Will Ospreay has reflected on the choice between WWE and AEW.
Once it became clear that Will Ospreay would be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling at the end of his contract, he became the biggest free agent on the market. Understandably, he attracted interest from both WWE and AEW, but, in the end, it was Tony Khan that was able to capture The Aerial Assassin and his arrival was announced at Full Gear 2023.
Now, appearing on Talk Is Jericho, Ospreay has discussed what made him make the move to AEW. Here, he emphasised the importance of being able to live in the UK and being around his family.
“Main thing was, I wanted to be in the UK. I know I’m not going to be exactly comfortable moving to another country. I moved to Japan in 2019, as much as I loved it, it wasn’t home. I entered a new relationship with my new Mrs. who wrestles under the name Alex Windsor, I have a stepson now, she just started school. If you know her story and everything she’s been through, the UK scene kind of knows it, but she lost her husband, and having to pick herself up from that and having to be a mom, a single mom, to losing her husband, it’s going to have some tolls on you, so she needs to be around family and friends in her social circle. I couldn’t bear the thought of moving her away from all of that and having her own on her own again. For me, the main priority was to stay in the UK, but also wanting to up the wrestling because I had done everything in New Japan. I completed it. The viable option was where was I happy and what was I doing? Every time I came (to AEW), Tony [Tony Khan] has given me nothing but trust and respect the moment I came in here. It was the right decision for me at this time. I’m happy here and looking forward to the challenges. It’s the right decision,”
-Will Ospreay
When asked if he was talking to WWE, Will said he was, but that the circumstances of each company was ‘night and day’. All in all, Ospreay said that WWE just isn’t for him.
“Yeah, of course, but it was night and day. Even in differences of what they were offering and what AEW was offering, AEW was way better. The scheduling, everything about AEW was completely the right option for me. It was always, you can go be a superstar in WWE and famous, but it’s not as good of pay and it’s not as kind of a schedule. I respect everyone there doing it, but it’s not for me.”
-Will Ospreay
Will’s All Elite Wrestling stint got off to a great start with his awe-inspiring victory over Konosuke Takeshita. From there, Ospreay will head to AEW Dynasty on April 21 where he will tick off a dream match against Bryan Danielson.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Will Ospreay’s decision to sign with AEW as soon as we hear more.
H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
