Speculation has been rife across the wrestling world ever since Tony Khan announced earlier this week that “one of the world’s best wrestlers” will sign with AEW at Full Gear this weekend. Two of the most heavily speculated names for the spot, Mercedes Mone and Ronda Rousey, have seemingly been ruled out following recent reports from Fightful, however, a new report has now potentially revealed the identity of the mystery signee.
Speaking on the Mat Men Podcast, Andrew Zarian noted that he’s heard the signee is, in fact, the current IWGP United Kingdom Champion Will Ospreay. He went on to note that this would be a big acquisition for the company as WWE has also been actively pursuing him. Haus of Wrestling has spoken to a source who also heard the signee will be Ospreay. The logistics surrounding his potential signing are currently unknown given that he has previously stated he is signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling until February 2024.
Ospreay would fit the criteria Khan laid out in his tweet earlier this week and is already a familiar face to AEW fans. The Assassin has competed in 11 matches within the promotion since debuting in June last year and is currently undefeated on AEW pay-per-view with singles victories over Orange Cassidy, Kenny Omega, and Chris Jericho. He last competed for the company at AEW WrestleDream last month where he, Sammy Guevara, and Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kota Ibushi, Omega, and Jericho.
Ospreay’s wrestling future has been a hotly debated topic over the last few months with his current contract with New Japan nearing its end. With less than three months to go, he is still one of the promotion’s top singles champions and is set to defend his IWGP UK title at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4th next year against both Jon Moxley and current Bullet Club leader David Finlay.