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Tag: Will Ospreay

  • Will Ospreay: The Key Thing For My Return Was To Not Be A Shadow of Myself In Any Way

    Will Ospreay: The Key Thing For My Return Was To Not Be A Shadow of Myself In Any Way

    Will Ospreay opened up more about his time spent away from the squared circle.

    Last year, Will Ospreay underwent neck surgery in August which would keep him out of action until this past March.

    The injury was stacked on for months, and after being written off TV at AEW Forbidden Door following the Lights Out Steel Cage match that headlined the show, Ospreay looks to be back in Aerial Assassin mode once again.

    “I didn’t know how bad my neck really was until they told me I couldn’t wrestle. Coming back, the key thing for me was I didn’t want to be a shadow or a parody of myself in any way, so it made it all the more important to be able to show I could hang in Japan, at the same level of work ethic, both physically and in terms of my psyche,” Ospreay told NJPW.

    Since returning to All Elite Wrestling, Ospreay has been looking to get his revenge on Jon Moxley, who is the current AEW Continental Champion. However, with the Death Riders recently saving Ospreay, the plans may change and respect may be earned from both sides if the two can work together in the near future.

    Ospreay is set to compete at Wrestling Dontaku alongside HENARE & Great-O-Khan against the trio of Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and Boltin Oleg for the NEVER Six-Man Championships.

  • The Top 10 Matches in AEW History, Ranked

    The Top 10 Matches in AEW History, Ranked

    Sometimes I forget how young AEW still is. It has not been around that long, yet it already has a backlog of matches that feel historic. These are the kinds of matches you rewatch on a random weeknight on HBO Max or send to a friend with a simple message: you have to see this.

    Once Forbidden Door became an annual event, the number of dream matches only grew. This is not a technical breakdown or star-rating list. This is a fan list. Some matches are left off, and that’s okay, they are still great. These are the matches people still talk about, rewatch, post clips of and hold onto years later.

    Let’s count it down.

    10. Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay,
    Forbidden Door 2024

    This one can get overlooked because Forbidden Door cards are always loaded, but it delivers. Two elite athletes move at full speed with no hesitation. Once Ospreay arrived in AEW, this matchup felt inevitable, and it delivered.

    Each sequence builds on the last, faster and more intense. By the end, it feels unreal. It also felt like a preview of AEW’s main event scene for the next decade.

    9. MJF vs. CM Punk
    Dog Collar Match, Revolution 2022

    Pure hatred defined this match. Chains, blood and old-school callbacks made it feel deeply personal. Not storyline personal. Real personal.

    This was also the night MJF cemented himself as a top star. After this, there was no denying it.

    8. Mariah May vs. Toni Storm (c)
    Hollywood Ending Falls Count Anywhere, Revolution 2025

    This match still feels surreal. It blended cinematic storytelling with chaos. The action moved through the arena and into complete disorder, yet it never felt over the top. It felt dramatic, emotional and intense.

    Storm fully embraced her Hollywood persona, while May matched her at every level. It felt bigger than a title match. It felt like the climax of a film.

    It also served as a fitting sendoff for May and capped what may be the best feud in AEW history. This stands as the top women’s match in company history and proof the division can headline.

    7. Kenny Omega (c) vs. Bryan Danielson,
    Grand Slam 2021

    A dream match that lived up to expectations. The atmosphere in New York felt massive as two of the best faced off. Danielson was fresh from leaving WWE, and the dream matches could finally come to life.

    Thirty minutes of wrestling with no wasted motion. Even the draw felt right. It felt epic, like two gods testing each other.

    6. Bryan Danielson vs. MJF (c)
    60-Minute Iron Man Match, Revolution 2023

    MJF proved himself again here. Going an hour with Danielson is a test few can pass. He did.

    The pacing, storytelling and final stretch kept the crowd engaged throughout. It had a classic, old-school feel that worked perfectly.

    5. Young Bucks (c) vs. Lucha Bros
    Steel Cage Match, All Out 2021

    One of the wildest tag matches ever. Blood, near falls and unforgettable moments defined it.

    By the end, no one was sitting. I was there live and by the end I had no voice. This is the match to show anyone that doubts tag team wrestling can deliver the best matches.

    4. Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland Texas Death Match, Full Gear 2023

    This match was violent and relentless. It was not about technique. It was about damage.

    Barbed wire, glass, staples and more turned it into a brutal spectacle. It also solidified Strickland as a true main event star. This match helped solidify this feud as one of the best ever.

    3. Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay,
    Dynasty 2024

    A showcase of elite wrestling. Counters, strikes and constant motion made it impossible to look away.

