Will Ospreay is not here for the idea that AEW’s ongoing relationship with NJPW is some one-way street.
The whole thing kicked off after a fan on Twitter argued that NJPW’s real problem is not that it can’t create stars anymore, but that the company has not adjusted to how quickly wrestling moves now. The fan said NJPW still tells stories at the same slow pace, even while losing major names faster than before.
“Though I must say, the focus Ospreay has placed on #NJPW’s perceived inability to create stars is interesting. I would argue that NJPW hasn’t lost its ability but instead hasn’t been able to adapt to changing timelines. It’s nuanced but it’s the actual point of contention imo. With the continued loss of stars, at rates higher than before, #NJPW has kept the same pace in telling their stories – despite missing key pieces.
This Yota Tsuji – Callum Newman title story being a classic trope of golden era NJPW booking being wholly indicative. People want NJPW to arrive to a destination now. But it’s just not how they do it. People will say ‘Gedo’ has lost it, call for something new and different, when paradoxical beckoning for a return to a bygone era. It’s conflation and confliction in the discourse – always.”
Ospreay saw that and pushed back hard on Twitter. According to Ospreay, people need to stop acting like AEW never sends major talent to NJPW. He pointed straight to Kenny Omega, who returned to NJPW as an AEW-contracted star after nearly dying and had a wild match with Gabe Kidd.
“Disagree….Kenny Omega who was top 4 during the greatest time period in NJPW times comes back from nearly dying (as an AEW contracted talent). His first match back is against Gabe Kidd. They legitimately have the craziest match that year. Did they capitalise on the performance of Gabe ?? Answer NO.”
That was really the heart of Ospreay’s argument. He was not just defending AEW. He was also saying NJPW has had chances to run with certain talent and, in his opinion, missed them. He brought up Hirooki Goto, saying Goto only reached that level of popularity after years of grinding. He also mentioned Callum Newman’s growth, Yuya Uemura, Ryohei Oiwa, Shota Umino still finding himself, and Drilla Moloney not getting the full push Ospreay believes he deserves.
“You look at Goto who has been a solider has only reach that popularity after god knows how many years. Callum has completely grown into the role and now he is hurt. You got some diamonds in the rough like Yuya & Oiwa. Shota is just finding his feet after so many flops. Drilla puts in so much work and still isn’t being given the ball”
Then the Aerial Assassin made it clear he is not pretending the AEW-NJPW partnership is perfect. He admitted AEW could do more, but he said the idea that AEW does not send top names is just not true.
“I’m not saying AEW relationship is perfect, there is more we could do as a partner…
But come off the idea of we don’t send our top guys. We legitimately have given you the top 1% in the wrestling world in Kenny, Okada, Takeshita, Andrade & myself.”
Will Ospreay also made it personal. He said NJPW was his home for eight years and credited the company with changing his life, so this is clearly not coming from someone who hates New Japan. Ospreay brought the whole thing back to Yota Tsuji. His point was simple: if Tsuji is the champion, then he should be representing NJPW whenever the company has a presence somewhere
“And I’m speaking for myself mainly, but for sure the other feel the same.
I love coming to NJPW because it was my home for 8years. I’ve legit owe my life to the lion mark. Tsuji should represent the company as champion in any event that has New Japans presence.
Whether it’s a multi man, open challenge or whatever the f*** it is. There is a level of pride you should have especially holding that championship.”
So yeah, Ospreay is not buying the argument that AEW has been holding back all its best toys from NJPW. In his eyes, AEW has sent elite names, NJPW has had chances to build off those moments, and the bigger issue is whether New Japan is actually capitalizing when the opportunity is right there.
What do you think about Will Ospreay’s comments? Is AEW doing enough for NJPW, or does New Japan need to do a better job building around the talent it already has? Drop your thoughts below and leave your feedback.
