Will Ospreay revealed on 12 July 2026 that he declined a 2016 WWE offer to compete in the Cruiserweight Classic, opting instead for New Japan Pro-Wrestling after a pivotal conversation with his mother.
What happened?
During an appearance on *Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze*, Ospreay, then 22, said WWE contacted him about the Cruiserweight Classic tournament. At the same time, he had interest from TNA and NJPW. The English star had just wrestled Kazuchika Okada for RevPro in England when Tiger Hattori approached him afterward. “Hey man… you’re good. We’re bringing you for the Super Juniors,” Hattori told him.
Ospreay also recalled Hiroshi Tanahashi watching from backstage and Gedo managing Okada during the match. The NJPW brass later told him he could still appear on WWE, but Ospreay pushed for a full-time deal with New Japan instead.
Why it matters for Will Ospreay
The decision locked Ospreay into NJPW’s Best of Super Juniors tournament and set the stage for his rise in the Japanese promotion. He told his mother that most wrestlers who left New Japan for WWE saw their stock rise only because NJPW was so hot at the time. “I want to be locked down,” he said. “This is where I want to be.”
Ospreay’s mother backed his choice, reinforcing that he was making a calculated career move. The English star’s preference for NJPW over WWE shaped his trajectory into one of the top in-ring performers in the world.
What comes next?
Ospreay’s partnership with Jon Moxley earlier in 2026 has already paid off. The duo defeated The Swirl and The WorkHorsemen in their last two AEW Dynamite appearances. Fans now speculate they could challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championship soon.
Ospreay’s NJPW run continues to define his legacy, while his AEW work keeps him in the global spotlight. The 2016 choice remains a defining moment in his career.