    Danielson’s technical style blended with Ospreay’s speed and creativity. Every near fall felt significant. It is the kind of match that reminds you what peak in ring storytelling looks like when two of the best push each other to the limit.

    2. Hangman Page and Kenny Omega (c) vs. Young Bucks,
    Revolution 2020

    For a long time, this stood at the top. It remains AEW’s best tag team match ever.

    The storytelling carried everything. Friendship, tension and rivalry played out in every move. It was not just a match. It was a story that touched every emotion.

    1. Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega (c),
    Forbidden Door 2023

    This is the one.

    From start to finish, it delivered at the highest level. Ospreay entered as the outsider, while Omega defended both his championship and his ground.

    The match featured constant momentum swings, creative offense and near falls that kept the crowd engaged throughout. Ospreay’s speed matched Omega’s precision, creating a near perfect balance.

    It felt like two of the best in the world pushing each other to the limit. Every sequence raised the stakes.

    When it ended, it left a lasting impression. The kind of match that defines a company. The kind you recommend every time. Only time will tell if we get a third match.

    Maybe All In 2026?

  • WWE vs AEW: Ultimate Forbidden Door Dream Matches

    WWE vs AEW: Ultimate Forbidden Door Dream Matches

    It’s almost that time of the year. The “Forbidden Door” continues to drive conversation across professional wrestling. While collaboration between promotions has increased, many of the most compelling matchups remain hypothetical. The chances of a WWE x AEW collaboration are slim to none. That gap leaves room for fans to imagine what a truly open landscape could deliver.

    Here is a look at 10 modern dream matches, with each offering a unique reason to believe it could define a cross-promotional super show.

    Seth Rollins vs. Will Ospreay

    Seth Rollins vs. Will Ospreay would likely steal the show on any card. Both are known for constantly evolving their in-ring style, pushing limits in ways few others attempt. It would be fast, unpredictable and filled with moments designed to go viral. Their online beef years ago showed true animosity, and each would love to prove that they are the best in the world.

    ⸻

    Gunther vs. Kazuchika Okada

    Gunther vs. Kazuchika Okada is built for fans who appreciate precision and storytelling. Gunther’s punishing offense would clash with Okada’s calm control and timing. This is the type of match where every strike and counter actually matters. This is the definition of a wrestling match should feel like.

    ⸻

    Rhea Ripley vs. Jamie Hayter

    Rhea Ripley vs. Jamie Hayter would be defined by its physicality. A brutal bar fight that just happens to take place in a squared circle. Both competitors bring a level of intensity that feels different from most of their peers. It would likely be a hard-hitting, no-nonsense fight from start to finish.

    ⸻

    Chad Gable vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

    Chad Gable vs. Zack Sabre Jr is a technical wrestling showcase. ZSJ is not a AEW talent, but we are letting it slide. This is too awesome to ignore. Gable’s Olympic background meets Sabre’s unpredictable submission game, creating endless possibilities. This is the kind of match that rewards fans who pay attention to the smallest details. Put Bryan Danielson on commentary and this would be a wrestling technicians dream.

    ⸻

    Bianca Belair vs. Mercedes Moné

    Bianca Belair vs. Mercedes Moné has the feel of a true main event. Because it already did happen, well, kind of. Bianca vs. Sasha main evented WrestleMania 37. This time it would be even better. Mercedes’ skill set seems to be even better and more evolved since leaving WWE. Both bring elite athleticism and the ability to perform under the brightest lights. It is the type of matchup that could headline a stadium and feel right at home.

    ⸻

    CM Punk vs. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page 

    Yup, you read that correctly. CM Punk vs. Hangman Adam Page carries real-life tension that adds depth. This match with the stakes at hand now would sell out any arena. Their previous encounter only scratched the surface of what the story could be. A rematch would feel more personal, and blur the lines of kayfabe. Fans would genuinely ask themselves “is this real or not?”

    ⸻

    Swerve Strickland vs. Je’Von Evans

    Swerve Strickland vs. Je’Von Evans is a blend of present star power and future potential. Swerve’s confidence and control contrast with Evans’ speed and explosiveness. Swerve acknowledgjng Je’Vons greatness this early on feels like it adds to the mystique. Seeing photos of them together at events feels like seeing Tupac and Biggie without the beef. Swerve adding power and strength to his resume has only made this match even more desirable. This feels like the kind of match that could elevate Evans instantly into the main event scene.

