Major AEW announcement on hold due to WWE; reason revealed - Reports

AEW and WWE continue to compete as the two largest North American wrestling promotions. The head-to-head TV battles between the companies seemingly generates the strongest buzz as seen this week with NXT 2300 vs. AEW Dynamite. However, a lot of the competing is actually done behind the scenes. Sources have just revealed how WWE is holding up a major All Elite announcement for fans and wrestlers.

All Elite Wrestling launched its forbidden door era in early 2021 by partnering with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The talent exchange led to the inaugural AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view in June 2022, and again in June 2023. The June 2024 version used the same billing, but featured the addition of Stardom and CMLL talents as both promotions are partners to NJPW and AEW.

Officials announced during the All In 2024 pre-show that Forbidden Door 2025 will be held in London, but no venue was named. A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that Tony Khan likely has not issued the follow-up Forbidden Door announcement due to WWE touring plans.

WWE has one of its most extensive European tours ever booked for 2025, from Friday, March 14 through Monday, March 31. The tour will include six international TV tapings, including the March 28 SmackDown and the March 31 RAW in London, both held at the O2 Arena. AEW has been rumored to bring Forbidden Door to the O2 Arena, but it was speculated that WWE's announced dates for London in March 2025 are preventing the company from confirming the Forbidden Door venue, and from releasing tickets until the end of WWE's tour.

The massive WWE tour is likely the reason why AEW has not announced full details on Forbidden Door, and it was further speculated that these details may not be announced, or tickets put on sale, until some time after late March when the Stamford-based promotion's tour is over. The announcement timing will also depend on the specifics of the deal between WWE and the arena.

Khan also previously confirmed that All In 2026 will be held at Wembley Stadium in London, with the actual date to be confirmed later. However, Forbidden Door will not be held at the stadium. The marquee event is returning to the UK in 2026 as All In 2025 is booked for Saturday, July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

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Updated lineup for AEW Full Gear

All Elite Wrestling will present its 2024 Full Gear pay-per-view in just over two weeks. The sixth annual event will take place on Saturday, November 23, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Bobby Lashley is set to debut at Full Gear, while MJF could end up facing both Adam Cole and Roderick Strong if they both reach three wins. Below is the updated Full Gear lineup:

1. Zero Hour Pre-show: QT Marshall vs. "Big BOOM" AJ with Big Justice of The Costco Guys
2. MJF vs. Adam Cole and/or Roderick Strong
3. Jay White vs. Adam Page
4. Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
5. World Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way Match: Private Party (c) vs. The Outrunners vs. The Acclaimed or La Facción Ingobernable vs. FTR or The House of Black
6. TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Kris Statlander
7. World Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy

Officials are expected to announce Daniel Garcia vs. TNT Champion Jack Perry for Full Gear soon. Saturday's Collision episode will feature a face-off between the two rising stars.