Will Ospreay gives Shota Umino his due after the pair went to war at NJPW Power Struggle.
In the main event of Power Struggle on November 4th, the IWGP US/UK Championship was on the line as champion Will Ospreay defended against Shota Umino. The match was a brutal affair, with some of Ospreay's best deliveries of his vicious Hidden Blade.
Meanwhile, Shota would fight until the final bell, pushing Ospreay to his limit. However, it was not quite enough, as Ospreay was able to defeat Shota and retain his title after delivering a Stormbreaker.
The match has been built as Shota showcasing his ability to take over from Will once his deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling expires early next year, with Ospreay calling into question if Shota is ready for that spot. After the bout, the two men would briefly exchange respect as they both recovered from the battle they had went through.
On Sunday morning, Ospreay took to social media and offered his respect to 'Shooter', noting that he has helped Will understand who he is as a man. Will also mentioned that while Shota calls him BCC, he will always be a member of the Ospreay dojo to him.
Wrestling is combat mainly between 2 athletes with a goal to better the other.
But it can also be a story. A story that isn’t quite as know than my other stories.
Back in 2021 myself & Shota were both lost trying to find who we were inside the ring & in real life. Within our battles Shota has helped me understand who I am as a man.
There’s a bond there between us that only a certain amount of people will know the true extent of my gratitude towards him.
Last night I spent 40 minutes in a ring I call my home opposite you. The moment the bell rung a weight lifted off my shoulders and a sense of clarity hit.
You’ve become become a man in front of all our eyes.
You can say you’re BCC but to me you’ll always be Ospreay Dojo. I’m very proud of you lad.
Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/LHApo2CLHI
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) November 5, 2023
Following the contest at Power Struggle, Jon Moxley, who had been at ringside for the match, would step up to Ospreay before David Finlay of The Bullet Club would attack both men, destroying both the IWGP US and UK Championships in the process.
Ospreay is now scheduled to defend his IWGP US Title against Moxley and Finlay in a three-way bout at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Moxley commented on his issues with championship belts after the attack. You can read more here.
