Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Will Ospreay Has 25 5-Star Matches! NJPW Contract Ends Next Year, AEW, Kenny Omega Match

Episode Date: May 30, 2023

Will Ospreay (@willospreay) is a professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). He sits down with Chris Van Vliet before NJPW Resurgence in Los Angeles to talk about being one of the best wrestlers in the world, having 25 matches rated 5-stars or better by Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer, his match with Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 17, the match with Ricochet in 2016 that changed both of their lives, his AEW debut, why he doesn't want to move the United States, a possible match with CM Punk, why he doesn't want a WrestleMania moment, what wrestling in the Tokyo Dome is like and much more! Get $150 off your Plunge with the coupon code CVV at http://thecoldplunge.com Quote I'm thinking about: "Don't find fault, find a remedy. Anyone can complain." - Henry Ford For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://chrisvanvliet.com If you enjoyed this episode, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast/iTunes? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests.  Follow CVV on social media:  Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All systems are gathered. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Bleleet. Here we go, my friends. Welcome back to another audio adventure on Insight. I'm CVV, Chris Van Fleet. So good to have you with us and so good to be sitting down with the billy goat. Oh yeah, if you've been listening to the show for a while, you know that I'm a big fan of what Will Osprey does.

And I get that he's very divisive, right? I personally think that he's one of the best, if not the very best wrestler in the world right now. But there's a lot of people who obviously agree with me and think that he's incredible. And then there's people on the other end of the spectrum who just maybe don't appreciate that style of wrestling. I also think there's a lot of people who just aren't familiar with his work. They don't watch a lot of New Japan. And maybe they've only seen highlights or maybe they've only seen what he's done in AEW, which I don't think was the best display of what he's capable of.

But I love that we did this interview in person when New Japan was in Los Angeles for resurgence because it's been three years since he was on the show. So the last time he was on the show was like when the world was completely shut down. It's a great conversation. I think you should go back and listen to it. It's so good.

But he has changed and evolved so much since then. So this conversation, I think, really complements that conversation a lot. So please share this with a friend. Share this with a fellow Will Osprey fan because I think they'll really enjoy this. And tag us online. Take a screenshot and tag us. He is at Will Osprey. I'm at Chris Van Fleet.

And let's get right to this. Please welcome Will Osprey. I'm so glad we're doing this in person. Oh, my gosh. So welcome. Thank you very much, man. It's been a while. It's been a while,

and we've talked so long about, like, we've got to sit down in person and do this thing. We arranged to come around my place in Tokyo when I was like, like, we said, like, come over. It was so funny about that.

The last interview we did was like right when the world shut down. So like, it's like April 2020. And you're like, yeah, man, well, like, maybe it was like May 2020, whatever was. You're like,

in three months or something. Yeah, I was like, of course this is going to. Three years later. Of course Russell Kingdom's going to happen. Yeah. Can I still come to Tokyo? I ain't got the apartment.

I'm going to rid of it. Too much. I've got taxed in two different countries. Oh, fuck, I ain't doing this. So you're just living in the UK? Yeah, just living in England now. So, like, I'm very happy there. Like, I don't plan on ever.

You said it a little while ago, but I'm going to move it. It's too big. You're not going to move to America? Yeah, I can't do it. You know how many people you've just upset by saying that? I know, I do understand. I really do. I can't do it.

I, like, it's too big. I get, like, anxious as being out here, right? What if you lived in, you know, You don't need to live in Los Angeles or in New York. What if you lived in Nashville or? I just like everything in England. I've got Nandoes. That's all I.

So, I'm so good. And I only know that because they have Nandoes in Canada. Oh, yeah. Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah. Is it like this like, oh, now I'm curious if it's going to be the same as the English Nandoes. Because, like, you know, Australia or New Zealand, it's completely different.

Then I bet it's not the same. I might be. No way. No way. You're looking good, by the way. Thank you. This shirt is far too small. Boy.

Look, my pants, bro. I only got these in April. The seams are going to rip on this. I only got these in April. Your quads are too big. No, my fucking ass, bro. It's my ass. I'm just the squats, right?

No, I don't even do squats anymore. That's the worst bit. It's got a fat over the ass. I can't be bothered. The transformation you made was really impressive. Thank you. I think if people saw what you looked like five years ago, and they look at you now, it's a completely different person.

Yeah, I just never really, When I grew up doing wrestling, like I didn't really have the money to, like, avoid a gym membership. And then when I did go to gym, I don't fucking know what I was doing. Yeah. Like, with the machines and stuff like that,

like, you just did everything. Like, I always had, like, a very slender figure. And that's, like, because years, I used to dance for years. I used to do, like, the trampolining. So I always, I always was active. But, like, I didn't know how to work out. It was only in 2019, was over in New Zealand.

I was over in New Zealand. and like we tried these like muscle farm workouts. And like I know like what a barbells like a new bench press. I knew all that. But I didn't know why I did it in certain orders. Yeah, yeah. And then when I just followed these workouts for like three weeks, I'd have started noticing already.

I was like, Jesus. So then I fall. That's when I contacted a guy called Yes, and Reese, who's my personal trainer over in England. And he's just, I can't floor it at all. Like being so dyslexic, man. Like it's so hard to like read and understand what. like carbs and fats and proteins were like and I just didn't understand it.

I'd just like going down the chip shop age. You know what I mean? Like I just go out. I like to eat my mum's roast dinner. So I was just like, so then like understanding like calorie deficits and understanding like macro counting. It was just mad.

I couldn't understand it at first. But yesterday was able to break it down. So I need to like able to transform my body like loads of different times. Like my 2019, I really wanted to focus on being like very quick and nimble for the junior style. And then when I got asked to move, because we were testing the waters with the heavyweight in 2019,

see if I can do that style, and I feel like I did a right job at it. And then it was when 2020 came around and, like, I just got locked in my room. I just, like, I outsmite everyone during that, man. I outsmite everybody. Like, as soon as I started seeing, like, venues closed down. Yeah.

