By besting Roderick Strong in the opening match of Double or Nothing, Will Ospreay “finished the story” with the Undisputed Kingdom, securing a spot on AEW's championship mountain as the new International Champion. Suddenly, the former IWGP World Champion would go from the hunter to the hunted, and considering the nature of the belt, he could be fielding challengers from all over the professional wrestling world, from Japan to the UK and maybe even Uganda, if his dream comes true.
… or will he?
Speaking with reporters after Double or Nothing at the media scrum, Ospreay was asked if he's satisfied now that he's won the International Championship or if he would like to keep racking up wins against the best and try his hand at something like the Owen Hart Cup, with the winner earning a World Championship shot at Wembley Stadium this summer at All In. While Ospreay would clearly like to have one belt instead of zero, he told Tony Khan straight up that he isn't going to rest on his laurels and wants to formally put his name into the Owen Hart Cup tournament.
“A lot of people will see me just with this championship and think that this is just my main prerogative and like while I do say that, I've said this backstage as well: I have no problem showing everybody that I can hold the door shut and, in the other, hand carry the weight of the world,” Will Ospreay told reporters via Wrestling Inc. “So you guys can take that how you want it, but like my whole thing is I've come in here and how can you argue with this win/loss record that I've got going on? So, for me now, if there is an opportunity for that World Championship, I will be putting my name in that race, mate.”
Oh snap, was Ospreay supposed to say that? Did TK give Ospreay the International Championship to keep him away from Swerve Strickland's World Championship so both men could have their moments in the sun without either championship reign feeling rushed? Or was this the plan all along, with Ospreay challenging Strickland still the biggest match AEW can run at the biggest show of the year? Either way, keep an eye on this one, folks, as it may be the most interesting storyline going right now.
Will Ospreay wants to defend his new belt everywhere.
Elsewhere in his post-Double or Nothing activities, Will Ospreay reflected on becoming the International Champion and what that means for his career in AEW and beyond in a special digital exclusive segment. Considering the nature of the belt, Ospreay wants to take the strap everywhere and defend it against anyone who thinks they are on his level, as in his most humble opinion, he is now the Forbidden Door.
“This championship might be the International Championship to a lot of people, but this is the Billy GOAT Title for now. Allow me to tell you all, just because I hold this treasure, just because I hold this championship, doesn't mean that I am done. I am a man that hunts for more gold. I am a man that voyages to other places to collect championships. Anywhere, and everywhere. This championship was forged and made on the day of Forbidden Door. Luck has it, Forbidden Door is right around the corner and let me tell you guys, I am the Forbidden Door,” Will Ospreay declared via Fightful. “This championship does not have any inclusion to AEW. We have working relationships with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL, STARDOM. Unfortunately, I don't think I can wrestle the STARDOM girls, right? We allow our talent to wrestle at Revolution Pro, DDT, all around the world. The door open, but not politely, because I am the keyholder to that door. I would love to show everyone how easy it is for the international Billy GOAT to hold the door closed with one hand and to carry the world in the other. Mark my words, this ain't the end. I am Will Ospreay. On. Another. Level.”
While AEW hasn't really leaned into the international nature of the International Championship, with Jon Moxley having potentially taken things in that direction had his title reign not come to an end prematurely, it sounds like Ospreay is willing to take on that mantle and do everything in his power to not only get AEW in front of some new eyes but to prove that he's the best by battling against as many top stars from around the world as possible. Ospreay-Michael Oko IV, anyone? Well, if Khan leans into Ospreay”s intentions, then that match and so many more are very much on the table.
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