Will Ospreay highlights the trust he has built with Tony Khan.
Over the past year and so, Will Ospreay has wrestled for AEW multiple times as part of the company's working relationship with NJPW. Ospreay's NJPW contract was set to expire in February 2024, but at AEW Full Gear, he was revealed as AEW's new blockbuster signing. Ospreay signed with the company with NJPW's blessing. He will finish up with NJPW before he fully joins AEW in 2024.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Ospreay discussed signing with AEW, and he explained how his relationship with Tony Khan was a key factor. He noted that they first met four years ago, and the way Khan respected Ospreay's feelings meant a lot to him.
“At the time, Tony asked what I was interested in doing next in my career. I said my focus was on Japan, and he respected that. I’ll always remember how he respected how I felt. I also need to mention that night was the only singles match I’ve ever wrestled against PAC–that’s something I want to throw out there so we can run it back and put it to rest between us," Ospreay said.
Ospreay emphasized that he has built a respect and trust with Khan since then. He noted that Khan trusted him with the run he had this past summer, including his match against Chris Jericho at AEW All In. Ospreay stated that, now that he is coming to AEW, he trusts Khan with his aura and character.
“People need to remember this–since then, I’ve built a trust and respect with Tony. That’s very important to me. When Tony had me work matches for AEW, like I did this summer at All In at Wembley Stadium, he didn’t have to do that. He trusted me. That meant the world to me. Now that I’m coming to AEW, I trust him with the aura of Will Ospreay and the character of Will Ospreay. Tony Khan has genuinely changed my life. In return, I am going to deliver the best matches I can deliver," Ospreay said.
Khan recently said that Ospreay will be able to wrestle for NJPW virtually any time once he joins AEW. Check out his comments here.
Fightful will have live coverage of AEW Dynamite as it airs on November 29.
