Will Ospreay may have signed for AEW but he still has unfinished business in NJPW.
The Ariel Assassin made a surprise appearance at Full Gear in November to reveal himself as the promotion’s newest signing. At the PPV he signed his contract in the middle of the ring before announcing he will finish up his commitments with New Japan Pro Wrestling before joining AEW in the lead-up to Revolution in 2024.
One of those commitments is New Japan’s biggest show of the year Wrestle Kingdom 18. The show takes place on January 4th 2024 at the world famous Tokyo Dome. Another NJPW show Ospreay will be a part of is Battle in the Valley in San Jose on January 13th and to see out his Japanese career with a bang he has challenged one of his greatest foes.
Who did Will Ospreay challenge?
At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Ospreay faces Jon Moxley and David Finley in a Three Way Match to crown the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. Due to his status with AEW, it seems unlikely he will win the title, but according to the man himself he is walking out of the Tokyo Dome with the championship and will go on to defend against Kazuchika Okada at Battle in the Valley. Ospreay lay down his challenge to Okada during an interview for the promotion.
I’m confident going into this match that I’ll be walking away with this championship. I’m that confident in doing it, like, I’m prepared to make a challenge right here for San Jose. I know it’s on the poster that Okada is on that poster. And we have so much unfinished business. Yeah, granted, I was able to get that win in the G1 and I could finally prove to everybody that I can beat Okada. But I’m happy to put this challenge out right here, right now in front of you all that I want to face Okada in San Jose.
Asked if his AEW status affects Wrestle Kingdom and @willospreay in 2024, Ospreay has an idea of how to show his commitment to the IWGP Global title- a challenge to Okada Jan 13 in San Jose!
WATCH: https://t.co/k9wX0jtjUH#njbitv TICKETS: https://t.co/pvPDzWC0I4pic.twitter.com/MXLxaycu4J
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 25, 2023
Ospreay and Okada have clashed many times. Most notably they fought at Wrestle Kingdom 15 and 16 with the Rain Maker victorious on both occasions.