AEW Dynamite on August 13, 2025, delivered a strong push toward Forbidden Door. Between surprise returns, nostalgia-fueled moments, and multiple match announcements, this was one of AEW’s most storyline-packed episodes in months.
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Hangman Page & MJF Set Forbidden Door Main Event
The night opened with Hangman Page goading MJF into cashing in his Casino Gauntlet contract for an AEW World Title match at Forbidden Door on August 24 in London. Later in the show, MJF jumped Hangman in the parking lot, escalating the rivalry.
1️⃣ Jon Moxley def. Kevin Knight
Knight’s speed and aerial attacks had Mox on the ropes, but a counter into a chokehold ended it. After the bell, the Death Riders attacked until Will Ospreay made his surprise return. Ospreay challenged Mox to a Lights Out Steel Cage Match and revealed Hiroshi Tanahashi as his ally for Forbidden Door.
2️⃣ Women’s Trios Match: Alex Windsor, Queen Aminata & Willow Nightingale def. Mercedes Moné, Thekla & Skye Blue
Windsor forced Skye Blue to tap, while Toni Storm and Athena brawled at ringside. AEW set a tag match for next week in Glasgow: Storm & Windsor vs. Moné & Athena, building toward the TBS Title Four-Way at Forbidden Door.
3️⃣ Adam Copeland vs. Stokely Hathaway (DQ)
After powder to the eyes caused the DQ, FTR jumped Copeland. Christian Cage made a shocking save, leading to an emotional embrace between the former tag partners. Later, Cope & Christian vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian was announced for Forbidden Door.
4️⃣ Eight-Man Tag: Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram & Hiromu Takahashi def. Young Bucks, Kyle Fletcher & Josh Alexander
The Bucks superkicked ring announcer Justin Roberts (earning $10k fines each). Hiromu pinned Alexander, and Tony Khan booked Fletcher vs. Hiromu for the TNT Title at Forbidden Door.
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Swerve Strickland & Kazuchika Okada Confrontation
Short and fiery—Okada and Swerve exchanged words and blows to hype their Forbidden Door title clash.
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Forbidden Door Cage Match Finalized
The Death Riders (Moxley & Claudio), Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks will face Ospreay, Darby Allin, Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi in a massive 5-on-5 Lights Out Steel Cage Match.
5️⃣ Main Event: The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs) def. LFI (RUSH, Dralistico & The Beast Mortos) – Non-Title
Samoa Joe’s first AEW TV match since All In: Texas saw him force Dralistico to tap to the Coquina Clutch. A strong, dominant showing for the Trios Champions.
🎤 Closing Segment
As Renee interviewed Hangman backstage, MJF blindsided him in the parking lot, leaving the AEW World Champion laid out heading into Forbidden Door.
🤔Closing Thoughts
This Dynamite hit every beat needed before a major PPV—surprise returns, emotional moments, and match announcements that instantly raised fan interest. Will Ospreay’s return, the Cope/Christian reunion, and the Lights Out Cage Match reveal were standout highlights. Forbidden Door feels bigger than ever.
