AEW has co-hosted its Forbidden Doors pay-per-view with New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2022, later to include CMLL and Stardom, and the company and its president Tony Khan have done much in the pro wrestling world to break down that metaphorical “forbidden door.” However, there is one door that will likely remain closed forever, and that is between WWE and AEW.
While the stars have bounced between companies since AEW’s inception in 2019, there has never been a co-promoted event between them. According to former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, who recently spoke with Billboardit will never happen, at least not in his lifetime. Strickland said it’s all about control and marketing.
“It’s like the NFL, WWE has to protect its shield,” Strickland said. “There’s no way they’re going to let any of our wrestlers look better and be better (than them). Obi Femi is a world beater. You have to protect that and make sure she looks good.
Strickland said it’s even harder when it comes to protecting WWE women like Rhea Ripley. Many fans want to see Seth Rollins and AEW World Champion Will Ospreay will wrestle a matchpartly due to previous heat between them on social mediabut Strickland once again asked who would defend.
“We’re in the dressing room, we just want to play these matches,” he said. “I’m good friends with Carmelo (Hayes), Jevon (Evans) and Oba. Those are my boys. I love those guys. I don’t care who wins. Double DQs! I don’t care.
Like AEW and NJPW, WWE currently affiliated with TNA Wrestlingwhich was founded in early 2025. Before WrestleMania 41, the company announced that it had acquired AAA.