And I heard, like, like, malls were closing down. I just, I went, I think they're going to shut gyms. my partner at a time was like no way they're going to shut gyms it's for people's health, it's for I was like no, I'm like, because you got metal, you've got like metal like things and like that was like metal barbells and people

were coughing their hand and I went I'm just going to spend about 6K and I'm just going to get out of the gym and she went out of thinking you're wasting your money and then I got everything I think it was like I got everything on like Wednesday and then by Friday they went we're having a national

lockdown gym to close and I was like I'm sorry! I told you. I was a one time I outsmide everyone, man. Like the dumbest kid in the neighborhood. And I outsmite everybody. With the size you put on, did you find there were things in the ring

you couldn't do that you could do before? Yeah, like I discovered that out the hard way because obviously when I was like 2020, I was 105 just eating junk food and just working out of 15. Yeah. Like doing a shooting starburst was not easy at all. So like then I had to like drop the weight again. And then like I managed to main.

like a real healthy weight of like like it would normally be like 95 to 100 like that was nothing that's a real comfortable weight for me um what's that like 220 to 18 225 something like that yeah 220 is a hundreds yes okay so i like i managed to like really i'm comfortable at that way i feel like i can move to the right amount that i uh that i'm not disappointing anyone anymore because oh no no but like one of the things that i mean like one of the of things. I even tried it. Like, before the New Japan Cup, before I got hurt, I was trying the, you know, the 450 where you go backwards, so the ring post is here and your opponents that way. I was trying that, I just can't do it anymore. Hey, I'm just too fat. It's the belly. It's the belly needs, like, I need room to tuck in. Like in 2016, I had way room. I could wiggle my hips and everything now, man, I can't do it.

Speaking of, like, getting hurt, I watched that video that you post and you were basically like, I think I need to reevaluate the style of, wrestling that I do. I don't think I can keep this up. But I feel like whatever style you do, you're still going to be Will Osprey. I don't know. Like, I guess I'm a little bit in my own worst critics, but like I do feel like I've carved out like a knack for this style. Now to the point now where like I have friends that go on US indie shows and they're like, you will not believe the amount of guys that do your style of moves now is like even like to the point where they go before they do it, those guys. I'm just kind of like, it does blow my mum.

mind, hey, because, like, I don't, I don't really care. Like, years ago, I used to be, like, well, now I just don't care, right? I'm just like, yeah, please, like, I don't mind. But, like, it's truly mind-blind, like, seeing it out there. But just, I do think it is, like, obviously, I do need to reevaluate and I do need to change it up, but, like, I don't think I need to change it dramatically, like, Jericho and Mysterio, like, my prime examples, like, they were still considered, like, even now I still consider, like, and not High Flyer anymore, but, like, I think a lot of people

just because he does a lion's hole might say it, but like, even Mysterio, like, he's still, like, managed to call himself a high flyer. Yeah. But, like, he doesn't do as many as the tricks that he used to do, but, like, that fountain of youth man is, like, incredible. Like, how they're just... I don't know, it's like a magic act.

But you also have this... It's this great marriage of, like, high-flying stuff, but also, like, strong style, like, hard-hitting. How God have been into it. I just think that whatever you do in the ring, you make magic. every single time. Thank you.

What move do you think you can't do if you're moving forward and trying to be safer? The shooting star press I might have to cut out just because like that one was just I don't know, like I did it on an indie show and thankfully, and I got stuck.

And like I don't know why, but normally my momentum would normally carry marriage. So I had to do like that, like, people were just going to like to think I'm stilly but I was doing that. I gave me there to try like, but like to me that's going like,

force yourself around, force yourself around. And like I made it, but barely. So, like, that's another one. I think I've got to cut out. It was even, like, said, I even said with my doctor, he even said, like, just be careful because, like, so what the injury was was a grade two peck tear

and a rotator cuff tear. So straight away, I was, like, kind of, no surgeries needed, so I was quite thankful for that. But he just said, like, this is now down to your body to reattack. Your body has to heal this. So obviously, they're doing the ice and the, all the other stuff. And it did say, like, if, like, need to watch out on, like, overhead lifts and stuff like that,

just because, like, it could rip off again. So that's why I'm a little bit, like, this is real. Like, like, I've never, never had, like, serious injuries. I've had, like, ones where, like, I got knocked and I had to fucking take a few weeks off. Sure. But not ones where, like, it's affecting my performance. And, like, everything comes, like, I'm right dominant as well. Like, I'm no good with my left.

So it's my right hand as well. So it's fucking weird. I just think that whatever you do in the ring, like, have you ever had a bad match? I mean, like, I don't, I didn't like the Vader one. And I don't like speaking of him because now he's passed. But like I really just didn't enjoy it. It was just like it wasn't, there was like agreement put him in place. And then he like pulled it because he didn't want to fucking do the job.

And it was a whole lot of things. But like it was just unpleasant to work with. But like I wish him no harm. I wish his family. They're all good and everything just because like it's not easy like losing like a father or anything along those lines. So he's just like, I don't like to be that. But I just didn't enjoy it. Chris Hero enjoyed it.

But I just think that every match you put on, regardless of star ratings, and I'm sure we'll talk about that, but every match you put on makes people go, oh my gosh, how is this even possible? Thank you, man. But it's beyond just the athleticism,

and I think the Kenny Omega match is a perfect example of this. The storytelling you have is second and none right now. I mean, I love that. I think both of us really collaborated, hard into putting all that together and like I'm proud of it. I'm sure like he's happy with it. But yeah, like the storytelling aspect of it is. I think it just comes from like that real

experience that we went through in COVID because I just think a lot of people had like mad benefits that they were like and we didn't have that. Like so at first, like we got completely locked out of the country. There was no way for us to get in. And then when we're yeah. And then obviously when we finally was able to come in, you'd have to do like a two week quarantine. Now, luckily for me, I had my apartment at the time, so I didn't do nearly as many quarantines. But then it was like, it was just like some mad stuff that would happen, like, bam, bam, bam. And like, you just wasn't prepared for it. Like, you'd be calling your, your missus and your family.

And they'd be like, hey, when you're coming home, you'll be like, I don't know. And then you'd be like, I remember, like, one of the ones I did, it was like, I was locked in the room. It was just mad. You'd land. You'd go around the airport for that four hours, like filling out all the paperwork. then even though you had a doctor's note saying that you didn't have COVID, you had to then do another COVID test. And even when you came back negative,

you were still transported to the hotel for 14 days. And it's no bigger, like half of the room. And it was just like a bed. And it was just crazy because like after that, normally it'd be like, man, but at least I get to wrestle with like, above all this, right? I love New Japan. Like, I love the style of wrestling.

