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When he’s not busy producing “Match of the Year” candidates for multiple promotions on multiple continents, Will Ospreay is contemplating what company he’ll sign with when his New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract expires next February.
Until recently, conventional wisdom had that as a two horse race between NJPW and AEW. But the reigning IWGP United States/United Kingdom champion recently told Sports Illustrated that Impact Wrestling is “in the running”, and spoken glowingly about his experiences in & memories of the promotion that will soon once-again be known as TNA:
I’m so happy for all of that crew because they all work so hard and are grateful for the fan support.
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) October 23, 2023
TNA was the reason I wanted to become a wrestler.
With that team, they will inspire brand new TNA kids.
And in an interview with Metro, the 30 year old Englishman changed his tune on the possibility of moving to the U.S. — which opens the door for the biggest pro wrestling company in the world:
“I mean, we have spoke about it [signing with WWE] more. I’m now open to the idea of stretching myself out that little bit more. As age has become more apparent to me and my body is hurting more and more, I’m open to all avenues. I’ve had a lot of talks with my friends about this, and I have spoke to the missus...
“‘It [moving to the States]’s on the table, that’s all I can really say. That means I am open to all options going forward.”
Ospreay told Metro he’s flattered when fans talk about potential dream matches with AEW stars like Adam “Edge” Copeland and Bryan Danielson, but there’s also WWE talent he’d like to face. That includes a certain World Heavyweight champion he’s bantered with on social media in the past, with the Aerial Assassin saying, “the Seth thing does intrigue me quite a lot.”
Despite having spoken openly about the importance of taking care of his young family financially in the past, Ospreay now says that’s not his only consideration when deciding where to sign next year:
“So everything is motivated towards not only my family, but I want to feel like a wrestler. I feel like a lot of people give up on that side, they just want the money,” he added. “I understand that, I really do, but if I sacrifice who I am then I don’t think anything I do is authentic.”
We’ll see what he decides soon enough.
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