Bryan Danielson Suffers Major Injury At AEW Forbidden Door; June 26th Live Wrestling News Round-Up

CM Punk appeared to mock recent comparisons to WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan during his clash with NJPW legend Satoshi Kojima during AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV.

As ‘The Second City Saint’ made his way to the ring he was met by a rupture of boos from the passionate Toronto crowd, a reaction that he also experienced during Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Punk would play up to the boos, calling for the crowd to boo him louder and seemingly hitting back at comparisons to Hulk Hogan from Eric Bischoff in the process.

Bischoff While discussing the latest developments in the Punk and AEW saga on his Strictly Business podcast, Bischoff said that while Punk and others like to say Hogan is selfish, the former AEW Champion himself is ‘even worse.’

During the match against Kojima, Punk would hit Hogan’s iconic big boot and leg drop combo, whilst signalling to the crowd to listen up as the boos continued to erupt around the Scotiabank Arena.

You can check out the divisive moment, here.

During his full-time WWE career, John Cena became the most polarising figure on the entire roster, and it seems that continues with some even to this day.

Appearing on the Road Trip After Hours podcast, Teddy Long was asked about a potential match between Cena and LA Knight. Although the match might be a long shot, speculation kicked into gear after Cena shared a photo of Knight on Instagram.

Long explained that he doesn’t know whether Cena is open to wrestling again, admitting he’s “not a John Cena fan.”

This isn’t the first time Long has been critical of John Cena in recent months, with the former SmackDown General Manager claiming the 16-time World Champion could have turned in a better performance against Austin Theory at WrestleMania 39. Long stated that he didn’t feel Cena “did business,” and could have done more to elevate Theory.

You can read Long’s full comments, here.

LA Knight addresses issues about his age at 40 years old, his frustrations with missing Wrestlemania, his dislike of portraying Max Dupri and Triple H stepping in to bring back his NXT character!

Check out this exclusive interview clip below!

AEW will be taking over Chicago once again in September!

It has been confirmed that All Out will take place on September 3rd and will come live from the United Center in the Windy City. Collision will also be held at the same venue 24 hours earlier.

The promotion’s latest run in Chicago will kick off on August 30th when Dynamite emanates from the NOW Arena.

You can read more on this, here.

Following their brutal match at AEW’s 2023 Forbidden Door PPV, ‘The Arial Assassin’ Will Ospreay has heaped praise on rival Kenny Omega.

Taking to Twitter, the new IWGP US Champion would comment on Omega’s in-ring ability, heaping praise on ‘The Cleaner’ for being a once-in-a-lifetime competitor.

Ospreay would sign off by stating that many in AEW can claim to be All Elite but only Kenny Omega can say he is ‘Above Elite’.

“Kenny Omega is once in a lifetime.

There will never be anyone that will be able to master the craft the way he has.

Overcoming him was legitimately the most challenging and yet rewarding task of my life.While everyone can say they’re “all elite” You can say you’re above elite”

You can read more on this, here.

For the second year running AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door hosted several incredible matches and one Tony Khan has called one the greatest he’s even seen.

The second singles match between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay was a highly-anticipated affair. Their first outing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 was a critically-acclaimed match that received plaudits from fans and pundits alike and the rematch promised to be no different.

The two opponents fought tooth and nail in an epic encounter. Both fighters were left battered and bloodied in a brutal battle that featured everything from high-octane offence and breathtaking near falls. After 30 minutes of intense action, the leader of the United Empire defeated the Best Bout Machine for the IWPG U.S. Title.

Speaking at the Forbidden Door Media Scrum, Khan introduced the new IWGP United States Champion, Ospreay before praising his match as one of the greatest.

Speaking of crazy out of control matches and somebody who was bloody and injured, all right thank you Will thank you great match, congratulations [on becoming] IWGP US champion once again classic match
Will Osprey versus Kenny Omega, one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen. That was a great show.

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit the original source and give a H/T and link back to Inside The Ropes for the transcription.

Mick Foley and The Undertaker have sat down in an exclusive new WWE video to re-watch their iconic Hell in a Cell match.

The video, uploaded in full on WWE’s official YouTube channel, was made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the brutal match that took place back in 1998 at WWE’s King of the Ring PPV.

You can check out the epic video in full below!

WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has joined the growing calls for Logan Paul to win the men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Ray asked co-host Tommy Dreamer whether the WWE Universe was ready for Paul to win because “business dictates that he should.”

Dreamer went on to praise the YouTube star for his return and promo on the June 19th episode of Raw, commenting that because he’s not a wrestler, his promo was slightly different in style.

Bully Ray’s comments come after the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer said that Logan Paul should be the man to triumph in London. While Meltzer admitted that he’s unsure whether WWE will actually book Paul to win, he believes that due to his mainstream appeal, he should, before going on to face Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title.

You can read more on this, there.

Eric Bischoff was known for his iconic, picture perfect hair during his time in WCW but now, in the name of charity, the WWE Hall of Famer has been shaved bald!

Ad Free Shows this weekend hosted their 2023 Top Guy Weekend event, a massive event that runs as part of the Ad Free Shows network for their top fans and all for a good cause.

The 2023 event saw AFS raise $13,500 for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the top donors were then invited to receive their award, the opportunity to shave Eric Bischoff bald.

The generous individuals took turns shaving Bischoff’s beautiful locks away until there was nothing left.

You can check out a photo of the now bald Eric Bischoff below.

That hair gone. For a great cause. #TGW2023 @EBischoff @StJude pic.twitter.com/MmBXVItqVh

— Conrad the Mortgage Guy (@HeyHeyItsConrad) June 26, 2023

You didn’t think we could go a full day without a new story relating to CM Punk did you?

It’s been reported that AEW was taking no chances with CM Punk and Kenny Omega at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door marked the first time that CM Punk and Kenny Omega were in the same building since they were both involved in a brawl backstage following All Out in September.

nk’s comeback has been dogged by controversy with reports of unrest backstage, with one top star reportedly claiming the situation around Punk was a “ticking time bomb.”

Although others have claimed the tension is fictional, it seems AEW management was taking no chances at Forbidden Door. It was reported by Fightful Select with the show in progress that Punk and Omega were kept on opposite sides of the building.

You can read the full report, here.

Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay went to war during the semi-main event of AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV.

Blood was bled, sweat was shed and in the end for Kenny Omega it was not enough.

After a brutal Hidden Blade, Ospreay was able to put away his greatest rival and re-capture the IWGP US Championship.

Taking to Twitter, Omega has congratulated Ospreay on his victory but had one simple request for the ‘Ariel Assassin’…

“I lost and Will was the better man tonight. The US belt is in good hands. Keep Don away from it.”

It was also revealed that during AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV, CM Punk and Kenny Omega were kept at opposite sides of the venue.

You can read more on this, here.

Chris Jericho talks to Kenny McIntosh on tour with Inside The Ropes about when he knew it was time to exit WWE after his Wrestlemania booking, his New Japan Pro Wrestling match and signing with Tony Khan’s AEW!

Check out this never before seen video clip below!

WWE has shared footage of an emotional meeting between Seth Rollins and Shawn Michaels after the World Champion returned to NXT.

Once the show went off the air, Rollins addressed the crowd and paid tribute to the World Champions such as Shawn Michaels that had come before him. WWE has now shared footage of HBK greeting Rollins as he came backstage, with the WWE Hall of Famer thanking him for returning to NXT and expressing how proud he was.

.@ShawnMichaels 🤝 @WWERollins

What a moment. #NXTGoldRush pic.twitter.com/HibTRMTUSg

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 25, 2023

In response to the footage, Rollins wrote on Twitter that he wouldn’t be who he was without Michaels’ influence.

You can read Rollins’ full comments, here.

Rollins’ NXT return let to a huge 30% rating jump for the white-and-gold brand and has led to WWE officials planning more main roster returns to NXT, including Ronda Rousey.

AEW’s Forbidden Door has once again stolen the show and placed it’s self among the frontrunners for PPV of the year with Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada stealing the spotlight.

But it is the events now iconic poster design that is one of the more surprising reasons the show has made headlines in the immediate aftermath of the event.

The design, seemingly inspired by Marvel’s Multiverse of Madness/ Doctor Strange poster designs has actually been revealed to be an adapted image based on the pupil of Kenny Omega.

AEW Post Production VP Kevin Sullivan took to Twitter, to share the true inspiration for the Forbidden Door poster praising the AEW graphics team for being ‘next level.’

