Will Ospreay Set For First NJPW Match In Over Two Years After Injury Comeback

Will Ospreay is officially stepping back into the New Japan Pro-Wrestling ring, marking a major moment in his comeback after a long injury layoff.

After recently returning to action in AEW following neck surgery in 2025, Ospreay has now been confirmed for his first NJPW match in more than two years. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will reunite with familiar allies when he teams with Great-O-Khan and HENARE at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 on April 4.

The trio — representing United Empire — will face Yuya Uemura, Taichi, and El Desperado in a six-man tag team match. The bout marks Ospreay’s official return to NJPW competition after being sidelined for months due to neck surgery that kept him out of action throughout much of 2025.

Ospreay had previously made it clear during his recovery that AEW would remain his main home, but he still intended to return to NJPW once he was medically cleared. That plan is now becoming reality as he adds NJPW back into his schedule.

His return also builds off his appearance at NJPW New Year Dash 2026 earlier this year, where he had a tense interaction with Callum Newman, the current leader of United Empire — a moment that hinted at possible tension within the group moving forward.

With Sakura Genesis approaching, Ospreay’s return adds another major talking point to the card and signals that his recovery is fully behind him as he resumes competing across multiple promotions.

What do you think about Will Ospreay returning to NJPW after more than two years away — and could this lead to bigger matches down the line? Share your thoughts below.