Results of a highly anticipated night are out as the Forbidden Door opens once again, this time in Toronto to mark AEW and NJPW’s first PPV in Canada.
The promising match card included MJF defending his AEW World Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi to open the show. CM Punk faced Satoshi Kojima while Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay delivered a classic. Bryan Danielson battled Kazuchika Okada in a dream match.
AEW World Championship Match- MJF(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
The show opened with MJF defending his Title against Hiroshi Tanahashi in a solid wrestling match. NJPW’s Master of the Century had another shot on the AEW World Title, but failed to grab it yet again as MJF retained after a cheap shot. MJF playing the classic heel and Tanahashi being the fan favourite contributed to their awesome in-ring chemistry. The Toronto crowd was loud for the opener. MJF being involved with the ref was fun too.
Tanahashi failed to capitalise with his roll up as the referee was busy getting the title brought in by MJF out of the ring. The champion was able to survive the challenger as he used his ring for a knockout shot to retain the title.
Ratings- ***½
CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima
The match that followed the opener was CM Punk taking on Satoshi Kojima in the first match of Owen Hart Men’s Tournament. Punk continued to receive heat from the Canadian fans, to which he responded with a leg drop and Hulk Hogan’s taunt. He played a great heel throughout the match to keep the crowd invested.
Kojima’s chops reminded of NJPW legend Tenzan and were fun to watch along with Punk’s lariats. Not giving up to the Anaconda Vice and countering a Gts attempt, the leader of Bread Club went for a Cozy cover on Punk. He countered the GTS once again, hitting Punk with a brainbuster for a nearfall. The match finally ends with Punk going for a roundhouse kick followed by a GTS for the three count. Another entertaining match tonight.
Ratings- ***1/2
AEW International Championship Match- Orange Cassidy(c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Katsuyori Shibata
A great four way match for the AEW International Championship that ended with the champion retaining. The match started with Orange Cassidy laying in the dangerous kicks to his opponents. A chain of suplexes followed until Garcia was met by a Stundog Millionaire before Cassidy delivered a DDT. The crowd absolutely loved the match and all the four men looked great in their spots. Shibata and Sabre taking down an annoying Garcia was fun to watch. At the end, Cassidy was able to secure the victory after sending Shibata out of the ring and rolling up a PK Kick victim Garcia to retain the title.
Ratings- ****
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match- Sanada(c) vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry with Hook
Sanada defended his championship against Jungle Boy in the second title bout of the night. The match was kept short with Sanada successfully defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. After a decent exchange between the champ and the challenger, the match ended with Sanada hitting a moonsault press for the three count. Furthermore, the anticipated heel turn of Jack Perry took place as the sore loser attacked his partner Hook after the match. The next challenger for the FTW Championship has been revealed. Jungle Boy needed this heel turn to gain some momentum.
Ratings- ***
