AEW x NJPW 'Forbidden Door 2026' Results: Will Ospreay & Mercedes Mone Win Owen Hart Cup & More

The SAP Center in San Jose, California, played host to AEW and several international promotions in the form of CMLL, STARDOM, and NJPW for ‘Forbidden Door’—the yearly PLE that breaks down the barriers that separate the best talent worldwide. The San Jose territory was an important one in the years leading up to AEW’s 2019 launch, and it remains a hotbed for big-time wrestling with an appreciative fanbase. Tonight’s show is the prelude for the big Wembley show; in fact, you could argue that tonight begins the ‘road to All-In’ as the Owen Hart finals conclude in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The match card is touting three main events on a 12-bout card—9 on the main card—with champions from various promotions in non-title bouts. Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland—Owen Hart Cup Final (Men’s) It was the match to decide who would challenge for the world title currently held by MJF at “All-In” in Wembley, as well as securing the 2026 Owen Cup. In one of the guaranteed contenders for match of the night, Ospreay and Strickland set out to put on a show. Most expected some aerial athleticism at some point in the match, but Swerve’s aggression allowed him to tap into a physically violent fight script. Swerve is a lethal executioner when it comes to delivering his offense, but he was putting a little something extra on the stiffness of his strikes. Ospreay stood on business throughout, and he managed to keep that ‘it factor’ that has managed to turn the tide in his toughest matches to date. In one spot, Will reversed a power bomb off the top turnbuckle by countering into a ‘hurricanrana.’ Blood was spilled throughout the night, but in this one, the scene resembled a horror film as streaks smeared across the ringside mats. First, Will was busted open, and then Swerve after being thrown into the steel stairs without hesitation. The crowd popped for every anxiety-filled moment, but they were silent as Will landed sidekicks from every side of the ring after Swerve just beat the 10-count. Will hit Swerve with everything at the end, and still, Swerve kicked out. Then, when Swerve managed to muster up another run at Will, it was the Englishman who refused to quit. The Death Ridders came down ringside to urge on Ospreay, and the encouragement brought something visceral out of Ospreay. Will finished the match by hitting a buckshot into the hidden blade, then finally using the ‘Tiger Driver’ when he knew Swerve would not go away without it. This was the best wrestling match of the weekend, maybe the year—certainly an argument for best Owen Cup Finals EVER. This was quality wrestling between the very best in the world. Both men raised their profiles, but only Will went on to fight for the world title in the venue he described as ‘The World Cup’ of his career, in the ‘cathedral of football.’ 12-Man Steel Cage Match– #1 Contender Match for Briscoe Mark Briscoe secured his world title shot against MJF in a match that was utter madness. We saw Kevin Knight get electrocuted atop the cage and plummet down to the four tables stacked by two side-by-side, and moments later, Darby ‘coffin dived’ onto every other participant in the match from the same steel summit. The match was filled with a combination of violence and laughter as thumbtacks went hand in hand with the orange slices sent from Willow to The Conglomeration. There was a very hilarious spot with Lio Rush causing havoc in his new gimmick, eventually distracted by MJF ‘s ‘precious’ diamond ring. The Don Callis Family worked together to help MJF keep his championship calendar clear, and it almost worked out until Andrade turned face by turning on the champ and the DCF. He refused to ‘do the job’ for MJF, which led him to rip off his shirt and display an “F MJF and Don Callis” shirt. Briscoe picked up the win for his team and mentioned potentially cashing in on his challenge this Wednesday on Dynamite. Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Maya World—Owen Hart Cup Finals (Women’s) This was an enduring match, as the uber-confident Mercedes Mone was pushed to her limits by the upstart Maya World. It was an incredible match in which the young upstart displayed her power and athleticism while getting gritty when necessary. Mone was forced to dig deep as she desperately held on to her submission like it could be her final opportunity. Mercedes won by submission, putting a bow on her amazing AEW run. Special Moments and Matches – Both The Young Bucks and Cope and Christian won their respective matches on tonight’s undercard, continuing the momentum towards a potential showdown between these teams (maybe FTR, too) that takes place for the belts. Cope and Christian managed to defend their tag titles against The Dogs successfully, but they did it with the help of a returning ‘Bang, Bang Gang’ and ultimately Jay White, playing into his feud with Finnley. – Kenny Omega is back on track for a potential title run after defeating the reigning IWGP heavyweight champion, Zach Saber Jr., in a terrific match that built to its finale. It began as an anything you can do’ sort of match before ZSJ resorted to what he does best—out-wrestle the other guy. Omega was stretched out often in the match’s final act, but his persistence to hit the ‘One-Winged Angel’ paid off as ZSJ became a victim of the move nobody has ever kicked out to beat the pinfall. – John Moxley was successful against the ROH world champion Bandito in a grueling match. Bandito found success early, and it seemed like Mox enjoyed the back-and-forth affair until he didn’t—that’s when the former AEW world champion and current continental champion went dark. He opened up Bandito, and as blood ran down his face, staining his white mask, Mox decided to try to rip the crimson mask from the luchador’s face. The post-match beatdown continued even after Mox picked up the win, but it was not the last time we would see him. Mox would later come down ringside after Pac lost to IWGP Global HW champion Umino.