AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door: Bryan Danielson Vs Kazuchika Okada – All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling joined forces for the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, and in the main event, two of the promotion’s top stars faced off for the first time ever, as Bryan Danielson faced Kazuchika Okada.
The two veterans delivered a wrestling clinic that featured the style of pure wrestling fans have come to expect from both renowned veterans. Okada was unsuccessful when he went for the Rainmaker twice in the earlier stages of the match, and Danielson later kicked out when he did hit it. Danielson honed in on Okada’s arm, and this strategy played into the outcome, as “The American Dragon” scored the submission victory with an innovative submission hold that wrenched both Okada’s arm and his leg.
Below are videos from the match and full recap from our coverage:
IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
For the first time ever, Bryan Danielson takes on Kazuchika Okada in your main event on Forbidden Door!
Order #AEWxNJPW #ForbiddenDoor on PPV right now!
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The Toronto crowd is alive in your main event of #ForbiddenDoor!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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Diving knee attack by the American Dragon to Okada on the outside!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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Bryan Danielson showing grappling control against Okada.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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This has turned into an absolute slugfest!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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This fight continues on the outside between Okada & Danielson!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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đź”—: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/xzQZuyovDL
Danielson baited Okada to attack!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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đź”—: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/TzXkaEp1RS
Danielson kicks out of the rainmaker!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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đź”—: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/JBPcIw5vVf
Danielson continues to isolate Okada!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2023
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đź”—: https://t.co/SWp7bcLK64@bryandanielson | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/eMDg8g3p2O
Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
Danielson enters to “The Final Countdown” by Europe. Okada and Danielson face off, and they get “This is awesome” chants before they touch.
They lock up and battle for positioning. Danielson stomps Okada in the surfboard position and proceeds to do jumping jacks. The two stars trade counters, and Okada hits a back elbow. The match spills out of the ring, and Okada gains the upper hand with a big boot. Danielson slams Okada shoulder-first into the ring post. Danielson hits a diving knee strike. “The American Dragon” targets Okada’s arm. Danielson goes for the Cattle Mutilation and transitions into a pin attempt for a two count. Okada fires up after some chops from Danielson. Okada drops Danielson with a big boot. He gets a two count with a DDT. Okada grounds Danielson. He catches Danielson with a neckbreaker.
Danielson drills Okada with some elbows and hits a missile dropkick. They exchange clubbing blows. Okada wins the battle with a shotgun dropkick. Danielson dumps Okada with a German suplex. Danielson evades the Rainmaker but gets caught with a dropkick. “The American Dragon” takes Okada down and goes for an arm-bar. Okada escapes. Danielson goes for a dive, but Okada counters with a Rainmaker attempt, which Danielson blocks. Danielson hits a dropkick and rocks Okada with his signature kicks. Okada spikes Danielson with a Tombstone on the ramp.
Okada gets Danielson back in the ring and hits a diving elbow drop. Okada calls for the Rainmaker, but Danielson collapses and starts convulsing. The doctor checks on him, but Okada picks Danielson him. Okada goes for the Rainmaker, but Danielson hits the running knee, and both men are down. Danielson hits the running knee again for a two count. Danielson says, “It’s time to kick his f—- head in,” and he kicks Okada’s head multiple times. He goes for the LeBell Lock, but Okada counters it. Danielson levels Okada with a kick. Okada hits the Rainmaker for a two count. Danielson takes control and wrenches Okada in a brutal arm-bar. He pulls Okada’s leg into the hold and makes him tap out.
Winner: Bryan Danielson
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AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door: Bryan Danielson Vs Kazuchika Okada