Former ROH champion earns IWGP title shot at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Image: AEW

Years after his in-ring career was thought to be over, former Ring of Honor World and Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness has a chance to add the IWGP World title to his trophy case and in front of his countrymen.

McGuinness earned the opportunity on Saturday’s AEW Collision by winning a four-way title eliminator that included Lee Moriarty, Daniel Garcia and Hechicero.

The 49-year-old will get that chance at next Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in his hometown of London, England, challenging reigning champion Zack Sabre Jr. As an added bonus, Garcia will be in McGuinness’ corner for the match.

It will be their first ever match against each other. It will be the first title defense in Sabre Jr.’s second run.

The Collision commentator made his surprise return at 2024’s All In as part of the Casino Gauntlet match — his first since December 2011. Since then, he fell in defeat to Bryan Danielson and Lee Moriarty (also in 2024) and then he and Garcia lost to FTR at May’s Double or Nothing.

Current AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door card | Sunday, August 24 | London, England

  • AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF
  • AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against winner of Tag Team title eliminator tournament
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena
  • TBS Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Alex Windsor, CMLL TBD and Stardom TBD
  • IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Nigel McGuinness
  • TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Hiromu Takahashi
  • Lights out steel cage match: Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. The Death Riders (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli), Gabe Kidd & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
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Josh Nason
Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.