Will Ospreay, the current AEW International Champion, recently reflected on the pivotal role Tony Khan played in his transition from Japan to becoming a major star in American wrestling.
Will Ospreay, who officially signed with AEW in February after leaving NJPW, praised Khan’s influence on his career during an appearance on “The Masked Man Show with David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide.” When discussing his relationship with Tony Khan, Ospreay highlighted the supportive yet honest dynamic they share.
He’s super friendly, super nice. I talk to him all the time. He tells me what’s bad, he tells me what’s good.
Ospreay said. He noted that Khan’s straightforward feedback is something he values, adding:
I think I might be one of the only wrestlers he’s ever said ‘no’ to. I quite like that.
However, Ospreay kept the specifics of what Khan declined under wraps, calling it “a little trade secret.” Ospreay also emphasised how Khan and AEW opened up new opportunities for him in the United States, something he previously thought was out of reach.
I do really like him. I do think he has a heart of gold. What he’s done for the industry is incredible.
He acknowledged that without AEW, he might have remained in Japan indefinitely.
I would have never been an American wrestler without him. I would have stuck with Japan for the rest of my life because I would have never thought this was possible when it came to coming over to America to wrestle; you’d have to move here.
Will Ospreay expressed gratitude for AEW allowing him to maintain his residence in the UK while still appearing on weekly television.
As much as I do enjoy coming over and doing my visits, my home is the UK. I want to be around my family. That was never going to happen without AEW.
Ospreay is set to defend his AEW International Championship at the upcoming AEW WrestleDream PPV, facing Ricochet and Konosuke Takeshita in a three-way match.
Does Will Ospreay Think His Match With Bryan Danielson In AEW Met His Expectations?
Will Ospreay spoke about how his match with Bryan Danielson came to be and if he thinks it met his high expectations, Ospreay said that the match 100% met his expectations and that he knew in the ring during the match that they were having a good match together and the audience were enjoying “every single moment” of it.
H/t to Fightful.com