Wrestling Uncensored hosts Dave Simon and Johnny North delivered their most passionate debate of the year while previewing Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door from London’s O2 Arena. The duo clashed over whether “Timeless” Toni Storm should retain her Women’s World Championship against Athena, with Simon delivering a fiery defense: “Tony Storm is a superstar – she makes the championship important, she makes the division important. Athena’s promos are terrible compared to Storm’s, which are some of the best in the business.”
But the real fireworks came during their analysis of WWE’s backstage culture, as Simon raised serious concerns about Triple H’s behavior on WWE Untold. “He’s holding them very close, whispering in their ears while they’re basically in their gear,” Simon observed about Triple H’s extended embraces with wrestlers. “It’s not a workplace thing – this is like a power move.”
From Hangman Page’s “magnificent” title reign that has him “crushing promos” against MJF, to potential dream matches featuring the “fucking good team” of Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay, the hosts delivered their most comprehensive wrestling analysis yet. Plus: Chris Jericho’s rumored WWE return, John Cena’s farewell tour strategy, and why Simon thinks WWE’s comedy segments are “cringy” disasters that ruin otherwise solid programming.
Wrestling Uncensored hosts Dave Simon and Johnny North delivered an extensive breakdown of this week’s wrestling programming and their comprehensive preview of Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event from London’s O2 Arena, providing detailed analysis of storylines, match quality, and promotional direction across both major wrestling companies.
This Week in WWE: Mixed Results and Creative Concerns
Raw’s Highs and Lows
The hosts had contrasting opinions on Monday Night Raw’s programming, with particular focus on the main event and opening segment. Bron Breaker faced Jey Uso in an Extreme Rules match that devolved into what North described as a “clown car of interference.”
“This was a problem with the Raw main event,” North explained. “It’s Extreme Rules, and it’s Jey Uso versus Bron Breaker. There’s no point caring about this until you get the clown car of interference, because you know that has to happen.”
The match featured run-ins from Seth Rollins, CM Punk, LA Knight, and Bronson Reed, leading both hosts to question whether the finish truly protected Breaker despite his loss to Uso.
Simon expressed surprise at the result given WWE’s strong push of Breaker: “They’ve been pushing Bron Breaker so strongly on Raw that I was a little surprised that Jey Uso beat him.”
Opening Segment Comedy Criticism
The show’s opening promo segment drew harsh criticism, particularly regarding WWE’s comedy approach. North specifically called out what he termed “stupid WWE comedy” in a segment featuring Seth Rollins trying to provoke Bron Breakker.
“I like the direction where the promo was going, but it’s that comedy that really destroys it,” North observed. “They milk it way too much. Seth is trying to push Bron Breaker into going after Jey, listening to things over and over again to try to push him to get mad – you’re ruining the moment because now it’s just stupid and ridiculous.”
Simon agreed with the sentiment, noting that Seth Rollins “is not funny” and has “never been funny,” describing his comedy attempts as “cringy.”
Paul Heyman’s ECW Nostalgia
Paul Heyman’s promo in Philadelphia received mixed reactions from the hosts. While they appreciated the hometown crowd connection and Heyman’s references to ECW originals, they felt the execution became problematic.
“It was kind of neat at first when he was listing all the ECW originals,” North said. “But then it gets stupid when he talks about Tommy Dreamer, like ‘the late Tommy Dreamer,’ and ‘Oh, he’s not dead, but he should be dead.'”
Simon found the initial joke funny but agreed that WWE tends to “overdo the jokes” and should “let it go a little earlier.”
Natalya’s Standout Performance
Both hosts unanimously praised Natalya’s match with Becky Lynch as the week’s best WWE contest. Simon delivered passionate praise for the Hart family legacy and Natalya’s current run.
“Natalya’s on a hell of a run right now,” Simon noted. “She’s incredible, she’s a living legend. The fact that she’s reinventing herself at this stage and having a run where she’s working all these different shows – not WWE shows all over the place – and just being the low-key legend.”
Simon emphasized the Hart family’s wrestling heritage: “Her grandfather Stu Hart, her uncles Bret and Owen and Bulldog, her dad Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart, her husband TJ Wilson, her cousins Harry Smith and Teddy Hart – everybody just awesome. I love the Harts.”
