Jay Lethal is ready!
The current ROH World Champion Jay Lethal has been reigning as champion since he captured the title in a Four-Way match at the ROH TV tapings in Fairfax, VA this past June. Lethal has defended the title against the likes of Jonathan Gresham, Flip Gordon and next up for the 17-year veteran is former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay. "The Aerial Assassin" will challenge Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship at 'Death Before Dishonor XVI' on September 28th.
Lethal recently shared his thoughts on stepping into the ring with Will Ospreay when he was interviewed by 'Newsweek' to promote the 'Death Before Dishonor XVI' PPV.
"Will is the greatest high-flyer of my generation, probably the greatest high-flyer I’ve ever seen." Jay stated. "When we step in the ring, like we did once before, only once before, and it was just a brief match on a TV taping, but now we have the grand stage on pay-per-view, the sky's the limit, no pun intended, because Will Ospreay loves to fly. But the sky's the limit to the type of match we will bring to the fans. Especially when something so important is on the line, like the Ring Of Honor World Championship. Like I said, there’s that added pressure when you’re the ROH World Champion. You have to follow guys like the Young Bucks, or someone who I consider one of the best wrestlers who don’t get the credit they deserves, Chris Sabin, who fights for the ROH Television Championship. You have to follow two of the best women’s wrestlers out there, Sumie Sakai versus Tenille Dashwood. You have to follow Jushin Thunder Liger versus Kenny King, there’s Bullet Club, Marty Scurll and Cody with the Young Bucks versus Okada and CHAOS - talk about pressure. The pressure is definitely on, but I look forward to it, and me versus Ospreay should be something special." Lethal concluded.
Lethal is at the top of the ROH mountain for the second time in his career and he admits that he still feels the pressures of being the top guy in a company. Lethal stated that with all the exposure that Ring Of Honor is getting, there is pressure on him to deliver as the World Champion.
"One hundred percent added pressure. Not only from all the new eyes of people who have never heard of Ring Of Honor, but now you are working and you have to hook and wow them so they can want to keep watching." He said. "Especially since we sold out MSG people are talking like, 'Hey, what is this all about? Let’s check this place out'. But more than that, you have a roster of the best wrestlers in the world and the World Champion has to follow all of that. The pressure is unreal, but I welcome it. It makes me feel alive. It’s something that makes me feel like I can keep pushing myself to stay at that top level. To keep pushing to be the best or one of the best. It’s that ultimate motivation and I love it." Lethal said.
Jay Lethal also discussed if he feels that he has reached his peaked, channeling "Black Machismo" at 'All In' and more. To read the full interview, click here. As mentioned, 'Death Before Dishonor XVI' is one week away so head over to Fightful's "events" section to get a look at the updated match card.
