Kazuchika Okada kept his run with the AEW Unified Championship alive on Sunday night, taking down former world champion Swerve Strickland in 16 minutes.
After avoiding a House Call, Okada delivered a Rainmaker to Strickland, allowing him to finally secure a pinfall victory to retain his title. The bout took place as part of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door at The O2 in London, England.
A large portion of the match focused on the right knee of Strickland, which would give him trouble both while taking moves and delivering his own blows. At one point, Strickland had to delay a pin attempt due to the pain he incurred after scoring a Swerve Stomp.
Okada continued to work the knee of Strickland after the match, wedging the challenger’s leg in between a ringpost and steel staircase during an attack.
A surprise appearance emerged moments later, as Wardlow came into the ring and attacked Strickland’s manager, Prince Nana. As Strickland remained trapped in-between the ringpost and stairs, he watched on as Wardlow took out a few other security guards.
Warlow went to the venue’s stage and was embraced by Don Callis and the rest of his Family, all but confirming that he has joined the multi-man heel faction.
Wardlow has spent months off TV due to injury. His last in-ring appearance dates back to over a year ago, a March 2024 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Strickland was gunning for his first AEW belt since dropping the world title just under a year ago at All In 2024.
Okada became the AEW Unified Champion at All In last month when he defeated Kenny Omega, retaining his Continental title and capturing the International belt. Overall, Okada has held AEW gold for over 500 days.
Zero Hour results
- Yuya Uemura, El Desperado, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong def. Action Andretti, Lio Rush, Hechicero & Josh Alexander (12:13)
- Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona def. Michael Oku, Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight (9:56)
- Megan Bayne, Julia Hart, Skye Blue & Thekla def. Harley Cameron, Kris Statlander, Queen Aminata & Willow Nightingale (11:15)
- Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs def. Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney & Robbie X (AEW World Trios Championships) (10:00)
Forbidden Door Main Card results
- Adam Copeland & Christian Cage def. Killswitch & Kip Sabian (13:46)
- Kyle Fletcher def. Hiromu Takahashi (TNT Championship) (15:27)
- Mercedes Moné def. Persephone, Alex Windsor & Bozilla (TBS Championship) (Four-Way) (15:30)
- Zack Sabre Jr. def. Nigel McGuinness (IWGP World Heavyweight Championship) (17:00)
- Bandido & Brody King def. Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (AEW World Tag Team Championships) (Three-Way) (16:04)
- Kazuchika Okada def. Swerve Strickland (AEW Unified Championship) (16:38)
- Toni Storm def. Athena (AEW Women’s World Championship) (15:15)
- Hangman Adam Page def. MJF (AEW World Championship) (31:38)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Darby Allin def. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (Lights Out Steel Cage Match) (32:26)
