Backstage news regarding plans for AEW Forbidden Door 2026 that were changed

During a media call to promote the 2026 AEW Forbidden Door PPV event, AEW President Tony Khan noted that visa issues had been a “massive challenge” for AEW leading into the show. Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com has since provided details about what was originally planned for the event.

Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Callum Newman was expected to challenge AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley. However, Newman dislocated his shoulder while losing the IWGP title to Yota Tsuji at NJPW Dominion, resulting in Bandido replacing him as Moxley’s opponent.

Meltzer also reported that Gabe Kidd was originally slated to challenge IWGP Global Champion Shota Umino instead of PAC. Kidd, who is returning from a shoulder injury, is currently dealing with visa issues and is instead scheduled to face Umino on July 6th in Tokyo.

Tomohiro Ishii was reportedly planned for the event as well, but a neck injury led to him being written off AEW television several weeks earlier. While unconfirmed, it is believed he would have participated in the 12-man steel cage match alongside the other members of The Conglomeration.

Meltzer further noted that Sareee was expected to compete at Forbidden Door and was presumed to be Willow Nightingale’s opponent in the finals of the women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. However, Sareee was not medically cleared by AEW and was replaced by Maya World. Nightingale was also unable to compete due to injury and was replaced by eventual tournament winner Mercedes Mone.