Will Ospreay Names Where His Wrestling Future Will Likely Be

Will Ospreay has discussed where he feels his future lies when his current deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling expires.

Having signed a five-year deal with the Japanese standout promotion in 2019, Will Ospreay is getting close to the point where he can consider his options, and there would no doubt be plenty on the table.

However, in an interview with Fightful, ‘The Commonwealth Kingpin’ explained the anxiety he has about wrestling in America and how that makes him believe the future could be with NJPW.

It’s flattering to know where people want me to show up and where they want me to go. I signed a five-year [deal] in 2019, so that will be up next year. My heart says I’ll still be with New Japan. I won’t lie, I have mad anxiety when it comes to America just because I come from such a small area and America is so big. I’ve only really dipped my toes into American wrestling. I did my stint with Ring of Honor, but I think I wrestled there maybe ten times. I kind of like to arrive and leave, and not stick around too long.

That’s no one’s fault besides my own. It’s a mad anxiety that I do have. The time that I did have with AEW did open my eyes and what I think that I know about myself and how good I am as a professional wrestler, being over there did make me take a step back and say, ‘maybe there is more to learn.’

Continuing on, Ospreay discussed how he could have gone to EVOLVE, but the way he is able to balance his home life and working in Japan has been an important factor.

My heart does belong to New Japan. These guys are the reason why I am a star. There was the EVOLVE contract and that could have opened door ways, but I knew, in my heart, if I stuck it out with New Japan and worked hard, no one has the work ethic that I do when it comes to wrestling. A lot of guys put their work ethic in social media, bodies, and other ventures outside of wrestling, but my whole thing is, I wanted to be one of the best wrestlers going, and that’s down to everything New Japan has done.

The thing that works with New Japan is, I can stay in Essex, fly out, business class, head over and live a real comfy life where I’ve got my family and New Japan, but with other options, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but my heart says New Japan.

Will Ospreay will be defending his IWGP United States Championship against former title holder Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom on 4th January 2023.

With thanks to Fightful for the transcription.