August 19, 2025

Wrestling Tonight: AEW FORBIDDEN DOOR 2025 PREVIEW | TAKESHITA WINS G1 | NXT HEATWAVE PREVIEW | TNA EMERGENCE FALLOUT| WWE-AAA TRIPLEMANÍA ERA BEGINS

2 hours 39 minutes

Welcome back to Wrestling Tonight, your weekly look at everything happening across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and beyond. This week’s episode covers one of the most loaded slates of the year as the summer calendar reaches a boiling point.

We begin with a full preview of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, where the world’s biggest promotions collide once again on one of wrestling’s most anticipated stages. Headlining the card, AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF in a long-awaited rematch, while AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada puts his title on the line against Swerve Strickland. The show also features the reunion of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage as they team for the first time in over 14 years, Toni Storm defending the AEW Women’s World Championship against Athena, and Zack Sabre Jr. meeting Nigel McGuinness for the IWGP World Championship. Kyle Fletcher defends the TNT title against Hiromu Takahashi, Mercedes Moné faces Persephone, Alex Windsor, and a Stardom representative in a TBS Championship Four-Way, and a stacked lights-out steel cage match pits Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his London farewell against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks.

From there, we turn to WWE’s future with NXT Heatwave. Oba Femi is set to defend the NXT Championship against either Trick Williams or Je’Von Evans, while Hank Walker and Tank Ledger put the NXT Tag Team titles on the line against DarkState. Jacy Jayne defends the TNA Knockouts World Championship in a triple threat against Masha Slamovich and Ash by Elegance, and Jordynne Grace collides with Blake Monroe. A number one contender’s match for the NXT Women’s Championship will also take place featuring Jaida Parker, Kelani Jordan, and Lola Vice.

Over in TNA, Emergence 2025 delivered a card full of major results. Trick Williams retained the World Championship against Moose in a match that had the Baltimore crowd split but firmly cemented Williams as TNA’s top babyface. The Hardys retained the World Tag Team titles against The Rascalz in one of the night’s highlights, Leon Slater held onto the X-Division Championship against Cedric Alexander, and Mike Santana defeated Sami Callihan in a Baltimore Street Fight that may have marked Callihan’s farewell. While technical issues marred the preshow, the main event and key title bouts gave TNA momentum heading into Bound for Glory.

In Mexico, Triplemanía marked the official beginning of WWE and AAA’s working relationship. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Nick Khan stood alongside AAA leadership to emphasize collaboration. On the card, Omos won the Copa Bardahl, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. claimed the Latin American title, and Psycho Clown and Pagano captured the AAA Tag Team Championship. Judgment Day scored a win in trios action, Flammer retained the Reina de Reinas Championship, and in the main event, El Hijo del Vikingo retained the AAA Mega Championship in a four-way over Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano, with AJ Styles making a shocking run-in to help seal the finish. The event had the production, presentation, and pacing of a WWE show, sparking debate about AAA’s evolving identity under this partnership.

On the business side, TKO announced that UFC will end its traditional pay-per-view model beginning in January 2026 under a $7.7 billion, seven-year deal with Paramount Plus and CBS. WWE also secured a five-year, $1.6 billion agreement with ESPN, moving Premium Live Events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble to ESPN’s new streaming service. At the same time, reports revealed WWE holds an option to purchase TNA and a right of first refusal should the company seek another buyer, further linking the two promotions’ futures.

Finally, NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 has reached its conclusion. Konosuke Takeshita defeated EVIL in the final at Ariake Arena, fighting through an injured knee and overcoming House of Torture interference to secure his first G1 victory. Along the way, Takeshita shocked Zack Sabre Jr. in the semifinals, setting the stage for their Wrestle Kingdom clash, where he will challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. With this win, Takeshita declared himself “The Alpha,” signaling his rise as NJPW’s new international ace.

Make sure to visit patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs, from exclusive content to extended coverage that keeps the conversation going beyond the broadcast. Until the following Monday, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed.

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