Will Ospreay has explained why he does not want to see released WWE stars immediately join AEW.
A former multi-time champion in NJPW and a former International Champion in AEW, Ospreay is now set to face Adam Page on 25th May, 2025, at the Double or Nothing PPV for a shot at Jon Moxley’s World Championship. The Aerial Assassin proved his talent and worth all over the world before he officially joined AEW last year, and now wants the released WWE stars to follow a similar pattern before joining hands with the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Speaking on JJRBTS, the former international champion justified his statements and claimed,
“For example, one of the guys who (just came in) is Speedball Mike Bailey, who was like the Indie King at one point. He was going everywhere and putting on some of the greatest matches ever. I think that’s what we’re looking at more now instead of guys that just got let go from WWE, and my heart goes out to them all, but we’re looking for guys that are appreciative of this position, who are grafting and improving the markets elsewhere instead of they just got let go from WWE and instantly assume they can come here. Nah, go out and prove to other people you’re wanted and desired.
My heart goes out to all of them. It should never be assumed that ‘Oh, I got let go here, I can just walk into AEW.’ Nah, bruv. The bar is too high now. I want to see all of these guys cut their teeth elsewhere and improve the houses elsewhere. Go to New Japan, go to NOAH, go to STARDOM. Go elsewhere and improve their houses before you can think ‘Oh, I’ll just come here.’ That’s just me. There are certain guys, like Swerve (Strickland) got let go from WWE and came to AEW straight away.
He’s a special one. He’s special. MVP is another, he’s special. (Bobby) Lashley, special. Shelton (Benjamin), special. I want people to be like, you can’t just come walk in. I really do think the independents need it right now. They need someone to help guide this next generation to come through. That’s just me, personally. I don’t mean that in any type of disrespectful way. Right now, AEW we are the best wrestlers right now, and all those guys who have been let go, tragically, are really good pro wrestlers, but you can’t just be good anymore. You’ve got to be elite.”
H/t Fightful
Last year, before the November 1st, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Fightful Select and PWinsider shared the news of talents Baron Corbin, Indi Hartwell, and Tegan Nox parting ways with the promotion. A few months later, in February, ahead of the 7th February episode of SmackDown, the promotion again released multiple other talents. Similarly, before the May 2nd, 2025, edition of SmackDown, reports emerged about the departure of several other prominent talents.
While AEW signed a few talents this year, most have them have been outside WWE. Tony Khan’s promotion has effectively focused on Mina Shirakawa, Josh Alexander, Mike Bailey, and several more.
Will Ospreay Defends The Way He Dresses On AEW
Recently, Will Ospreay appeared for an interview on Busted Open and reflected on his AEW on-screen dressing sense. Ospreay defended his style and discussed how the fans find it relatable.
“It’s essential (to be honest with the audience). For me, I think the more I show vulnerability and the more — I know that one of the criticisms I get, not just about my hair, but like… dressing appropriate for the role I wanna be as one of the top guys and I do understand that to an extent. But I feel like more of the authentic that I dress, the more that people relate to me. I’d just done an interview over in a news studio.
I feel like because I am dressed in a certain way, I look way more presentable. Like, I come down a level and it’s more of like I’m way more humble, I’m way more approachable in that sense and I think that’s the reason a lot of people have gravitated more towards me in that sense.”
In other news: Will Ospreay wants AJ Styles to quit WWE and join AEW.