The main event of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 didn’t feature any championship match but rather a non-title match. The dream match between Bryan Danielson and Kazuchika Okada was strategically placed in the headliner spot and the finish saw the Japanese sensation tapping out to one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the whole world.
This was a shocking outcome to many of the fans as heading into AEW x Forbidden Door 2023, Okada was the favorite to win, per the betting odds. However, Danielson was out to prove to the world that he was the best pro wrestler, and by adding “The Rainmaker” to his victim list, he certainly earned that badge. But in the end, he couldn’t come out without escaping an injury.
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Bryan Danielson revealed during the post-PPV media scrum for Forbidden Door 2023 that he suffered an injury in the form of a “freak accident” in the match. It happened after Okada delivered a simple elbow drop on him. Danielson’s arm admittedly wasn’t in “a safe space” when Okada performed the move. As the initial evaluation process is done, he’s been told that the injury will keep him out of action for six to eight weeks.
Forbidden Door 2023: Bryan Danielson wrestled in a banged up state
It’s recently been reported by Fightful Select that Danielson was already “banged up” going into the Forbidden Door 2023. This is also the reason why he hasn’t been wrestling on a regular schedule on AEW TV. The Blackpool Combat Club member also started doing the “Yes” chants during the match because he was unable to do some planned moves due to the injury. But he had to figure out something so to keep the audience cheered up.
Speaking of The Blackpool Combat Club, Danielson didn’t need the help of his cohorts to defeat the top NJPW star in this dream match at Forbidden Door 2023. Earlier on the night, the other members of the faction lost their match to The Elite (The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page) and NJPW star Tetsuya Naito.
Danielson vs. Okada was a first-time encounter at Forbidden Door 2023 and time will whether this feud will continue in the future. Previously, it was Danielson who challenged Okada to a match as he wanted to know who the best in the world was. The challenge as well as the match was confirmed during the NJPW Dominion event on June 4.