I'm passionate about it. I just believe, like, this is the style that I've, like it's really made me comfortable. Yeah. And then the best thing about that wrestling is the Japanese fans are just incredible. They just like make noise constantly. You'll be just in a hold and you'll see like people like crying in the audience and shit like that. It's like it's so cool to them and then they were silent.

So like they were allowed to be in the building but they weren't allowed to clap because the government said that cheering would cause COVID to spread. So then you do that and like you every now and again you heard them a little bit but then instantly though because it is such a. by the book country, they would just go like, what? And it would, like, it would break my heart, man. Like, I won the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Like, and that's, like, such, like a, man, like I fucking did it.

Like, the company puts trust in me. Yeah. Like, sending pictures of the belt to me, mum and dad, like, and be, like, that's so sick. One, two, three, I heard them, nothing. Yeah. And then, like, I heard them come up and then cut off straight away. Yeah. And it does, it fucks with you.

It really does. Like, just because, like, when you go from, like, 40, 40,000 people in the dome, screaming, like actually singing your name and then like, it's upsetting. There's something about wrestling in the Tokyo Dome that I think is so special. It's crazy, but like it's,

I won't lie to you, it's not my favorite building to perform in front of in Japan. Just because it's so hard to gauge like listening to them because like you'll hit something and you don't hear anything for like a couple seconds. Oh, there's like a delay? Yeah.

And then it's like it'll go here, but then it'll go like up into the building where like, when you're in like Suma Arena, it's all like candid. It's all like. Yeah. When wrestling fans were used to like the American style of wrestling, watch a Japanese match for the first time, I think they're really thrown off by the crowd reaction because they're like, hey, why is the crowd not doing anything right now? And then they pop when things happen and then they're super quiet again. Did that take some getting used to? At first, yeah, but then like, I remember hearing out an interview that AJ did ages ago and he

he was real sweet to me when he found out that I was going he said something on the lines just like just because they're not making noise doesn't mean they're paying attention and I thought they're really like sat with me for a while so then that's when I was like oh so they're like that in tune

with the fundamentals of what proressing is like they're so in tune more than being a smart mark in terms of like a smart mark I think they know like the ins and outs of the industry or like kind of how like the machines starting to work, I guess.

But I guess with, like, the Japanese fans, I think they appreciate the basics and, like, seeing it, like, the chain wrestling and, like, the, what's the word I'm looking for? But they just appreciate it more, basically. They're looking at the technique. Yeah, yeah. I love that you brought up A.J. And that match that AJ, Smojo, and Christopher Daniels did, I know that you talk about how that match really inspired you to be the worker that you are now. What was it specifically about that three-way match? I think...

Because I love that match, by the way. It's the best. It's the best TNA match ever. The greatest, mate. And it's mad that how I stumbled across it, I, like, so like, the way WCW, ECW and WWF, like, kind of ended. So, like, I was, of course I was watching, but I wasn't, uh, I didn't really understand it in a weird way.

I just saw them as the enemy as they're coming in. I still think it's cool, right? Like, even though it, like, it wasn't the WCW that we kind of wanted. I still feel as a kid that was cool. But after a while, I'd got bored. Like, do you know what I mean? It was just kind of like the same guys over and over again. So I was literally, I can seriously remember it.

It was like me and my friends and we were all just chilling. And I was just like scrolling through Sky. And on Skype, broadband, we have the wrestling channel. And just on this day, on a random Sunday, they had T&A playing. So then we was just like, what is this? And we watched this action coming in with a six-sided ring. I can't remember who else was on that card for the life of me. But I just, I remember like it was like one match, one match.

And then AJ came out. And I just thought, guy. red hoods coming down at the sparkers coming out. I was just, you are, you're sick music. That is one of the best TNA entrance themes too. And even like when they upgraded it as well, like, do you remember because they've done like a first version of it? And then the second I was like, still a banger.

Yeah. Still a banger. But like, yeah, I just, I thought it was the coolest guy like coming out. And then he wrestled and I've never seen anybody wrestle like that, like at all. And it was just that moment where they, like, Joe's doing crazy shit. And then he just jumped to the top rubber and I was shooting starbursts and never seen. it before in my life, so I just freaked down. I was like, that's it. That's what I want.

And it took a while to get there because, like, wrestling in England, especially at that time, it wasn't what it was like in the boom period. It was just kind of like your very hold-for-hold, technical wrestling. And that has a place, but it just didn't fascinate me.

So we just got a wrestling ring, put it in my back garden, and then we just filmed it. Where did you get a wrestling, right? So my mom is, my mom works in the theatre industry, and so she knows a fabricator. So they just made one. Like, my mum is the best, man. That's like, that is such a story of this was meant to be.

Yeah. I mean, so my mom knew I was, oh, I was getting into trouble, I was a fucking nightmare at home. Like, I was getting into trouble. But she saw that I was being an asshole for what was he like doing, like, it's wrestling. It keeps him in the ass, keeps him off the street. All of his friends come around. So, like, they built, mate, it was from my, like, 14th birthday, maybe 13th birthday. we were just freaked out.

It was like, how long is this here for? Like, forever. Yeah, yeah. So we would just film YouTube stuff and just like wrestle each other. And I guess that was our outlet until the UK scene kind of caught up with that style, like that kind of PWG style that we were looking for in that TNA. Like, it was that was what we were searching for. That was what the style that we wanted to portray.

And I think it took a long time to get it like that. But then I feel like that is now kind of, that is the broad spectrum of like what wrestling is in the UK now, is that style. But still nobody can do it at the level that you do it. And I think that a lot of that is the confidence at which you do it with. Where did that confidence come from? There's years that's been, like, I wasn't just good straight away. Do you know what I mean?

I was shit once upon the time. Probably not for very long. Arguable. But like, I'm just blessed because, like, what happened was like, I just remember, do you remember like in the Indies? Before, like, there was an end. NXC, right, NXC just started. The Indies were hot.

