During a call with the media today, AEW President Tony Khan told Powerbombshells’
Samantha Schipman that he had a “massive challenge” booking the card for this Sunday’s (June 28) Forbidden Door pay-per-view due to a combination of visa issues and injuries.“Yes, that is a tremendous question. Yes, that has been a massive challenge in this event. There are a number of wrestlers that were factored in, coming from countries all over the world, that I’m looking forward to their return, that are not here and
available right now. It speaks to the great depth of the AEW roster…that we have such an exciting pay-per-view card without a lot of the great stars available.
There are a number of stars in Mexico right now, some great wrestlers that I would love to have here, who have not had their visa in recent weeks. That would include Beast Mortos, Komander, Hechicero. And going through visa renewals with a number of the other wrestlers down there now as well, that I have not mentioned yet.”
Khan name dropped Gabe Kidd and AEW National Champion Mark Davis as two other stars dealing with visa issues who he originally wanted at Forbidden Door. Perhaps that explains why Jake Doyle is in the Team Briscoe vs. Team DCMJF steel cage match main event. At any rate, Khan says he thinks Kidd and Davis will return to AEW sooner than some of the other stars who are currently missing.
Khan went on to talk about visa issues with Stardom talent.
“Yes, that has been challenging. There’s also been wrestlers from Stardom that have not been able to come in at some of the scheduled dates that I would have preferred. But honestly, Stardom has been the best partner in terms of having the visas organized, and getting people in.”
Injuries also changed Khan’s plans for Forbidden Door, but it sounds like he’s still very excited about the show. Thank you for asking.
“Also, a number of injuries across a number of women and men that I would have liked to have participated in the event, that changed a lot of things. So between the aforementioned visa issues and injuries, it’s been changes, but thankfully it’s a really strong card, and I feel really good about it. Thanks for asking.”
Do you agree with Tony that Forbidden Door looks like a strong PPV card even though AEW has faced massively challenging visa issues? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
