The one forbidden door that may never be open is one between WWE and AEW…well unless hell froze over.
I know before I write a single word of this card, I’m going to get comments like why didn’t you book this person in the match, or how could you say this person should win or my personal favorite being accused of being a mark for either WWE or AEW.
To all the complainers, I’m one of the most unbiased writers in the wrestling community. I watch both WWE & AEW and many other promotions as well, and if you look through my past articles I praise and criticize all the companies I have covered.
This was an article I was considering writing for a while, but I wanted to try and put together not only a great card, but realistic as well. Talents such as CM Punk, Sasha Banks and Naomi for example are technically still under contract as far as I know at the time of this writing, but their status with their companies is less than clear so I did not consider them for this piece. People like John Cena and the Rock were also not really considered either as they are mostly Hollywood talent at this point.
I wanted to present the best and most realistic card possible, so I conferred with two people’s opinions on wrestling that I respect, the hosts of the Republic Ramble, Clark Taylor and Coby Galenzoski. We debated this card, and it went through multiple changes until we felt we had the best and most realistic card that we could. I would like to thank both those guys and present to you our collaborative efforts of a Forbidden Door show that we are calling WWE/AEW Forbidden Door: Hell Has Frozen Over.
NOTE: This is being written prior to AEW Full Gear 2022, so some champions may not be accurate when this article is read.
Commentators/Ring Announcers/Refs: I think throughout the night you alternate between various mixes of the commentators, ring announcers and refs. For the biggest matches on the card, I think it is mandatory that JR be the lead announcer for them, as he is the GOAT and has history with both companies.
Show Open:
I think the show has to open with Triple H and Tony Khan welcoming the fans to the show and acknowledging they never thought this show would happen. They should acknowledge this may never happen again, but tonight is for wrestling fans around the world. The battle for supremacy in this industry will be determined tonight as the two biggest companies in the business will do battle.
Opening Match: 10-Women’s Battle Royal:
AEW: Nyla Rose, Toni Storm, Athena, Jamie Hayter and Ruby Soho
WWE: Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Candice LeRae, and Shayna Baszler
Opening this monumental show with talented women of both AEW and WWE in a battle royal to me is a smart way to showcase a wide selection of both rosters. This is not setup in a team format as it is every woman for herself. You have personal issues within both rosters of women on their own and you of course have some history there as well. Liv Morgan and Ruby Soho of course have history as teammates as a part of the Riott Squad together. They could obviously team up in this match, but Liv Morgan has certainly had a better career including a WWE SD Women’s title reign since Ruby was let go by WWE, so they could just as easily go at it. Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley certainly have a ton of history as they feuded over the NXT UK Women’s Championship including Ripley beating Toni to become the first NXT UK Women’s champ.
For me, as you will see throughout this show, I want to utilize this show to elevate talent that I think could use this momentum to propel their careers. I would have the final two be Alexa Bliss and Nyla Rose. Nyla is one of those talents that I think could be booked as a monster heel and a win for her here would do more for her career than any of the other women in this match in my opinion.
Winner: Nyla Rose (Score – AEW – 1/WWE – 0)
Backstage segment: Danhausen is seen picking up the WWE 24/7 Championship off the group and Truth runs up.
Truth: You found my baby!
Danhausen: Oh, my it’s the greatest 24/7, 48/7, 7/11, I-95 South European Television Champion, it’s an honor to meet you…please take it
Truth: Thanks Sting!
Danhausen: Well actually I’m…
Enter Gunn Club: If it isn’t the freak, Danhausen and a has been, R-Truth hanging out together
Truth: Better a has been than a never beens…who are you?
Danhausen: They’re the Firm Ass Boys
Truth: Their asses don’t look firm to me
Danhausen and Truth continue to make fun of the Gunn Club until they leave when Billy Gunn appears joining in on burying his sons.
Second Match: Six Man Tag – New Day vs Death Triangle
Now I know I’m going to get the complaints why not do the Elite vs New Day, well because I have them in a bigger match later on in the card. This is a match that features one of the most successful three men teams in WWE history and the reigning AEW Trios Champions (as of this writing). Despite holding the Trios titles, Death Triangle in my opinion haven’t really gotten as much of a push as they probably deserved prior to the trios win.
Again, this is a match that I think could be used to elevate Death Triangle and it helps with the story that I’m telling with this card. The New Day can lose this match and lose nothing in their popularity and Death Triangle can gain momentum.
Winners: Death Triangle (Score – AEW – 2/WWE – 0)
Backstage, Tony Khan is grinning ear to ear and looks at Hunter going not bad for a pissant company huh…Triple H goes Tony let me tell you something WCW learned a long time ago, don’t count us down. There is plenty of game left to play.
Third Match: WWE IC Champion, Gunther vs AEW TNT Champion, Wardlow
This is a battle of two absolute warhorses of their brands, and this is a match that in the words of JR could be a slobberknocker. Wardlow has never faced anyone like Gunther before and it would be fun to see how he responds to his chops. Wardlow is a powerhouse and that is what needs to be showcased here and just like the first two matches, I think Wardlow picking up the win here would be incredibly beneficial for him.
