Will Ospreay Triumphs in AEW Tournament Opener

Will Ospreay achieved a significant milestone on Sunday night, participating in his “dream match” during All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) Double or Nothing pay-per-view in New York. Ospreay faced off against Samoa Joe in the opening round of the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament. The ultimate prize for the tournament winner is a shot at the AEW World Championship at All In, AEW’s flagship event at Wembley Stadium in England.

Ospreay began the match with a surprising OsCutter against Joe. Despite intense competition, Ospreay secured his victory by delivering multiple Hidden Blades. Asked about his potential to become the face of AEW should he win the tournament and capture the title, Ospreay expressed confidence. “It’s because I have that confidence,” he said at the post-show press conference. “The middle letter, ‘E,’ that’s the standard, mate – elite. When everybody talks about elite pro wrestling, there is no one better. I believe that with all my heart and soul.”

Ospreay continued, “I know what I’m capable of. I know what I can do. This place, the motto gets said over and over again, ‘this is where the best wrestle.’ No, mate. This is where the ‘Billy Goat’ wrestles. And I am ready to take that top spot and lift AEW to greater heights.” Wrestling at Wembley Stadium has been a lifelong dream for Ospreay, even when his peers aspired to be soccer players.

After overcoming a neck injury and training with the Death Riders, Ospreay has returned to peak form. His determination and ambition irked Joe, leading to their showdown at Double or Nothing. Looking ahead, Ospreay will face either Mark Davis or Jack Perry in the semifinals. On the opposite side of the bracket, Swerve Strickland triumphed over Bandido and will meet either Claudio Castagnoli or Brody King in the semifinals.

The finals for the Owen Cup are scheduled for the Forbidden Door event on June 28. The stakes are high as competitors vie for the championship opportunity at Wembley Stadium.