Published: 1 hour ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 15 hours ago by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
AEW
AEW World Champion since All In: London, Will Ospreay has already had multiple outings as World Champion, with more to come.
With AEW Grand Slam: France taking place on October 6, Ospreay defends the title against Kazuchika Okada, continuing a rivalry that has spanned decades.
History has played a part in each World Championship match to date, and it’s a trend that should very much continue:
The AEW World Championship Reign
Ahead of the title defense in Paris, Ospreay has so far been in singles action against David Finlay (defeating the star in the AEW World Championship Eliminator on September 9), Jon Moxley (retaining the title at All Out) and Ricochet (scoring a win in the non-title match on the Tribute to PAC episode of Dynamite).
In all cases, there’s a history there, with Moxley and Ospreay having first crossed paths at NJPW Windy City Riot in 2022, long before their Death Riders association. David Finlay is another opponent to have a lengthy history with Ospreay, going back to 2016 in NJPW. As for Ricochet, their storied rivalry crossed continents and is one that will likely continue into the future.
Looking towards the future, coming out of Grand Slam: France, there’s an opportunity for more rivalries to be revisited under the fresh lens of a top title reign.
Kyle Fletcher
A former member of United Empire, Kyle Fletcher’s tenure in AEW has seen him join The Don Callis Family and turn his back on Will Ospreay, shaving his own head as a way to show he was nothing like The Aerial Assassin.
The feud with Ospreay ended at Revolution in March of last year, but with Fletcher challenging for the TNT Championship at Grand Slam: France and the AEW World Tag Team Championship at WrestleDream (with Kevin Knight), there’s every possibility that he could see the top title in his future.
For Fletcher, his future in AEW is bright, with star saying he was “living the dream right now” in comments made in December of last year during an interview with Zach Johnson.
Gabe Kidd
Two British stars with two vastly different approaches, Will Ospreay vs. Gabe Kidd is a main event match in the making.
Ospreay may have bested Moxley at AEW All Out, but Kidd represents something different within Death Riders, less of a mastermind and more of a blunt instrument.
Again, their rivalry has spanned continents, including their shared time in NJPW, with Kidd being the current IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
A title vs. title match with both the AEW World Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on the line would be something to witness, particularly if it were to take place an event such as Forbidden Door, a date for which in 2027 is still to be confirmed. In the meantime, it would give plenty of opportunity for Kidd to continue to be a thorn in Ospreay’s side whenever they get within earshot of each other.
So much opportunity for one AEW champion
Will Ospreay as AEW World Champion offers an opportunity to do something different, elevating stars on the cusp of the title picture and showing fans the direction of travel for the company’s future, showcasing their talents in main event matches, be it on Dynamite or a pay-per-view.
This isn’t to say that Ospreay should hand out challenges to or engage in feuds with anyone and everyone, just that, with the right creative behind him, an opportunity exists to shape the future of AEW for years to come.
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