13 Match Star Ratings For AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door

12. BUY-IN: Lance Archer Vs. Nick Comoroto

Will Ospreay Orange Cassidy
AEW

In the first, terrifying spot, Lance Archer was too ambitious; he dumped himself on his head when attempting a springboard cannonball. Mercifully, he appeared to be OK. The memories of his match with Eddie Kingston late last year were all too vivid.

This was a solid monster mash elsewhere, though the wires were visible at times; after an impressive gorilla press slam tease that showed off Comoroto's ridiculous strength, Archer, on the apron, missed a strike and almost politely turned around to allow Comoroto to hang him over the top rope.

Once the nerves settled, the crowd got into the wincing forearm exchanges and guttural trash talk. Both men understood the dumb fun remit. The crowd went wild for the ambitious "lol f*ck off no way" avalanche Blackout tease, and gasped even louder when they actually went through with the ambitious finish.

Probably scarier than they intended, but a pleasing caveman power exchange nonetheless.

Star Rating: ★★¾

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!