    ⸻

    Kris Statlander vs. Bayley

    Kris Statlander vs. Bayley offers a strong stylistic contrast. Statlander’s strength and physicality would be tested against Bayley’s ring IQ, experience and adaptability. Out of all the matches listed, I think this one has the best chance of happening.It is a matchup that fans see on the card and go “ oh, I have to see this!”

    ⸻

    Becky Lynch vs. Timeless Toni Storm

    Becky Lynch vs. Timeless Toni Storm is as much about character as it is about wrestling. Lynch’s presence and delivery would play well off Storm’s evolving persona. Lynch would be immensely frustrated with the mental gymnastics that Toni would put her through. Characters aside, these two are arguably the best female wrestlers in the world. This is a match that could stand out both inside and outside the ring.

    Kenny Omega vs. Roman Reigns

    Kenny Omega vs. Roman Reigns feels like a collision of two wrestling ideologies, not just two stars. Omega thrives on pace and innovation, and risk, while Reigns slows everything down and makes every moment feel massive. This is like Godzilla vs. King Kong. Jordan vs. LeBron. Stone Cold vs. The Rock. The contrast alone makes this the kind of match fans would analyze for years.

    BONUS MATCH

    Okay, I lied. I couldn’t keep it down to just 10 matches. This is a match that would bring out the worst in tribalism, unfortunately.

    The USO’s vs. The Young Bucks

    The Uso’s vs. The Young Bucks is the tag team dream match fans have debated for years. Blood vs. blood. It is WWE’s most decorated modern team against one of the most influential duos in independent and AEW history. Without The Young Bucks, there is probably no Forbidden Door. The clash of styles, pacing and legacy would make this feel like a true tag team main event. Sure you’ll hear some one complain about the amount of super kicks given, but the amount of money and attention this match would get out weighs all of the petty complaints.

    Final Thoughts


    A truly open Forbidden Door still faces real world complications. Contracts, egos, creative control and brand identity are not small hurdles, and every promotion has something to protect. That reality is why these matches still live more in discussion than in execution.

    From a fan perspective, though, that is part of the appeal. The internet chatter, the fantasy booking and the constant “what if” keep the concept alive in a way that no single event fully could. And if the industry continues to trend toward collaboration, even in small steps, it only takes one breakthrough moment to turn one of these dream matches into something real.

  • AEW Dynamite Preview 4/22, World Championship Match Set

    AEW Dynamite Preview 4/22, World Championship Match Set

    AEW Dynamite is live tonight on TBS at 8PM ET. The show will be held at The Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon and is headlined by an AEW World Championship Match.

    Last week, Darby Allin shocked the world and defeated MJF in very quick fashion to become the new AEW World Championship in his hometown of Seattle. Now, there’s no rest for the new champion as he will defend his gold against Tommaso Ciampa.

    Ciampa made it very clear last week that he was gunning for the AEW World Championship, and luckily for him, he doesn’t have to wait long. The two will clash tonight.

    Plus, we’re also set to hear from Darby Allin, as well. It’ll be interesting to see what he has to say coming off of the biggest win of his career.

    https://x.com/aew/status/2046773483166679051?s=46

    Elsewhere on the show, we will see Will Ospreay go head-to-head against former friend Mark Davis. This comes after Mark Davis laid out Will Ospreay last week with a devastating pile-driver just moments after he beat Mark’s Don Callis Family stablemate in Hechicero. Now, Ospreay can try for some payback.

    Lastly, in the AEW women’s division, something is cooking up with Hikaru Shida. But, what is it? Mina Shirakawa accused Shida of being the person who attacked Toni Storm and warns Kris Statlander to not trust Hikaru. We don’t know if that’s true or not, but, Shida didn’t take too kindly to the accusations and the two will battle tonight.

    More matches will be announced throughout the day by AEW. Stay tuned for more AEW Dynamite news and results during tonight’s event.

  • AEW Dynamite Spring Break Thru Full Results 4/15/26

    AEW Dynamite Spring Break Thru Full Results 4/15/26

    AEW Dynamite Spring Break Thru was live from the Angel Of The Winds Arena in Everett, Washington and on HBO Max and TNT.

    The show was headlined by a AEW World Championship Match between MJF and Darby Allin. Plus, Will Ospreay was in action against Hechicero and more. You can see the full results below.