You can check out the original post below

This match is incredible. There are many layers to everything we produce, but check out this hidden gem. Our graphics team is next level. #ForbiddenDoor pic.twitter.com/WuBgQ8XFzh

— Kevin Sullivan (@KevinSullyTV) June 26, 2023

What is the greatest wrestling poster of all time? Let us know using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

A new report has claimed that frustration is growing backstage as Vince McMahon continues to make late changes to WWE programming.

On the June 19th episode of Raw, McMahon completely reworked the entire opening segment, scrapping a match between Seth Rollins and Tommaso Ciampa. However, the following episode of SmackDown was almost completely rewritten and a number of advertised matches were dropped from the show without explanation.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the situation and revealed that he’d been told everyone is scared to question McMahon when he insists on making changes. He added that “they” are trying to find a way to stop the Executive Chairman from making so many changes in the hours before shows go on the air.

Meltzer added that while there’s frustration, as everyone is scared to confront McMahon over the issue, he’s essentially able to do whatever he wants.

You can read Melter’s comments in full, here.

Will Ospreay may have stolen the show at AEW & NJPW’s 2023 Forbidden Door PPV, but ‘The Aerial Assassin’ has revealed that his hard hitting style is not without it’s consequences.

Speaking during the Forbidden Door post-show press conference, Ospreay was asked about his all guns blazing in-ring style, something that Ospreay is very proud of but admits he cannot keep doing at the volume he currently is.

Whilst discussing the recovery of the UK independent scene following the COVID-19 pandemic, Ospreay would state that his “time is coming up” when it comes to independent shows.

“I always have a saying of pay it forward and I feel like I am very passionate about the British wrestling scene, they got hit real hard in the pandemic and I took it upon myself to try get it back to how it was. I still don’t think the jobs done in England but I do think my time is coming up, especially doing all the independents, my body is starting to break down. So it is probably time for me to start wrapping up doing all the independents.”

The NJPW United States Champion was then asked about his previous shoulder injury and current health status, it was here that Ospreay would briefly reveal that he suffered a permanent deformity during a recent match.

“I have a mad deformity their now [in his chest], there’s a little hole in my chest now, and I miss him, I want him back. It’s never gonna come back, it was a partial tear of my pectoral tendon, so luckily no surgery but lots of rehab and recovery. There was an incident literally last month when I was wrestling Tanahashi, I think it was May, I hit the Stormbreaker and my shoulder came out, and I’ve never felt like that. So there is a weakness here, but I don’t want to present that in matches like this, especially against Kenny.”

If you use any quotes from this article please provide a h/t to Inside The Ropes and link back to the original article.

Was Ospreay vs Omega your match of the night for AEW Forbidden Door? Let us know using the thumbs below!

Recent reports have claimed that CM Punk’s return has led to a level of “divisiveness” never before seen in AEW, but, according to Eddie Kingston these reports are nothing but ‘clickbait’.

Speaking with The New York Post ahead of last night’s Forbidden Door PPV, Kingston would discuss Punk’s return to AEW, shooting down ‘clickbait’ reports in the process.

“He did it his way and that’s the way wanted to do it. I expected it. I knew it was happening, knowing Punk and what he thought was right for him. That’s it. I see the reports. I see the clickbait on YouTube. But the locker room is not divided, not the people I hang out with. Punk’s gonna do what Punk does and if whatever Punk does helps this company, no one can say anything.”

Kingston was then asked if the locker room was bothered by Punk’s recent comments, to which the ‘King of Diamonds’ would state that nobody around him has shown/indicated that they particularly care about what Punk has said or done in the build up to his return.

“Not me, man. Not my crew of people I hang out with. Maybe there’s that one percent that are bothered but the people I chill with, they’re good. They don’t care.”

Kingston’s comments come just days after FTR’s Dax Harwood hit out at Dave Meltzer for his recent reporting of CM Punk’s return.

You can read more on this, here.

AEW’s 2023 Forbidden Door PPV was a overwhelming success with fans and critics alike heaping praise on the shows in-ring product and overall presentation.

However, the success don’t end there.

Taking to Twitter, AEW owner Tony Khan would reveal that the 2023 Forbidden Door event has smashed AEW’s record for largest gate, setting the new record at a whopping $1,200,000.

“Tonight #ForbiddenDoor in Toronto is officially the biggest live gate in @AEW history at about $1.2 million (USD), and it’s one of the top 3 biggest live gates in the history of pro wrestling in Canada!”