You had like Samurai Del Rey, Samurai Del Rey, No, Del Sol, Del Sol, Rich Swan, Rikshay, Adam Cole, the Bucks. This is like early 2010s. Yeah, like, all those guys were just floating around. They weren't signed by WW or AW. So then, like, RevPro were able to, like, bring over, like, Matt Seidau after he's, like, after he got fired by WWE,

they were able to bring him over, and I got to learn from him. Yeah. Then I was wrestling guys like, Ricochet. and then before I knew it, I was in there with the fucking IWGP, every week, Champ, AJ Seyles. It, like, it just all happened all at once. So, like, I was forced to be in those situations where, like, at that time, I remember going up to Rickshire as the first person

I ever wrestled outside of the UK. I went up to her and went, I know nothing, but I can do everything. Teach me. I just said, I want to learn this style. Like, I'm not good. And I keep saying it, man. Like, I love that guy. Like, Trevor has...

all the rights to be like a dick then. He didn't need to be as graceful as giving. Man, he gave me everything. Like, man, man was doing fucking 6.30s and in front of like 200, at best, 200 people. Like, do you know what I mean? My mom was there and everything. My mom loves it.

My mom loves him. I had the great pleasure of speaking with him when WrestleMania was here about a month ago. Man, that guy's so good. And he's so kind, too. And we talked a lot about the match that you guys had in, was it 2016? Yeah, we've had a bunch, I. Of course. The match, 2016, yeah.

And, like, it's so interesting because that match is hyper divisive, right? You either love that match and you go, yes, this is amazing, or you hate that match and you go, this is not wrestling. How much should that change your perception of what the matches after that would look like? Well, like, once again, I took everything on board. Like, I've spoken about it. I took everything on board. I just hate the guys that just said it was shit, what the second was saying?

It was shit. like if you give me feedback like I like I work on it afterwards but look I wouldn't change a damn thing that match is perfect in my mind for me now like even looking back on it like there was a bunch of things I would like the majority of things I would

I'd sell a little bit more like you know what I mean like but these are these are a tiny little 1% things I was like 23 years old like I was literally 23 I've been on the Indies for like three years and then all of a sudden I'm in New Japan that shit doesn't happen

I had to like learn on the fly like it was it's crazy. But the biggest learning experience I ever got was like months after that match. I wrestled Shabar and he just battered me.

Like I wanted to do the cartwheels and the arm drags and all that. I do want to get fucked up and he just fucked me up for like minutes upon minutes. Like especially on all the house shows

like most of the times he wouldn't call anything. So we would just do it and he would just say things and I'd just have to react so like it's crazy and like and then after that

it was almost like he built a trust with me to the point going okay now we're going to now we're going to and so but I love that. I wish people would do that a little bit more with me now, because it really did make me go, okay, maybe I don't know everything. One of the things that Rickashet said about that match you guys

had was you just went out and had a RICOchet Will Osprey match, and you didn't really think much about it. And then it was in the days after and the weeks after that this chatter started, did that surprise you? Oh, more than anything. Once again, like 23 years old. I don't know how to hold it. I don't know how to hold into social media now, like, let alone back then. And it's kind of like, it just blew my mind, hey, because I'd never experienced that. It's like William Regal was talking about it who were like, I was on the phone with like months prior about WW. Seth Rollins was talking about it.

Like, everyone was talking about it to the point where like the next day we just kept looking like everyone to look at our phones, you could believe this is fucking happening. Like, yeah. It just, we never had that. I don't think, I don't know if I've ever had that since. I don't know. If that match was available on YouTube in its entirety, even more people would be talking about. It's on Daily Motion, by the way, for anybody who wants to check it out.

New Japan did it, like, because after it got a bunch of buzz, they were smart about it and fall like, fuck it. Let's capitalize on this. Yeah. But they did take it off, like, a little while. Yeah, it's on daily motion so you can watch the match in its entirety. But, like, I always go back. That's one of my favorite matches of all time.

I mean, like, I'm glad it has, like, inspired a bunch of people to do it. Like, I mean, it is, because now I do see it, like, a GCW show. And they, like, do the kinds of, and they get in the same time of, like, heat and reaction. you're under side, relax, let them do it. Like, it's just like,

they'll learn. Like, everybody learns. Like, this is a whole, like, I do see it so many times now. And, like,

is it up to, like, certain standards? Like, no, but, like, let them do it because, like, we're all in front of the internet now. Like,

you know what I mean? We've all got to learn some out. Yeah. So, like, I am truly blessed about that match. It really does, like, I fucking love ricochet. I miss him so much.

Look, wrestling's a buffet. And that's one of the things you can grab on the buffet. So is a comedy match. So is a hardcore match. So is a chain wrestling match. All of these different things can exist within one card.

And I don't know why people are, don't accept that. I don't know why people have a problem with that. It is just one of those things, isn't it? I can't really put it down to anything. I guess it's a taste and wrestling has evolved. And like, there's some stupid shit out there.

I mean, me and you could probably, like, there's probably a bunch of things. But like, in the same sense, it's like, how can we, like, wrestling is so subjective now. like what can we really say he's bad and what he's good anymore. Yeah. Like there's some things that are on TV currently that I think are so bad,

but then people will go, no, that's really good, and we're putting money towards it. I won't say it. And that's great. I've learned my lesson. And if people like that, that's great. Let them enjoy that. Yeah.

As we sit here right now, you have 25 five star Dave Meltzer matches, and you're at some point, probably this year, going to break that record and have the most five-star matches. Do five-star match ratings matter to you? Okay, so this is, I always have an argument. They don't matter in terms of my financial gain. Okay, so in my, like they don't matter.

I'm not going to make any money on it. However, when contracts come up and I become a free agent, who's not going to want the kid that works hard and puts on these phenomenal matches that everybody talks about? Yeah. So like, that's where we can always argue on. So like, one of my things would be like, I don't know, like, name a, wrestling now like

I don't want to bury anyone I really don't but like it's this case of like if I come up against somebody else who doesn't have 25-5 star matches it doesn't have one like it so they have to by the way you know who doesn't have one Kurt Angle doesn't have one okay right crazy

Kurt Angle's worth more than me but like I don't know in like the current format like I just I really don't know but for me like in terms of if that does ever become available when I am on the market like who's not going to want someone that's going to as work Carden put on banging matches. So, like, that's just the two and

fours for it. But it's, it's so subjective. And again, Kurt Engel has zero five star matches. I think Sean Michaels has won. And it's just crazy to me, right? Like, yeah, no, of course, but it's just, it's just Meltzer's fucking opinion.

I mean, it doesn't, I don't even know, right? It's the funny thing, right? I remember Chris hero introducing me to Meltzer back when we done PWG and he was a fan of the Mark Andrews match we'd done. I got, I didn't understand why he was a big deal. I was like, oh, it's blast to meet you, mate. Who's that lovely? Lovely geese are in he? He is lovely.

