Forbidden Door II must include more women from AEW and NJPW

Forbidden Door II cannot make the same mistake as 2022 with only one women’s match on the PPV.

Big news broke when it was revealed that All Elite Wrestling will bring another edition of Forbidden Door to fans on June 25, 2023. The first edition of the PPV set wrestling ablaze as talent from both NJPW and AEW killed it in the ring. However, that wasn’t the case for the women’s division as that group had only one match on the card. Looking at the opportunity in front of them, and the availability of one major name in Mercedes Mone, Forbidden Door II has to feature more of the ladies from AEW and NJPW/Stardom.

A few months ago speculation was running wild as many believed Mone was making her way over to AEW. Britt Baker dropped hints on television and the storyline briefly revolved around a mystery partner. That situation played out differently and the performer formerly known as Sasha Banks did not make an appearance. Instead, she’s become the IWGP Women’s Champion when she defeated KAIRI at NJPW Battle In The Valley in February in a 26-minute classic.

There’s too much talent available to miss this opportunity for Forbidden Door II

Mone has hinted at being involved in the card, but if she and others from the Stardom roster are not included, then this would be a major example of promotional malpractice. Look at that roster. Not only are names like Mone and KAIRI two of the best wrestlers in the game today, but that promotion features top talents like Giulia, Saya Kamitani, Mayu Iwatani, Utami Hayashishita, and many more. Not featuring them on the card would continue to harm the development of women’s wrestling in All Elite Wrestling, which is one of the remaining complaints against the company today.

June is a far time away and there’s a lot of opportunity to develop the AEW women’s division beyond where it is today. The Originals versus Freelancers angle isn’t fully hitting and Jade Cargill is launching a new feud with Taya Valkyrie, but fans still want to see more from the women each week. The build to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II should feature more of these ladies, including those in Ring of Honor, to create the desire to see them on such a major show. Imagine seeing the likes of Athena, Jamie Hayter, Nyla Rose, Willow Nightingale, and others taking part in multiple matches across the pre-show and PPV. The ladies would once again steal the show as they have done so many times in the past.

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II is going to be a major show in 2023. The idea of Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay getting into the ring together is enough to immediately create interest in the event. Throw in the possibility of Mercedes Mone on the show as IWGP Champion, and the pieces are there. Fans must push for AEW to include more women from both promotions because not doing so for the second year in a row would be a mistake.