure outside of Japan prior to this reported WWE deal.

One notable change expected with this move is his in-ring identity. According to the report, WWE is not planning to use the “EVIL” name, meaning a rebrand is likely once he debuts on television.

There’s also a personal connection that has caught fans’ attention over the years. EVIL was previously reported to be engaged to current WWE star IYO SKY, though there’s no clear update on their relationship status as of now.

As with many international signings, the big question will be how WWE chooses to introduce him and position him within the roster. With his experience, championship pedigree, and faction background, he could bring a unique edge to whichever brand he lands on — especially if paired with the right presentation out of the gate.

For now, all eyes will be on when and where this reported signing officially comes to light on WWE programming.

NJPW Wrestling Redzone 4/25/2026 (Card)

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced the full lineup for this weekend’s NJPW Wrestling Redzone. The upcoming show is being held at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in Hiroshima, Japan.

  • IWGP Tag Team Championships Match: Knockout Bros. (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships Match: Unbound Co. (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) (c) vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles)
  • Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Gedo & Daiki Nagai) vs. The United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay)
  • Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma vs. TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson)
  • Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita, Don Fale, DOUKI & Dick Togo)
  • Taichi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda vs. The United Empire (HENARE, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira)
  • Shota Umino, Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato vs. The HOUSE OF TORTURE (Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
  • Tatsuya Matsumoto vs Taisei Nakahara

Report: AEW Catches WWE and TNA Off Guard with Forbidden Door Scheduling Move

AEW has stirred up plenty of buzz this week—and not just with fans. A new report suggests that both WWE and TNA Wrestling were left in the dark when Tony Khan’s company made a major announcement regarding Forbidden Door 2026.

It was revealed on Wednesday that this year’s Forbidden Door event will take place on June 28 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The twist? That date just so happens to clash directly with TNA’s Slammiversary, which is set for the same night in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, neither WWE nor TNA had any prior warning about AEW’s plans. Both promotions reportedly learned about the scheduling decision at the same time as the public, making the move feel like a surprise shot across the bow.

For TNA, the timing is especially significant. Slammiversary is widely considered one of the promotion’s biggest shows of the year, second only to its flagship events. Naturally, running head-to-head with AEW—particularly on a card as loaded as Forbidden Door—is far from ideal.

Some may have expected WWE to step in and bolster TNA’s lineup in response, especially given their growing working relationship. However, the report indicates WWE was just as blindsided and had no involvement in the decision or any immediate counter-strategy.

Meanwhile, AEW is aiming to make this year’s Forbidden Door the biggest yet. The 2026 edition won’t just feature talent from AEW and NJPW—it’s also set to include stars from CMLL and STARDOM, turning the event into a massive multi-promotional showcase.

Whether intentional or not, AEW has thrown a major wrinkle into the summer wrestling calendar—and all eyes will be on how the competition responds.

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 Results (4/4/26)

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 took place earlier today from the Ryōgoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

  • Pre-Show: Masatora Yasuda & KUSHIDA def. Taisei Nakahara & Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • T.M.D.K. (Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson) def. Master Wato & Togi Makabe
  • Unbound Company (Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Shingo Takagi) def. United Empire (Jakob Austin Young, Francesco Akira & Jake Lee)
  • Toru Yano, YOH, Tiger Mask & Aaron Wolf def. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, DOUKI & Don Fale)
  • United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) def. El Desperado, Taichi & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships: YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Oleg Boltin (c) def. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita)
  • NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Shota Umino (15-minute Time Limit Draw)
  • IWGP Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) def. T.M.D.K. (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman def. Yota Tsuji (c)

Tomohiro Ishii Pulled From 2026 New Japan Cup Due To Neck Injury

Just days before the 2026 New Japan Cup gets underway, New Japan Pro Wrestling has confirmed that Tomohiro Ishii will no longer be part of the tournament field.

NJPW announced on its official website that the “Stone Pitbull” has been sidelined with a neck injury, forcing him to withdraw from the 24-man tournament set to kick off on March 4. The promotion issued an apology to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ishii compete in this year’s Cup, especially given the high stakes involved.

The winner of the New Japan Cup will earn a shot at Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis on April 4. For Ishii, this year represented another opportunity to finally capture a tournament that has eluded him throughout his storied career. Despite several deep runs — including semifinal appearances in 2017 and 2019 — Ishii has never managed to win the Cup.