He's lovely. I like him, yeah. He's so nice. He's great. He's great. Yeah. Doesn't need to get that much heat for just going like, I really like this. Well, you should like this more. What's your highest rate is? Six and a half stars, is it? Six and a court with Kenny. Yeah, but you've had nine matches that are over five stars. Yeah. But like, once again, they don't, like, I'm really thankful that people really

like them. Like, I really am. And there's some that I don't think are five, at all. No, there's one in particular. Which one? Like, I really didn't like the AW triple, the six-man one with, with Pac-Fenix dependent on. And it wasn't, it wasn't anyone's fault.

We all done the matches perfectly, but because it was TV wrestling, completely out of my depth, I just, like, I just didn't understand where the rhythm was, where the time. Like, I guess looking back on it now, like, I can tell that I'm not comfortable, but, like, no one else can. Yeah. But, like, I just wasn't comfortable in that environment. and like there were points where I was just,

I thought like I was in the ring too long and then all of a sudden I'm looking, I've read Phoenix's foot's there, I'm just like, Jesus Christ, where am I? But like, there's a moment during that match where you do a front flip off the top rope and you land on your feet and the camera zooms in on your face

and you just kind of do one of these, like, no big deal, do this all the time. That is the coolest moment I think I've seen in wrestling in years. I've done that sport so many times. But you know what I'm talking about. No, no, I do the I bushy one. like now I do it as if to be like, oh God, come on guys. Like, too easy.

Come on. These Ranas aren't working anymore. It's just, this will be the last thing I say about this, but you have more five-star matches than WWE and NXT combined. They have 18. You have 25. It's going to be real good when I go on the market at a minute. Ooh.

No, it's not right. Is that a possibility? Of course it is. You've been very open about your contract stocks. I'm very open about it. And it just come from a lot of confidence because I am very confident. me in New Japan are going to work something out because I just don't want to live in America.

That's my full stop thing. We've got an extra bedroom if you guys. I understand. I just don't want to. I just don't want to. Well, then, yeah, if you're saying, I don't want to move to America. It limits me.

Completely limits me. So then, like, obviously, I'm going to, like, I'm going to stay with New Japan, but, like, I'm just going to do my absolute, enjoy this music. Wow, what are we got? They're really cranking it up here. Yeah. Okay.

Oh, good. Oh, you're good. Appreciate it. the power of my voice. That is very powerful. Gares fear into the past. And you're basically kind of tipping your hand here of like, yeah, my contract's up next year.

I'm basically saying like, let's sort something out. Yeah, and I feel like, I, like, New Japan would be silly to let you go. Oh, cool. Of course. Like,

I mean, I need it. That was where we could just call it. No, but what more do you have to accomplish in Japan? I just like, no, I just like doing it.

Like, I mean, there's always, I can always, uh, reinvent. I can always change it up. And like right now,

the United Empire is like real hot. Like merchandise sales with us are real good in Japan. Like, uh, with number one faction in New Japan voted by Tokyo sports and all the fans. And just, we're just, I can feel like something that was like,

it was, it wasn't like the best start with like the United Empire. because of COVID and everything. It's like, there was no reason for myself, O'Kahn, Jeff and Harnari to be put together. But we just made it work. And then,

but there was a, injury, there's a bunch of things that always happen, but like, in the end, we've finally got all the group together, 10 jewels make the crown. So, like, now I just, I can't walk around in Japan now without like at least being stopped once or twice a day, like people doing the little thing that we just made up in Ireland, like, you know what I mean? We're just like, we need a cool hand side. Yeah. Just do. If there was a true forbidden door, what's the match that you want to have? I think it's got to be set after like, after the little Twitter thing. Like, we've got to.

Like, it'd be, it'd be fun, eh. And he's so over right now, eh. Like, you see the crowd, like, singing his song, everything. He's mad. Yeah. Like, especially from, like, what he was getting, like, when we had our little thing. And, like, just three years ago. Yeah.

But, like, that was a mixture of, like, the bad book in and everything along those lines at that time. And, like, now he's just crazy. It's mad. Yeah. I feel like you would even bring him up another level. I would hope so. Like, you know, I mean, like, I think.

do with everybody. Iron sharpens iron. I mean, he's so sick. And I just feel like, yeah, together we could 100% make some magic. We hinted at this last time we talked when it wasn't even really a possibility of you versus CM Punk. Now it seems like this could happen. I mean, maybe.

I have no idea what's going on. But like, once again, I'm all about business and hopefully there's something that can work out. Like imagine, I mean, we've got a lot of time before that happens. But could it be Will Osprey, CM Punk, Russell Kingdom? I'm, could you imagine? I would want more how you'd check in back.

I mean, look, like the, now it is quite open, especially like the relationship that like AEW have with New Japan. It's like, it's so different to how it was back in 2020.

There wasn't a forbidden door back in 2020. So like, now the relationship's like kind of grown and like, I mean, Carl and Davis are over there all the time now. And I am a little bit like, like doing it, doing AW was a real eye opener and like how TV wrestling works

and how, like, just the backstage vibes and stuff like that. I was kind of like, okay, like, so I guess this is like how like the American side is now. Because my only experience with American wrestling is the Indians in Ring of Honor. And Ring of Honor was like, it was just like, go out there to do a really good match. But like, this is all about like camera acting, which camera cuts. But it did make me go like, okay, well, there's another thing to learn. Did Tony Kahn go, oh my God, you're so awesome?

He gave me the biggest hard guy after my match, after my match for Dax. And man lined me up as well. He was just like, well, that was amazing. And then lunged towards me. Tony Kind does give some great hugs. I love him. I love him.

He's just got all these money. He just wanted to make a rest of company. I just want to book all. And he just bought everyone. I was just like, do you, mate. I just felt as a Will Osprey fan myself that we didn't get the Will Osprey that I know in love in AEW.

you? You know what I mean? No, like, when I was that, peak, like, can do all my stuff like that I used to do. Like, no, I do get it, but like, I feel like being away so long. Like, I mean,

what could that Will Osprey do that, like, Sammy Guevara couldn't do, that that action Andreddy couldn't do that, like, that all these, no, like, yeah, like, do you know what I mean? They've got all the guys and there's no, no shot on him, but they all do the same stuff. Like, it's all the same stuff.