The hosts noted that Natalya represents the end of an era, being potentially “the last Hart going” from the legendary Calgary wrestling family.
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Friday’s SmackDown from Dublin, Ireland, received a more mixed review. While the hosts appreciated Becky Lynch’s opening promo that played to the hometown crowd before turning heel, they were less impressed with the overall match quality.
“The crowd was fantastic,” North observed. “The matches – I was beyond disappointed in the matches. The best match in WWE this week was Becky and Natalya on Raw. Nothing else compared.”
Becky Lynch’s promo structure impressed Simon: “She did the happy promo talking about how it was the first time [WWE was in Dublin], and then she’s like ‘but actually you don’t deserve it.’ She starts running down Dublin and all celebrities from Dublin, saying she doesn’t get enough credit and now they don’t deserve to be on TV.”
The segment effectively turned the crowd against Lynch, leading to chants for Lyra Valkyria and CM Punk, with Lynch responding that “no one wants to see his old ass,” which Simon found amusing.
Tag Team Division Struggles
The hosts expressed frustration with WWE’s tag team booking, particularly involving The Miz and Carmelo Hayes versus Motor City Machine Guns. Simon was particularly harsh in his assessment.
“I don’t ever need to see any of those guys ever again,” Simon stated bluntly. “Why is The Miz still wrestling? He’s 44 years old, has been doing it for a long time, and isn’t very good at it. He never has been. Every time he’s on TV I go ‘no.'”
The criticism extended to The Street Profits, with both hosts noting their lack of character development despite years on the roster.
“They haven’t changed anything in like five years except they lost the cups and their song is less catchy,” Simon observed. “They’re not as over as they used to be because it’s getting a little stale.”
John Cena’s Farewell Tour Strategy
The hosts provided a detailed analysis of Cena’s remaining schedule and potential final opponents. Simon outlined Cena’s confirmed appearances:
Saturday Night’s Main Event – Final Match (December 13)
“After Raw in Lowell, Massachusetts, on September 15th, we’ll probably see Cena in just matches on four shows, and those will be his four final dates,” Simon explained.
The debate over Cena’s final opponent intensified, with North favoring The Rock for closure on their historic rivalry, while Simon suggested Bron Breaker or Dominik Mysterio as potential choices to elevate younger talent.
Dave and Johnny predict FTR to win the championships, setting up a potential dream match with Edge and Christian at All Out in Toronto.
This Week in AEW: Building Toward Forbidden Door
Hangman Page’s Championship Run
Both hosts praised “Hangman” Adam Page’s current AEW World Championship reign, with Simon particularly enthusiastic about Page’s character development over the past year.
“Ever since he burnt Swerve’s house down, he’s been on fire – almost literally,” Simon said. “The matches have been so intense and violent, and the promos have just been so emotional and convincing and realistic. Everything he’s doing feels real.”
The build-up to his Forbidden Door defense against MJF has showcased Page’s improved promo work, with both hosts noting how Page has been “crushing these promos” and making MJF seem secondary despite MJF’s reputation as one of wrestling’s best talkers.
Toni Storm’s Character Work
“Timeless” Toni Storm received extensive praise for her championship reign and character development. Her recent appearance in Glasgow, Scotland, drew particular attention for a callback reference.
“She told Mercedes Moné to get in her belly, she smelled delicious – ‘get in my belly,'” Simon recounted. “It’s a Fat Bastard reference from Austin Powers. In Glasgow, Scotland, doing the Scottish thing since Fat Bastard was Scottish.”
Simon used this as an example of Storm’s attention to detail and ability to adapt her timeless Hollywood character to different locations and situations.
Tag Team Tournament and Storytelling
The hosts discussed AEW’s tag team eliminator tournament that culminated in a 30-minute time limit draw between FTR and Brodido (Brody King and Bandido), leading to a three-way elimination match at Forbidden Door also featuring champions The Hurt Syndicate.
Both hosts favored FTR to win the championships, setting up a potential dream match with Edge and Christian at All Out in Toronto.
