Notes on How Injuries & Travel Issues Forced Changes To AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

During today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio (via F4WOnline.com), Dave Meltzer provided more information regarding how injuries forced changes and alterations to last Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 event. The co-promotional event featured talent from AEW, CMLL, STARDOM, and NJPW. However, some talents were unable to work the show as originally planned due to injury.

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez noted how the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion was originally slotted for the card, where he would’ve challenged reigning AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley for his title. However, Newman suffered a dislocated shoulder injury when he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Title to Yota Tsuji earlier in the month at Dominion, forcing a change in the planned title bout. As a result, Moxley instead defended the title against Bandido, who lost to Moxley.

Meanwhile, IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Shota Umino was originally planned for a title match against Gabe Kidd. However, Kidd’s visa issues prevented him from working on the show. Umino instead wrestled PAC at the pay-per-view, with Umino successfully defending the belt. A title matchup between Umino and Kidd is currently planned for NJPW Road to G1 Climax Night 6 on July 6 in Tokyo, Japan.

Another wrestler forced off the card due to injury was Tomohiro Ishii, who is currently dealing with a neck issue. Meltzer explained that Ishii was taken off TV several weeks ago with an on-air angle to cover for a neck issue. Meltzer assumed that Ishii would’ve taken part in the Team Briscoe vs. Team MJF in the Death’s Door Cage Match, with Konosuke Takeshita likely taking his slot.

Sareee’s Injury Caused Changes to the Owen Hart Tournament Finals at Forbidden Door

STARDOM wrestler Sareee was another talent scheduled to compete at Forbidden Door. However, as previously noted, Sareee was forced to withdraw from the women’s Owen Hart tournament due to a neck injury, and Maya World ended up taking her place.

Meltzer speculated that Sareee vs. Willow Nightingale was planned as the original finals of the tournament but “ended up taking a different turn.” He believes that Thekla vs. Nightingale would’ve ended up being the AEW Women’s World Title Match at All In London, provided Nightingale and Sareee weren’t injured and forced out of the tournament and Forbidden Door.

Ultimately, Mercedes Mone won the women’s Owen Hart Cup for the second straight year. She will now challenge Thekla for the title at All In London in August.