Hayabusa's family was proud of Will Ospreay's tribute.
In the main event of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Will Ospreay challenged Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship. Ospreay was wearing a special Hayabusa mask to pay tribute to the late Japanese star, who was forced to retire due to injury in 2001.
In a digital exclusive, Will Ospreay recalled asking Hayabusa's daughter for her blessing to wear a famous Hayabusa mask in 2022, and he said it was only right to do it again at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024.
"Back in 2022, I took out the daughter of Hayabusa and I asked for her blessing to adorn a very famous Hayabusa mask. I don’t know what their relationship was, I don’t know if she was a bit sad about the wrestling community, maybe? But I just wanted to make sure that I got the blessing for it. I took her out, and she gave me the blessing. The family all wrote in, they said that they’re so happy for me to adorn the mask. So I did it in Japan. It's only right that I do it at Forbidden Door, with the crossover event. This is about celebrating wrestling culture, right? Well, this is the culture that got me into professional wrestling. So I can’t be happier. I hope I do ‘em proud," Ospreay said.
Thank you--
— えざき あやね (@Aynnnnn1910) July 3, 2024
I am soo grateful. https://t.co/PHnDT1ifbo
Ospreay then took to Twitter/X and expressed his gratitude to Hayabusa's daughter and the family's kindness for allowing him to share the love that he has for Hayabusa's contributions towards wrestling. He thanked them for a special moment.
I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am to you & your families kindness for allowing me to share the love I have for your father’s contributions towards wrestling to an audience that would show their love and respect back.
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) July 3, 2024
Thank you so much for such a special moment https://t.co/HDGgk1ZE3Y
AEW then shared that Hayabusa's brother Takanori Ezaki sent them a letter ahead of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Ezaki wrote that the family was very proud to hear that Ospreay wanted to use Hayabusa's costume. Ezaki wished the AEW wrestlers safety. Ezaki then wrote that he wished for AEW to be successful.
Before the #ForbiddenDoor , we received a letter from Hayabusa's brother, which we would like to share with you.
— AEW ジャパン (@AEW_jp) July 3, 2024
-----
Hello,
This is Takanori Ezaki, a younger brother of Hayabusa.
I heard that Will Osprey would like to use Hayabusa's costume and entrance theme for Forbidden… https://t.co/NOPxX1aCv1
Fightful Select reported more information about Ospreay's match against Swerve Strickland at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
On the July 3 episode of AEW Dynamite, Ospreay will defend the AEW International Championship against Daniel Garcia. Fightul will have coverage of the show as it airs.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
