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AEW & NJPW Bring Lights Out Steel Cage Match To Forbidden Door

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Aug 14, 2025 05:50 EDT
AEW Jon Moxley

AEW is bringing an NJPW legend to be part of a brutal steel cage match at Forbidden Door.

Forbidden Door is AEW and NJPW’s annual joint show, which brings the best of both companies together for some dream matches. For the first time ever, Forbidden Door will be held in London, England, and the show will be special for several reasons.

NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire at Wrestle Kingdom in 2026, meaning he is now in the final few months of his legendary career. Tanahashi will compete for the last time in London at Forbidden Door, and it’s going to be in a match that few would have expected.

Jon Moxley lost the AEW World Championship at All In Texas as Hangman Adam Page ended his reign of terror. But Moxley and his Death Riders continue to be a thorn in the side of the entire company despite Darby Allin doing everything he can to stop them once and for all.

AEW Stars Get Help From NJPW Legend

On the August 13th edition of Dynamite, Jon Moxley defeated Kevin Knight before Allin made his presence felt and tried to take out Wheeler Yuta once again. Claudio Castagnoli put a stop to that and stuffed Allin in a bodybag before Will Ospreay made the save. Ospreay then told the Death Riders that since they tried to snap his neck at All In, he’s going to snap theirs instead before issuing a challenge for a Lights Out Steel Cage match at Forbidden Door.

Will Ospreay later revealed that Allin was on his team, as was NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi, while the Death Riders sought out help once again from The Young Bucks. By the end of the night, both teams were confirmed with Ospreay, Allin, Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi teaming to face Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks.

Forbidden Door will also see Hangman Adam Page put his AEW World Championship on the line in a huge grudge match.