With Ishii out, NJPW has tabbed a veteran replacement: former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima. Kojima will step directly into Ishii’s position in the bracket. Since Ishii had previously received one of eight random byes into the second round, Kojima will now face the winner of the first-round bout between Taichi and Ren Narita.

As of now, NJPW has not clarified how or when Ishii sustained the neck injury. His most recent match took place on February 27 at The New Beginning USA, where he dropped the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship to Boltin Oleg. There were no reported issues coming out of that match, but given the physical nature of the contest, it stands as the most likely point where the injury may have occurred.

Interestingly, Ishii also appeared on the February 28 episode of AEW Collision against Andrade El Idolo. However, that match was taped on February 25 — prior to his loss to Oleg — meaning it would not have been affected by the injury in question.

This latest setback comes shortly after what initially appeared to be another scare. During the February 18 episode of AEW Dynamite, Ishii looked to have suffered a potentially serious hamstring injury while teaming with Orange Cassidy against Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd. Fortunately, that issue turned out to be far less severe than initially feared.

Now, though, it’s a neck injury that has put Ishii on the shelf at a critical point in the calendar. With Sakura Genesis looming and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship picture set to shift following the Cup, Ishii’s absence is a significant blow to both the tournament and fans who were hoping 2026 might finally be his year.

We’ll continue to monitor Ishii’s status and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Hiromu Takahashi Set To Leave NJPW As Major Roster Changes Continue

New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing for another significant shift, as the company has officially confirmed that longtime standout Hiromu Takahashi will be departing the promotion once his current contract expires.

NJPW announced the news on its official website earlier today, explaining that the decision came after discussions between both sides. Officials apologized to fans for the abrupt nature of the announcement and expressed gratitude for Takahashi’s contributions, wishing him success in whatever comes next.

While the news marks the beginning of the end of an era, Takahashi still has a handful of appearances left with the company. He is currently touring with the roster on The Road To The New Beginning, which wraps up on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka. That night will feature Takahashi’s final NJPW match, where he will team with fellow Unbound Co. member Taiji Ishimori against United Empire’s Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira. Once the bell rings for the final time, Takahashi will officially become a free agent.

Following the announcement, “The Time Bomb” spoke with Tokyo Sports in an exclusive interview, shedding light on his mindset and why now felt like the right moment to move on. Takahashi described the decision as something he had given serious thought to, noting that the outpouring of love from fans reinforced just how meaningful his NJPW run had been.

While he made it clear that his ambitions within wrestling haven’t changed — including his long-standing dream of eventually holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and competing at the very top of the card — Takahashi revealed that another personal dream has taken priority. He explained that waiting any longer could have led to regret later in life, making the timing of this decision crucial for him.

Takahashi exits NJPW with one of the most decorated résumés in junior heavyweight history. His accomplishments include five reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a run as IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship reign, and a record-setting four Best of the Super Juniors tournament victories.

As NJPW continues to evolve, Takahashi’s departure leaves a massive hole in the junior division — and opens the door to endless speculation about where one of the most influential performers of his generation may land next.

Report: NJPW Standout EVIL Expected to Depart Company, Likely WWE-Bound

A major shakeup could be on the horizon for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and WWE, as longtime NJPW star EVIL is reportedly preparing to exit the promotion with expectations that he’s headed stateside.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, EVIL has likely already informed NJPW of his decision to move on once his contract situation is finalized. Alvarez added that, internally, WWE is widely believed to be his next destination. That report lines up with earlier information from Super J-Cast, which stated that the House of Torture leader had officially given notice to New Japan.

The timing has only added to the speculation. EVIL recently lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom 20, a title change that immediately raised eyebrows and fueled rumors that his run with the company was nearing its end.

If this truly marks the conclusion of EVIL’s NJPW tenure, it closes the book on a highly decorated run. Since debuting with the promotion, EVIL rose from a popular tag team wrestler into a main event fixture, capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. He’s also been a New Japan Cup winner, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, and a consistent presence in the tag and six-man divisions as part of Bullet Club and later House of Torture.

While WWE has yet to confirm any signing, the idea of EVIL joining the company is already sparking conversation. His darker persona, physical style, and experience at the top level in Japan could make him an intriguing addition, whether on the main roster or elsewhere within WWE’s system.

For now, it’s a waiting game. But if EVIL’s NJPW chapter is indeed closing, the next phase of his career could put him on the biggest stage he’s ever performed on.