NJPW’s Shota Umino Accepts AEW Star Pac’s Challenge For IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match At Forbidden Door 2026

AEW

A champion in NJPW has accepted an AEW’s challenge ahead of Forbidden Door, with the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title set to be on the line.

AEW’s Forbidden Door crossover pay-per-view will emanate from the SAP Center in San Jose, California on June 28.

With Gabe Kidd attacking Shota Umino following his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship win at Dominion on June 14, AEW later shared a video of Pac issuing a challenge to Umino for a match at Forbidden Door.

This challenge video aired during the June 20 NJPW Yuji Nagata Presents Blue Justice XVIII event, following Umino and Ryusuke Taguchi’s victory over Zane Jay and Jake Lee.

Umino responded to Pac’s video, taking to the mic to accept the AEW star’s challenge.

Shota Umino said:

“The IWGP Global title is just that- global! I am ready to fight anyone anywhere in the world.

“PAC, I’ll see you at Forbidden Door, and I will prove that NJPW is the best!”

(Translated from Japanese)

AEW has yet to add this match to the official lineup for Forbidden Door, however with both AEW and NJPW showcasing segments relating to this bout, an official graphic is likely imminent.

This match will join the following already announced for Forbidden Door:

Will Ospreay vs Swerve Strickland – Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final

Jon Moxley (c) vs Bandido – AEW Continental Championship

Thekla (c) vs Starlight Kid – AEW Women’s World Championship 

Christian Cage & Adam Copeland vs David Finlay & Clark Connors – AEW World Tag Team Championship 

MJF & The Don Callis Family vs Darby Allin, Konosuke Takeshita & The Conglomeration – 12 man Steel Cage 

Gabe Kidd indicated after attacking Shota Umino at Dominion that uncertainty surrounding his status for Forbidden Door was due to visa issues.

With Umino announced to be defending his gold against Pac, it would appear that AEW expects for the English star to not be available by June 28.

Kidd’s recent NJPW return wasn’t a one-off, with the AEW star announced for this summer’s NJPW G1 Climax tournament.

If Kidd cannot compete for AEW currently, him having a return run is a good way to utilize him ahead of him being available for AEW shows.

Translation via NJPW.

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• AEW
• NJPW
• Pac
• Shota Umino
• Forbidden Door

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