Will Ospreay Opens Up About NJPW, Money & Work Ethic

AEW

Will Ospreay has opened up about his life in NJPW ahead of his match against Kenny Omega at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.

Will Ospreay signed with NJPW in 2019 and has gone on to become one of its top stars, currently holding the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.

Speaking to Fightful, Ospreay addressed his decision to sign with NJPW over EVOLVE, saying:

“There was the EVOLVE contract and that could have opened doorways, but I knew, in my heart, if I stuck it out with New Japan and worked hard, no one has the work ethic that I do when it comes to wrestling.”

Paul Heyman had extended a contract with EVOLVE to Ospreay in 2016 at Inside The Ropes Live in York Hall, London.

Ospreay went on to discuss the difference between his presentation of work ethic and what others show, saying:

“A lot of guys put their work ethic in social media, bodies, and other ventures outside of wrestling, but my whole thing is, I wanted to be one of the best wrestlers going, and that’s down to everything New Japan has done.

“The thing that works with New Japan is, I can stay in Essex, fly out, business class, head over and live a real comfy life where I’ve got my family and New Japan, but with other options, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but my heart says New Japan.”

He would also open up on his current salary and how that has affected his life, explaining:

“Money talks these days.

“I’m on phenomenal money, it’s money that I could literally only dream of.

“It’s one of those things where I want to make sure my mom and dad never have to work again.

“I want to make sure this house is paid off one day.

“I still got 24 damn years left on the mortgage.”

With all this in mind, it doesn’t look like Ospreay is going to be hanging up his boots any time soon, concluding:

“A long way of bumping and feeding to go.

“I’m just inspired to wrestle at my best and to have complete freedom of who I am as a wrestler.

“If anyone else had control of me — New Japan allows me to be as fluid and crazy as I want.

“Having someone else have control of me does intimidate me a little bit because I’m not the best actor, but I’m one of the best wrestlers.”

Ospreay is scheduled to face AEW’s Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom on January 4.

He recently addressed his plans for the future with his current NJPW contract due to expire next year.

Check out the announced card for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 right here.

Transcript from Fightful.

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• Evolve
• NJPW
• Will Ospreay

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