12 Ups & 0 Downs From AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door

7. Injury Sullies (But Doesn't Ruin) IWGP World Title Match

Kazuchika Okada Adam Cole Jay White
AEW

AEW's injury crisis deepened in the IWGP World Heavyweight Title match, as Adam Cole went down during his four-way clash with 'Switchblade' Jay White, Kazuchika Okada, and 'Hangman' Adam Page.

It happened during the finish. Cole looked like he was ducking away from Okada's Rainmaker attempt. Initially, he appeared to be selling a move that didn't connect as he hit the canvas, which made for awkward viewing as White pinned him after putting Okada out of the conversation. The Undisputed Elite member had essentially fallen over and lost, though news of his injury makes this both understandable and forgivable. All the best to Cole in his recovery.

The match was a ton of fun prior to this. Starting off at a moderate pace before exploding into an exciting big move buffet late on, it preserved Page, who appeared to have victory within his grasp on several occasions and wasn't directly involved in the finish. Circumstances aside, White benefits as a sneaky heel stealing a pinfall from a tough situation too, having played up his status as the least trustworthy person on the planet by tugging at his complicated relationship with Cole throughout.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.