    AEW Dynamite Spring Break Thru Results

    • Tommaso Ciampa def. Dezmond Xavier *Post-Match, Ciampa calls for a AEW World Title Match*
    • TNT Championship: Kevin Knight(c) def. Claudio Castagnoli *Post-Match, Kevin Knight says he has his eyes on the main event championship match*
    • Chris Jericho in-ring interview ends with him being beaten down by The Demand.
    • Will Ospreay def. Hechicero *Mark Davis lays Ospreay out post-match*
    • Thekla interview ends with Alex Windsor challenging her for a Collision match.
    • Jon Moxley warns Nick Wayne before their Continental Championship Eliminator on Collision
    • TBS Championship Match: Willow Nightingale(c) vs. Kamille
    • AEW World Championship: Darby Allin def. MJF *New Champ*

    AEW Spring Break Thru Collision will be on tomorrow, as a special Thursday event. Stay tuned for more AEW Coverage.

  • AEW Dynamite: Will Ospreay Defeats Hechicero

    AEW Dynamite: Will Ospreay Defeats Hechicero

    Will Ospreay had a brutal match at AEW Dynasty where he lost to Jon Moxley. But, despite being banged up, he’s been cleared and he wants to fight.

    So, tonight, Will Ospreay battled Hechicero who’s not only the CMLL Heavyweight Champion, but also a member of the Don Callis Family. Ospreay was visibly showing his wounds as his shoulder and neck here taped up, putting a target on himself.

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2044585988509303240?s=46

    As the match began, Ospreay was favoring his left arm, and it only became worse as the match continued on. But, Will Ospreay used his speed and quickness to his advantage and stayed on the move to keep control.

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2044586953501237719?s=46

    Halfway through the match, Marina Shafir came out and began watching the match from the crowd. Marina is also apart of the Death Riders, who Will Ospreay has of course had issues with in recent times. Eventually, Ospreay needed to be checked on by the ringside doctor after a beatdown from Hechicero targeting his arm. But, he fought through and continued the match.

    In the end, Will Ospreay was able to his the Hidden Blade on Hechicero to pick up the win, as he again favored his injury. After the match, Will Ospreay stared down Marina Shafir before being attacked from behind from Mark Davis. The Don Callis Family stood over his body.

    Stay tuned for more AEW Dynamite coverage.

     

  • AEW Dynasty: Jon Moxley Retains AEW Continental Championship

    AEW Dynasty: Jon Moxley Retains AEW Continental Championship

    One of the most personal feuds came full speed ahead tonight at AEW Dynasty when Jon Moxley defended his AEW Continental Championship against Will Ospreay. Six months ago, Moxley put Ospreay on the shelf by crushing his neck in his home country, in front of his family and making him have to receive surgery.

    Now, Will Ospreay is back and he’s back with a vengeance. Not only is Ospreay looking to take Moxley’s championship, he’s looking to injury him, just like he was. And this match tonight got off to a very quick start.

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2043521866229317972?s=46

    Ospreay immediately ran at Moxley after the opening bell and nailed his signature hidden blade, dropping Jon Moxley. Instead of going for the cover, Ospreay did the exact same move again, and yelled to the crowd that he wanted to take his time.

    This was a slight slip for the challenger, as taking his time allowed Moxley to gain his consciousness and battle back. As the match went on, both men were bringing the heat. This was a physical encounter, to say the least.

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2043523979306995955?s=46

    Jon Moxley ended up hitting a pile-driver on the steel steps that really had Will Ospreay down and hurting. Moxley followed up with a paradigm shift and a death rider to end it. Jon Moxley retains the AEW Continental Championship in devastating fashion.

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2043526211255554338?s=46

    Stay tuned for more AEW Dynasty updates and results.

  • AEW Dynasty: Alex Windsor Defeats Marina Shafir

    AEW Dynasty: Alex Windsor Defeats Marina Shafir

    The AEW Dynasty Zero Hour kicked off tonight with Marina Shafir versus Alex Windsor. This feud has taken a personal turn in the past few weeks, now, both ladies got the chance to get their hands on each other.

    The Death Riders, which Marina Shafir is apart of, has been having issues with Will Ospreay as of late. This last Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Ospreay gathered his former NJPW team in The United Empire. On that squad was Ospreay’s real life finance, Alex Windsor. Windsor has recently been by the side of Will Ospreay in order to combat the devious female of the Death Riders in Shafir. Now, they went at it one on one.

    After a solid back-and-forth contest, it was Alex Windsor that landed a nasty suplex variation that awarded her the win in our opening contest!

    https://x.com/bodyslamnet/status/2043470259722617035?s=46

    Alex Windsor picks up the victory and secures the Death Riders an 0-1 record so far for the night. We will see if Windsor’s fiancé, Will Ospreay, can defeat Jon Moxley later on tonight.

    Stat tuned to Bodyslam.Net and Bodyslam socials for AEW Dynasty updates.