Forbidden Door 2025: Comprehensive Match-by-Match Analysis
Main Event: Hangman Page vs. MJF
The hosts provided extensive analysis of what they consider the card’s marquee attraction. The added stipulation that Page loses the title via countout or disqualification adds intrigue, though Simon questioned the booking logic.
“This is Hangman’s first big pay-per-view title defense,” Simon explained. “I can’t imagine a world where he would lose, and if he does lose, I think it would be a huge mistake for AEW because Hangman is so good this run needs to last a little while.”
The storyline development, featuring MJF kidnapping Mark Briscoe and threatening to set him on fire unless Page agreed to the stipulations, drew praise for its intensity.
“I like that he was threatening to light Mark Briscoe on fire,” Simon said. “I thought that was pretty diabolical of MJF.”
North noted that MJF’s ability to keep his casino gauntlet contract regardless of the outcome makes the result more predictable: “There’s a bit more intrigue now because MJF doesn’t have to use his contract now. So he can have this match, whatever happens, and he can still have that guaranteed title shot whenever he wants.”
However, Simon argued this makes MJF’s loss more obvious: “That makes it worse because if you have a guaranteed title shot that everybody is making a big deal out of, it’s like ‘okay, so you’re going to lose this match because what does this guaranteed title shot mean if you’re champion? Nothing.'”
Prediction: Both hosts favor Hangman Page to retain via Buckshot Lariat.
Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm vs. Athena
This match generated the hosts’ most passionate disagreement. While North suggested it might be time for Athena to win the championship, Simon strongly advocated for Storm’s retention.
“Tony Storm is a superstar,” Simon emphasized. “She makes the championship important; she makes the division important. She’s the centerpiece of the company. She should be champion forever.”
Simon contrasted the two competitors’ promo abilities: “Have you seen Athena’s promos? They’re terrible. Have you seen Tony Storm’s promos? They’re some of the best in the entire business.”
North countered by questioning the division’s future: “I’m just looking at the landscape and it’s like, if Athena can’t beat Tony Storm, who can?”
Simon’s response was definitive: “Nobody. That’s the point.”
The debate highlighted Storm’s recent victory over Mercedes Moné, with Simon suggesting a rematch between Storm and Moné would be more compelling than moving to Athena.
Prediction: Simon strongly favors Storm retention; North leans toward Athena winning.
Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Ultimate Dream Team
The hosts expressed tremendous enthusiasm for the ten-man Lights Out Steel Cage match, particularly praising the babyface team composition.
“What a fucking team,” Simon exclaimed about the combination of Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay. “What an awesome team of cool dude wrestlers.”
Simon called it potentially the greatest five-man team in wrestling history: “I put that team, five-man team, against any team in the history of Survivor Series, War Games, what have you. This team is a fucking good team.”
The storyline origins, stemming from Jon Moxley’s Death Riders attacking Moxley’s opponent and Darby Allin making the save, only to be outnumbered until Will Ospreay’s return, were praised for their logical progression.
However, both hosts acknowledged Hiroshi Tanahashi’s physical limitations at age 48: “He’s definitely near the end of his run here, as he should be,” North observed. “It was a struggle watching that six-man he was in this week on Dynamite. It was a fast-paced match, and he was definitely four or five steps behind.”
Despite this concern, Simon maintained respect for Tanahashi’s legacy: “He’s one of the greatest of all time. Tanahashi really led New Japan out of some dark days as world champion. He was the ace in New Japan for a reason.”
Prediction: Both hosts favor the babyface team victory.
Technical Showcase: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Nigel McGuinness
The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship defense drew praise as a potential “fun technical match” between two accomplished British wrestlers. Simon noted the historical significance:
“Two Brits wrestling in England for a Japanese title. Have two British wrestlers ever wrestled each other for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on British soil?”
After researching the championship’s lineage, Simon determined that Will Ospreay was the first British IWGP Heavyweight Champion, making Zack Sabre Jr. the second, and this likely the first time two Brits have contested the title on British soil.
“Pretty cool little bit of history that we’ll see there,” Simon concluded.
The match serves as a showcase for Nigel McGuinness, who won a four-way “Technical Spectacle” to earn the opportunity, though both hosts agreed the championship won’t change hands.
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr. retains.
