Backstage AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Notes: Tony Khan’s Involvement, Tanahashi’s Last AEW Run & More

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 is shaping up to be one of the wildest nights in pro wrestling this year—but it’s not just the match card that has fans talking. Backstage at The O2 Arena, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and it’s adding even more intrigue to an already loaded show.

For starters, Kota Ibushi wasn’t in on the plan for the Lights Out Steel Cage Match. According to those backstage via Fightful Select, he was genuinely shocked to find out he was being added to the bout featuring Kenny Omega, Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and more.

Another surprise comes in the form of Nyla Rose, who is expected to be backstage at Forbidden Door after securing a title win in the UK over the weekend. While she’s not booked for the card, her presence at the arena has people wondering if she could play a role on the show in some form.

Despite this being a joint event with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Tony Khan is running the playbook. AEW sources have confirmed that Khan “leads the charge” when it comes to producing and booking the Forbidden Door pay-per-views, maintaining full creative control even when NJPW is involved.

Perhaps the most emotional note heading into the show revolves around Hiroshi Tanahashi. Backstage, wrestlers have been treating Tanahashi like this could be “his last AEW run or match.”

With Forbidden Door only hours away, the stakes just got even higher—not just for the matches in the ring, but for the legacy moments playing out behind the curtain.

As a reminder, Ringside News will have live play-by-play coverage of the event over in our AEW Forbidden Door section.

Will Forbidden Door 2025 be the last AEW appearance for Hiroshi Tanahashi? And what kind of surprise does Nyla Rose’s presence foreshadow? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we want to hear what you think.