Swerve Strickland suffered a sudden loss to Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door 2026 on the finals of the Men's Owen Hart Cup.
What happened?
The match lasted 35 minutes, with both stars attempting their finishers early, but Ospreay finally picked up the victory with a move he'd once vowed never to use again.
Swerve Strickland was accompanied by Prince Nana and the Death Riders during the match.
Why it matters for Swerve Strickland
The loss was a significant setback for Swerve Strickland, who had vanquished Bandido and Brody King to reach the final.
The AEW star has now broken his silence on the loss, posting a GOAT emoji on X/Twitter, which was seen as a subtle message to Ospreay.
What comes next?
Will Ospreay will now go on to get a World Title shot at All In on August 30, later this year, after his win in the Men's Owen Hart Cup.
The Death Riders raised Ospreay on their shoulders to celebrate his win, a significant moment for the British star who had struggled with injuries earlier in the year.
Swerve Strickland's message on X/Twitter was a clear reference to Ospreay's use of the infamous Tiger Driver 91 to defeat him, with Jon Moxley and the Death Riders in his ear.
The rivalry between Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay has been a major storyline in AEW, with the two stars having a complex history, including Ospreay's past injuries and his connection with the Death Riders.
The Men's Owen Hart Cup final was a highly anticipated match, with both stars giving it their all in a thrilling 35-minute affair.
The outcome of the match has significant implications for the AEW World Title scene, with Ospreay now set to face the champion at All In.
Swerve Strickland's loss will be a tough pill to swallow, but the AEW star will look to bounce back from the setback and regain his momentum in the coming weeks.
The Forbidden Door 2026 event was a major success, with the Owen Hart Cup finals being a highlight of the show.
The women's and men's cups were won by Mercedes Mone and Will Ospreay, respectively, with the event showcasing the best of AEW's talent.
The AEW World Title scene is set to heat up in the coming weeks, with Ospreay's title shot at All In being a major talking point.
Swerve Strickland will look to regroup and refocus after his loss, with the AEW star determined to get back to winning ways.
The rivalry between Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay is far from over, with the two stars set to clash again in the future.
The outcome of the Men's Owen Hart Cup final has set the stage for an exciting summer of AEW action, with the World Title scene being a major focus.
The Forbidden Door 2026 event will be remembered as a major milestone in the AEW calendar, with the Owen Hart Cup finals being a highlight of the show.
Swerve Strickland's loss to Will Ospreay was a significant moment in the AEW star's career, but he will look to bounce back from the setback and regain his momentum in the coming weeks.