Claudio Castagnoli Is All Elite

The wrestling world was stunned at Forbidden Door when Claudio Castagnoli – formerly WWE’s Cesaro – made his debut for AEW.

The eyes of the wrestling world were on the United Center in Chicago on Sunday night as AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling came together to put on Forbidden Door.

With dream matches aplenty, many fans were wondering who Bryan Danielson’s promised replacement on the show would be. The American Dragon had originally been challenged by NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr. in what would surely have been a technical masterclass but Danielson’s recent injury put paid to that.

Instead, Danielson promised a replacement who could live with the technical trickery of the Isle of Sheppey’s finest but could also bring the violence as they will also take part in the upcoming Blood and Guts match on Dynamite.

With speculation running wild about the replacement and Blackpool Combat Club’s newest member, all questions were answered at Forbidden Door. Claudio Castagnoli made his first AEW appearance to a rapturous ovation with the Swiss star going on to defeat Zack Sabre Jr. in an incredible match.

Castagnoli made his presence felt at the end of the night as well as The Jericho Appreciation Society, the Blackpool Combat Club, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz all brawled ahead of the Blood and Guts double ring cage match on Dynamite. Claudio Castagnoli left Cool Hand Ange in a spin as he swung Angelo Parker over twenty times.