Will Ospreay Sends Thanks To Ex-WWE Star & More Ahead Of AEW Move

AEW, WWE

The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay has included an ex-WWE star in a long list of thanks ahead of his move to AEW.

Despite having an AEW contract signed since Full Gear 2023 in November, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has spent the months since then wrapping up his eight year spell in NJPW.

But now, following his final match in the company at NJPW: The New Beginning on February 11, Ospreay is officially done and heading across the pond to begin his life stateside in AEW.

Before doing so however, Ospreay saw fit to shout out some of the key figures that had his back in his United Empire faction – the same people that stood by his side during his brutal steel cage match with the Bullet Club War Dogs at New Beginning.

Taking to Twitter, Ospreay said:

Thank you to all the lads of UE.

When the fans didn’t have a voice we were the shot in the arse that NJPW needed. You all are like my brothers and if you ever needed me, my door will always be open to you all.

Thank you for getting in that cage with me & making history

Then, in several follow up posts, Ospreay took time to deliver special messages to every member of the group, starting off with HENARE, to which he said:

Big shout out to @HenareNZ.

I was the first guy that saw him when he was hit. No word of a lie his head was split so bad it’s like someone left a tap on in his brain.

He lost so much blood and taped a towel to his head and finished the match.

Define a warrior. That’s Henare.

Ospreay then moved on to his United Empire co-founder Great-O-Khan, speaking of how great a person he is:

My co founder @Great_O_Khan

You have shown so many of us the human you are when you saved a little girl from being attacked by a dude.

I’ve known exactly who you are the first month we teamed up. You’re one of a kind, proud I got to have the time I did with you.

Former WWE star TJP was up next on Ospreay’s list of thanks, praising his willingness to share his wealth of experience in the industry and in life:

Everyone needs someone to turn to for advice. That’s @MegaTJP

Endless knowledge from years of experience. Can’t tell you enough how much I hold you to the highest regards I’m thankful I can call you up whenever & talk about life.

Thank you for everything you’ve done

United Empire’s maiden recruit Jeff Cobb was next, with Ospreay calling him the coolest guy he’s ever shared a locker room with:

Big Jefferson Cobb. First guy me & O’khan brought into the group. For his size, strength & endurance.

But the @RealJeffCobbI know enjoys doing Bane impressions and like to avoid pain as much as possible

You’re the coolest guy I’ve ever had in the locker room. Thank you

Francesco Akira was the penultimate name on Ospreay’s list, sharing a playful message referencing England’s loss in the football Euro 2020 final to Italy:

Italy ruined the euros for us & I’ll truly never forgive @francescoakira for Italy.

But I met Akira in Japan while he was in AJPW. We just naturally bonded and in these last few months you have shown a lot more maturity.

I truly love this little dickhead so much.

Fittingly, the final name on the list was his NJPW young lion and Ospreay’s protege Callum Newman:

Last is my little brother (that’s now bigger than me) @PrinceofpaceCN

The world can be yours. Don’t get distracted, don’t become arrogant, don’t lose sight of what you dreamed of.

Japan will mould you to become the best you. I know you can do it kid I love you so much dude

Despite now finishing up with NJPW, Ospreay has recently clarified whether he can/will return to the promotion in the future as a part of his AEW contract.

For full details follow this link here.

Thank you to all the lads of UE.

When the fans didn’t have a voice we were the shot in the arse that NJPW needed. You all are like my brothers and if you ever needed me, my door will always be open to you all.

Thank you for getting in that cage with me & making history pic.twitter.com/QIrOi62Vha

— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) February 12, 2024

My co founder @Great_O_Khan

You have shown so many of us the human you are when you saved a little girl from being attacked by a dude. I’ve known exactly who you are the first month we teamed up.

You’re one of a kind, proud I got to have the time I did with you.

— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) February 12, 2024

Big Jefferson Cobb. First guy me & O’khan brought into the group. For his size, strength & endurance. But the @RealJeffCobb I know enjoys doing Bane impressions and like to avoid pain as much as possible 😂

You’re the coolest guy I’ve ever had in the locker room. Thank you

— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) February 12, 2024

Last is my little brother (that’s now bigger than me) @PrinceofpaceCN

The world can be yours. Don’t get distracted, don’t become arrogant, don’t lose sight of what you dreamed of.

Japan will mould you to become the best you.

I know you can do it kid
I love you so much dude

— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) February 12, 2024

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• United Empire
• TJP
• NJPW
• Will Ospreay
• AEW
• wwe

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