In even more exciting news for Khan, the record is set to be short lived with AEW’s All In event at Wembley Stadium already surpassing an estimated $8,000,000 in gate receipts, all before a single match has even been announced.

You can read more about this, here.

WWE Hall of Famer Sting is closing the book on his iconic career later this year, but ‘The Icon’ has revealed that the final chapter is unlikely to come at AEW’s All In PPV in August.

Speaking during the Forbidden Door post-show press conference, Sting would discuss his impending retirement, noting that he hasn’t decided on a date for his final match but revealing that AEW All In this August is unlikely to be his final show.

“I have not decided on a date for sure,” he said. “A lot of people have actually wondered if I was gonna retire in Wembley. That would be kinda cool, but I don’t see that happening. I think I’m gonna continue on. Tony’s kinda been in my ear a little bit here and there, saying, ‘Steve, you can stay as long as you want!’ So I’m not sure how long that’ll be. But like I said a few months ago, ‘Showtime is just about over with,’ and it truly is.” [h/t 411Mania]

It was recently revealed that Sting was one of several former WWE Superstars being considered for a role in Goldberg’s final match later this year in Israel.

You can read more about this, here.

When Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada clashed at the 2023 Forbidden Door PPV fans were left in awe at the incredible in ring ability on display. However, it was ‘The American Dragon’s’ entrance that truly stole the show.

Making this way to the ring, Danielson would channel his Ring of Honor era ‘American Dragon’ persona, marching his way down the entrance ramp as Europe’s iconic ‘Final Countdown’ ballad was blasted around the Scotiabank Arena.

The entrance has since gone viral on social media with fans of AEW, WWE and Ring of Honor all joined in harmony to express their delight at seeing Danielson come out to his iconic theme song one final time.

Speaking during the post show press conference, Tony Khan would reveal that the theme’s return was a one off and it won’t be happening often due to the eye-watering cost to licence the song.

Although Khan did not state the exact cost of the licencing fee, he did note that it cost “as much as a wrestler’s contract.”

Previously, the AEW owner had revealed that Europe were looking for $100,000 per use of the theme or multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars for a limited 20 usages in a single year.

Khan would note at that time that it simply “didn’t work” for him or AEW.

During the post-show press conference it was also revealed that Danielson had suffered a fractured arm halfway through the match and looks to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

You can read more about this, here.

Bryan Danielson stole the show at the 2023 Forbidden Door PPV when he took on Kazuchika Okada in a generational dream match, but it was not without it’s costs.

Speaking in the post show press conference, Danielson would reveal that he was initially planning on competing on the upcoming June 28th edition of AEW Dynamite, however, he believes he fractured his arm during the final ten minutes of his match with ‘The Rainmaker.’

Danielson would state that the injury appears to have occurred when he failed to protect himself during an elbow, calling the injury a ‘freak accident’ and adding the on-going tradition of wrestlers being injured by the simpler moves rather than the more terrifying bumps and falls.

The former WWE Champion would note that he expects to be out of action for six to eight weeks, a timeline should still enable him to appear at AEW’s blockbuster All In PPV at Wembley Stadium on August 27th.

Tony Khan or AEW are yet to officially comment on Danielson’s injury.

What did you think of Danielson and Okada’s performance at the 2023 Forbidden Door PPV? Hit the thumbs below and let us know!

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is doing well and not feeling too exhausted after a mammoth AEW’s mammoth Forbidden Door PPV last night.

Sending strength to those of you based in the UK, Europe and other time zones that make US PPV’s a tiring affair.

I will be with you this afternoon from 12 pm to 6 pm BST (7 am -12 pm EST) with all the latest news and rumours from AEW, WWE and NJPW.

This afternoon we will be kicking things off with some of today’s biggest stories, including:

• Bryan Danielson suffers fractured arm during Forbidden Door clash with Kazuchika Okada.
• Tony Khan reveals eye-watering cost of Bryan Danielson’s Final Countdown entrance theme.
• Sting discusses his upcoming retirement plans, shoots down All In rumours.
• AEW makes history during 2023 Forbidden Door PPV.
• Eddie Kingston blasts ‘clickbait’ reports surrounding AEW.

As always if you have anything you want to ask us or any stories you would like us to try to provide an update on, let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!