There has been a lot of talk about the 'Forbidden Door' being opened by AEW in 2021 due to its working relationship with Impact, but has the partnership actually worked? AEW's decision to build a connection between them was certainly exciting at first and it got a lot of attention for both companies, but as time has gone on not everything has been perfect.
There's been a lot of great moments within this partnership on both sides of the deal, but there have also been situations that haven't benefitted everybody involved. While the future of the deal is unknown, at this point in time it has been hit and miss, to say the least.
Updated on November 10th, 2021, by Andrew Kelly: The partnership between AEW and Impact underwent a significant amount of criticism. Through the minor positives and negatives, it was largely felt that neither side were getting too much from the situation. That may have been part of what led to this partnership ending after the Bound For Glory 2021 PPV. It seems like the two companies ended things on good terms, with no bad blood being reported, so the door still remain open for a future alignment. Right now, however, the companies are going in their separate direction. Things weren't all bad though, with former Impact star, Christian Cage, becoming the Impact World Champion for a short period, before losing it to Impact talent. The Forbidden Door remains open in the wrestling world, though the passageway between AEW and Impact is currently blocked.
14 *Why It Worked: The Kenny Omega vs Christian Cage Feud
When Kenny Omega held the Impact World Championship, whilst some may have seen it as damaging, his holding of the belt boosted his feud with Christian Cage. On the very first episode of AEW’s brand new show, Rampage, AEW needed something to kick the inaugural show off with a bang. Omega and Cage were set to face each other for the AEW World Championship at the All Out PPV, however fans weren’t completely on board, especially with a predictable result.
Therefore, Omega and Cage would go one-on-one on Rampage, with the Impact Championship on the line. This added huge stakes to their match, and it led to a major title change taking place on a new show – something to raise the profile of the show. The match was fantastic, getting people excited for their next clash. Cage’s victory also sowed very small seeds of doubt in their following matchup, but it did just enough to get fans excited, and it enhanced their rivalry.
13 *Why It Hasn’t Worked: The Partnership Between AEW & Impact Is Over
After the conclusion of the Bound For Glory 2021 PPV, it was reported that the relationship between AEW and Impact was ending. This seemingly came out of nowhere and was a shock to fans of both promotions. Although neither company will lose too much from the relationship ending, that in itself is the issue.
There are no ramifications aside from a few crossovers that will take effect, due to the relationship being fairly inconsequential. It screams of a big, wasted opportunity, with no true AEW vs Impact feuds. Now that their crossovers have ended, it puts a stop to any potential dream matches that many fans had in mind, leaving perhaps a sour taste in some that wished for better with this partnership.
12 *Why It Worked: Josh Alexander Got The Rub From Christian Cage
After Cage defeated Omega for the World Title, he appeared frequently on Impact, having some fun matches against the likes of Ace Austin, Bryan Myers, and notably, Josh Alexander. A fan favourite on the rise, Alexander toppled Cage at the Bound For Glory PPV, gaining a lot from defeating a true legend of the business.
Although defeating Omega would have been a larger thing to boast from an Impact talent, Cage was a great alternative. Though Alexander would lose the title quickly to Moose on the very same night, fans are firmly behind him as an underdog on his inevitable fight and climb right back to the championship that was stolen from him.
11 *Why It Hasn’t Worked: Sammy Guevara May Have Damaged The Partnership
The information regarding the situation is still murky, but it was alleged that during Guevara’s absence from AEW amid a story with the Inner Circle, that he was to appear on Impact Wrestling for a period.
Both sides had different creative ideas, which led to frustration on either end, with Guevara never actually appearing on the show. This incident may have severed some trust between the companies, and may make it harder to rekindle a relationship again in the future.
10 Why It Worked: The Initial Buzz
When Impact and AEW started working together, fans were left genuinely shocked as nobody expected it to happen. That's something that each company is always searching for, a big moment that will have fans talking, and that's exactly what it provided.
The initial buzz around the wrestling world was great for Impact and AEW, which is what they needed. Fans were intrigued to see what would happen and they tuned in to check it out early on, which helped out both parties.
9 Why It Hasn't Worked: Tony Khan's Commercials
The partnership between Impact and AEW has absolutely been a one-sided one, which is part of the problem. That is never clearer than with AEW's paid commercials on Impact each week, which showcase Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone being incredibly arrogant.
