Will Ospreay has revealed one of the key reasons he left New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2024 was because he was ‘over the office’—a decision that reshaped his career trajectory. In an exclusive interview with *Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze*, the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion (with HENARE and Great-O-Khan) shared how creative differences, personal life, and a need for fresh challenges led to his departure from NJPW’s full-time roster.

What Did Ospreay Say About NJPW? Ospreay’s exit wasn’t sudden. As early as **2023**, he told NJPW booker **Gedo** he was leaving, and the reaction was visceral. *“I remember his face,”* Ospreay recalled. *“‘I don’t want you to go…’”* The emotional weight of the moment underscored how deeply embedded he was in the promotion—yet his mind was made up.

Behind the scenes, tensions had built. *“There were some things happening behind the scenes,”* Ospreay admitted. *“I was just over the office.”* But it wasn’t just work. A new relationship and fatherhood to his girlfriend’s child pushed him toward prioritizing presence over wrestling. *“I wanted to be there more,”* he said.

Why AEW Over Another Move? The timing aligned with **All Elite Wrestling’s** expansion. Ospreay’s final NJPW match came in **February 2024**, but his transition to AEW wasn’t a clean break. *“I didn’t wanna cut my ties with Japan,”* he explained. AEW’s global reach—including Japan—allowed him to maintain that connection while pursuing new opportunities.

What’s Next for Ospreay in NJPW? Despite the departure, Ospreay’s NJPW legacy isn’t over. Just months after his exit, he returned to **Wrestling Dontaku 2026** to win the **NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship** with HENARE and Great-O-Khan—a title that cements his enduring influence in the promotion.

The Bigger Picture Ospreay’s candid remarks paint a picture of a wrestler at a crossroads: torn between loyalty to NJPW and the need to evolve. His choice to join AEW wasn’t just about creative control—it was about life balance. And yet, his return to NJPW for titles proves one thing: the bond isn’t broken.

Quote credit: *Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze* (H/T *Fightful* for transcription).