AEW Forbidden Door Results: Swerve Retains Title After War With Ospreay

Will Ospreay dedicated his Forbidden door match against AEW world champion Swerve Strickland at his grandmother’s, who passed away last week. He wore gear honoring the late Japanese wrestler Hayabusa.

Strickland’s entrance was more of a celebration, as New York hip-hop icon Jim Jones ushered the champion in. That made the crowd at Long Island’s UBS Arena even more rabid for the June 30 main event — despite having watched 14 matches in the previous five hours.

An electric opening sequence brought even more cheers as the announce team reminded us that Ospreay was undefeated as a singles wrestler in AEW, and that Swerve had questioned the instincts of killer of the challenger while making their fight personal.

You wouldn’t guess the two men are friends from the way Ospreay pulled off high-impact moves…

…while Strickland retained his submissions for as long as the law permitted.

Another quick sequence saw Bruv falter after a Styles Clash, but Swerve then countered an Oscutter to answer. The champion won a battle atop the ropes to get his own two count with an Avalanche Angle Slam. But that was nothing compared to the Swerve Stomp from the top onto the announce table that came moments later.

The Brit somehow came back to hit several Oscutters, and when those didn’t put Swerve away, he even seemed to consider breaking his vow not to use a ’91 Tiger Driver again before hitting a Storm Breaker instead.

However, that couldn’t get three either, so he announced his intention to break his vow. However, before he could use the Tiger Driver, Strickland struck Ospreay with his own hidden blade. Will countered with one of his own – but instead struck referee Paul Turner.

Following this, Ospreay lost the champion by three points, but there was no referee. Don Callis got involved, encouraging his man to use a screwdriver to win. Prince Nana intervened and Will nearly stabbed him before making a better decision. A new official arrived to count a few more close calls for Strickland following a Swerve Stomp and a House Call!

It ultimately took another house call and some serious pressure, but Ospreay suffered his first AEW singles loss and Strickland was still champion.

The winner could be seen telling his defeated opponent that it wasn’t personal, but just business. Ospreay was consoled by his friend Kyle Fletcher, and a rematch looms… although we were reminded during this one that Daniel Garcia has his eyes on Ospreay’s international title, and that MJF wants to become champion again of the world.

A great main event tonight, with the possibility of more to come.

Be complete Forbidden Door results and coverage of the entire show here.