What's Happening?
AEW's Forbidden Door 2025 event, held at London's O2 Arena, marked a significant milestone by drawing the largest-ever wrestling crowd at the venue, with 18,992 fans in attendance. This surpassed WWE's previous record at the same location. The event featured a mix of AEW's signature matches and cross-promotional bouts with NJPW, CMLL, and Stardom. Despite some predictable outcomes in the cross-promotional matches, the event was well-received, particularly for its main event, which combined AEW's Stadium Stampede format with elements of WCW's WarGames. The show also included notable appearances and returns, such as Wardlow and Jamie Hayter, and set the stage for future storylines, including Will Ospreay's anticipated comeback.
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Why It's Important?
The record-breaking attendance at Forbidden Door 2025 highlights AEW's growing influence in the wrestling industry, particularly in the UK market. This achievement is significant as it comes amidst WWE's strategic scheduling of events to coincide with AEW's pay-per-views, aiming to impact AEW's viewership and revenue. The success of Forbidden Door 2025 underscores AEW's ability to attract large audiences and deliver compelling content, reinforcing its position as a formidable competitor to WWE. The event's success also reflects AEW's effective use of cross-promotional matches to enhance its appeal and expand its fan base.
What's Next?
AEW is likely to continue leveraging its successful formula of high-quality matches and strategic partnerships to maintain its momentum. The company may focus on further expanding its international presence, particularly in markets where it has demonstrated strong fan engagement. Additionally, AEW's upcoming events, such as All In 2026, will be crucial in sustaining its competitive edge against WWE. The ongoing rivalry between AEW and WWE is expected to intensify, with both companies seeking innovative ways to captivate audiences and secure their market positions.