AEW World Tag Team Championship: Three-Way Elimination
The championship at Forbidden Door is a three-way between The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin), FTR, and Brodii. This generated discussion about AEW’s tag team division direction.
Simon favored FTR winning to set up the anticipated match with Edge and Christian in Toronto: “FTR should win the tag belts because it’s Edge and Christian’s hometown, maybe the last time they ever team up in Toronto together. They should win the tag team titles in Toronto.”
North preferred The Hurt Syndicate retaining, arguing for the group’s continued development: “I feel there’s so much more you could do with The Hurt Syndicate. I wouldn’t have them drop the belts.”
The booking discussion extended to potential storylines, with Simon suggesting a complex scenario involving FTR winning, losing to Edge and Christian in Toronto, then The Hurt Syndicate reclaiming the titles by arguing they “never lost them” since their partner took the fall.
Prediction: Simon – FTR wins; North – Hurt Syndicate retains.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland
The AEW Unified Championship defense generated concern due to Swerve Strickland’s reported injury status. North indicated that Swerve is “battling through an injury” and might be taking time off after the event.
This news, combined with Will Ospreay also reportedly needing neck surgery, worried both hosts about AEW’s depth.
“Two of your top guys are hurt and going away for a while,” Simon observed. “That’s interesting – and bad.”
The match will be contested under “Continental Title rules,” meaning no interference, which both hosts appreciated.
Prediction: Both favor Okada retaining.
Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi
The AEW TNT Championship defense showcased the ongoing AEW-NJPW partnership. Simon praised Hiromu Takahashi’s dedication and skill, referencing a recent match with Dragon Lee that resulted in Hiromu suffering a serious neck injury but continuing to perform.
“He breaks his neck at the end and still takes a couple crazy bumps afterwards,” Simon recounted. “His neck is broken, and he still takes a couple of crazy bumps. It was devastating.”
Despite Hiromu’s talent, both hosts expected Fletcher to retain as the AEW representative.
Prediction: Kyle Fletcher retains.
Mercedes Moné Four-Way Defense
The AEW TBS Championship four-way featuring representatives from AEW (Alex Windsor), CMLL (Persephone), and Stardom (Bozilla) received minimal discussion from the hosts.
“I really couldn’t care less about that match,” Simon admitted, though North offered praise for Windsor: “Alex Windsor – she’s a very good wrestler. The more I see her, I think she might be the best new wrestler in AEW this year.”
Prediction: Mercedes Moné retains.
Edge and Christian vs. The Matriarchy
The reunion tag team match featuring Adam Copeland (Edge) and Christian Cage against Kip Sabian and Killswitch (replacing the injured Nick Wayne) was viewed as a clear victory for the veteran team.
The storyline development, stemming from Wayne’s betrayal of Christian and Edge’s surprise return to save his former rival, was praised for its emotional complexity.
“I enjoyed that whole segment on Dynamite where Edge and Christian talked,” North said. “Christian is still a jerk and they’ll live with that fact regardless. Christian said this isn’t because he wanted to do it – he kind of had to do it because he’s got enemies.”
Prediction: Edge and Christian win decisively.
Broader Promotional Analysis
AEW’s Star Power Concerns
Both hosts noted the departure of major stars from AEW over recent years, with Simon observing: “Cody left, Jericho’s gone, Punk is not there anymore. Some of their big main stars have left over the past few years. That’s interesting.”
This talent exodus has raised questions about AEW’s ability to retain top-tier performers long-term.
WWE’s Counter-Programming Strategy
The hosts discussed WWE’s aggressive scheduling against AEW events, with Wrestlepalooza on September 20th directly opposing AEW’s All Out in Toronto.
“WWE is gonna be counter-programming every AEW show going forward forever,” Simon noted. “They’re really going hard at AEW.”
The strategy includes placing major attractions like a potential John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar match against AEW’s offerings.
International Expansion
Both promotions’ international focus was highlighted, with WWE running events in Dublin and AEW hosting Forbidden Door in London. The hosts noted this represents a significant investment in overseas markets.
Event Logistics and Viewing Information
Forbidden Door streams Sunday at 1:00 PM ET/6:00 PM BST, with a pre-show beginning at 11:30 AM ET/4:30 PM BST. The event is available on Prime Video and traditional pay-per-view providers.
