On a recent edition of his “Wrestling With Freddie” podcast, former WWE creative writer Freddie Prinze Jr. critiqued the Triple H-led WWE for not signing Will Ospreay.
Despite negotiating with WWE, Ospreay eventually signed with AEW thanks to Tony Khan offering him a bigger paycheck and the flexibility of working from the UK.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the WWE product: “Everything’s changing — it’s the ‘Triple H Era.’ We’ve really seen that over the last few weeks in the stories that they’ve been telling. Everybody’s getting a story now. … That has not [always] been the case, alright? Legado [Del Fantasma] and LWO would just be having matches. They wouldn’t be getting designated backstage segments, where they’re talking about the reason why they’re fighting.”
On where WWE has lacked: “The only places where they’ve dropped the ball a little is on getting talent. I think not getting Will Ospreay was a mistake, but outside of that, man — I can’t say enough good things about where wrestling is going.”
Former WWE creative writer Freddie Prinze Jr. recently criticized the WWE for not signing professional wrestler Will Ospreay. Ospreay, who had been in negotiations with WWE, ultimately decided to sign with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) due to a more lucrative contract offer from Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, and the flexibility of being able to work from the UK.
Prinze Jr. expressed his thoughts on the current state of the WWE product, stating that everything is changing under the leadership of Triple H. He noted that in recent weeks, the stories being told in WWE have improved, with more wrestlers being given storylines and designated backstage segments to explain their motivations for fighting. This, according to Prinze Jr., has not always been the case in the past.
However, Prinze Jr. also pointed out that WWE has fallen short in terms of acquiring talent. He specifically mentioned that not signing Will Ospreay was a mistake. Ospreay is widely regarded as one of the top professional wrestlers in the world and has gained a significant following for his high-flying and innovative in-ring style.
The decision to sign with AEW instead of WWE was likely influenced by both financial and logistical factors. Tony Khan’s offer of a bigger paycheck would have been enticing for Ospreay, as it reflects his value as a performer. Additionally, the flexibility of being able to work from the UK allows Ospreay to continue his commitments with other promotions, such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he has had notable success.
Prinze Jr.’s critique highlights the importance of talent acquisition in the wrestling industry. WWE has a long history of signing top talents from around the world, but their failure to secure Will Ospreay demonstrates that they are not always successful in this regard. It also speaks to the growing competition in the wrestling landscape, with AEW emerging as a viable alternative for wrestlers seeking different opportunities and greater creative freedom.
Overall, the signing of Will Ospreay by AEW is seen as a significant move that strengthens their roster and adds to the excitement surrounding the promotion. As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, the acquisition of top talents like Ospreay will play a crucial role in determining the success and popularity of various promotions.