Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, recently voiced his opinion that one of AEW’s key storylines leading into the Forbidden Door 2025 pay-per-view has advanced too quickly. With the event set for August 24 at London’s O2 Arena, AEW is heavily promoting a stacked card featuring high-profile matches including a Lights Out Steel Cage match and a tag bout featuring Adam Copeland and Christian Cage[4][5].
According to Nemeth, the latest developments in the AEW storyline involving Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, and Kip Sabian feel rushed. Speaking candidly during an interview on a wrestling podcast, Nemeth explained, “Forbidden Door is just a week away, and some of these story beats between Copeland, Christian, Wayne, and Sabian have flipped too fast to really sink in with the audience” — highlighting pacing as a crucial factor in storytelling impact[4].
This accelerating narrative arc stands in contrast to AEW’s usual style of long-term storytelling, particularly for marquee events. The match between Copeland/Christian and Wayne/Sabian was officially added late to the card, and insiders whisper that the rapid build may have left fans craving deeper development prior to the pay-per-view[5]. AEW’s Dynamite episodes have been moving briskly through angles, often compressing rivalries that typically evolve over multiple weeks or months[1].
Sources close to AEW suggest the company’s motivation stems from maximizing excitement momentum as the Forbidden Door event approaches. With AEW joining forces with NJPW for this cross-promotional show, energy surrounding the card is critical, but Nemeth’s critique underscores the balancing act between pacing and crowd anticipation. “Sometimes, quick story progressions can backfire, making the payoff feel less earned,” the insider noted[4].
In addition to the tag team storyline, the card boasts other major attractions, including Hangman Page vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship, and a star-studded Lights Out Steel Cage match featuring Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay versus The Young Bucks, Gabe Kidd, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagnoli. This match itself received surprise reactions, as Kota Ibushi revealed on Instagram that he and his team were only informed after its confirmation publicly[2][5].
Nic Nemeth’s experience across various wrestling promotions including WWE, Impact Wrestling, and currently TNA, has given him a keen eye on storytelling rhythms. He emphasized on Twitter recently that major wrestling events should feel momentous and well-crafted, not rushed, stating, “It’s about building anticipation and emotional stakes so everything clicks when the bell rings”[3]. His perspective resonates with many fans and analysts who follow AEW’s rapid storytelling approach.
AEW seems aware of these concerns as well, continuing to tweak weekly Dynamite episodes with segments designed to deepen character motivations and alliances. The handling of Hangman Page and MJF’s rivalry ahead of the world title clash has been cited by commentators as a more measured build compared to other angles on the show[1].
As Forbidden Door approaches, the wrestling world will watch closely whether AEW can strike the right storytelling balance — delivering high-octane matches while giving narratives enough room to breathe. Nic Nemeth’s comments add a thoughtful viewpoint that pacing remains a vital ingredient for long-term success and fan satisfaction in professional wrestling’s evolving landscape.
For continued updates on AEW Forbidden Door and more wrestling news, stay tuned to WWE.com, Fightful, and other reliable wrestling sources. This event promises to be a landmark occasion with inter-promotional fireworks, and how storylines unfold will surely influence AEW’s creative trajectory moving forward.