The match would be an absolute back and forth affair so both men look incredibly strong here. However, I cannot see this match ending in a necessarily clean pin of Gunther so I would have someone from the WWE side cost Gunther the match like Pete Dunne. This helps setup a future IC title match between the former NXT UK Championship rivals and gives Wardlow a huge win.
Winner: Wardlow (Score – AEW – 3/WWE – 0)
Fourth Match: 20-Man Men’s Battle Royal:
AEW: Andrade, Samoa Joe, Miro, Bryan Danielson, Ethan Page, Malakai Black, Orange Cassidy, Jungle Boy, Ricky Starks, Eddie Kingston
WWE: Matt Riddle, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Finn Balor, Lashley, AJ Styles, Sheamus, Johnny Gargano
This another match that can showcase a lot of talent and features talent that has history with each other so old rivalries can certainly heat back up in this match. I think this match can certainly elevate a number of talents and set up some really cool spots. For example, Ethan Page does a move called the RK-Ego and he can deliver the move to his old Evolve rival, Johnny Gargano, and thinking he is the man for doing it, he turns around right into an RKO. Orange Cassidy and Matt Riddle can have a “whatever” standoff during the match. With WWE down 3-0 in this match, I think one of WWE’s most tenured members on the roster, Orton would make the most sense to win this as the final two are Orton and his old rival, Bryan Danielson.
Winner: Randy Orton (Score – AEW – 3/WWE – 1)
Backstage: Hit Row are watching the monitor and Swerve & Keith Lee are walking by and they all have a big hug
Fifth Match – Sting vs Bray Wyatt
This is a match that could easily be a cinematic match in its entirety or at least feature elements if they so choose as it would fit both men. This certainly cannot be a really long match especially at Sting’s age. These are two characters that could make a compelling build up to this match using all the elements of smoke and mirrors. I think you could have a moment where the tron shows Darby Allin fighting Wyatt’s group. This distracts Sting long enough for Wyatt to hit his finisher on Sting to pick up the win. Wyatt picking up a win off of the TNA & WWE HOFamer would certainly help Wyatt’s momentum and the loss for Sting wouldn’t hurt him at all.
Winner: Bray Wyatt (Score – AEW – 3/WWE – 2)
Sixth Match: Team WWE Vs Team AEW Women – Elimination
Team WWE: Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Ronda Rousey, and Bayley Vs
Team AEW: Jade Cargill, Thunder Rosa, Hikaru Shida, Paige VanZant, and Saraya
We wanted this match to have a comparable person on each team in order to try and pair them off. Obviously, Ronda and VanZant have the MMA history that could be a fun pair off and can do things in this match none of the other ladies can do. Cargill vs Belair is clearly a dream match up and would make sense for them to Captain their teams as they are the AEW TBS and WWE Raw Women’s Champions respectively.
Elimination rules can create drama in this match especially if one side gets the number advantage. Seeing Thunder Rosa and Becky Lynch going at it in just a straight up brawl can be great TV. The one very important thing to remember in these Team matches the teammates don’t have to like each other and having one turn on the other can further a storyline in their respective company. I would have the final three being Belair and Cargill & Saraya. Belair defies the odds and eliminates Saraya, making it down to Belair and Cargill. Bayley who was obviously already eliminated comes down with Damage CTRL, to distract the ref as Bayley slips in and betrays Belair helping Cargill to pick up the win. Thus, giving Cargill a huge win and setting up Bayley vs Belair for the Raw Women’s title.
Winners: Team AEW (Score – AEW – 4/WWE – 2)
Seventh Match – Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, Usos vs AEW Tag Team Champions, The Acclaimed
This is an absolute dream match featuring arguably the two best tag teams going today. This can be a match that can have an absolutely amazing buildup to it. The Acclaimed can record a video burying the bloodline and Paul Heyman can cut a promo that would cut the Acclaimed to the bone.
The match itself could not only steal the show but be a match of the year contender as well. Although, the Acclaimed could certainly benefit more from a win here over a team that is in debates of GOAT status, it wouldn’t be the smart choice here in my opinion. With the Usos being in a dominate reign of almost 500 days and being the longest reigning tag champs in WWE history, I cannot see WWE agreeing to them losing and I cannot see AEW agreeing to Acclaim being beat clean. So, I would have Sami Zayn, the honorary uce, cause a distraction or an interference by Sikoa leading to the Usos picking up the win.
Winners: Usos (Score – AEW – 4/WWE – 3)
Eighth Match: Seth Rollins vs MJF
This is the match that I would most be looking forward to as both men would deliver a build to this that would be so MUST SEE. Arguably, these may be the two people that are the best at selling and hyping the matches that they are in better than anyone else in the industry. Not only can they build this match up, but it also won’t just be hype as they can deliver in the ring. There is no doubt in my mind that these men can deliver a match that will somehow elevate them both no matter who ends up getting their hand raised. I think this a match that should see MJF coming out on top as he definitely greatly benefits from this win and maybe more so than Seth would. MJF could certainly out cheat Seth by using his dynamite diamond ring without the ref seeing to pick up the win.