The hosts expressed concerns about potential event length, referencing AEW’s tendency toward extended runtime. “Their last one shouldn’t have been either, however, it was crazy long,” Simon said, hoping for a more reasonable four-hour runtime rather than AEW’s typical five-plus hour presentations.
The comprehensive preview established Forbidden Door 2025 as a significant event for both promotions, featuring international talent and high-stakes championship matches that could influence the wrestling landscape heading into the fall season.
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Forbidden Door 2025 Preview: Hangman vs. MJF, Cena’s Final Tour and WWE’s Creative Problems
Wrestling Uncensored hosts Dave Simon and Johnny North delivered an extensive breakdown of this week’s wrestling programming and their comprehensive preview of Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event from London’s O2 Arena, providing detailed analysis of storylines, match quality, and promotional direction across both major wrestling companies.
This Week in WWE: Mixed Results and Creative Concerns
Raw’s Highs and Lows
The hosts had contrasting opinions on Monday Night Raw’s programming, with particular focus on the main event and opening segment. Bron Breaker faced Jey Uso in an Extreme Rules match that devolved into what North described as a “clown car of interference.”
“This was a problem with the Raw main event,” North explained. “It’s Extreme Rules, and it’s Jey Uso versus Bron Breaker. There’s no point caring about this until you get the clown car of interference, because you know that has to happen.”
The match featured run-ins from Seth Rollins, CM Punk, LA Knight, and Bronson Reed, leading both hosts to question whether the finish truly protected Breaker despite his loss to Uso.
Simon expressed surprise at the result given WWE’s strong push of Breaker: “They’ve been pushing Bron Breaker so strongly on Raw that I was a little surprised that Jey Uso beat him.”
Opening Segment Comedy Criticism
The show’s opening promo segment drew harsh criticism, particularly regarding WWE’s comedy approach. North specifically called out what he termed “stupid WWE comedy” in a segment featuring Seth Rollins trying to provoke Bron Breakker.
“I like the direction where the promo was going, but it’s that comedy that really destroys it,” North observed. “They milk it way too much. Seth is trying to push Bron Breaker into going after Jey, listening to things over and over again to try to push him to get mad – you’re ruining the moment because now it’s just stupid and ridiculous.”
Simon agreed with the sentiment, noting that Seth Rollins “is not funny” and has “never been funny,” describing his comedy attempts as “cringy.”
Paul Heyman’s ECW Nostalgia
Paul Heyman’s promo in Philadelphia received mixed reactions from the hosts. While they appreciated the hometown crowd connection and Heyman’s references to ECW originals, they felt the execution became problematic.
“It was kind of neat at first when he was listing all the ECW originals,” North said. “But then it gets stupid when he talks about Tommy Dreamer, like ‘the late Tommy Dreamer,’ and ‘Oh, he’s not dead, but he should be dead.'”
Simon found the initial joke funny but agreed that WWE tends to “overdo the jokes” and should “let it go a little earlier.”
Natalya’s Standout Performance
Both hosts unanimously praised Natalya’s match with Becky Lynch as the week’s best WWE contest. Simon delivered passionate praise for the Hart family legacy and Natalya’s current run.
“Natalya’s on a hell of a run right now,” Simon noted. “She’s incredible, she’s a living legend. The fact that she’s reinventing herself at this stage and having a run where she’s working all these different shows – not WWE shows all over the place – and just being the low-key legend.”
Simon emphasized the Hart family’s wrestling heritage: “Her grandfather Stu Hart, her uncles Bret and Owen and Bulldog, her dad Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart, her husband TJ Wilson, her cousins Harry Smith and Teddy Hart – everybody just awesome. I love the Harts.”
The hosts noted that Natalya represents the end of an era, being potentially “the last Hart going” from the legendary Calgary wrestling family.
Johnny “Genesis” North T-Shirt
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SmackDown in Dublin: Mixed Reception
Friday’s SmackDown from Dublin, Ireland, received a more mixed review. While the hosts appreciated Becky Lynch’s opening promo that played to the hometown crowd before turning heel, they were less impressed with the overall match quality.
