Claudio Castagnoli/Cesaro debuts at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

The rumored newest member of the Blackpool Combat Club was confirmed as Claudio Castagnoli made his debut as the surprise opponent for Zack Sabre Jr. at Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

The former Cesaro in WWE, Castagnoli defeated Sabre Jr. in a long and physical match, hitting him with a discus lariat following by his Ricola Bomb for the win.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1541250235321704449

As one would expect, Castagnoli used his power in several impressive displays while Sabre Jr. utilized his extensive submission and grappling game to his advantage.

Castagnoli was the replacement for Bryan Danielson who had to pull out of the planned match with Sabre Jr. at the PPV due to an undisclosed injury.

It won’t be long before AEW fans see Castagnoli in the ring again as he will join fellow BCC members Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta, Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz against Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia in Wednesday’s Blood & Guts match on Dynamite.

The 41-year-old became a free agent in February after his WWE contract expired. Sunday marked his first match since a mid-February bout against Happy Corbin. In March, he trademarked CSRO.