Will Ospreay has a couple of challengers in mind for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
Ospreay captured the belt at NJPW Sakura Genesis and though his first opponent is already lined up, he's looking beyond New Japan Pro-Wrestling for who he'd like to defend the belt against.
Speaking at his first press conference as champion, Ospreay stated, "Now let’s move on to how much this IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and how much it means to me. It’s all about defences now, and finding true challengers to make this belt even more important than it is. I know full well that nobody on this roster is on my level, but I am more than happy to test myself not only against New Japan’s finest, but all of wrestling’s finest. I’ve made history. I’m the first foreigner to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and even with the older legacies, I am the first British IWGP Heavyweight or World Heavyweight Champion."
He continued by saying, "I firmly believe I am the best British wrestler of all time. There is not a single British wrestler that has ever ventured to Japan and climbed to the top of the mountain. Dynamite Kid, British Bulldog, didn’t get to the top of the mountain. Pete Dunne, great wrestler, didn’t come close. I can name a bunch of British wrestlers who didn’t do what I have done. 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. Before I was champion, a man who sparked a whole lot of interest in pro-wrestling, CM Punk said he’d like to face Will Ospreay. Now I have the biggest prize in pro-wrestling, so if you really want to prove you were the best in the world and not the best of a bad bunch, come over here and try and take this."
Punk has mentioned Ospreay as a potential opponent should he ever return to the ring.
Before Ospreay can think about dream matches against McIntyre or Punk, he will face Shingo Takagi at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku on May 4. You can find the full Wrestling Dontaku cards by clicking here.
