AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door – Sunday, August 24, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London, England – 11:30am ET with the Zero Hour pre-show and the main card starting at 1pm ET.
CARD
AEW World Championship Match (Title can change hands with DQ or Count Out): “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. MJF
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Nigel McGuinness w/ Daniel Garcia
Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi), Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks & Gabe Kidd
AEW Unified Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
AEW Women’s Championship Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Athena
AEW Tag Team Championship Match: Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. Brodido vs. FTR
AEW TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Alex Windsor vs. Bozilla (STARDOM) vs. Persephone (CMLL)
AEW TNT Championship Match: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Kip Sabian & Killswitch
(Zero Hour) Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, Yuya Uemura & El Desperado vs. Hechicero, Josh Alexander & CRU
(Zero Hour) The Triangle of Madness & Megan Bayne vs. Queen Aminata, Harley Cameron, Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander
Mercedes Mone’s championship resume just keeps growing. The AEW star has once again proven why she’s one of the most decorated names in women’s wrestling, walking away with yet another title to add to her already stacked collection.
In a Title vs. Title clash, Mone defeated Emersyn Jayne to retain her Rev Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championship and simultaneously capture the Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s Championship. With the win, she now boasts nine championships across her career — earning her the fitting nickname “Nine Belts Mone.”
Since making her move to AEW, Mone has kept herself busy by taking bookings overseas, continuing to build her reputation as one of wrestling’s most sought-after global stars. This latest title victory further cements her as a dominant force who isn’t just making waves in AEW, but across the independent and international scene as well.
It’ll be interesting to see how AEW highlights Mone’s growing collection of hardware and whether these outside championships will play into her ongoing storylines on TV. For now, though, Mone’s reign as one of wrestling’s most in-demand champions shows no sign of slowing down.
A Decorated Career of Championships
Mone’s championship journey has stretched across multiple companies and continents. Here’s a quick look at some of the most notable titles she’s held during her career:
WWE Women’s Championships: A multiple-time champion on both Raw and SmackDown, Mone (then known as Sasha Banks) left her mark with memorable reigns that helped redefine the division.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alongside Bayley, she was part of the very first team to win the titles, cementing her place in tag team history.
IWGP Women’s Championship: After leaving WWE, she shocked the world by capturing gold in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, helping elevate NJPW’s newly launched women’s division.
Rev Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championship: Her current reign overseas has been another example of how she continues to grow her global presence.
Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s Championship: The latest addition to her trophy case, proving she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
A Global Star Beyond AEW
Since signing with AEW earlier this year, Mone has kept herself busy both inside and outside the company. While fans eagerly anticipate her eventual climb toward AEW’s top women’s title, she’s also been building her brand internationally, defending and winning championships across the independent circuit.
Her growing collection of belts only strengthens her reputation as a worldwide attraction — the kind of wrestler who can walk into any promotion and instantly raise its profile.
With “Nine Belts Mone” now officially part of her legacy, the real question is simple: how long before she makes it ten?
The wrestling world is still reeling from the sudden loss of Hulk Hogan, and now new reports suggest his passing may be connected to medical malpractice.
According to a report from TMZ Sports, Clearwater police documents reveal that an occupational therapist was present at Hogan’s Florida home when he stopped breathing. The therapist allegedly told responding officers that Hogan’s death could be traced back to complications from a recent surgery.
While the exact procedure remains unclear — believed to have been either a heart-related operation or neck surgery — the therapist claimed that Hogan’s phrenic nerve was severed during the process. This nerve is essential because it activates the diaphragm, the muscle that makes normal breathing possible.
Sources close to the investigation noted that Hogan didn’t suffer a dramatic episode like chest pain or collapse. Instead, he simply stopped breathing. His wife, Sky, noticed the silence, realized something was wrong, and immediately called 911.
Police bodycam footage is said to have captured officers discussing the therapist’s claims at the scene, and the therapist’s direct statements may also be preserved on video.
Adding to the speculation, Hogan’s daughter Brooke has publicly called for a full autopsy. Sky Hogan later confirmed to TMZ Sports that her husband’s phrenic nerve was indeed “compromised” during surgery. She also revealed that an autopsy has already been conducted, though the family has chosen not to disclose the results at this time. Importantly, Hogan’s body has not yet been cremated.
This development raises major questions about whether one of wrestling’s most iconic figures may have lost his life due to surgical error. Fans and the industry alike will no doubt be following this investigation closely as more details emerge.
Will Ospreay’s highly anticipated Unsanctioned Lights Out Steel Cage Match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door: London isn’t just compelling because of the story being told in the ring—it’s also grounded in some very real circumstances for “The Aerial Assassin.”
According to multiple reports, Ospreay is currently battling legitimate neck problems that go beyond the scripted storyline. The injury has reportedly become severe enough that surgery is no longer a matter of if, but when. Sources indicate that Ospreay has already begun exploring surgical options, with plans in place to move forward sooner rather than later.
That decision will sideline him for an extended period, as neck surgery typically requires months of recovery and rehabilitation before a full return to action. While fans will no doubt be disappointed by his absence, the hope is that Ospreay will come back fully healthy and able to continue performing at the high level that has made him one of the most exciting names in wrestling today.
For now, all eyes remain on Forbidden Door, where Ospreay is set to compete through the pain in what could be one of his last matches before going under the knife.