Winner: MJF (Score – AEW – 5/WWE – 3)
Ninth Match – Charlotte Flair vs Britt Baker
This is easily the biggest women’s match that they could present at a show this big. The two most successful women that have defined their brands for years. This is another match that could steal the show as this is a dream match that can certainly live up to the hype. This is one of those matches that it is very unlikely either side would agree to a clean finish and considering the quality and build that will likely be presented it won’t really matter.
Both women will likely win the audience over that neither would lose any momentum here no matter who lost. I think the logical option is both women growing frustrated that they haven’t been able to put the other one away, I would either have Ric Flair come out to distract the ref or perhaps a ref bump and Charlotte hits Britt in the leg with some type of crowbar from under the ring and then gets her to tap to the Figure 8. I’d have just like the MJF/Rollins situation, Charlotte, the daughter of the dirtiest player in the game out cheats Britt.
Winner: Charlotte Flair (Score – AEW – 5/WWE – 4)
Tenth Match – Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns vs AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley
This is a match up that has so much history behind it as both men became stars in the Shield and are now, they are both the champions of their respective brands. They are completely different wrestlers compared to the last time they shared a ring together.
The promos that Roman and Mox could deliver on each other and of course the promos their mouth pieces, Paul Heyman and William Regal can deliver on each other would be absolute classics.
Roman could claim he carried Mox and Mox can counter with you have it all wrong Roman, it was me that carried you all those years. See the old man’s only goal was to get you over, I got myself over and then I left here to carry the flag for AEW. See they only cared about protecting you…even now you have protection in the form of the Bloodline. Really Jon, you talk about protection, your little combat club couldn’t sniff the Bloodline. You think your tough and hardcore Jon, but I don’t care how tough you think you are you will acknowledge me.
Just like the other match ups with the top talent, neither company would want their people to lose cleanly and for purposes of my booking I really don’t want a draw finish. So, I think the logical choice is both the Bloodline and Combat Club are battling it out on the outside, the refs are clearly trying to gain order and are a bit distracted. MJF sneaks in and delivers a low blow to Mox, who is already a bloody mess after this hard-fought match and Roman delivers a final spear to pick up the win over Mox.
The MJF interference protects Mox and continues their feud in AEW and allows MJF to say something like you owe me one Roman in 2024.
Winner: Roman Reigns (Score – AEW – 5/WWE – 5)
Backstage: Hunter is in the hallway talking to DX and Billy Gunn walks up and there is this tense moment. Roaddogg goes we missed you at the reunion and Billy goes I missed you guys at my birthday party…Hunter and Billy stare at each other, then Hunter drops Scissor Me Billy…they all laugh and hug. Giving the fans the reunion that they were denied.
Tony Khan approaches and says to Hunter well it all comes down to the main event…they both wish each other good luck and let the better brand win.
Main Event: Team WWE vs Team AEW – War Games
Team WWE – Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, Edge and Cody Rhodes vs.
Team AEW – Hangman Page, Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and the Young Bucks
This has to be the main event with the score tied, this is how you close out an event that will likely never happen in real life. The reason Jericho and Cody Rhodes are both in this match, is that leading to the buildup to the show this allows for doubt to be cast on either or both Jericho and Rhodes on who’s side are they really on?
Is Jericho going to screw over AEW, his current home for the promotion that made him a star? A brand that he represented in their own war with the Alliance back in 2001. Is Cody going to screw over WWE, his current home for the promotion that he helped found in AEW?
There is also the Kevin Owens and the Young Bucks factor as they are legitimate friends in real life and they are on opposing sides here. Jericho has had feuds or issues with almost everyone in this match on both sides.
This match will certainly live up to the War Games name as both sides deliver an absolute masterpiece classic that will be talked about for years. They will give the fans everything that they are expecting to see and then some.
Realistically, they would never allow either side to win definitively, but like I said I’m not going to have this end that way. Either side could easily pick up the win and it probably wouldn’t hurt either brand to take the lose here. For me though, I think the smart move is to tease the Cody betrayal, but Jericho is the true snake and turns on Omega to setup a feud between the two in AEW. It would certainly be believable, and it helps AEW build towards a big match.
Team WWE picks up the win, but again it isn’t clean so both brands are protected.
Winners: Team WWE (Final Score – AEW – 5/WWE – 6)
Final Thoughts:
Like I said at the beginning of this piece, this is something that is certainly debatable and controversial, but again this was done out of fun. This was put together as unbiasedly as possible and built to create suspense leading into the main event. Neither company would ever agree to clean finishes on their top stars and likely would end in a tie, but I wanted to provide a definitive finish. This show could have just as easily saw Cody betray WWE setting up a feud with him and Owens in WWE.
This is free to be debated and that is okay, the main thing is to provide the fans with a MUST SEE show and I feel that Clark, Coby and I, have done that here with this show.
ITTMP
Photo Credits – WWE and AEW
