A massive four-way qualifying match has been announced for the August 16th episode of AEW Collision, with the winner earning a shot at the most prestigious prize in Japanese professional wrestling. The winner of the bout will go on to challenge the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr., at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on Sunday, August 24.
High-Stakes Qualifier for Forbidden Door’s IWGP Title Match
The announcement was made this week, adding another huge, high-stakes match to next Saturday’s episode of Collision. The four men who will compete for the championship opportunity are Daniel Garcia, Nigel McGuinness, the legendary luchador Hechicero, and the reigning ROH Pure Champion, Lee Moriarty. The match is a fascinating clash of styles, with all four men being known for their technical wrestling prowess, a perfect fit for a match to determine the challenger for a submission master like Zack Sabre Jr.
A Look at the Competitors
The four competitors in the qualifying match each bring a unique style and a credible claim to the number one contender’s spot. Daniel Garcia is a former ROH Pure Champion and a master of “sports entertainment” style wrestling. Lee Moriarty is the current ROH Pure Champion and one of the best pure technical wrestlers in AEW. The CMLL legend, Hechicero, is a master of the traditional, mat-based style of Lucha Libre. The most intriguing name in the match, however, is the veteran announcer and former ROH World Champion, Nigel McGuinness. McGuinness recently returned to the ring for the first time in years, competing in the Casino Gauntlet match at the All In event. He and Zack Sabre Jr. had a memorable confrontation in that match, and this qualifier will be his first opportunity to earn a one-on-one match since his return.
The Champion Awaits in London
The man waiting for the winner in London is one of the best technical wrestlers in the history of the sport, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr. “The Submission Master” is known for his incredible ability to contort his opponents into painful submission holds, often from seemingly impossible positions. A match between ZSJ and any of the four technically-gifted challengers is sure to be a wrestling purist’s dream. The match adds another layer of prestige to the already stacked Forbidden Door card, ensuring that New Japan’s top championship will be defended in a major way at the co-promoted event.
Current AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door card:
- AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
- AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. TBD
- AEW Women’s World Championship: ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. Athena
- TBS Championship 4-Way Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Alex Windsor vs. TBD vs. TBD
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Winner of the 4-Way Qualifier