TNA is officially making a major adjustment ahead of Slammiversary 2026 — and the timing makes it very clear the company wants to avoid going head-to-head with AEW Forbidden Door.
After weeks of discussion surrounding the scheduling conflict between the two events, it was revealed on May 7, 2026 that TNA Slammiversary 2026 will now start earlier than originally expected. The show, which takes place on Sunday, June 28, will now begin at 3 PM ET.
That move creates separation from AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026, which is currently scheduled for a 7 PM ET start time — a slot widely believed to be the beginning of the pre-show.
The scheduling adjustment comes after reports surfaced that neither WWE nor TNA expected AEW to place Forbidden Door directly against Slammiversary on the same night. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the overlap reportedly caught both companies off guard.
“Forbidden Door was announced for 6/28 at the SAP Center in San Jose. This date goes head-to-head with TNA’s second biggest PPV of the year, Slammiversary, in Boston. One would think WWE would help TNA load up that show. We’ve been told that even though it’s a building WWE regularly runs and just did, neither WWE nor TNA were aware of this before the story broke. Needless to say, TNA can’t possibly be happy with this.”
AEW officially announced Forbidden Door on April 15, confirming the event would once again feature crossover talent from AEW, NJPW, CMLL, and Stardom.
“AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling are bringing #ForbiddenDoor to San Jose, CA! The 5th annual event will feature the brightest stars from AEW, @njpwglobal, @CMLL_OFICIAL, and @we_are_stardom, LIVE from the @SAPCenter on Sunday, June 28 2026.”
The move could help both promotions avoid splitting live viewership completely, especially with Slammiversary considered one of TNA’s biggest annual events and Forbidden Door becoming one of AEW’s flagship crossover shows. Even with the adjusted start time, June 28 is still shaping up to be one of the busiest wrestling days of the year.
Do you think moving Slammiversary earlier was the right call, or should TNA have gone head-to-head with AEW anyway? Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation.