Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay | |
---|---|
Birth name | William Peter Charles Ospreay |
Born | London, England | 7 May 1993
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Jason Artem Dark Britannico Neo Britannico Will Ospreay |
Billed height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] |
Billed weight | 105 kg (231 lb)[1] |
Billed from | Essex, England[2] |
Trained by | Lucha Britannia |
Debut | 1 April 2012 |
William Peter Charles Ospreay (born 7 May 1993) is an English
Ospreay previously wrestled for NJPW's
Ospreay began his career in the United Kingdom in 2011 on the UK independent circuit. In 2016, after being recommended by AJ Styles, he began to work with the Japanese promotion NJPW as part of the junior heavyweight division, becoming a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and the winner of the 2016 and 2019 Best of the Super Juniors. In 2019, Ospreay also won the NEVER Openweight Championship. That same year, Ospreay participated in the G1 Climax, NJPW's biggest tournament featuring heavyweight wrestlers. In 2020, he made his transition to the heavyweight division, where he won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He was also the winner of 2021 New Japan Cup. Ospreay is a former two-time and the final IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, as the title was deactivated in December 2023 when Ospreay was in his second reign.
Before signing with AEW, Ospreay had also periodically ventured into the American wrestling circuit; he made appearances in NJPW partner promotions
Ospreay holds the record for the most 5 or more stars matches given by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer with a total of 38 matches.
Early life
William Peter Charles Ospreay
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2012)
Ospreay made his professional debut at the co-promoted BritWres-Fest on 1 April 2012 as the masked character Dark Britannico,[8] the evil twin of Leon Britannico who was played by Paul Robinson, Ospreay's future tag team partner in the team The Swords of Essex.[9] While wrestling with Lucha Britannia he twice won the Lucha Britannia World Championship.
Progress Wrestling (2012–2019)
Ospreay soon became a regular for Progress Wrestling, debuting for them at Chapter Two: The March of Progress with Alex Esmail in a loss to The London Riots (James Davis and Rob Lynch). His performance earned him a place in the Natural Progression Series I tournament, aimed at scouting and showcasing new wrestlers. He lost in the first round to eventual winner Mark Andrews in November and again in a rematch the following May. Andrews who, as part of his reward for winning, picked Ospreay to enter the following Natural Progression Series tournament. The two met again in January 2014 in the first round of the Progress Tag Team Championship tournament, with FSU (Andrews' team with Eddie Dennis) defeating The Swords of Essex (Ospreay's team with Paul Robinson).
In his Natural Progression Series II opening match, his opponent Zack Gibson tried to win by holding the ropes. Robinson prevented Gibson using the ropes, which in turn distracted the referee for long enough for Gibson to low-blow Ospreay and make Ospreay submit.[10] On 18 May, The Swords of Essex were one of the final two teams standing in a four-team elimination match to decide contenders to the Progress Tag Team Championship. During the match, Ospreay, having been isolated for some time, reached out to tag his partner but Robinson jumped off the apron and walked out on Ospreay. Ospreay was left on his own and lost the match, after which the Progress Champion Jimmy Havoc came to the ring and ordered London Riots to tie Ospreay. Havoc pulled out a knife and threatened to torture Ospreay, blaming it on Ospreay's popularity with the fans, before other wrestlers came out and intervened, freeing Ospreay.[11] Havoc and The London Riots formed an allegiance known as Regression, which also featured Robinson.
On 27 July, Ospreay entered the eight-man, staggered entry elimination Thunderbastard match, the winner of whom can pick a time for a Progress Championship match. Ospreay entered the match third and was immediately low-blowed by Robinson, who had already entered, who disqualified himself in the hopes of taking out Ospreay. Ospreay recovered and eventually eliminated Marty Scurll last to win Thunderbastard.[12] The following show saw Ospreay team up with FSU and Noam Dar in an eight-man tag team match with FSU and Havoc's respective titles, Ospreay's title contendership and everyone else's Progress contracts at stake, depending which individual lost. During the match, Ospreay moonsaulted from the Electric Ballroom's balcony onto his opponents, on the floor.[9] Later, he had Havoc in position to be pinned but as he jumped from the top rope, Robinson dragged Havoc outside, leading Ospreay to pin Davis and end the London Riots' contract with Progress.[13]
At the next event, Ospreay defeated Robinson and announced he would invoke his Thunderbastard right to challenge for Havoc's championship at the following show. He lost the championship match in January after Havoc loosened the top rope, making it more difficult for Ospreay to do high-flying moves, and used it as a weapon.[14] During the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, Ospreay defeated El Ligero, Mark Haskins, Roderick Strong and Zack Sabre, Jr across two days to win the first Super Strong Style 16 tournament and once again lay claim to Havoc's championship.[15] Their rematch took place on 26 July in a no disqualification match where the reinstated London Riots neutralised the threat of Robinson's interference and Ospreay ended Havoc's 609 day reign to become Progress Champion.[16]
Ospreay successfully defended his title against the 2015 Thunderbastard Haskins and then Robinson. Robinson attacked Ospreay after losing to him, but Ospreay was saved by a returning Mark Andrews. Ospreay went on to finally beat Andrews to defend his title. Ospreay also headlined Progress' first main show outside of London in Manchester, in a triple threat match against Zack Gibson and Morgan Webster to close out 2015.
He lost the championship on 24 January 2016 to Marty Scurll when the referee stopped the match as Ospreay had passed out while being handcuffed in Scurll's chickenwing submission. Ospreay lost a rematch with Scurll at
Ospreay returned at the last event of 2017 as a mystery opponent for Progress Champion Travis Banks, however he lost the match.[17] On chapter 61, Ospreay defeated Adam Brooks, this was his first victory in the promotion since losing the Progress Championship in 2016.[18] At Progress Chapter 66, Ospreay defeated Mark Haskins.
On 7 May 2018, day 3 of the 2018 Super Strong Style 16 tournament, Ospreay challenged Jimmy Havoc to a match at Wembley Arena on 30 September 2018, but was forced to withdraw due to contractual obligations with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The match was then set for Chapter 75, with Ospreay emerging victorious in a no disqualification, 2 out of 3 falls match with former tag team partner Paul Robinson as referee. At Chapter 82: Unboxing Live, Ospreay and Paul Robinson defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to become the Progress Tag Team Champions.
On 17 May 2023, it would be announced that Ospreay would return to Progress as part of the 2023 Super Strong Style 16 tournament.[19] Ospreay's first match back would be against Tate Mayfairs, which he would win. His second match would be against Nathan Cruz, where he would lose by DQ and thus be eliminated from the tournament but reforming the Swords of Essex when his former tag partner Paul Robinson would come out to give his support.[20] On Day 3, although being eliminated from the tournament, The Swords of Essex would be assisted by Callum Newman to take on CPF in a tag match in a winning effort. It is currently unknown what Ospreay's plans with Progress Wrestling are after this event.
United Kingdom independent circuit (2012–2017)
Ospreay has regularly wrestled for International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW: UK) since September 2012 in singles matches, with Robinson as Swords of Essex and with Tom Dawkins as Spitfire Britannia, playing off their alter egos Pure Britannico and Neo Britannico for Lucha Britannia. Ospreay made it through to the final of the UK Super 8 tournament in both 2014 and 2015, losing to Zack Sabre, Jr and
The Swords of Essex began wrestling for Future Pro Wrestling (FPW) in May 2013 and after a series of wins became the first FPW Tag Team Champions after winning a four-way match. They held the titles for nine months and eventually became embroiled in a Best of Four match series against both The London Riots and The Alpha Males (Iestyn Rees & Charlie Garrett) for the FPW Tag Team Championship. The Swords of Essex failed to win a match in the series, with Ospreay wrestling the final match, which also had the London Riots' IPW:UK and New Generation Wrestling Tag Team Championship on the line, without Robinson. Ospreay has been unable to replicate similar success as a singles wrestler, twice entering the Zero G tournament but failing to win.