“The crowd was fantastic,” North observed. “The matches – I was beyond disappointed in the matches. The best match in WWE this week was Becky and Natalya on Raw. Nothing else compared.”
Becky Lynch’s promo structure impressed Simon: “She did the happy promo talking about how it was the first time [WWE was in Dublin], and then she’s like ‘but actually you don’t deserve it.’ She starts running down Dublin and all celebrities from Dublin, saying she doesn’t get enough credit and now they don’t deserve to be on TV.”
The segment effectively turned the crowd against Lynch, leading to chants for Lyra Valkyria and CM Punk, with Lynch responding that “no one wants to see his old ass,” which Simon found amusing.
Tag Team Division Struggles
The hosts expressed frustration with WWE’s tag team booking, particularly involving The Miz and Carmelo Hayes versus Motor City Machine Guns. Simon was particularly harsh in his assessment.
“I don’t ever need to see any of those guys ever again,” Simon stated bluntly. “Why is The Miz still wrestling? He’s 44 years old, has been doing it for a long time, and isn’t very good at it. He never has been. Every time he’s on TV I go ‘no.'”
The criticism extended to The Street Profits, with both hosts noting their lack of character development despite years on the roster.
“They haven’t changed anything in like five years except they lost the cups and their song is less catchy,” Simon observed. “They’re not as over as they used to be because it’s getting a little stale.”
John Cena’s Farewell Tour Strategy
The hosts provided a detailed analysis of Cena’s remaining schedule and potential final opponents. Simon outlined Cena’s confirmed appearances:
“After Raw in Lowell, Massachusetts, on September 15th, we’ll probably see Cena in just matches on four shows, and those will be his four final dates,” Simon explained.
The debate over Cena’s final opponent intensified, with North favoring The Rock for closure on their historic rivalry, while Simon suggested Bron Breaker or Dominik Mysterio as potential choices to elevate younger talent.
This Week in AEW: Building Toward Forbidden Door
Hangman Page’s Championship Run
Both hosts praised “Hangman” Adam Page’s current AEW World Championship reign, with Simon particularly enthusiastic about Page’s character development over the past year.
“Ever since he burnt Swerve’s house down, he’s been on fire – almost literally,” Simon said. “The matches have been so intense and violent, and the promos have just been so emotional and convincing and realistic. Everything he’s doing feels real.”
The build-up to his Forbidden Door defense against MJF has showcased Page’s improved promo work, with both hosts noting how Page has been “crushing these promos” and making MJF seem secondary despite MJF’s reputation as one of wrestling’s best talkers.
Toni Storm’s Character Work
“Timeless” Toni Storm received extensive praise for her championship reign and character development. Her recent appearance in Glasgow, Scotland, drew particular attention for a callback reference.
“She told Mercedes Moné to get in her belly, she smelled delicious – ‘get in my belly,'” Simon recounted. “It’s a Fat Bastard reference from Austin Powers. In Glasgow, Scotland, doing the Scottish thing since Fat Bastard was Scottish.”
Simon used this as an example of Storm’s attention to detail and ability to adapt her timeless Hollywood character to different locations and situations.
Tag Team Tournament and Storytelling
The hosts discussed AEW’s tag team eliminator tournament that culminated in a 30-minute time limit draw between FTR and Brodido (Brody King and Bandido), leading to a three-way elimination match at Forbidden Door also featuring champions The Hurt Syndicate.
Both hosts favored FTR to win the championships, setting up a potential dream match with Edge and Christian at All Out in Toronto.
Forbidden Door 2025: Comprehensive Match-by-Match Analysis
Main Event: Hangman Page vs. MJF
The hosts provided extensive analysis of what they consider the card’s marquee attraction. The added stipulation that Page loses the title via countout or disqualification adds intrigue, though Simon questioned the booking logic.
“This is Hangman’s first big pay-per-view title defense,” Simon explained. “I can’t imagine a world where he would lose, and if he does lose, I think it would be a huge mistake for AEW because Hangman is so good this run needs to last a little while.”
The storyline development, featuring MJF kidnapping Mark Briscoe and threatening to set him on fire unless Page agreed to the stipulations, drew praise for its intensity.