Firstly, it makes no sense as this is the complete opposite manner to how Tony presents himself in AEW. However, having him and Khan basically mock Impact on the show just belittles the product, which isn't helpful. After a period, the commercials ended, and Khan returned to the background. That was until he became incredibly active on Twitter during a head-to-head battle with Smackdown, which saw this side of Khan being brought to light again.
8 Why It Worked: Made Impact More Exciting
While there haven't been many Impact wrestlers making the trip across to appear on Dynamite, AEW has done a good job at having some presence each week on Impact. This has helped to improve Impact's weekly product.
Whether it was Matt Hardy's appearances or the regular showings by Kenny Omega and Christian Cage, having this injection of star power is something that has absolutely boosted Impact.
7 Why It Hasn't Worked: AEW Doesn't Promote Impact
While Tony Khan has argued he pays for AEW to be mentioned on Impact's product, it would've be nice to hear Impact be mentioned on Dynamite. Whenever something big is coming up involving an AEW star in the Impact Zone, it should be promoted.
However, that isn't the cas, and because of that, it's hard to see how the deal is truly benefitting Impact. The company doesn't get the same promotion, which makes it a very one-sided deal. It has to be said though, that Impact are still making strides in the wrestling business, making impressive signings and putting on great shows, without any extra promotion.
6 Why It Worked: Less Predictable
While there has been a lack of major surprises within this partnership, there is no doubt that both Impact and AEW are less predictable because of it. Kenny Omega winning the Impact World Title proves how serious the deal is, and that means anything can truly happen.
This is a major benefit to each show as it means fans are always speculating about what might end up happening. While AEW and Impact need to push a couple more surprises to reinforce this, it's great that this is possible in the first place.
5 Why It Hasn't Worked: No Impact vs. AEW
When Impact and AEW agreed to work together in a long-term situation, one of the first things that should have been arranged is a PPV featuring talent from both. Putting them up against each other is something that audiences would have loved.
This is something that could still happen down the line, but having an invasion early on would have really made a lot of noise in the wrestling world. With so many dream matches being available, it truly is a missed opportunity.
4 Why It Worked: Make The Most Of Don Callis
Don Callis is someone who has been featured heavily in both sides of this partnership, which has obviously been good for him on a personal level. However, it has also helped Impact and AEW as shows.
Don is a fantastic on-screen personality, whether he's cutting promos, working commentary, or simply standing at ringside. Allowing him to be used a lot is something that has worked well within this deal. In recent times, he became a fully-fledged member of AEW. Although this is a loss for Impact, he is a remarkable on-screen talent.
3 Why It Hasn't Worked: The Same Wrestlers Cross Paths
One of the major missed opportunities that this partnership has suffered is not bringing talent back and forth. Both shows have loaded rosters and that could have set up a lot of exciting feuds or dream matches that could have been heavily promoted over time.
However, it is the same wrestlers who appear each and every week. Kenny Omega and Tony Khan might pop up on Impact, while the Good Brothers will appear in AEW, and outside a couple of other moments, that's it. This is a massive error that has led to fans becoming frustrated.
2 Why It Worked: Kenny Omega's Group Rises
The biggest plus has certainly been for AEW in building up The Elite once again. Turning Kenny Omega heel was a risk, but it's one that has worked, and adding The Young Bucks, Don Callis, and The Good Brothers to that situation has been crucial, with even Brandon Cutler being a fantastic part of the faction.
Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows have brought a lot of personality and attention to the group, with this feeling important once again. It has really risen Omega's stock and helped to create an interesting faction on both shows, which has certainly helped. Omega's run with the AEW title has benefitted largely from his affiliation with The Elite, and the latest edition of Adam Cole has boosted their stock even further.
1 Why It Hasn't Worked: Impact's World Title Is Meaningless
The biggest way that the partnership has failed is due to the way that Impact's World Championship has been treated. Kenny Omega winning the title was supposed to bring more eyes to Impact, but that hasn't really been the case.
Impact's numbers haven't shot through the roof, which doesn't make Omega look like a star, regardless of what some fans think of him. But the big problem is the fact the Impact World Title never gets mentioned in AEW and is treated as an afterthought. That is Impact's biggest prize, and if it's shown as a title people don't respect, it hurts the brand massively. Christian Cage winning the title helped in making the title mean more, but Omega's reign certainly didn't aid the title much in the long run.