Ospreay also became a regular for Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE) from March 2014 onwards. After failing to win the Speed King Championship from Kay Lee Ray in a co-promoted show with Combat Zone Wrestling in October, he won it a fortnight later in a Six-Way Elimination match. He defended it over the following months to many SWE and guest wrestlers, eventually putting it on the line in the annual Speed King Tournament where he beat Mark Andrews in the semi-final in a Best of Three falls match but lost the title to El Ligero in a Six-Way Elimination match on 30 May 2015. The following March he unsuccessfully challenged Joseph Connors for the SWE Heavyweight Championship but on 7 August won the Speed King championship for the second time from Andrew Everett.
On 27 August 2016 Ospreay posted a Facebook live video unveiling a new British Triangle Championship with his three Swords of Essex partners Paul Robinson, Jerry Sevanchez, and Scott Wainwright. They announced that the trios championships were not specific to any promotion and could therefore be defended anywhere.[21]
Ospreay wrestled a series of shows across 2016 for What Culture Pro Wrestling for both their weekly YouTube broadcast and iPPV shows, scoring wins over
On 4 January 2017, Ospreay, along with fellow British wrestler Ryan Smile, started their own promotion, known as Lucha Forever,[24] with their first show, The Dawning of Forever, taking place on 17 April in Birmingham.[25]
Revolution Pro Wrestling (2013–2024)
Ospreay debuted for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) on 10 February 2013 with a win over Mike Hitchman. He soon started appearing in tag matches with Paul Robinson as The Swords of Essex and, after earning contendership with a win over The London Riots, won the British Tag Team Championship on 15 June 2013 during RevPro's first show at York Hall by defeating Project Ego (Kris Travis and Martin Kirby). After losing to Ricochet in a singles match, The Swords of Essex lost their British Tag Team Championship to Ricochet and his partner Rich Swann, The Inner City Machine Gun on 15 March 2014.
On 19 October, Ospreay beat Josh Bodom for the British Cruiserweight Championship in a match that also included Swann. The day before, he had lost a match to Matt Sydal and so in May 2015 the two had a rematch. Although Ospreay won the rematch, with their series at 1–1 the two were booked in a Best of Three Falls match with the British Cruiserweight Championship on the line. After losing the first fall, he retained the title with two straight falls. After an eleven-month reign, with a number of title defences, Ospreay lost the title back to Bodom on 5 September 2015.
Ospreay bounced back with wins over
Following RevPro events being hindered due to the
Ospreay made his first title defence of 2022, defeating Michael Oku at RevPro High Stakes 2022, in a critically acclaimed match.[37] His next title defence was against Mike Bailey on night 1 of RevPro's 10th Anniversary show on 20 August. On Night 2 the following day, Ospreay lost the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Knight Jr, ending his reign at 919 days with 7 successful title defences. The reign made Ospreay the longest reigning Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion in history.
Ospreay returned to RevPro, for the first time since losing his title at Revpro Uprising 2022 in December, defeating Tomohiro Ishii.[38] Ospreay made sporadic appearances for RevPro for the remainder of 2023, defeating the likes of Big Damo, Luke Jacobs and Eddie Dennis. Ospreay had a standout match on 9 July at RevPro Epic Encounter, defeating Leon Slater.[39] On 26 August, at RevPro 11th Anniversary Show, Ospreay defeated Shingo Takagi, ahead of his match against Chris Jericho at All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) All In at Wembley Stadium, leading to Jericho making an appearance at the show and attacking Ospreay.[40] At RevPro Uprising on 16 December, Ospreay defeated Gabe Kidd.[41] Following the match, Ospreay announced that ahead of his recent signing to AEW, 18 February 2024 would be his final RevPro event.[42] On 18 February, Ospreay unsuccessfully challenged Michael Oku for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship at High Stakes, this marked Ospreay's final appearance for RevPro.[43]
Various international promotions (2016–2017)
On 29 January 2016, Ospreay made his debut for
On 1 April 2016, Ospreay made his debut for Evolve, losing to Zack Sabre Jr. at Evolve 58 and Ricochet at Evolve 59, both in Dallas, Texas, USA.[45][46] On 12 July, Paul Heyman, during a speaking tour of the United Kingdom, offered Ospreay an Evolve contract on behalf of Gabe Sapolsky while clarifying that the contract would not affect his NJPW deal.[47] On 20 July, Pro Wrestling Torch reported Ospreay had signed the contract to make Evolve his American home promotion,[48] but the Wrestling Observer Newsletter disputed this, reporting Ospreay did not sign and was still in talks with Evolve, PWG, TNA, and ROH, another American promotion who had a relationship with NJPW which Ospreay later confirmed.[49][50]