At least, like, now, not the exact same, But you know what I mean? It is like the same like high risk, high reward style. You are. You are. But like, but now I've changed.

I've completely changed who I am now. Like I don't do as much of the wild shit I used to. So my wife doesn't watch wrestling, which I love her for. It's great. Because I watch wrestling. Yeah. Right. I was great.

So I showed her some highlights of you this morning. And she goes, he's like a stuntman in real life. He's like a superhero. And I'm like, yes, I know. And like, he's doing this all in one take. there aren't, I don't think there's anybody in AEW that doesn't like that. No, like, there are like guys in there.

Like, for sure there are. It is very kind of you to say. But no, like, because I don't, I don't think on that, like, I know I'm good. I know I'm good. Good. Okay, keep going. But I don't think, like, I think what's made me who I am now

is how New Japan, how I've been in New Japan. Like, do you know what I mean? Because, like, reality is right, is they could have picked anyone when they picked me. They could have picked anyone, but they just saw there was an opening for a junior heavy way that can do that style. And I've always just like any time there's been an opening, I've done it. No, I have.

Stop it. I have. But like, the best thing about it is I've got to learn from guys in a wrestling environment, not sports entertainment in wrestling. So like, and that's not like, once again, it's not a shot at all. Like, please don't. But it is just like, I'm able to like just work on my fundamentals and work on my wrestling. It's a completely different style. Like the selling and the taking.

time and listening to a crowd and like I've been so blessed by like if I'm over in like AW or NXT at that time like I don't think I would have been given that chance to maybe be who I am now so like because of that booking because of who I like and how I've treated

myself and how I've worked this max structure and who the guys have been wrestling I've been able to evolve and become this guy but like it doesn't mean that I can't evolve again so I think that's the thing that's like testing my brand like there's a whole new situation with me now, like new, new partner at home and, like, more family to cater to now.

And so that's, that's kind of why, like, there is that small bit of me that is, like, if, if me in New Japan don't work anything out, I want to learn again, but, like, it is more about, like, it's more about them. Do you look at WrestleMania this year, 80,000 people, SoFi Stadium, do you go, man, that'd be really cool. Wow. That's not on the bucket list? Not in that sense of this bit, like, of course I would love to wrestle in front of 80,000 people.

Who wouldn't want to wrestle in front? But like in the same sense of, I'm not going to lose sleep if I never do it. Like, do you know what I mean? Like, I never wanted to get to this level of fighting with wrestling. I just enjoyed doing it on the weekend and New Japan offered me a lot of money. And I was just, whoa, I can make money from this guy. Yes, I said, and I told you this, but like, WWE, TNA and, New Japan were on the table at the same time.

And the selling point in New Japan was, is that I got to come home. WW to move there, TNA, mostly the same thing, and it wasn't a guaranteed money. In New Japan, I get to come home. And I'm a real home guy. So, like, the fact that I got to come home was, like,

incredible. But what if you were to, like, Orlando's only about a five and a half, six hour flight, right, to London? What if you were to just, you know, go home when you could and make the sacrifices of being the biggest star you could be? I feel like there's someone.

I think it's Park, I think. But I think he does like fly Tuesday, wrestle Wednesday. I believe he does. Yeah. And that's why during 2020, we didn't see him. Yeah, I think he's like three weeks on, one week's off or something like that. I don't really know.

But like, I do hear stuff like that. And I'm just like, man, that's, I could be home more. Like I couldn't. But you can be home from age 48 until 108. Yeah. You know? And you could grind the next 10 years. And that's kind of where I'm...

12 years, 15 years. I think that's what's like going through my mind sometimes is. But like, I just like how New Japan wrestles. I just like... I don't like cringe watching New Japan. Do you know what I mean? Every now and again, we'll see like, I don't know, some type of promo.

He's got, oh. And like, sometimes, like, my dad will be watching this. He'll look over and just go, like, this, this ain't it, mate. You know what I mean? My dad would be like, where's stone cold? and all like, where's all that? I was like, Dad, please stop. I wish that we got you and the Cody that exists now

in New Japan at the same time. We were in New Japan. Oh, no, the version. Right, but we were. I know you were in the New Japan at the same time, but the Cody that exists now and like the work that he's put in to become who he is now versus the Will Osprey,

who you put in all the work to become who you are now. If that Forbidden Door was real. He stole McCutter as well. He did. He did. He did. Pay me. He doesn't do that bit, though.

You fly like, it looks like you're 60 feet in the air when you do that. Yeah, it kills me every time I do that. Is that one that maybe won't last forever? No, that one's fine. That one's like, like, it just hurts. It just takes a wind out of you every now and again. But like, it's not anything that's done me in. It's like, it's crazy ones.

Like, right, for doing like a power bomb. Yeah. Like as that comes up, I can feel something. Like, there's a hole here from where, like, my peck, like flipping ripped off now. Look at you guys. You have so much in common tearing your packs.

Oh, these one was so much worse. Fucking hell. Like, I remember, I got in a lot of shit as well because I was like, I was like,

I was in like one and I was like, I was like, you, brother, you fucking guys are actors, brother. And then he came out with that. I was like,

brother, I'd never do that. Mate. You're telling me this fucking tit. Your tit ripped off. And then you're going, yeah, I've got to do a 20-minute match.

Fuck off. Fuck off. But I'll be laying there. Mike came off and I was like, fuck. I finish this and go on, no. How much thought have you put into making a shirt that just says bruv? Brov? My, I just, come on.

Does everyone want, like, bruff t-shirts? Yes, they do. Yes, they do. I just talk like this. I just can't help it. I've never said it before. This is just how I talk. This is all the guys around my neighborhood.

Okay. Yes, brov. Come on. Brov, brother. Brother. Brother. Brother. Brother.

Brother. Brov, brough. when you spend you know a week or two here and you go back home do people go you sound a little bit different now does that happen to you i got a weird accent when you go because you don't quite have a london accent no i don't have a london accent but like i do like obviously i'm from essex a but like i've got that time of twang to me a voice but i think is because i i do like piggyback off of other people's accents like when i hang around carwin davis the osie boys i did every now and i go oh that's nice a like and i keep saying a you all the time like that's one of my i'm

favorite things to say you remind your accent reminds me a bit of michael bisbing the ufc fighter uh no i've been from different you're from different areas i think yeah yeah sometimes they like switches hey but like it's done it again we need a broad shirt okay but i'm gonna make this happen yes bro what's the biggest thing you think you've learned from working so many amazing matches with kenny omega i mean there was only that one i mean there was a tag match as well like his mind operates different for sure his mind is I can't explain it it's like a mad scientist

when you're watching work and like doing that one at Kingdom like it was on it's incredible to watch it's incredible to watch it and then to like collaborate on stuff together and it was like

I didn't think it was going to be what it turned out to be so then finally watching the art play out and everything that we wanted to hit here and then the gore, the eyes swelling up,

I think we both have like a mutual thing that we're both going to come out of this fucked up. Yeah. But like if we're going to come out fucked up, but it needs to be special. And like that was, I can't, I remember even like even saying like, like, man, I feel I could have done better.

And I remember, I remember TJ slapping me on my head. Oh, man, it was just like, shut up. There's a moment. There's a moment when he stomps the hole in the table. I still got that, mate, I still got that down there. Like, it fucking killed. And he looks through it like it's Jack Nicholson and the Shining. I was like, this is just brilliant.

That killed, man. A lot of, like, people thought they missed, man. No, he didn't he? He fucking got it. And then all the table, like, to splint it up and, like, scratch my back. I've got scar there forever now. Man. I got, like, the scar here from the one where he was just putting my fucking head through the table.

Fuck, I hurt. Is there a moment maybe five minutes into that match when you go, Oh my God, like this is really good. A five minutes in, I was going, fucking I'm dying. But no, once again, I can't tell when the Tokyo Dome because once again, the noise comes up and then goes straight up. You don't, you hardly hear it. It comes out and goes straight up.

So, like, obviously, I didn't know what the final outcome was. Like, there was even parts of me just going, like, I feel like I could have, like, moved a bit better and done them. But then just looking at it, it was this moment. I was just going like, man, this was actually real fucking good. Like, like, it felt, it felt game changer. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah.

It felt like something because it was. But like, when I wrestled Shingo the first time, I felt that that put me to a new stratosphere. Like, it put me up a level in like the star ranking. Not like Dave's son, but like in terms of like, I feel like it became a little bit more like, all right, he's out, he's escaping that mid card level. Do you know what I mean? You've raised the bar even for yourself.

Yeah. So like now doing it. the Kenny one, that would kind of, oh, now I've got to come back from this. And this is the thing. How do you keep outdoing yourself? I do think it just got to evolve a little bit. You've got to like, he's got to take people on a ride.

I mean, I've wrestled Tai Chi. That was my next singles match after. I just loved that. It was a completely different style. It was just like we tried to do the Kings Road style, which he was a student of Coada and like just taking like little elements of that match and just like I like changing it up I just really do like I've enjoyed like not relying on the high flying stuff but just more relying on my elbows now I'm just oh there's

just so fierce I've been watching wrestling my whole life I don't know how you pull those off I'm just bar each of right I don't think there's a magic trick to it I just I am just hitting you there's so many things that you do that make people go how does he do this how does he pull this off what's the move that you currently do where you were like, I'm not sure if I'll be able to do this, but I'll try. And now you do it all the time. I think it was the elbow

that didn't blow, just because I want to, like, that was a hit and miss when I done that on Ibushi. Like, it was one of those things where they needed to be like a definitive thing. And then when I, when I done it, it was kind of like,

oh, he's all right. Like, okay. Well, then, like, it's a very good, like, some, Some people I have fucking drilled of that motherfucker. Like, I, probably because they owe me money. But like, but like, it is a very fine magic trick. And it's a great illusion that I'm like quite proud of. And like, I don't, I knew like Missour used to do back in the head shots all the time.

But I'd never remember seeing him like, like, like, I always just a vision like all. It's like a fucking pulling out a sword and kind of geez his fucking head off. But like, I don't know. Like, I just, I feel like now a lot. people since that are doing like back of the head shots more and more like I see it a lot more in wrestling like since 2019 especially and like it is quite like I don't know it there's like a certain magic behind it and there's like a certain build and like I guess because I am obviously I love my opponents and I care about them I want them to get home to the wife and kids and all that but there's

a small part of me going fuck you like what a win so so I just from it hey it's over the best Does the opponent have to do anything? I hope for the best. Hope for the best. Tuck. Close your eyes. I hope for the best. This might be a difficult one to answer,

but what do you think has been the cost of being Will Osprey these last 11 years? Cost. But I think it's because I've realized this quite a lot. I don't know when to shut my mouth. I've noticed that. That's come from growing up now. You've done a really good job in this interview. Thank you.

But, like, no, I've realized the one thing that I've, like, I've never been good at, like, keeping my opinion to myself. And I think that comes with, like, the ADHD and, like, being, like, a little bit, like, I swear, man, like, I need to fucking get around to the doctor's about. I swear, man, like, I definitely am on the spectrum for fucking autism. Because I don't realize people's feelings when I fucking said shit. And it's only now, like, growing up and, like, I never want, I won't put it out, but like I'm in like a position now of fucking responsibility, eh?

So now I am, I'm aware of shit more. Like, I'm aware, like, I need to fucking, like, I feel like I have let people down. And I need to, like, rehash my image a little bit. And, like, I need to, like, there are certain things I will stand by today if I can die. But, like, there are things where I know I've made mistakes and no one's, like, no one's thought other than my own. Like, I've put myself into those mistakes. But, like, I'm doing everything I can. to remedy those mistakes and fix everything

just because like, it's just my mum's side of me, my mum's just like, be nice to everyone. And like, I, like, I am doing, man, just like, because I realise I have, like, I've put my foot in it with a lot of fans

and that fans that I never want it to let down. No one feels like they've let down my country more than me. Like, so, like, now trying to, like, really do, like, a better job with this and, like, to really, not only fly the flag for my country, because like he's intact, like it's intact, it was in tatters. And now it's like coming back up.

We're about to do the Copa Box Arena and it's going to do me and shingo again. But like I want to be like almost like not, I hate the word leader. I really don't, but like I want to lead by example. Yeah. So like this is one of those things where like I've matured a lot. I've grown up a lot. Yeah. Like and it does come from like when you come into wrestling,

whatever age that you came out, they say that your age freezes a little bit so your mentality doesn't change because this isn't a normal. normal life. Like this is not a new life at all. Like even hang out with school friends, like they, oh,

you're still doing that resting thing. It's one of those things where they'll never understand. Like there's people watching your every fucking move and every word that you say and they try and twist things. And I didn't understand that.

