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In November of 2022 a total of five representatives sat at a table and agreed that in order of wrestling to thrive, they need to form an alliance so if ever one of them was to start faltering the other four would come to their aid to prevent a monopoly ever controlling the wrestling business again. These parties were Tony Khan (AEW), Takaaki Kidani (Bushiroad), Sanshiro Takagi (CyberFight), Leonard Asper (Anthem Sports & Entertainment) & Brett Lauderdale (Game Changer Wrestling). The five all had very different views of the wrestling business, but forming a stronger alliance not only gave them strength. It also attracted advertisers and sponsors in a manner that hadn't been seen before, with the realization they could broker massive deals that could be stretched over multiple revenue streams. It also lead to the creation of the Forbidden Door Network, an online streaming site and app where customers could sign up to various deals by which they could watch the content of all the promotions signed up to the Network.
A number of major changes would take place within the landscape. CyberFight would take the decision to severe ties with DDT Wrestling and its sub-brand Ganbare Pro-Wrestling. Instead, under it would use Wrestle Universe as an umbrella brand for its two other existing promotions: Pro Wrestling NOAH & Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. With the intention for both promotions to work as seperate entities, but also come together on occasion to put on Special Super Card shows. It was confirmed that NOAH would offer a weekly episodic called 'Monday Magic', whilst TJPW would host a Saturday Afternoon show called 'Princess Party' with no intentions of running further tour dates between show.
Anthem Sports would take the decision to revert back to its former branding of TNA Wrestling as part of it decision to sign the 'Forbidden Door Accord' as well as it's intention of returning to using its traditional six-sided ring. It would also be confirmed that Wrestling Universe and TNA were looking to form closer ties with the intention of running at least three joint productions throughout the year. The promotion would continue produce a weekly episodic of 'Impact' that would continue to air every Thursday Night and although episodes would be taped, it would be stated there was an intention to return to a live format in the future. It would also be announced that Kurt Angle would return to TNA to take on the role of President would be the decision maker of all wrestling decisions for the the promotion moving forward.
Although Brett Lauderdale sat at the table as the owner of GCW that point was made that he would pass ownership of the indie and instead would take on a new role, as the Director of Ring of Honor. However, it was decided between AEW and Bushiroad that they would merge ROH and NJPW Strong into one singular product and it would be known as ROH: STRONG. The promotion would be owned in equal parts 50% by AEW & 50% AEW, however the intention would be for ROH: STRONG to very much be its own promotion and offer itself as a competitive promotion of its own. The show would be broadcast on Friday Nights, with AEW Rampage being dropped as a product to make way for the new product. Primarily it would remain as Ring of Honor, with the addition of some of the licensing and championships that NJPW had created for its American venture.
Bushiroad would also take the decision for both its promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom to work a little closer together than they had previous, but still very much seperate promotions. There would however be no desire to form an umbrella like Wrestle Universe, instead the real change would come by moving away from Tour Shows and instead producing episodic content. New Japan Pro-Wrestling would introduce Ignition on Tuesday Nights and Fighting Spirit Unleashed on Thursday Nights, with World Wonder Ring Stardom introducing Stardom World on Sunday Afternoons.
All Elite Wrestling would maintain its current schedule (minus Rampage) with Dynamite on a Wednesday Night and Collision on a Saturday Night. This would been that the Forbidden Door Network would offer nine weekly episodic shows to their viewers and by so offer the greatest rivalry to the WWE since the Monday Night Wars. The high profile of the alliance also seems to have turned some heads, and various member of the WWE were convinced to jump ship and join a number of the rival organizations.
For clarifications, this is an alternative universe and should not be take as being a narrative continuation for the wrestling landscape we all love or loath in 2024. This project will begin with a lookback the last PPV/Super Card shows for all the promotions involved before starting a weekly run through.
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