In August 2017, Ospreay made his debut appearance for Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) at their Sydney event Call to Arms. Originally scheduled to face PWA Heavyweight Champion Robbie Eagles in a non-title match for the main event, Eagles made the last-minute decision to put his title on the line. Ospreay ultimately defeated Eagles and won the PWA Heavyweight Championship for the first time. Afterwards, Ospreay announced that he was moving to Australia and would begin working regularly for PWA and other local independent promotions. Ospreay stated that he felt he could help the Australian wrestling scene grow, while the U.K. scene did not need him.[51] Days later, Ospreay faced Adam Brooks in the main event of a Melbourne City Wrestling show, Ballroom Brawl; defeating him to win the MCW Intercommonwealth Championship.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–2024)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion (2016–2018)
After the Global Wars UK event, where Ospreay faced
The following month, Ospreay entered the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. On 27 May, Ospreay faced Ricochet in the tournament in a match, which received widespread attention in the professional wrestling world. William Regal praised the match.[56] Vader, however, compared the match to a "gymnastics routine".[28][57] Ospreay won his block in the tournament with a record of four wins and three losses, advancing to the finals.[58] On 7 June, Ospreay defeated Ryusuke Taguchi in the finals to win the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the tournament as well as the first English and the fifth gaijin wrestler to win tournament.[59] Following the win, Ospreay was granted another shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but was again defeated by Kushida on 19 June at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall.[60]
On 20 July, Ospreay entered the
On 9 October at
Transition to heavyweight (2018–2020)
At
On 4 January, at Wrestle Kingdom 13, Will Ospreay defeated Kota Ibushi to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship.[75] He became the first Junior Heavyweight to hold the championship. He made his first title defense at RevPro New Year's Resolution, where he defeated Chris Brookes.[76] On 22 February, Ospreay successfully retained the title against Dalton Castle at Honor Rising: Japan 2018. At New Japan's Anniversary Show, he faced IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White in a losing effort.
Despite still being classified as a Junior Heavyweight, Ospreay entered the 2019
Ospreay participated in the 2019 edition of
He started the G1 Climax campaign at
On 4 January 2020, at Wrestle Kingdom 14, Ospreay lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Hiromu Takahashi.[81] He suffered an heel injury during the match, reportedly from landing on his feet when Takahashi dropped him from the top rope.[82]
United Empire and departure (2020–2024)
On 2 February at
Ospreay was supposed to be part of the 2020 New Japan Cup starting on 4 March; however, NJPW suspended all of its activities in late February due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[85] Although the company eventually resumed its activities with the New Japan Cup in June, travel limitations due to the pandemic have prevented most foreign wrestlers from returning to Japan. Ospreay made his return in September, where Ospreay participated in his second G1 Climax in the A Block where he ended his G1 run with twelve points. At night 17 of the G1 Climax, Ospreay defeated Kazuchika Okada after interference from Ospreay's girlfriend Bea Priestley and the returning young lion Great-O-Khan. After the match, Ospreay attacked Okada, turning heel,[86] leaving Chaos, and forming a new stable called United Empire. Ospreay then won the 2021 New Japan Cup as well as winning the right to challenge Kota Ibushi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis. At the event, Ospreay defeated Ibushi to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for the first time as well as becoming the first British holder of NJPW's top championship.[87][88] At Wrestling Dontaku, Ospreay made his first defense of the title when he defeated Shingo Takagi.[89] However, he suffered a neck injury during the match and was forced to vacate the title on 20 May 2021.[90]
Just three months after his injury, Ospreay made a surprise return at
After his defeat, Ospreay stuck around in Japan, teaming with his United Empire teammates. Ospreay was eventually announced for that year's