“I like that he was threatening to light Mark Briscoe on fire,” Simon said. “I thought that was pretty diabolical of MJF.”
North noted that MJF’s ability to keep his casino gauntlet contract regardless of the outcome makes the result more predictable: “There’s a bit more intrigue now because MJF doesn’t have to use his contract now. So he can have this match, whatever happens, and he can still have that guaranteed title shot whenever he wants.”
However, Simon argued this makes MJF’s loss more obvious: “That makes it worse because if you have a guaranteed title shot that everybody is making a big deal out of, it’s like ‘okay, so you’re going to lose this match because what does this guaranteed title shot mean if you’re champion? Nothing.'”
Prediction: Both hosts favor Hangman Page to retain via Buckshot Lariat.
Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm vs. Athena
This match generated the hosts’ most passionate disagreement. While North suggested it might be time for Athena to win the championship, Simon strongly advocated for Storm’s retention.
“Tony Storm is a superstar,” Simon emphasized. “She makes the championship important; she makes the division important. She’s the centerpiece of the company. She should be champion forever.”
Simon contrasted the two competitors’ promo abilities: “Have you seen Athena’s promos? They’re terrible. Have you seen Tony Storm’s promos? They’re some of the best in the entire business.”
North countered by questioning the division’s future: “I’m just looking at the landscape and it’s like, if Athena can’t beat Tony Storm, who can?”
Simon’s response was definitive: “Nobody. That’s the point.”
The debate highlighted Storm’s recent victory over Mercedes Moné, with Simon suggesting a rematch between Storm and Moné would be more compelling than moving to Athena.
Prediction: Simon strongly favors Storm retention; North leans toward Athena winning.
Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Ultimate Dream Team
The hosts expressed tremendous enthusiasm for the ten-man Lights Out Steel Cage match, particularly praising the babyface team composition.
“What a fucking team,” Simon exclaimed about the combination of Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay. “What an awesome team of cool dude wrestlers.”
Simon called it potentially the greatest five-man team in wrestling history: “I put that team, five-man team, against any team in the history of Survivor Series, War Games, what have you. This team is a fucking good team.”
The storyline origins, stemming from Jon Moxley’s Death Riders attacking Moxley’s opponent and Darby Allin making the save, only to be outnumbered until Will Ospreay’s return, were praised for their logical progression.
However, both hosts acknowledged Hiroshi Tanahashi’s physical limitations at age 48: “He’s definitely near the end of his run here, as he should be,” North observed. “It was a struggle watching that six-man he was in this week on Dynamite. It was a fast-paced match, and he was definitely four or five steps behind.”
Despite this concern, Simon maintained respect for Tanahashi’s legacy: “He’s one of the greatest of all time. Tanahashi really led New Japan out of some dark days as world champion. He was the ace in New Japan for a reason.”
Prediction: Both hosts favor the babyface team victory.
Technical Showcase: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Nigel McGuinness
The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship defense drew praise as a potential “fun technical match” between two accomplished British wrestlers. Simon noted the historical significance:
“Two Brits wrestling in England for a Japanese title. Have two British wrestlers ever wrestled each other for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on British soil?”
After researching the championship’s lineage, Simon determined that Will Ospreay was the first British IWGP Heavyweight Champion, making Zack Sabre Jr. the second, and this likely the first time two Brits have contested the title on British soil.
“Pretty cool little bit of history that we’ll see there,” Simon concluded.
The match serves as a showcase for Nigel McGuinness, who won a four-way “Technical Spectacle” to earn the opportunity, though both hosts agreed the championship won’t change hands.
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr. retains.
AEW World Tag Team Championship: Three-Way Elimination
The championship at Forbidden Door is a three-way between The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin), FTR, and Brodii. This generated discussion about AEW’s tag team division direction.
Simon favored FTR winning to set up the anticipated match with Edge and Christian in Toronto: “FTR should win the tag belts because it’s Edge and Christian’s hometown, maybe the last time they ever team up in Toronto together. They should win the tag team titles in Toronto.”
North preferred The Hurt Syndicate retaining, arguing for the group’s continued development: “I feel there’s so much more you could do with The Hurt Syndicate. I wouldn’t have them drop the belts.”
