Add as a preferred source on Google AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door will take place next Sunday, June 28, at SAP Center in San Jose, California, bringing together names from AEW, NJPW, CMLL, and STARDOM.
However, with only a few days left before the pay-per-view, some important names behind the scenes still do not know exactly what their role will be at the event.
According to Fightful Select, several talents from the three main companies involved were asked about the situation in recent days, and some said they had not yet been informed of their plans for the show. Still, those spoken to described the situation as “not out of the ordinary,” since in some cases, matches are not communicated until the week of the event.
Backstage in AEW, the explanation given is that plans are being kept under strict secrecy. One source said that “things were being held close to the vest.”
The most curious case involves Gabe Kidd. Before suffering a shoulder injury at AEW Dynasty in April, Kidd was expected to be a major part of Forbidden Door, with major plans also in NJPW, including a possible title run.
Even so, AEW has already confirmed major matches involving NJPW stars for Forbidden Door. The Young Bucks will face Místico and Máscara Dorada, as well as Shingo Takagi and Titán, in a 3-Way Tag Team Match. PAC will also challenge Shota Umino for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.
Megan Bayne and Lena Kross will also defend the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship against Thunder Rosa and Olympia on the Buy-In.