Also on 12 June during Dominion, Ospreay was announced as a participant in the G1 Climax 32 tournament starting in July, as a part of the D block.[98] Ospreay scored 8 points in his block, advancing to the semi-finals and gaining the physical IWGP United States Championship belt from former champion Juice Robinson and David Finlay, who both competed in the D Block.[99] In the semi-final round, Ospreay defeated C Block winner Tetsuya Naito to advance to the tournament finals.[100] In the finals, Ospreay lost to Okada.[101]
Following his G1 loss, Ospreay continued to defend his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, avenging a D-Block G1 loss to David Finlay and defeating him at NJPW Burning Spirit in September.[102] In October at Royal Quest II, Ospreay defeated Shota Umino.[103] At Battle Autumn in November, Ospreay again retained the title, defeating Tetsuya Naito once more.[104] After his defence against Naito, Ospreay was confronted by Umino, who made his return to Japan and was struck down by him.[105] Umino challenged Ospreay for the US Championship at Historic X-Over, where at the event Ospreay defeated him.[106] After the match, Kenny Omega of All Elite Wrestling appeared on the titantron belittling Ospreay and challenged him to an IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 17, a challenge which Ospreay accepted.[107] Ospreay lost the championship to Omega at Wrestle Kingdom, ending his reign at 206 days.[108]
Ospreay attempted to rebound following another loss at Wrestle Kingdom, by entering the 2023 New Japan Cup, in March.[109] Ospreay received a bye to the second round, where he defeated United Empire stablemate Mark Davis to advance to the quarterfinals.[110] However, soon after it was announced Ospreay had suffered a shoulder injury and would forfeit his place in the tournament, causing Davis to take his place and advance to the next round.[111] In April, NJPW announced a tournament to find a new #1 contender for Kenny Omega's IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, where Ospreay was announced as one of four participants in the tournament, signaling his return from injury.[112] Ospreay returned to action on 21 May at Resurgence, where he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to advance to the tournament final.[113] The tournament final commenced at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall the following month, where Ospreay defeated Lance Archer, to become the new #1 contender for Omega's title.[114] On 6 June at a NJPW press conference, the rematch between Ospreay and Omega for the title was confirmed to take place later in the month at Forbidden Door.[115] On 25 June at Forbidden Door, Ospreay defeated Omega to regain the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.[116]
In July, Ospreay attempted to keep his momentum, entering the yearly
On 17 September, Ospreay competed in an inter-promotional match against Naomichi Marufuji of Pro Wrestling Noah at the latter's 25 Anniversary show, thus making his Pro Wrestling Noah debut.[122] Prior to the event, Ospreay claimed the match to be a "dream match" for himself, having idolised Marufuji during his career.[123] On 17 September at the event, Ospreay defeated Marufuji in a critically acclaimed match, with the two showing respect to one another after the bell.[124] Back in NJPW, Ospreay successfully defended the IWGP United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship against Yota Tsuji at Destruction in Kobe.[125] The following month, Ospreay defended his championship against NJPW World Television Champion, Zack Sabre Jr. at Royal Quest III and Shota Umino at Power Struggle, the month after.[126] After defeating Umino, Ospreay was confronted by former IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley. Before a challenge could be laid out, both men were attacked by David Finlay, who used a mallet to destroy both the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship belts. Finlay’s manager Gedo, then challenged Ospreay and Moxley to a three-way match, on Finlay’s behalf for a brand new championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18.[127] Soon after the match was made official by NJPW.[128] The IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship was retired on 11 December, ending Ospreay's second title reign at 169 days an making him the final United States Heavyweight Champion. Due to this the match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 was announced to be for the newly created IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship instead.[129] On January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Ospreay failed to win the new title, as it was won by Finlay.[130]
Following Wrestle Kingdom, Ospreay continued to feud with Finlay, where United Empire and Finlay's
