11 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Jun 14 - Review)
6. Nightmare For MJF Sets Up Another Forbidden Door Dream Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi was so charming in his video messaging challenging MJF for Forbidden Door.
'The Ace' was as endearing as always, making the match even more appealing before the 'Salt Of The Earth' even had time to reject it.
The AEW Champion's unfiltered disdain for New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been a joyous character detail for years, and his worked shoot absence last summer left the bit untouched for the inaugural pay-per-view. A completely different proposition to the Will Ospreay/Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada/Bryan Danielson encounters, this third main event tier outing could and should be a psychological masterclass and inch-perfect portrayal of how best to do hero vs villain in 2023.
Tanahashi's amazing body of work has caught up with his actual body over the last few years, and it's that degradation that disgusts MJF so much in the first place. He already holds one of the most beloved wrestlers in the world in contempt and they've not even locked up. Pro wrestling magic resides here, and MJF trying to break the spell before its even been cast in the build will only strengthen the bout on the night.