Credit: AEW

The B/R Wrestling Staff Predictions for 2022 AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Match Card

Doc-Chris Mueller

All Elite Wrestling has worked with several promotions since its inception over three years ago, but for the first time this weekend, AEW will join forces with New Japan Pro-Wrestling to put on the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

This event will feature stars from both companies fighting for both pride and gold, including the brand new All-Atlantic Championship. Here is a look at the card as it currently stands:

Here's our lineup of contributors:

Erik Beaston

Pac vs. Miro vs. Clark Connors vs. Malakai Black

If you were booking this show, who would win and who would take the loss? Why them?

Black would win. The House of Black is a money faction but has been undone by inconsistent booking to this point. A win not only gives him his biggest since his first Cody Rhodes victory, it also adds credibility and greater dread to HOB.

I would have Connors take the fall, if only because he was a late addition to the match after Tomohoro Ishii suffered an injury. Connors taking the loss would likely not adversely affect him or anything AEW may have planned for the other participants. Protecting Connors via interference from Brody King, Buddy Matthews or Julia Hart would possibly make that finish go down even smoother.

Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm

What would be the biggest upside and downside of booking the title to change hands here?

The upside is two-fold in that it heats up Storm and puts an end to a run for Rosa that has been defined by uninspired booking. The downside is Rosa's reign will forever be defined as an unsatisfactory conclusion to a run that began with the culmination of a yearlong feud with Dr. Britt Baker.

It would be massively disappointing for a woman who has been consistently over with the masses but has been let down by her recent creative.

Donald Wood

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Offer an argument for why Moxley should win this match.

While the addition of stars like Bryan Danielson and CM Punk helped create a buzz around AEW, it was Moxley who helped put the company on the map. With an injury throwing plans out the window, it should be the former AEW champion who beats Tanahashi at Forbidden Door and carries the brand once again. As one of the most popular people in wrestling, Moxley can carry the torch until Punk is ready to return.

Jericho, Guevara and Suzuki vs. Shota, Kingston and Yuta

From a booking standpoint, who should win this match and why?

From a booking standpoint, this match doesn’t make a lot of sense anyway, so I’d let Shota, Kingston and Yuta earn the win. With Jericho and Guevara likely to play off each other the whole match, Suzuki could feel left out of the fun. Suzuki is ready to snap on anyone who disrespects him, so he could easily destroy Guevara for not tagging him in and then walk out of the bout, leaving the faces to earn the victory.

Graham Matthews

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Offer an argument for why Tanahashi should win this match.

As great as Moxley has been all 2022 long, Tanahashi winning the Interim AEW World Championship would make for a very interesting situation coming out of Forbidden Door.

Assuming he's able to appear fairly regularly for the next few months, which is unlikely with NJPW's G1 Climax coming up, there are a ton of fresh matches for him to have before he inevitably faces a returning CM Punk in what was originally supposed to be the main event for Forbidden Door. Tanahashi could also take the title to Japan and defend it over there as well.

Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy

Should AEW have tried to get Ospreay a more recognizable opponent or was Cassidy the best choice under the circumstances?

There are several other people on the AEW roster I would have wanted to see Ospreay face at Forbidden Door ahead of Cassidy. The clash of styles should make for a fun match and the crowd will eat it up, but the outcome isn't in doubt and Cassidy is a glorified comedy character.

It's a bummer Andrade El Idolo isn't able to appear at the show and take on Ospreay, but even someone such as Keith Lee, Swerve Strickland or Allin would have been better choices.

Mr. Jeff J

Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Put aside logic and future plans. Who do you want to see win this match and why?

Mox. He had one of the best title runs in company history and never truly earned revenge for how he lost the title to Kenny Omega. He's the best option now to carry the division while Punk recovers. I even think he should beat Punk when they unify (a story for the future).

Tanahashi is a legend, however, I don't think he'd be able to carry feuds with the AEW stars or really be as appealing to their audience for a variety of reasons (language barrier, NJPW knowledge, etc). Now, if this was Mox vs Okada, my decision would be way more difficult.

Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm

Based on the short buildup, who do you see walking away with the win and why?

Thunder Rosa. They need to add a sense of importance and credibility to her current title reign. The lack of women's wrestling investment glares blindingly when you consider that Rosa wasn't even mentioned, let alone booked in the Dynamite after her Double or Nothing match with Serena Deeb.

She hasn't felt as important as Jade Cargill, and that needs to change. Storm should hold gold somewhere down the line. I don't think now is the time. Invest in Thunder Rosa and let her shine on the Forbidden Door stage, then double down on Dynamite.

Chris Mueller

Pac vs. Miro vs. Clark Connors vs. Malakai Black

Which one of these stars makes the most sense to win the All-Atlantic title for the first time?

I think this is the perfect opportunity to pick up where AEW left off with Miro before he took a hiatus. The Redeemer can bring immediate credibility to the title, especially if he defends it on a regular basis. Let him win the belt and rub his win in the face of the god he feels abandoned him.

FTR vs. United Empire vs. Roppongi Vice

How would you book this match if you were Tony Khan? Who wins and who takes the loss?

This all depends on how much United Empire will be available to work in the U.S., but the best option here would be to have FTR win over UE. This way, Roppongi Vice can use the fact that they did not take a pin to begin a feud with FTR in the coming weeks and months.

Predictions

All respondents' predictions are represented by their initials next to their choices.

   

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