AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026: Live Media Scrum Highlights

We’re live at the SAP Center for the post-show press conference following Forbidden Door from San Jose, CA.

Mercedes is up first. 

She was asked if she was ready for Thekla and she said Thekla needs to be ready for her.

She was asked about wrestlers who look up to her. She said she can’t believe what she’s done in the wrestling business at her age.

She said Thekla’s going to be a walk in the park. 

Mercedes got emotional talking about Eddy Guerrero as her wrestling inspiration. 

She was asked if she was going to be in a faction and she said no because she’s the most gangster in AEW  

She was asked about being out-numbered possibly with the Triangle of Madness and she said she’s not afraid. She was born to do it. 

While waiting for the talent, Tony said he’d do a Tone Zone which is him answering questions. 

He was asked about doing more fan fest stuff and if he had an idea about the PPV buys for this show. He doesn’t as he hasn’t seen yet. 

He was asked about his relationship with New Japan and the G1. He was asked about Yota Tsuji’s comments about not wanting to be on the show. He said there was a second side to his answer about the respect that AEW has for NJPW. 

Renee came out and Thekla, dressed in the Starlight Kid’s mask, came out. 

Thekla was asked about Mercedes because she said she didn’t watch and didn’t know what happened. Thekla said no matter what, she’s retaining. 

She was asked about President Okada from Stardom and said she’s happy to beat his ass at any point. 

She talked a lot about strip clubs and spicy margaritas. 

Will Ospreay was next. 

He wants to be the first Englishman to win the world championship on English soil. 

Will was asked about what he shared with Swerve after the match. He wanted to keep it private and personal between them. 

Will was asked about the Death Riders and he said he’s stating to understand the methodology. 

He was asked about San Jose, where he’s wrestled in the past for New Japan, and if he gets energy from the city. He wants to earn his Double Double (from In-n-Out). 

He talked about how demoralizing neck surgery was because he couldn’t do anything. 

Will said this is the biggest thing in his wrestling career. He said wrestling Bryan Danielson was a giant moment for him where he realized that he was one of the top guys. 

It’s back to the solo Tone Zone and all questions for Tony.

He was asked about WrestleMania weekend and if they would possibly run. He kept it at it’s a great idea. 

Tony was asked about WWE competing against All In with two shows. He jokingly said it was twice the compliment that Jim Crockett got. 

Tony said Mike Mansury had the idea for the circular cage match and he’d love to bring it back.

He talked about his creative process and how it’s really about trusting his instincts, but just like a diet you go back on, sometimes you go back on it. He said in 2022, he was thrown for some big loops and he want back on his promise to himself on trusting his instinct. And in 2024, he went back to it. 

He said Maya World will be on television in the future. He said having great matches on television does make booking PPV matches harder.