Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay in the latter’s final NJPW match at the ‘Battle In The Valley’ pay-per-view event this past Saturday.
Ospreay, who now joins AEW as a full-time performer having fulfilled his NJPW commitments, expressed his gratitude to Okada following the match.
You can check out some highlights from Okada’s post-match interview below:
On his turning on Okada in 2020: “I guess this is kind of just a message to Okada, really. I’m sorry for what happened. I feel like back in 2020, I was so vengeful and fixated on trying to be like you, but maybe even trying to be bigger than you and better than you. Instead of filling it with competition, it kind of filled me with vengeance and animosity and anger. There’s part of me that doesn’t regret that G1, when I turned my back on you because I feel like I couldn’t have been the man I am now standing by your side. I feel like I needed to be opposite you to learn and to push myself and to try and overcome the obstacles and to become the wrestler that I am now. What I do regret is, I’m really sad that I threw away what we had. I can’t tell you enough, the type of person that Okada is.”
On Okada’s kindness to him: “I have so many examples of your kindness and your generosity. My first tour with New Japan, my bank card got shut down for some strange reason, and I couldn’t get my card to operate while I was over in Japan. Being who I am, a f**king idiot, over in Japan, it f**king panicked me, and I couldn’t get any money out, and you looked after me the entire tour. Never asked for any money back, just took care of me. Every single haircut I ever got, you looked after it as well. Every time I wanted to dye my hair a stupid color, you always looked after me in that retrospect. Even my partner previously, when we were out living in Japan, had a medical issue, and being two gaijins over in Japan, it’s scary because we don’t really know who to talk to or where to go. So I contacted you, and not only did you sort out a doctor near us, you sorted out a doctor that was also a woman that spoke English. If the roles were reversed, I couldn’t have done that for you. I have no idea how to pull those type of strings or make that possible. But your kindness and your generosity showed. Maybe this is because I’m now in a position where I’m a parent, and everything that I’m doing as a man is to try and teach this little dude that’s surrounding me all the time, and I can’t help but feel like everything I’m teaching him is stuff that you taught me without even realizing it.”
On learning from Okada: “You gotta remember, at 22 years old old, I’ve spent eight years of my life in Japan where there were certain things that should have been taught to me by my parents, and they weren’t there. Not that they weren’t there, but they couldn’t teach me those things. You taught me that. Every time that I’ve ever f**ked up, whether it was social media or just being a f**king idiot when I’m out and about in Japan, I felt ashamed coming into the locker room when you was there because I felt like I’d let you down or embarrassed you. You never showed any type of face to it. You always asked how I was, and you were super kind to me. So that’s why I’m gutted that I threw what we had away, but in the same sense, I’m glad I got that moment with you. I’m thankful that I knew you, I’m grateful that I had my time with you. It’s weird now even saying this because there’s a f**king high chance that you might end up in the same area of work that I’m in. But there’s a chance that you’re not. There’s a chance that these are like my last words to you. So thank you. I really do appreciate everything that you’ve ever done for me. I can’t tell you enough, I don’t know who I would be if you wasn’t a prominent figure in my life. So if this is a genuine note to you, I’m sorry, and thank you for everything.”
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Kazuchika Okada Defeats Will Ospreay in NJPW Farewell Match
In a highly anticipated match at the ‘Battle In The Valley’ pay-per-view event, Kazuchika Okada emerged victorious over Will Ospreay in what would be Ospreay’s final match with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place this past Saturday and marked the end of Ospreay’s NJPW commitments as he transitions to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a full-time performer.
Following the match, Ospreay expressed his gratitude to Okada for their time together in NJPW. He acknowledged the impact Okada had on his career and shared some heartfelt moments they had shared both inside and outside the ring.
During a post-match interview, Okada reflected on Ospreay’s turning on him in 2020. Ospreay admitted that he had been fixated on trying to surpass Okada and become better than him, which led to animosity and anger. However, he also acknowledged that this experience helped him grow as a wrestler and learn valuable lessons. Ospreay expressed regret for throwing away their friendship but also thanked Okada for being a prominent figure in his life.
Ospreay also highlighted Okada’s kindness and generosity throughout their time together. He mentioned instances where Okada helped him out during challenging situations, such as when his bank card stopped working in Japan and Okada took care of him during their tours. Ospreay also mentioned how Okada supported him in personal matters, like finding a doctor for his partner when they faced a medical issue in Japan. He expressed gratitude for Okada’s guidance and credited him for teaching him important life lessons.
The emotional interview showcased the deep bond between Okada and Ospreay, despite their past differences. It was evident that their time together had a profound impact on Ospreay’s life and career. He expressed his appreciation for Okada’s influence and the person he has become because of it.
The match between Okada and Ospreay was highly anticipated by wrestling fans, as both competitors are known for their incredible in-ring abilities and storytelling. The outcome of the match solidified Okada’s dominance in NJPW and marked the end of an era for Ospreay in the promotion.
As Ospreay moves on to AEW, fans are excited to see what the future holds for him in this new chapter of his career. His time in NJPW has undoubtedly shaped him into the performer he is today, and his gratitude towards Okada reflects the impact their relationship had on his personal and professional growth.
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