Will Ospreay has seemingly abandoned his IWGP United States Championship in favour of a brand-new IWGP championship title!
Ospreay had had a gruelling couple of months, winning back the IWGP United States title from Kenny Omega at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in a brutal 39-minute match before going on to compete in the 33rd G1 Climax tournament less than a month later.
The Assassin booked himself a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament, coming out 2nd place in B Block behind Kazuchika Okada, and defeated Bullet Club leader David Finlay to make it to the semis.
Unfortunately, his G1 journey ended at the hands of Tetsuya Naito in the last semi-final match of the tournament – with Naito now going on to face Okada in the final.
Fresh off his loss, Ospreay congratulated Naito on his victory but claimed he was still the best in the world because of his championship and the fact that IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Sanada has never pinned him.
Ospreay went on to say that he doesn’t want the belt to portray the United States flag as he claims the best in the world is actually from the United Kingdom. He then unveiled his new title – the IWGP United Kingdom Championship.
“The belt doesn’t make the man, the man makes the belt, and I am sick to death of carrying something I have no attachment to. I don’t want to carry this (US) flag. I’ve been to America and been the best in the world. Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan, I am the best in the world.
The best in the world is from the United Kingdom. So to the IWGP committee, have this, I don’t want it. I want a championship that suits my needs. I was going to reveal this when I beat Naito, but shit happens. I am the best in the world, and I want this championship. This is my championship. This means I am the best in the world. I have beaten Kenny Omega, beaten Okada, I have beaten them all.
So if anyone in the world thinks they are better than me, championship on the line, you beat Will Ospreay and you take this from me, you’re the best in the world. Naito, congratulations, but tomorrow is a new day, and I’m taking this bad boy with me.”
BREAKING
'The belt doesn't make the man, the man makes the belt… Congratulations Naito, but tomorrow's a new day- I'm taking this bad boy with me'@willospreay has replaced the IWGP US Championship with the IWGP UK Championship?!https://t.co/e5sfN4EZBW#njpw#G1CLIMAX33pic.twitter.com/iQ8jDyW7fq
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) August 12, 2023
Is Will Ospreay Competing At AEW All In?
Will Ospreay has not been announced for AEW All In, AEW’s first-ever event to take place outside of North America, at the time of writing. However, there have been several reports that Ospreay will in fact be competing at the event.
A report from Fightful Select in July 2023 stated that Ospreay is planned to face former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho during the event at Wembley Stadium. This would mark the first-ever match between the two men.