The booking discussion extended to potential storylines, with Simon suggesting a complex scenario involving FTR winning, losing to Edge and Christian in Toronto, then The Hurt Syndicate reclaiming the titles by arguing they “never lost them” since their partner took the fall.
Prediction: Simon – FTR wins; North – Hurt Syndicate retains.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland
The AEW Unified Championship defense generated concern due to Swerve Strickland’s reported injury status. North indicated that Swerve is “battling through an injury” and might be taking time off after the event.
This news, combined with Will Ospreay also reportedly needing neck surgery, worried both hosts about AEW’s depth.
“Two of your top guys are hurt and going away for a while,” Simon observed. “That’s interesting – and bad.”
The match will be contested under “Continental Title rules,” meaning no interference, which both hosts appreciated.
Prediction: Both favor Okada retaining.
Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi
The AEW TNT Championship defense showcased the ongoing AEW-NJPW partnership. Simon praised Hiromu Takahashi’s dedication and skill, referencing a recent match with Dragon Lee that resulted in Hiromu suffering a serious neck injury but continuing to perform.
“He breaks his neck at the end and still takes a couple crazy bumps afterwards,” Simon recounted. “His neck is broken, and he still takes a couple of crazy bumps. It was devastating.”
Despite Hiromu’s talent, both hosts expected Fletcher to retain as the AEW representative.
Prediction: Kyle Fletcher retains.
Mercedes Moné Four-Way Defense
The AEW TBS Championship four-way featuring representatives from AEW (Alex Windsor), CMLL (Persephone), and Stardom (Bozilla) received minimal discussion from the hosts.
“I really couldn’t care less about that match,” Simon admitted, though North offered praise for Windsor: “Alex Windsor – she’s a very good wrestler. The more I see her, I think she might be the best new wrestler in AEW this year.”
Prediction: Mercedes Moné retains.
Edge and Christian vs. The Matriarchy
The reunion tag team match featuring Adam Copeland (Edge) and Christian Cage against Kip Sabian and Killswitch (replacing the injured Nick Wayne) was viewed as a clear victory for the veteran team.
The storyline development, stemming from Wayne’s betrayal of Christian and Edge’s surprise return to save his former rival, was praised for its emotional complexity.
“I enjoyed that whole segment on Dynamite where Edge and Christian talked,” North said. “Christian is still a jerk and they’ll live with that fact regardless. Christian said this isn’t because he wanted to do it – he kind of had to do it because he’s got enemies.”
Prediction: Edge and Christian win decisively.
Broader Promotional Analysis
AEW’s Star Power Concerns
Both hosts noted the departure of major stars from AEW over recent years, with Simon observing: “Cody left, Jericho’s gone, Punk is not there anymore. Some of their big main stars have left over the past few years. That’s interesting.”
This talent exodus has raised questions about AEW’s ability to retain top-tier performers long-term.
WWE’s Counter-Programming Strategy
The hosts discussed WWE’s aggressive scheduling against AEW events, with Wrestlepalooza on September 20th directly opposing AEW’s All Out in Toronto.
“WWE is gonna be counter-programming every AEW show going forward forever,” Simon noted. “They’re really going hard at AEW.”
The strategy includes placing major attractions like a potential John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar match against AEW’s offerings.
International Expansion
Both promotions’ international focus was highlighted, with WWE running events in Dublin and AEW hosting Forbidden Door in London. The hosts noted this represents a significant investment in overseas markets.
Event Logistics and Viewing Information
Forbidden Door streams Sunday at 1:00 PM ET/6:00 PM BST, with a pre-show beginning at 11:30 AM ET/4:30 PM BST. The event is available on Prime Video and traditional pay-per-view providers.
The hosts expressed concerns about potential event length, referencing AEW’s tendency toward extended runtime. “Their last one shouldn’t have been either, however, it was crazy long,” Simon said, hoping for a more reasonable four-hour runtime rather than AEW’s typical five-plus hour presentations.
The comprehensive preview established Forbidden Door 2025 as a significant event for both promotions, featuring international talent and high-stakes championship matches that could influence the wrestling landscape heading into the fall season.
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