Will Ospreay Believes AEW Isn’t a Safety Net for Released WWE Stars

WWE let go of quite a few talent earlier this month and many people have automatically assumed some of the released stars will just join AEW. However, it appears Will Ospreay has made it clear he doesn’t want AEW to be a landing spot for released WWE talent.

While speaking to The JJRBTS podcast, Will Ospreay talked about the recent WWE releases and said that just because someone was let go from WWE doesn’t mean they should automatically join AEW as a safety net. He used Speedball Mike Bailey as an example of someone who worked hard on the independent scene, wrestled all over the world, and earned his spot by proving himself.

“I think, like, for example, one of the guys that has come through now — Speedball Mike Bailey — who was just like the indie king at one point. He was just going everywhere and just putting on some of the greatest matches ever. And I think that’s what, like, we’re looking at more now instead of guys that just got let go from WWE.”

The Aerial Assassin said he feels bad for the people who lost their jobs, but AEW is looking for wrestlers who are hungry, passionate, and working hard in other places, not just expecting to join AEW right away. He wants to see wrestlers go out and prove they’re valuable by helping other wrestling companies like New Japan, NOAH, or STARDOM before coming to AEW.

“My heart goes out to them all, but I just think, like, we’re looking for guys that are just appreciative of this position and just, like, who are grafting and improving the markets elsewhere, instead of just being like, ‘Uh, got let go from WWE,’ and just instantly assume that they can come here. It’s like — no, man. Like, go out and, like, prove to other people that you’re wanted. And I feel like — yeah. My heart goes out to all of them, but I think it should never just be assumed like, ‘Oh, I got let go here, I can just walk into AEW.’ It’s like — no, bro. Like, the bar is — the bar’s too high now.

Like, I want to see all these guys cut their teeth elsewhere and improve the houses elsewhere. Like, go to New Japan, go to NOAH, go to STARDOM, go elsewhere and improve their houses before you can think, ‘Oh, I’m just going to come here.’ Like, that’s just me anyway.”

Ospreay said there are a few people like Swerve Strickland, MVP, Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin, who are truly special and stand out. But in general, he thinks wrestlers need to show they’ve improved and helped other places grow first before going to AEW.

“I mean, there are certain guys — like, for example, Swerve got let go from WWE and came to AEW straight away. But he’s, like, a special one. He’s special. And MVP is another one that got let go — he’s special. Like, Lashley’s special. Shelton’s special. But I just want people to be like — you can’t just come in and walk in.”

Ospreay also said that independent wrestling really needs strong talent right now to help guide younger wrestlers. He didn’t mean to be rude, but he thinks AEW has some of the best wrestlers in the world and that just being good isn’t enough anymore; they have to be great.

“I think everyone — and I’ll be honest with you — I really do think the independents need it right now. I think they need someone to help guide this next generation to come through. So that’s just me personally. Like, I don’t mean that in any type of disrespectful way, but I think right now AEW is just like — we are the best wrestlers right now. And all those guys that have been let go — tragically — are really, really good pro wrestlers. But, like, you can’t be just good anymore. We gotta be elite.”

At the end of the way, Will Ospreay just wants to make sure AEW has the best talent possible but they actually have to earn their way to AEW instead of being handed a spot just because they were once part of WWE. Therefore, we’ll have to see if any released WWE star will join AEW this year.

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