Will Ospreay Suggests Teaming With Naomichi Marufuji For A Match Against Jun Akiyama & Eddie Kingston

By Lewis Carlan Last updated Sep 17, 2023

On September 17th in a packed Korakuen Hall, Will Ospreay faced one of his heroes Naomichi Marufuji at the Shin Hito – 25th Anniversary Of Naomichi Marufuji’s Debut Show. The crowd pleasing match ended with Will Ospreay victorious over Marufuji. Ospreay praised Marufuji following the match and the two bowed to each other in a show of great respect.

While backstage, Will Ospreay continued to shower praise on his hero Naomichi Marufuji. Ospreay then floated the idea of possibly teaming with Marufuji and facing former NOAH superstar and current DDT pro Star Jun Akiyama and Eddie Kingston. Akiyama is an inspiration to Kingston the same way Marufuji has inspired Ospreay:

That was a dream come true (wrestling Naomichi Marufuji). At 16 years old, Marufuji is my hero. Me and Eddie Kingston, similar history. Both love Japanese pro wrestling. Japanese pro wrestling, we want (to) teach to the world. Maybe we need to do Marufuji-Ospreay tag team, Eddie Kingston-Jun Akiyama tag team match… I cannot say thank you enough to Pro Wrestling NOAH office, to Pro Wrestling NOAH fans, staff. Thank you so, so much for having me. This is honestly — I’m lost for words. It’s a dream come true. Thank you all so, so much for having me today. I’m tired. I did G1, go home, two days. Fly AEW, two days, return to England, three days, return AEW, three days… Revolution Pro Wrestling, Wembley Stadium, four days. Ireland, in two days. Then, back to Japan. New Japan Pro-Wrestling Destruction tour. Break. I came from Hiroshima right back to Tokyo for this special night. 25 years. 25 years, Marufuji-san’s been wrestling, the highest level. I hope everybody who enjoys Will Ospreay matches know that it’s all because of Pro Wrestling NOAH, because (of) Marufuji-san. Although I am born England, I am made (in) New Japan Pro-Wrestling. New Japan, Pro Wrestling NOAH, All Japan, Japanese proresu, best pro wrestling in the world. Thank you so much for having me. Time for me to head back and I gotta defend this bad boy (IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title) against Yota Tsuji. Everybody, I cannot thank you enough. This is a dream come true, truly overwhelmed.
Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay is scheduled to defend the IWGP US/UK Title against Yota Tsuji on September 24th at Destruction In Kobe.

For full results of Shin Hito – 25th Anniversary Of Naomichi Marufuji’s Debut Show click here:

(H/T goes to Post Wrestling for the Transcription)

You can follow Lewis Carlan on Twitter @ShootingUpNorth

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