Ring of Honor (2016–2018)
On 8 November 2016,
Frontline Wrestling (2018–2019)
In 2018, Ospreay announced that he would be starting his own promotion, Frontline Wrestling. He said that Frontline would be a British Puroresu style company and that wants to take wrestling in England back to being seen as a sport.[137] On 28 June 2018 they ran their first event, "Build Me An Empire". Upon the one year anniversary of the promotion, Ospreay sold Frontline to move to Japan and pursue a full time schedule in New Japan Pro Wrestling.[138]
All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)
Sporadic appearances (2022–2023)
Two weeks after
On 27 July, the AEW World Trios Championship was revealed, with Ospreay and Aussie Open being named as participants in the tournament to crown the inaugural champions. On 24 August, Ospreay and Aussie Open defeated Death Triangle to progress to the semifinals, where they were defeated by The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) on 31 August.[144] After the match, United Empire attacked The Elite.[145]
Ospreay returned to AEW on the 14 June 2023 episode of Dynamite, attacking IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega at the end of the show, ahead of the two men's upcoming match at Forbidden Door.[146] On the same week's episode of Rampage, Ospreay teamed with United Empire stablemates Jeff Cobb and Kyle Fletcher, to defeat Chaos (Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor and Rocky Romero).[147]
The Don Callis Family (2023–present)
Ospreay returned to AEW on the 16 August episode of Dynamite, aiding
On 18 November at Full Gear, it was revealed that Ospreay had signed a multi-year deal with All Elite Wrestling, with AEW President Tony Khan touting his acquisition as a "blockbuster signing". He officially joined the AEW roster in February 2024.[151][152] Ospreay's contract allows him to reside in the United Kingdom and also make select appearances for NJPW.[153] Ospreay's first match as an AEW contracted wrestler took place on 3 March 2024 at Revolution, defeating fellow Don Callis Family stablemate, Konosuke Takeshita.[154] On 21 April at AEW Dynasty, Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson. This match was rated 6.5 stars by Dave Meltzer, which makes the match the second greatest match by his ratings, only behind Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega at Dominion 6.9.[155][156] On the 24 April episode of Dynamite, Ospreay won a Casino Gauntlet Match, to earn the right to challenge Roderick Strong for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.[157]
Return to Impact/TNA Wrestling (2023–2024)
Through a working partnership between
Ospreay returned to Impact, which had now reverted to its original TNA name, in 2024, facing Josh Alexander in a rematch on January 18, which he lost.[162]
Professional wrestling style and persona
Ospreay is known for his high-flying, high-risk style of wrestling, being nicknamed "The Aerial Assassin".
After his match against Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 13, Ospreay shortened his nickname to "The Assassin" and debuted a new finisher, a swinging back elbow he later named the Hidden Blade.[169] Since his transition to the Heavyweight division in 2020, Ospreay bulked up in size and muscle. This led to him changing his in-ring style, as he continued to use high-flying offence but incorporated more technical skill as well as powerful offence, which includes his finisher a corkscrew neckbreaker, named Stormbreaker.
Personal life
Ospreay started a relationship with English-New Zealand wrestler Bea Priestley in 2017.[170][171][172][173] They planned to move to Japan together due to their careers being based there,[174] but had split up by 2021. Ospreay is currently in a relationship with fellow wrestler Alex Windsor, and is the step-father to Windsor's son from her marriage to Ospreay's late best friend Ryan Smile; Ospreay cited his desire to be able to raise his step-son in the United Kingdom as a major reason he signed with AEW instead of WWE in late 2023.[175]
As part of the Speaking Out movement in 2020, Ospreay was accused of blacklisting former wrestler Pollyanna after she made allegations towards his friend and tag team partner Scott Wainwright.[176] Independent wrestling promotion International Wrestling League (IWL) stated that a venue asked them to remove Pollyanna from a show at the request of Ospreay.[177] However, it was later revealed by IWL that the venue itself had requested her removal rather than Ospreay.[178] The person running IWL's Twitter account later said that the supposed evidence was actually their opinion on an "unclear situation".[179]
Ospreay is dyslexic, has been diagnosed with ADHD, and believes he has autism.[180]
Championships and accomplishments
- ESPN
