Since defeating Samoa Joe on April 21, 2024, at Dynasty in St. Louis, MO, AEW has been Swerves House. At Forbidden Door, Swerve Strickland faced off against Will Ospreay, one of the worlds top pro wrestlers.
On the May 22 episode of Dynamite, it was announced that a Casino Gauntlet match would determine who would challenge Strickland for the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door. Will Ospreay won the match, earning his shot at the title.
Swerve Strickland, escorted by rapper Jim Jones, entered the ring to a hyped Long Island crowd, kicking off the main event with a big surprise. From the start, Swerve and Ospreay fiercely competed, each trying to outdo the other. Fans chanted this is awesome as they fought around the ring, showcasing their expertise in a series of rapid transitions and near falls.
The action intensified with Swerve nailing a piledriver on the barricade at ringside, but Ospreay continued to fight on. Swerve attempted a top rope stomp, but Ospreay crotched him by knocking him off balance. Despite hitting an Oz Cutter from the top rope and another signature move, Ospreay only managed a near fall.
The match reached a fever pitch with more brutal exchanges, including a House Call from Swerve. The referee was accidentally struck by Ospreay, leading to Don Callis attempting to persuade Ospreay to use a screwdriver, which he refused. Strickland then hit Ospreay with a Swerve Stomp, but it only resulted in another near fall.
Ultimately, Swerve secured the victory with another House Call, retaining the AEW World Title. This hard-fought win surprised those betting on Ospreay.
The AEW World Champions next title defense is scheduled for August 25, 2024, at All In, where they will face the winner of the 2024 Owen Hart tournament at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
What do you think of the AEW World Title match at Forbidden Door? Did Tony Khan make the right call? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
