Will Ospreay Reflects On His Time In NJPW Running Out Ahead Of Big Title Bout

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Will Ospreay has reflected on his time in NJPW running out ahead of a big title bout.

On November 4, New Japan Pro Wrestling presents Power Struggle 2023 in Osaka, Japan. The event will be headlined by Will Ospreay defending the IWGP United Kingdom Championship against Shota Umino.

Ospreay has made it no secret that his NJPW contract is set to expire in February 2024 with “The Aerial Assassin” keeping every possible option open to himself.

During the pre-show press conference, Will Ospreay delivered a final message to the fans and Shota Umino by referencing how his time could be coming to an end in New Japan. He said:

“I’ve grown up in front of them. This is why there is a connection issue. They want to see sacrifice. They want to see you sacrifice.”

“For eight years I’ve been in New Japan Pro Wrestling. They’ve seen me as a 22-year-old boy. I’m a 30-year-old man now, bruv. They feel safe with New Japan in my hands.”

“They want to feel safe in your hands because my time is running out. I want you to dethrone me. I want you to beat me because I care about New Japan. I want it safe.”

“I want it in safe hands. If you don’t come tomorrow, wanting to rip my face off, wanting to beat me to a bloody pulp because they’ve seen me bleed and sacrifice.”

“I’ve missed funerals, my friends, and family because I’m constantly here giving my everything to New Japan Pro Wrestling,”

Ospreay continued on to pull up his sleeve and reference his tattoo, saying:

“Right there, that says Grow Up. I’ve grown up in front of you guys. I’ve given you my heart. I’ve become a man in front of your eyes.”

“You guys have depended on me, and every single time I’ve been given the ball, I have not dropped it. I have fought for everyone here.”

“In the darkest times, everyone has said, ‘It’s okay, give the ball to Ospreay.’ The time is running out. You need to fight! You need to beat me.”

“No, you’re not Omega, you’re not Okada, you’re not Takagi, you’re not Jericho, you’re not Tsuji, you’re not Zack Sabre Jr, you’re not Mike Bailey, you’re fucking Shota Umino.”

“Fight for all of them, take this from me. If you don’t, I don’t feel safe leaving New Japan in your hands,”

Elsewhere during the press conference, Shota Umino said if he wins the title, he wants to defend against Jon Moxley on January 4 at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, which you can read here.

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• NJPW Power Struggle
• Shota Umino
• NJPW
• Will Ospreay

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