The wrestling future of Will Ospreay has been heavily debated over the last few months after The Assassin himself announced that February 2024 will mark the end of his current New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract. However, the speculation finally ended at AEW Full Gear tonight when the current IWGP United Kingdom Champion was unveiled as the company’s latest signing. Tony Khan first teased Ospreay’s full-time arrival in AEW earlier this week, calling him “one of the world’s best wrestlers.”
Soon after officially signing his AEW contract, however, Ospreay revealed he had some bad news in that he won’t be a regular in AEW just yet. First, he wants to finish his commitments with New Japan Pro-Wrestling but claimed he would be “on the road to Revolution” straight after.
Moments after Ospreay’s signing was made official, Fightful Select released a report detailing the backstage specifics behind the deal. The outlet noted that Ospreay informed NJPW that he was not re-signing with them and the company gave him their blessing to sign with AEW. As a result, Ospreay will still be able to wrestle for New Japan occasionally.
Negotiations between AEW and Ospreay are said to have begun this past fall and one of the British star’s hopes was that he’d be able to remain in the UK. Though he was open to all options if a move to the United States was necessary, Ospreay will be able to stay in the UK as part of this new deal.
Fightful also noted that WWE had been in contact with those representing Ospreay over the last few weeks in order to gauge his interest and if relocation to the US would be possible. IMPACT Wrestling also expressed interest in him and Ospreay has communicated that he wants to return to the promotion once it rebrands to TNA following his recent stint.