Will Ospreay became the second-ever IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at NJPW Sakura Genesis, defeating Kota Ibushi in the main event.
In his first press conference as champion Ospreay said he would like to defend his title against Drew McIntyre.
"But I would like to test myself against another British wrestler that calls himself the best. A man that held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Drew McIntyre, he called himself the best British wrestler that ever lived, so if there was ever a chance that we could work out the visas, I’d love IWGP World Heavyweight Champion vs WWE Champion between two British wrestlers," said Ospreay.
Speaking to Steven Muehlhausen of DAZN, McIntyre issued a formal response.
"He's a very, very talented individual, and I'm very proud to see how far he's come and how far British wrestling has come," said McIntyre. "From the day I was released from WWE and gone back to the UK, I started seeing the level of talent we produced and how much things have changed since I was last there. I was blown away, and that's when we started getting the British invasion all across the different independent companies, and Will was one of them, myself and few other Brits started traveling the world doing the PWG’s. Myself and Will had a great match at What Culture Pro Wrestling. I'm very happy to see his success. I spoke to him privately. I saw him calling me out. I will not reply publicly (laughs). I'll just say I'm very happy for him. If we had that match, he knows I would take the back of my hand and smack him if it was in real life (laughs)."
Before there can be a Champion vs. Champion match between McIntyre and Ospreay, McIntyre must first acquire a title.
He'll challenge for WWE Title against Bobby Lashley in the opening bout of WrestleMania 37. You can view the current lineup for WrestleMania 37 by clicking here.
