AEW: Forbidden Door 2025 PPV Buys Early Estimates, Backstage Update on Live AEW PPVs Availability on HBO MAX, Current Plans for Gabe Kidd in AEW & NJPW Contract Status Update

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 PPV Buys Early Estimates

AEW reportedly is currently estimated to have generated around 122,000 to 130,000 pay-per-view buys for this past Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 event in London, England, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that the early numbers for Forbidden Door 2025 are identical to what AEW generated for this past May’s Double or Nothinf 2025 event for PPV buys.

In regards to splits, Meltzer reported that cable PPV buys in the United States were down compared to Double or Nothing 2025 and the overall buys numbers in the U.S. was also down due to the early start time. Meltzer reported that both Australia and New Zealand were also down due to very late night and very early morning start time issues as well but the difference was made up by the strong numbers from the United Kingdom.

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Backstage Update on Live AEW PPVs Availability on HBO MAX

As noted before, an official announcement regarding the availability of live AEW pay-per-view events on HBO MAX is expected to be made soon.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that MAX is not expected to become the exclusive home and other streaming platforms will still carry AEW’s PPVs events.

In regards to potential pricing for AEW PPVs on MAX, it was reported that multiple ideas have been floated internally including one idea of offering HBO MAX subscribers a discount on PPV events. Another idea reportedly involves a straight-up $10 discount through the HBO Max interface.

It was reported that there has been no indication that AEW PPVs will be available on HBO MAX at no additional cost. This reportedly would likely require a full renegotiation of AEW’s current media rights deal with Warner Bros Discovery in order to be possible.

It was also reported that there has been talk internally of pushing HBO MAX as the preferred option for ordering AEW PPVs especially on shows airing on WBD networks like TNT and TBS.

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Current Plans for Gabe Kidd in AEW & NJPW Contract Status Update

NJPW talent Gabe Kidd has made several recent appearances for AEW including him competing in the Lights Out Steel Cage match at this past Sunday’s Forbidden Door 2025 event and him appearing during this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show.

Self Made PW reported that their sources stated that Kidd is currently expected to continue to make appearances with AEW and is considered a “permanent” member of the Death Riders stable. It was reported that Kidd also remains as a member of the NJPW roster.

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed the report from Self Made PW and stated that Kidd still has significant time remaining on his contract with NJPW.