Will Ospreay’s Faction Status After Signing with AEW

Will Ospreay has inked a deal with AEW, and he’s set to hit their roster once his NJPW contract calls it quits in February 2024.

This ain’t no short-term gig, though. Will’s lockin’ horns with AEW for a multi-year deal that spans over three years! And guess what? He’s still gonna keep his options open for a few select NJPW dates.

Now, if you’ve been following Ospreay’s journey, you’ll know he’s the brains behind the powerhouse group United Empire over in NJPW. He kickstarted that empire back in October 2020, teaming up with Great-O-Khan and later recruiting more talent, like the dynamic Aussie Open.

But here’s the twist in the plot. United Empire ain’t just a Japan-exclusive deal. Nope, it looks like Ospreay’s leap to AEW won’t be messing with the empire’s mojo in NJPW, at least according to the word on the street from Great-O-Khan.

In a chat with Tokyo Sports, Great-O-Khan spilled the beans, saying, “Ospreay will continue to move up to New Japan, and will not leave United Empire. I guess all they need to do is increase the number of members of the United Empire over there and show their authority. Citizens of the Empire have nothing to worry about.” Whew, crisis averted!

But hold onto your hats, ’cause Great O’Khan’s got his own aspirations too. He hinted at a possible future venture with AEW, teasing, “There is no way that I will receive an extraordinary offer. He’s called Tony ‘Khan,’ so he’s like a distant relative. However, I have a mission now. Shinsuke Nakamura said that the Japanese professional wrestling world needs a savior. Who else is there besides me? I will become the ‘chosen savior’!”

Great-O-Khan’s journey in NJPW started back in 2015, and he made his grand debut in February 2016. Throughout his time with the company, he’s snagged the IWGP Tag Team Championship twice, alongside the beastly Jeff Cobb. Talk about a powerhouse pairing!

Given the recent developments in the wrestling world, how do you think Will Ospreay’s move to AEW and his commitment to both AEW and NJPW will impact the landscape of professional wrestling and the dynamics between these promotions? Leave us a comment.