Speaking to Chris Jericho on Talk Is Jericho, Will Ospreay spoke about his decision to sign with AEW late last year instead of WWE, who had a ton of interest in signing at the time.
Ospreay noted that AEW’s offer and being able to still live in the UK were deciding factors in the move.
“Main thing was, I wanted to be in the UK. I know I’m not going to be exactly comfortable moving to another country. I moved to Japan in 2019, as much as I loved it, it wasn’t home. I entered a new relationship with my new Mrs. who wrestles under the name Alex Windsor, I have a stepson now, she just started school. If you know her story and everything she’s been through, the UK scene kind of knows it, but she lost her husband, and having to pick herself up from that and having to be a mom, a single mom, to losing her husband, it’s going to have some tolls on you, so she needs to be around family and friends in her social circle. I couldn’t bear the thought of moving her away from all of that and having her own on her own again. For me, the main priority was to stay in the UK, but also wanting to up the wrestling because I had done everything in New Japan. I completed it. The viable option was where was I happy and what was I doing? Every time I came (to AEW), Tony [Tony Khan] has given me nothing but trust and respect the moment I came in here. It was the right decision for me at this time. I’m happy here and looking forward to the challenges. It’s the right decision,” said Ospreay.
Ospreay continued when asked whether he talked with WWE, “Yeah, of course, but it was night and day. Even in differences of what they were offering and what AEW was offering, AEW was way better. The scheduling, everything about AEW was completely the right option for me. It was always, you can go be a superstar in WWE and famous, but it’s not as good of pay and it’s not as kind of a schedule. I respect everyone there doing it, but it’s not for me.”
In a recent interview with Chris Jericho on Talk Is Jericho, professional wrestler Will Ospreay revealed his decision to sign with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) instead of WWE. Ospreay explained that AEW’s offer and the opportunity to continue living in the UK were the key factors in his choice.
One of the main reasons Ospreay decided to stay in the UK was his personal life. He had recently entered a new relationship with a fellow wrestler named Alex Windsor, who had experienced a tragic loss. Windsor had lost her husband and had to rebuild her life as a single mother. Ospreay wanted to support her during this difficult time and recognized the importance of being close to family and friends for her emotional well-being. Moving to another country would have meant uprooting her from her support system, which Ospreay was not willing to do.
Additionally, Ospreay felt that he had accomplished everything he could in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he had been wrestling prior to signing with AEW. He wanted to challenge himself further and elevate his wrestling career. AEW provided him with that opportunity. From the moment he joined AEW, Tony Khan, the president and CEO of the company, showed him trust and respect, making Ospreay feel valued and appreciated. This positive experience solidified his belief that joining AEW was the right decision for him at this stage of his career.
When asked about his discussions with WWE, Ospreay acknowledged that he had spoken with them. However, he emphasized that the difference between what WWE was offering and what AEW was offering was like night and day. AEW’s offer was far superior in terms of scheduling and overall benefits. While WWE may offer the chance to become a superstar and gain fame, Ospreay prioritized factors such as pay and schedule. He expressed his respect for those in WWE but concluded that it was not the right fit for him.
Ospreay’s decision to sign with AEW instead of WWE highlights the importance of considering personal circumstances and career goals when making professional choices. By prioritizing his relationship and personal life, as well as seeking new challenges in his wrestling career, Ospreay made a decision that he believes will bring him happiness and fulfillment. As he looks forward to the challenges ahead, Ospreay is confident that he made the right decision by joining AEW.