AEW Fight Forever is giving fans a first look at the game’s take on the dreaded Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. All Elite Wrestling has been WWE's chief competitor since its formation in 2019, and it was only a matter of time before the promotion released an officially licensed video game to compete with WWE 2K. Former WWE 2K developer Yuke’s is lending its decades of experience in the digital squared circle to AEW Fight Forever, which aims to recreate the simpler arcade-style gameplay of past wrestling titles like WWF No Mercy.
This can be seen in AEW Fight Forever’s gameplay trailers, which have demonstrated how the game is forgoing the more realistic approach of recent WWE 2K titles in favor of colorful mini-games and over-the-top weapons like Molotov cocktails and even a rideable skateboard that players can use to speed around the ring before landing a devastating frog splash on their opponent. AEW Fight Forever is also much more brutal than WWE 2K23, as some of the game’s latest screenshots feature both the ring and wrestlers covered in copious amounts of blood.
Both design philosophies are readily apparent in one of AEW Fight Forever’s nine confirmed match types: the Exploding Barbwire Deathmatch. The latest Fight Forever trailer showcases this diabolical stipulation in action, with AEW superstars Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega locked in a heated confrontation that mirrors their showdown at AEW Revolution 2021. As the name implies, the Exploding Barbwire Deathmatch has the traditional ring ropes wrapped in electrically-charged barbed wire, which triggers a small explosion every time an opponent is thrown into them or slammed on the mat. After a set amount of time, a massive explosion engulfs the ring and leaves both competitors collapsed on the ground.
While the game was initially announced back in 2020, AEW Fight Forever would undergo multiple delays and setbacks that would drag its development cycle until 2023. These complications have included real-life tension between some of the game's most notable stars, licensing issues surrounding AEW Fight Forever’s subtitle, and even the game reportedly having to be resubmitted to the ESRB thanks to the aforementioned blood and exploding barbwire. The long wait is coming to an end soon though, as AEW Fight Forever is set to launch on June 29.
Many eyebrows were raised when the Exploding Barbwire Deathmatch was announced as one of the playable stipulations in AEW Fight Forever, and now curious players have a better idea of how the infamous match will play out in-game. While Omega and Moxley’s pay-per-view conflict was seen as disappointing by many wrestling enthusiasts, fans will now be able to create a much more explosive version when AEW Fight Forever steps into the ring next week.
AEW Fight Forever launches June 29 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.