At the highly anticipated AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event held on August 24, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London, Wardlow made a stunning return that electrified the crowd. Coming back from recovery after a torn labrum, Wardlow reemerged during the AEW Unified Championship match between Kazuchika Okada and Swerve Strickland. Following Okada’s victory, Wardlow unleashed a brutal attack on Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland, signaling a shocking realignment with Don Callis’s faction, which already included top names such as Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Konosuke Takeshita[1][2][4].

According to sources close to WWE and AEW insiders interviewed on various wrestling podcasts, Nemeth felt the manner in which Wardlow was utilized immediately after his long-awaited return was underwhelming. Nemeth stated, “I was genuinely heartbroken to see someone with Wardlow’s incredible talent being booked like that, straight into a heel faction with a series of chaotic rampages rather than showcasing his true wrestling prowess.” He went on to suggest that Wardlow’s return could have been a defining moment if booked with more focus on individual storytelling rather than just faction warfare[1].

This sentiment was echoed on the Fightful Wrestling podcast and during interviews on other wrestling platforms, where analysts debated the impact of Wardlow’s alignment with the Don Callis Family—a powerful faction comprising AEW and NJPW stars—on his character development. While the faction’s dominance is undeniable, some insiders argue that Wardlow’s once-promising trajectory as a singles competitor and former TNT Champion risks being overshadowed in a sea of group alliances[2][4].

The 2025 Forbidden Door event itself was a landmark show, marking the first time the annual supershow was held outside North America, drawing a record-breaking attendance of 18,992 fans. The event featured multiple star-studded matches, including “Hangman” Adam Page’s successful AEW World Championship defense against MJF and Toni Storm retaining her AEW Women’s World Championship. Wardlow’s return was arguably one of the night’s most talked-about moments, delivering a high-octane surprise that initially thrilled AEW followers[3][4].

However, the fallout on the following episode of AEW Dynamite starkly contrasted with fans’ buzz. Wardlow’s role devolved into a violent enforcer within the Don Callis Family, engaging in destructive attacks on security and other wrestlers rather than showcasing in-ring skill or character nuance. This booking choice was particularly disappointing to Nemeth, who is known for his own ability to reinvent his wrestling persona and deliver storytelling depth, as reported by WWE.com and other wrestling news outlets[1].

WWE insiders suggest that Nemeth’s reaction comes from a place of respect for Wardlow’s in-ring abilities and a shared understanding of the challenges wrestlers face when re-establishing themselves after long absences. A backstage source told Wrestling Inc., “Dolph sees potential in Wardlow that is sometimes lost when creative decisions lean too heavily on factions and violence over wrestling psychology and character development.” This quote highlights the ongoing debate in pro wrestling between promoting narrative-driven, character-centric applications versus faction-dominant story arcs[1].

The wrestling community remains divided on Wardlow’s new alignment. Some fans appreciate the renewed intensity and chaos his heel turn brings to AEW’s storytelling, while others hold Nemeth’s views—that Wardlow deserves a cleaner, more focused singles push—close to heart. His TNT Championship history and popularity could serve as a strong foundation for future AEW storylines if booked appropriately[2][4].

To summarize, Nic Nemeth’s disappointment stems from Wardlow’s booking post-return at AEW Forbidden Door 2025. While the return itself ignited excitement, the decision to immediately enmesh Wardlow into the Don Callis Family faction, emphasizing aggressive attacks and minimizing in-ring story opportunities, broke Nemeth’s heart. Wrestling insiders and fans alike watch closely to see if AEW will recalibrate Wardlow’s role to better match the high expectations set by his triumphant return[1][2].

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Sources: Wrestling Inc., SI.com, WrestleTalk, AEW official site and results, Fightful Wrestling podcast, WWE.com insider reports.