Illinois is gearing up for the upcoming AEW Forbidden Door pay-per-view event, wrapping up its AEW Wrestling shows at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom with the “AEW Collision” episode on July 31. Two major title matches have been announced for August 24.
The first match features Swerve Strickland challenging Kazuchika Okada for the AEW Unified Championship. Swerve issued this challenge after growing frustrated with Okada relying on allies like the Young Bucks and Don Karis. Okada and Karis accepted the challenge, setting the stage for their showdown on August 24.
Meanwhile, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena revealed why she hadn’t signed a contract guaranteeing a match for the AEW Women’s World Championship on the July 30 “AEW Dynamite” episode. Athena expressed a lack of respect for the current champion and believed she could elevate the titleholder. Instead, she demanded a bigger platform to face Toni Storm, intending to finalize a Forbidden Door contract with Storm that would make their AEW Women’s World Championship match official.
These bouts will join an already confirmed AEW Tag Team Championship match, where AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling stars will defend their titles against contenders like FTR, Young Bucks, or Brodido. The full lineup is expected to be announced soon.
Fan Take: This news is a thrilling development for AEW fans as it promises high-stakes matches featuring top-tier talent from both AEW and NJPW, blending women’s and men’s divisions in groundbreaking ways. Such cross-promotional bouts could elevate AEW’s status and provide memorable moments that push the sport’s excitement and storytelling to new heights.
