Tossing Salt Presents:
AEW Forbidden Door 2024
Thoughts & Predictions
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Coming up on Sunday night is AEW Forbidden Door, available for viewing on most PPV distributors. Thirteen matches as of this writing, 3:00 am on Saturday, but the card is subject to change as we all well know. Of course, that means it’s prediction time. Let’s break out the Miss Cleo wig, Tarot Cards, and crystal ball. It’s time to pick some winners and losers. Let’s do this.

AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay.

Swerve has done well thus far as the AEW Champion and I don’t think it’s time to switch the title as of yet. Ospreay’s run in AEW thus far hasn’t been all that, but given the opportunity, he will get over with the fans and earn that World Championship. It’s not time yet and I think we’ll see Swerve pull an upset and keep the championship.

Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Swerve Strickland.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito.

I wonder how much blood Moxley will spill before this match is over? I don’t even know who Naito is except for a few mentions online, but he’s a good wrestler and the current Golden Child of New Japan. I think he’ll take the IWGP Championship home.

Winner and NEW IWGP World Champion: Tetsuya Naito.

Winner Takes All: AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Moné vs. NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer.

It’s AEW and Tony Khan has to justify all of the huge money that he’s allegedly giving Mercedes. There is no way she’s losing this match.

Winner and STILL AEW TBS Champion/NEW NJPW Strong Women’s Champion: Mercedes Mone’.

AEW Women’s Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa.

The battle of the boobs. What else can you call this? Shirakawa seems like a tough young woman, but Toni Storm is the pride and joy of AEW. I think Tony is a “tits man”. Toni is keeping her title with a huge win.

Winner and STILL AEW Women’s Champion: Toni Storm.

Owen Hart Cup Tournament: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi.

Danielson has lost more matches than he’s won thus far in 2024, but I think it’s time for a change. Danielson wins and the American Dragon is back.

Winner: Bryan Danielson.

AEW TNT Championship – Ladder Match: Jack Perry vs. Lio Rush vs. El Phantasmo vs. Dante Martin vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Konosuke Takeshita.

We will see shenanigans. We will see outside interference. We will see the cow jump over the moon and maybe even a return or two. And we’ll see Jungle Boy Jack Perry somehow end up with the AEW TNT Championship.

Winner and NEW AEW TNT Champion: Jack Perry

The Elite vs. The Acclaimed and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

The Elite 2.0 have pissed off too many people and everyone is out for their blood. Billy Gunn might not be in the match, but he’s going to be at ringside. Christopher Daniels will be lurking around as well. The Acclaimed need to get their rapping entrances back and the only way to do that is to win this match.

Winners: The Acclaimed & Hiroshi Tanahashi.

MJF vs. Hechicero.

Who is this kid that MJF is wrestling and more importantly, why? MJF is a star who has just returned and he’s wrestling who? Sighs I just don’t get it.

Winner: MJF.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy.

This should be an excellent match that I’m sure Meltzer will give five stars although no one will remember a single thing about it by Monday morning. Sabre is an amazing talent and Orange is far better than most give him credit for. Let’s go for an upset in this one.

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr.

Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Jeff Cobb vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata.

With the proper build and time, this could be an amazing and epic match. Even with Jericho’s declining in-ring skills, the level of talent here is fantastic. Instead, it’s just an afterthought thrown in amidst a dozen other matches and just part of the show. So, does Hook turn on Joe yet or do they extend this a little longer and give it time to breathe? Look for Jericho, Big Bill, and Cobb to take the win.

Winners: Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Jeff Cobb.

Zero Hour: Los Ingobernables de Japon vs. Lucha Brothers and Místico.

Who versus who? I do know who the Lucha Brothers and Mistico are so I’ll place my bet with them.

Winners: Lucha Brothers & Mistico.

Zero Hour – Owen Hart Cup Tournament: Mariah May vs. Saraya.

I used to be a huge fan of Saraya, fka Paige, but times have changed. Mariah May is interesting and she’s getting a push as part of Toni Storm’s group, so who knows? Booking Saraya to win makes no sense, but everyone loves a good return and comeback story.

Winner: Saraya.

Zero Hour: Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe vs. Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano.

Another meaningless match with two AEW regulars teamed with ladies from overseas that most wrestling fans won’t have a clue about. Really? Oh well, it is what it is. Willow is the big crowd favorite right now so let’s go with her and Nakano for the win.

Winners: Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano.

And there you go with my predictions for AEW Forbidden Door, live on PPV this Sunday night. It’s a packed card for sure, but where are Christian, Nick Wayne, Killswitch, Sammy Guevera, Wardlow, Ricky Starks, Daniel Garcia, Kip Sabian, Miro, or any of the top guys that should be getting some TV or PPV time? We don’t even get to see Evil Uno, John Silver, and that group. AEW has so many talented wrestlers on their roster and then they throw out this card which is packed to the gills, but so very underwhelming.

I guess that’s an argument for another day though. So what do you think of my predictions? Am I right? Am I wrong? Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to check out the site, DougMaynard.com, for lots of great stuff, and I guess that’s it. Take care and enjoy AEW Forbidden Door this weekend. I’ll see you at the matches.

(Updated) – New Match Added

AEW President Tony Khan announced the following new match for Zero Hour as part of the Forbidden Door PPV tomorrow in NYC. So thirteen matches isn’t enough? Oy vey! Let’s make a quick prediction.

House of Black vs. Private Party vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong.

House of Black is currently one member short as Buddy Matthews is enjoying a honeymoon with new bride Rhea Ripley, so I doubt they’ll be winning anything. PrivateParty is a good team, but they haven’t meant anything in quite a while for AEW. Ishii and O’Reilly? Nah, I don’t think so. Gabe Kidd is the hot new thing at AEW and he trended a few weeks ago with some insightful comments. I think he and Strong have the advantage here. Let’s go with that.

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong.

And there you go. Enjoy the show.

Ubuntu!