Will Ospreay

Lore & Background

Ospreay previously wrestled for NJPW's United Kingdom-based partner promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where he is a former and longest reigning Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion. He also wrestled for British promotion Progress Wrestling, where he is a former Progress World Champion. Ospreay began his career on the UK independent circuit in 2012. In 2016, after being recommended by AJ Styles, he began to work with the Japanese promotion NJPW as part of the junior heavyweight division, becoming a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and the winner of the 2016 and 2019 Best of the Super Juniors. In 2019, Ospreay also won the NEVER Openweight Championship. That same year, Ospreay participated in the G1 Climax, NJPW's biggest tournament featuring heavyweight wrestlers. In 2020, he made his transition to the heavyweight division, where he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He was also the winner of 2021 New Japan Cup. Ospreay is a former two-time and the final IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, as the title was deactivated in December 2023 when Ospreay was in his second reign. Before signing with AEW, Ospreay had also periodically ventured into the American wrestling circuit; he made appearances in NJPW partner promotions Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, formerly known as Impact Wrestling) and Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former ROH World Television Champion, as well as independent promotions like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). After making appearances in AEW in 2022 and 2023, he signed with the company and officially joined its roster after his NJPW contract expired in February 2024. In AEW, he became a two-time AEW International Champion and the winner of the 2026 Owen Hart Cup. He won the AEW World Championship at All In in 2026. Ospreay holds the record for the most 5 or more stars matches given by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer with a total of 56 matches; he is also one of five wrestlers to have wrestled two five-star matches on the same night, a feat he achieved at AEW's Worlds End in 2024.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight cutting through the haze of the main event. Will Ospreay stood atop the turnbuckle, the canvas stretching out before him like a runway for flight. The crowd roared not just for the spectacle, but for the promise of the impossible. With a deep breath, he launched himself into the air, twisting his body in mid-flight, a blur of motion against the darkened arena. For a heartbeat, time seemed to suspend; gravity held no sway over the Phenomenal One.

Reader's Guide

Ospreay's early life: born in London's Havering borough on 7 May 1993. He decided to become a wrestler after watching the three-way match between AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Samoa Joe at TNA's 2005 Unbreakable event. Ospreay, alongside friend Kip Sabian, did backyard wrestling before Ospreay received formal professional wrestling training at Lucha Britannia's London School of Lucha Libre in Bethnal Green. Professional wrestling career: He made his professional debut at the co-promoted BritWres-Fest on 1 April 2012 as the masked character Dark Britannico. While wrestling with Lucha Britannia he twice won the Lucha Britannia World Championship. In Progress Wrestling (2012–2019, 2023), he debuted at Chapter Two, won the Super Strong Style 16 tournament, and became Progress Champion by ending Jimmy Havoc's 609-day reign. He lost the championship to Marty Scurll in 2016 and later left the promotion after a Fans Bring The Weapons match. He returned in 2017 and had victories over Adam Brooks and Mark Haskins.

Did You Know?

• Ospreay holds the record for the most 5 or more stars matches given by Dave Meltzer, with 56 matches.
• He is one of five wrestlers to have wrestled two five-star matches on the same night, achieved at AEW's Worlds End in 2024.
• Ospreay won the AEW World Championship at All In in 2026.
• He was recommended to NJPW by AJ Styles in 2016.