With Emergence in the books, the Path to Bound For Glory continues! Don’t miss an all-new TNA iMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ worldwide, Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and at 9/8c on AXS TV in the US.
Fallout from Emergence
What will the TNA World Champion Trick Williams have to say about Emergence and Mike Santana when he kicks off iMPACT?
The System & Matt Cardona vs. Order 4
Knockouts Gauntlet (Winner gets future shot at the Knockouts World Championship)
TNA Knockouts World Champion & NXT Women’s Champion to address WWE Heatwave
AEW fans in Glasgow witnessed a massive return on this week’s Dynamite, as Killswitch (formerly Luchasaurus) stormed back onto the scene after nearly a year on the shelf. The big man is now officially locked in for a high-profile tag match at Forbidden Door, stepping in for the injured Nick Wayne.
The surprise came just moments after an emotional handshake between Christian Cage and Adam Copeland looked to signal a long-awaited truce. Before fans could digest that, Nick Wayne appeared on the screen, leaning on crutches and calling out Cage for the brutal attack that left him with a broken foot last week. Wayne announced he’d be sidelined for several weeks — but quickly teased that his absence might not be the setback it seemed.
That’s when things got wild. The broadcast cut to a chilling vignette inside a medical setting, showing IV bags and monitors before Killswitch suddenly sat up and let out a guttural roar. Seconds later, he emerged in the arena alongside Mother Wayne and Kip Sabian, staring down Cage and Copeland before chaos erupted.
The returning monster immediately made his presence felt, dropping both Cope and Cage with thunderous chokeslams while Sabian ate a beating in the crossfire. By the end of the melee, it was clear where Killswitch’s allegiance stood — right alongside Mother Wayne’s camp.
Killswitch will now take Wayne’s spot at Forbidden Door, teaming with Sabian against the reunited duo of Cage and Copeland in a clash of bad blood and broken trust.
This comeback marks Killswitch’s first AEW appearance since All In: London in August 2024, where he wrestled twice in one night as part of The Patriarchy. Shortly after, he was hospitalized with reported respiratory issues, including pneumonia, and had been off TV since. His return not only adds a powerhouse presence to the storyline but also raises the stakes heading into AEW’s crossover supershow.
With Cope and Cage finally on the same page, and the monstrous Killswitch rising from the shadows, Forbidden Door just got a whole lot more unpredictable.
WWE’s big media shakeup continued Wednesday, as fresh details emerged about what’s staying on Peacock now that Premium Live Events are moving to ESPN’s new streaming service.
After announcing WrestlePalooza for September 20 as the first-ever PLE on ESPN’s platform, questions swirled about what this meant for WWE’s existing Peacock deal. By the end of the day, both sides cleared things up with a new press release confirming that Peacock will still be an important home for WWE programming—just with a different lineup.
The biggest change? Saturday Night’s Main Event is shifting away from its traditional NBC broadcast slot and will now stream exclusively on Peacock four times a year. That includes the highly anticipated December 13 edition, which doubles as John Cena’s farewell match.
Peacock will also keep WWE’s vast content library through the end of 2025, giving fans access to decades of classic pay-per-views and original specials. What happens after that remains a mystery, though reports have hinted that the library could eventually make the jump to YouTube.
Additionally, NXT Premium Live Events are staying put on Peacock through March 2026, since they were not part of the ESPN deal. Fans can also continue watching SmackDown the day after it airs on USA Network, ensuring Peacock subscribers still get a steady dose of current WWE action.
Interestingly, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Peacock itself signed off on WWE exiting the mainline PLE agreement earlier than expected. By running two-night versions of WrestleMania and SummerSlam, WWE was able to fulfill its content quota faster than planned, clearing the way for ESPN to jump in ahead of schedule.
With main roster PLEs heading to ESPN, SNME moving to Peacock, and Cena’s last match set for December, WWE is juggling multiple platforms—but fans won’t be short on ways to watch.
WWE’s deal with ESPN is kicking in way earlier than fans thought. Instead of waiting until 2026, WWE announced this week that its Premium Live Events (PLEs) will move to ESPN’s brand-new direct-to-consumer streaming service immediately following Clash in Paris. That event, set for August 31, will mark the final WWE PLE airing on Peacock in the United States.
The shift comes after WWE reportedly hit its PLE quota with Peacock. According to Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline, the extra day of SummerSlam plus shows like Evolution helped WWE fulfill its contractual obligations ahead of schedule. What isn’t clear yet is where the massive WWE library—including decades of pay-per-views, documentaries, and specials—will end up once the Peacock deal fully wraps.
Starting August 21, fans can subscribe to ESPN’s DTC platform, with WWE events included under the “Unlimited Plan.” Select shows will also simulcast on ESPN’s linear TV channels, giving PLEs more visibility outside of just streaming.
And WWE isn’t wasting any time launching the new era. The company confirmed WrestlePalooza for September 20 at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Not only is this the long-rumored counter to AEW’s All Out weekend, but it also marks the very first WWE PLE to air exclusively on ESPN’s streaming service.
For fans, this raises plenty of questions about accessibility, costs, and how the ESPN subscription tiers will affect viewing. But one thing is certain: WWE is making another big play to expand its reach, and ESPN is putting wrestling front-and-center as it launches its next big digital project.
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