- Match of the Year (2023) (shared with Kenny Omega in a tie between their matches at Wrestle Kingdom 17 and Forbidden Door)[181]
- Future Pro Wrestling
- Impact Wrestling
- Impact Year End Awards
- Match of the Year (2023) vs. Mike Bailey at Bound for Glory[186]
- Inside The Ropes Magazine
- Ranked No. 10 of the top 50 wrestlers in the world in the ITR 50 in 2020.[187]
- Lucha Britannia
- Melbourne City Wrestling
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- New York Post
- Match of the Year (2023) vs. Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 17[201]
- One Pro Wrestling
- 1PW World Heavyweight Champion (1 time)[202]
- Preston City Wrestling
- PCW 'One to Watch in 2015' End of Year Award (2014)[203]
- Progress Wrestling
- Progress Championship (1 time)
- Progress Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Paul Robinson
- Super Strong Style 16 (2015)
- Thunderbastard (2014) [204]
- Pro Wrestling Australia
- PWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[51]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 7 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021[205]
- Ranked No. 7 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the
- Reloaded Championship Wrestling Alliance
- RCWA Elite-1 Championship (1 time)[206]
- Revolution Pro Wrestling
- Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[207]
- 2 times)[208]
- 1 time) – with Paul Robinson[209]
- Second Triple Crown Champion
- Ring of Honor
- ROH World Television Championship (1 time)[135]
- Best Move of the Year (2017) – OsCutter[210]
- SoCal Uncensored
- Match of the Year (2016) with Matt Sydal & Ricochet vs. Adam Cole & The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) on 3 September[211]
- Southside Wrestling Entertainment
- Sports Illustrated
- Ranked No. 6 of the top 10 men's wrestlers in 2018[217]
- Ranked No. 5 of the top 10 wrestlers in 2022 and 2023[218][219]
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Bout Award (2022) vs. Kazuchika Okada on 18 August[220]
- Warrior Wrestling
- What Culture Pro Wrestling/Defiant Wrestling
- WCPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scotty Wainwright[224]
- Defiant Wrestling Award for Match of the Year (2017) – vs. Drew Galloway on 6 March[225]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Flying Wrestler (2016–2019)[226][227]
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (2019) – Storm Breaker[227]
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (2022, 2023) – Hidden Blade[228][229][230]
- Europe MVP (2021–2023)[228][229][230]
- Japan MVP (2023)[230]
- Non-Heavyweight MVP (2018, 2019)[231][227]
- Most Outstanding Wrestler (2019, 2022, 2023)[227][228][229][230]
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2019) vs. Shingo Takagi on 5 June at the Best of the Super Juniors finals[227]
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2022) vs. Kazuchika Okada on 18 August at the G1 Climax 32 finals[228][229]
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2023) vs. Kenny Omega on 4 January at the Wrestle Kingdom 17[230]
- Wrestler of the Year (2023)[230]
- Other titles
- British Triangle Championship (1 time) – with Paul Robinson and Scott Wainwright[232]
References
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- ^ "Facebook". Will Ospreay Facebook Page.
- ^ "Will Ospreay Earns 8th Five-Star Match Rating in 2023". Inside the Ropes. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "William Peter Charles OSPREAY - Personal Appointments". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
- ^ "Will Ospreay SWE - Biographie Catcheur SWE : Catch Arena". www.catch-arena.com.
- ^ a b "The Sword of Essex William Ospreay Interview". prowrestling.com.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (19 October 2019). "Kip Sabian talks about what started his love of wrestling, AEW, British vs. American wrestling". Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Events Database - Will Ospreay". Cagematch. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
12.3.2011
- ^ a b Davies, Ryan. "Wrestler Spotlight: Will Ospreay". uwejournalism. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ Hawke, TJ. "Views from the Hawke's Nest: Progress Wrestling Chapter Twelve: We're Gonna Need A Bigger Room". 411mania.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
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- ISSN 1083-9593.
Will Ospreay has already been offered a regular contract which would make him just about the quickest guy without an international name to get one. He got the offer after one match with the promotion.
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External links
- Will Ospreay on Facebook
- Will Ospreay's New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile
- Will Ospreay's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database
- Will Ospreay at IMDb