Mariah May defeated Athena in the final round of the women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament on the July 10, 2024, episode of AEW Collision, securing her spot in the tournament finals. May will face Mercedes Moné for the championship trophy at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, scheduled for June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
How Mariah May Advanced to the Finals
Mariah May earned her place in the Forbidden Door finals by defeating Athena in a tournament bracket match that served as the main event of Collision. According to official All Elite Wrestling event records, the match concluded with May securing the pinfall victory. Following the contest, both Athena and Mercedes Moné engaged in a post-match assault on May, intensifying the rivalry ahead of the upcoming title bout.
The Significance of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is an annual series held by AEW in collaboration with the Owen Hart Foundation to honor the legacy of the late wrestler. The tournament features both men’s and women’s brackets, with the winners receiving the Owen Hart Cup.
This year’s tournament carries specific stakes: the winner of the women’s bracket earns a championship opportunity against the reigning TBS Champion. Mercedes Moné currently holds the TBS title, having defeated Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing in May 2024. The clash between May and Moné represents a high-profile matchup for the promotion, pitting the rising contender against the established star.
Contextualizing the Forbidden Door Matchup
Forbidden Door is a collaborative pay-per-view event between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The inclusion of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament final on this card highlights the promotion’s focus on integrating its domestic tournament structure with its international cross-promotional events.
Tournament Comparison: 2024 Context
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament |
| Finalist 1 | Mariah May |
| Finalist 2 | Mercedes Moné |
| Stakes | Owen Hart Cup & TBS Championship Match |
| Event | AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door |
While previous iterations of the tournament have served to elevate talent within the roster, the 2024 edition is notable for the direct involvement of the TBS Champion. By positioning the final at a major event like Forbidden Door, AEW is utilizing the tournament to anchor a marquee match rather than treating it as a standalone trophy presentation.
What to Watch at Forbidden Door
The match at Forbidden Door serves as a focal point for the women’s division. According to AEW’s official announcements, the event is set to broadcast live on pay-per-view. Fans are monitoring whether the interference from Athena and Moné during the Collision broadcast will lead to further stipulations or outside involvement during the championship match in Elmont.
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