The current IWGP United States (or United Kingdom, as he prefers) Champion, Will Ospreay, has a few tall tasks ahead of him as he prepares for showdowns against some of Impact Wrestling’s finest. First up, Ospreay takes the grand stage at Impact Wrestling’s premier event Bound for Glory in what should be a fast-paced matchup against “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Speaking on the topic of facing Speedball and his recent encounters with other Canadian wrestlers, Ospreay had this to say about his northern adversaries.
“Listen, I think it’s very important for Canadians to watch these matches to realize that England are your daddies! So, this is a reminder to all Canadians… I, Will Ospreay, am your DADDY (laughs). But on a serious note, it’s always a pleasure to get in the ring with guys I idolized… Kenny [Omega] rose to the top of New Japan while I was just coming into New Japan and obviously Chris Jericho, I’ve watched since I was a teenager. Doing the match with Speedball, I think we’re both like the world beaters of wrestling where we go out everywhere and perform at the highest level, and we’re both ready to show the kind of caliber of wrestler that we are… That’s why I’m really excited to do this match with Bailey.”
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega (C) Vs. Will Ospreay (with Don Callis) at AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter: @stevetsn Instagram: @stevetsn
Ospreay continued to sing high praises for Speedball in the media call, adding this about his martial-arts-centric opponent: “I’ve had conversations with him [Bailey] about his growth and his development… We’ve always grown at the same time and in the same way, I think we just gone on separate journeys and separate universes. And the fact that we’re always, now and again, able to meet up and to test one another… It’s always stupid challenging with Speedball. He’s one of the hardest guys you wanna wrestle with because he’s so dedicated… Constantly improving and constantly delivering incredible matches… It’s extremely difficult to keep up with him, it truly is.”
Will Ospreay versus Mike Bailey fight poster Credit: Impact! Wresting
In his second collision for this set of Impact appearances, the “Aerial Assassin” is scheduled to face the “Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander at BFG Fallout on Sunday, October 22, in what could become an Impact World Championship match should Alexander pick up the victory at Bound for Glory the night prior. Ospreay spoke about preparing to face Josh Alexander for the first time and their shared honor of being arguably some of the top 10 wrestlers in the world.
“I mean I do a lot of homework right now… I’ve never actually watched a Josh Alexander match, but I just know he’s good. Everyone shows me clips of what he’s done, everyone preaches how good he is. I just never truly checked him out. But there is one thing I did check out (laughs), it gives me a lot of giggles and fun. It’s where Moose spears him in front of his misses and kids. That’s one of the funniest things I’ve seen in my entire life… How dare a man disrespect you like that. That’s the one match I’ve seen, so uh congratulations Josh (smiles). I know you’re good! I know you’re good. I would just like to know if you’re better than me. I don’t think you are, but I’m willing to take the challenge. NO CANADIAN IS BETTER THAN BILLY BOY!”
Josh Alexander at Impact Victory Road on Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com
Ospreay’s Impact commitments will also see him feature in their upcoming UK Invasion tour against Eddie Edwards, where he said this about the challenge, the importance of working back on home soil and representing the UK in general.
“Whenever we reference the best wrestler in the world, they either come from Japan, Canada, or America. It never really stuck out that the British wrestler was the best wrestler in the world. But now it’s kind of changed because of me. I almost love the fact, when New Japan wrestlers come to England, I’m the guy to face them. AEW wrestlers come over to England, I’m the guy to challenge. And it’s no different with Impact now… Almost the kingpin of pro wrestling back then… I do have that as like a badge of honor. To be returning to Newcastle after so many years of not wrestling there and to do it against a guy I kinda have a history with but kinda don’t… Eddie Edwards has by far become one of the greatest wrestlers to ever do it… A former GHC Champion… But I kind of want to see if he still has that guy in him… That strong-style Eddie Edwards, so I’m excited to bring that to Newcastle.”
Adding on to his admiration for Eddie Edwards, Ospreay mentioned: “Getting to go one-on-one, face to face with him… He’s been a flag holder for Impact, I mean in tough times… He’s been dead center, delivering all the goods that he can. I just wanna know if he can harken back to his GHC, strong-style era Eddie Edwards… Because if I get that guy and I’m the Will Ospreay that I’m gonna be bringing, it’s gonna be a showcase… It’s gonna be a show that you just don’t wanna miss.”
Eddie Edwards at Impact Wrestling Sacrifice on Friday, March 24, 2023, at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Photo by Brad McFarlin
With an influx of UK-based media members in the call, Ospreay was asked about the potential chance of seeing some of his fellow Englishmen shine in a future Impact Wrestling appearance, where he said: “If I could just have one, Luke Jacobs. I don’t think there is anyone else mate. I really do think he is knocking down every opportunity that he’s got coming for him. I think if you were to hitch a ride to him right now, I don’t think you would be disappointed in the journey.”
Drawing on some historical significance of match types in Impact Wrestling, Ospreay was asked what match he would’ve loved to be a part of, and he said this: “Mate, I love the X-Division. The Ultimate X match. That always was the greatest thing, I remember seeing it as a kid. So, if I could ever do one of those matches, I think it’d be a pretty good laugh.”
Conference call host, Tom Hannifan, went on to mention the Aerial Assasin’s quick spell in Impact back in 2016, where he competed in a King of the Mountain match. Ospreay replied, “Oh, King of the Mountain. That was the most confusing match I’ve ever been a part of in my life (laughs). There’s a ladder, but then you pin someone, and when you pin someone, they go into a naughty box. So, when they’re in the naughty box for two minutes, you can’t do anything. But while you pin someone, you are now allowed to grab that belt and climb up the ladder and hang it up there… Thus making you the King of the Mountain.”
Ospreay was also asked if there is a potential future for him in Impact Wrestling, which would see him stick around for a little while. The Aerial Assassin had this to say on the matter: “Anything is possible right now. With everything happening, Impact was something that like, I really wanted to tick off. I have been paying attention to the product. And it has improved every single time. Their pay-per-views are can’t miss. So, before I make my decision where I go… All options are open. Every avenue in pro wrestling is open. So, Impact could be a place where I hang my boots, I don’t know. But it’s just gonna be about coming over to Impact on this weekend and it might sway my choice, who knows? I’m dead excited to come over man. How much I’ve heard about Impact and from all the wrestlers that have gone over there… Everyone has just had glowing reviews about it. It’s been a long time coming.”
Catch Will Ospreay in action on Saturday, October 21st at Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory 2023 live on PPV. Watch through the official Impact Wrestling YouTube channel or by using FiteTV and the FiteTV app.
TOP PHOTO: Will Ospreay at AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com
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