Will Ospreay has hit back at criticism over how the IWGP Heavyweight Championship has been used at Forbidden Door.
On June 28th, AEW stars will clash with talent from NJPW, STARDOM, and CMLL at the fifth annual Forbidden Door. In past years, NJPW’s top title, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, has been defended as part of the show. However, with AEW critic Yota Tsuji reclaiming the title at Dominion, it remains to be seen whether it will happen again in 2026.
When Tsuji held both the IWGP Heavyweight and Global Championships earlier in the year, he made it clear that he believed the Heavyweight Title should be defended only at NJPW events against NJPW wrestlers, with the Global Title reserved for international events. While he no longer holds the Global Championship, Tsuji is still skeptical of defending the Heavyweight Title at Forbidden Door in the US.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Tsuji pointed to the history of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the event, with it having been defended against lower-card stars and in multi-man matches.
“I think we must firmly protect what New Japan Pro Wrestling must not lose. Look back at the past. There were 4-way matches, open challenges, and retired wrestlers challenging… Do you think I would participate in an IWGP match when it’s being treated like this in FD? As the man who revived the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, I have to protect its value.”
Will Ospreay Questions Yota Tsuji’s Forbidden Door Comments
With Yota Tsuji throwing an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at Forbidden Door into doubt, former champion Will Ospreay has told him to “have some pride.”
Taking to social media, Ospreay said that in Tsuji’s position, he would go out of his way to prove the New Japan wrestlers were the best in the world, and questioned the current roster’s drive.
“Or maybe have some pride in representing your company as the top lad.
When I held any IWGP championship I wanted to travel the world calling out the best to show them all New Japan is the better.
Obviously his home market is Japan & he has done great job in the top spot to me this screams “ insecure”
The roster clearly isn’t as driven as the guys I was once surrounded by.
Just big belly boys wanting to keep playing “Free Play”Grow a sack, fill it with some nuts, call out the BITW & show the world how good New Japan is….
Just my thoughts.”
Or maybe have some pride in representing your company as the top lad.
When I held any IWGP championship I wanted to travel the world calling out the best to show them all New Japan is the better.
Obviously his home market is Japan & he has done great job in the top spot to me… https://t.co/gwFS4NzjgN
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) June 15, 2026
Will Ospreay will be unable to challenge Yota Tsuji at Forbidden Door himself, as The Aerial Assassin is set to take on Swerve Strickland in the 2026 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final, with a shot at the AEW World Championship at All In on the line.
