Despite being a New Japan Pro-Wrestling contracted talent, Will Ospreay has become a semi-regular AEW competitor since debuting in the promotion in mid-2022. Ospreay featured prominently at both of AEW x NJPW’s Forbidden Door events, defending the IWGP United States Championship against Orange Cassidy at the 2022 iteration and reclaiming the belt from Kenny Omega at Forbidden Door 2023 after losing the title at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January.
This weekend, Ospreay is set for the biggest match in both his AEW career and, arguably, his wrestling career as a whole at AEW All In: London in Wembley Stadium. The self-proclaimed IWGP United Kingdom Champion will face the inaugural AEW World Champion Chris Jericho at the event in what is the first-ever match between the two.
Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, Ospreay made an appearance on last night’s AEW Dynamite: Fyter Fest to sign the contract for the match. The two exchanged verbal shots, with Will referencing his recent victories over both Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, and signed the contract before eventually getting into a brawl that was separated by security guards.
Perceptive fans of the New Japan star may have noticed a small production error that occurred during the segment in that Ospreay’s entrance theme was incorrect. The entrance theme used was his former NJPW theme Bring It Down by Zenith of God which was replaced by It Lives, It Breathes’ Elevated at Wrestle Kingdom this past January. Ospreay himself noticed and has since called out AEW over the mistake.
“Oi no heat AEW production office, once again I don’t work there so I’m not mad,” Ospreay posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But same sense I don’t know who to talk to about this. But guys played the wrong music last night. Please ensure “Elevated” is played for Wembley.”
Ospreay is heading into Wembley Stadium fresh off competing in New Japan’s 33rd G1 Climax. The 30-year-old advanced all the way to the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament but fell short at the second-last hurdle thanks to Tetsuya Naito. Naito went on to defeat Kazuchika Okada in the finals to secure an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 next year.