I almost used social media as a fucking diary. Like, no, you know, like I should have kept a lot of these things to myself and realize a lot of fucking, a lot of people's feelings, a lot of people's support towards you

on the line. And like, I feel like I have, dampened that. So like I am doing like fucking everything in my power. It's like rehash that because like once again there's a lot of responsibility at home now. I want to do the best job I physically can by that. I feel like just from the outside looking at, I feel like you've definitely been doing that. And like I got like a couple like I had a messy I want to say from but like

guy like quite high up in New Japan just being like you haven't got yourself in a little you haven't got yourself in any trouble recently. Well done. Keep doing it. Like so I was just like but like I know it is funny but it's like that actually kind of means a lot to me. It's like, no one feels that I've let down not only my roster, like the team,

like the country. Like, I do feel like sometimes I've been just so immature about how I've handled this. And it's an immature industry. It's so immature. But like,

half the time we're naked, oily, you shove up, robing fake tan every now and again. You're just like, all the boys are going, oh, you know what I mean?

So like, it's such an immature industry. So like now, like, realizing, like, where I am or who I am or what I want to achieve,

even like everything in between like I really want to do the best job I can now. I also feel like your promos have gotten so much better over the last few years and you've been really especially hard on yourself about your promos. What have you done to improve them? I think I just started talking to the way I'd normally talk.

I think that's half the thing is that I am, I don't I shouldn't pretend any like any of this show. I'm the only where I am. I can't, can't floor. I'm a fucking idiot. I just, but this is how I talk like this is the

best thing about it is like one of the things I can't sell you stuff sometimes where it's like no my girlfriend I can't do that shit I can't but like where I like I can tell you the pain

that I went through like that I think the one you're on about is probably one with Kenny at the press conference such great stories that was pain going through that man like it was like agony like I and I wish honestly

sometimes I wish I could like fucking blur out half the shit that was going on like that's there was like guys that like fucking their mental health were like being wrecked because of that fucking thing but we all we all just like pulled together man like every single one was like pulled together to try and like do everything we can for new japan but like sometimes it was it was fucking tough man and like and for like people like to sit there and belittle it like it fucking eggs me man like because they had that luxury and that privilege like over in america

like it was like obviously there was like shit going on hey there was like loads of people couldn't go see the families and you had to isolate and certain but like you guys were out of it like so much quicker and then to sit there and watch all these amazing paper views where like seampunks coming out, Brian Danielson's out there and like these 15,000 people are screaming their fucking heads off and we're working in silence and we're working harder than anyone because like we're actually we're playing a game called all right let's see if we can make the crowd make noise today

like you know that's how fucked up the situation was we were chucking each other off of fucking aprons through tables and like going nuts and getting no applause. Not applause but like no vocal feedback. So that was so much hard to like that, Wayne Kenny would say like my matches were meaningless

although like I understand that what he was trying to do it like it just hurt me hey like anyone like because there were a few AW guys like and like that did say shit and it just made me just go you fucking ignorant cunt like and that's coming from me hey

You know what I mean? It's just like we are, we're in a position where like our hands are tied together, shackled together, feet shackled together. We're thrown at the bottom of the ocean and forgot about. And somehow all of that we still managed to find a bit of oxygen to swim to the service, get a little bit of oxygen, go back under and keep coming back up. And somehow through all of that, it became even better at what you do. Generally because we had to work, we had to work. No one has ever, I think this is what upsets me as well, right? the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

is the most prestigious spell in wrestling, right? And like, I worked so hard to get there. I got it and it was in the pandemic state. Now, I'm one of these people as well, and I'm sure everyone else is one of these people. I am never going to watch another New Japan pandemic show ever again in my life.

I went through it. I can't do it ever again. It was fucking hell. So in a weird way, that part of my history didn't exist. So that fucked me up a little bit. And that's why there's that part of me being like, I need that run again.

Yeah. Like I need to be on top. No excuses anymore. No fucking pandemic. I need to see if I can carry this company. And I want that responsibility. Delegate it to me. Because that's when I'm at my best.

And like I worked hard. The roster worked hard. We're all worked hard. So I'm ready for that fucking responsibility. Yeah. We're ready for it. We're all ready for this. When I call you the goat, when everybody calls you the goat, like we were texting before we set this up.

And I'm like, eh, I can't wait to have some goat talk and sit down with you. You're the best. How do you feel? about that. I don't, well, it just came a part of a character

right, just like I would call myself this Billy goat. But come on, like you are. It came from like the Eminet like, Eminem kill shot lyric like

like, oh yeah, like I remember sitting there I was like, I'm going to call myself Billy goat. I sold a bunch of merch from it so I'm real happy about that

but just like, I think that suits me kind of like how I am now like it is that's like I will lean into that well no one's bearing me the wrestling side of things

no one's done this, no one's done that. So that makes me to go. Like it's dynamite kid ever won the RWJ? No, that makes me to go. It's British Bull to go? No, that makes me to go. So, like, that's why. There was a point in time when CM Punk was calling himself the best in the world.

Chris Jericho was the best in the world of what he did. Daniel Bryan, Brian Daniel, Jesus, Brian Danielson, Daniel Bryan, was calling himself the best in the world. I legitimately think that when you make that claim, you are the best of the world. I do appreciate it. I think it just comfort, like it gets passed down, didn't it? Punk, Danielson, David Richards, Richards, was at one point of the best of the world. world. Who else did you say?

Like, there's Jericho. Like, it does get passed down. So, like, so when you say, like, whether it's me, whether it's Kenny, whether it's Danielson, whether it's anyone, like, you've got to kind of feel it a little bit. Yeah, yeah. Like, because you can smell a fake, hey, you can smell, oh, you don't believe in the words you're saying. But when I do say it, there is that small parmey going, like, no, no one's doing

it like I'm doing it. No one. And like, and the ones that do try, they're not got that fucking thing that I do it with, man. So that's where my confidence comes. It does. But also, I'm humble about it. Like, I think Brian Dangerson is the best in the world. My personal take on it, I think he's, like, for the longevity.

And even AJ, like, I think AJ's the best in the world. But longevity-wise and, like, the consistency. Even that match that Danerson had with MJF, I thought that was, like, I thought that was honestly just a spectacle of, like, here's one of the best in the world. And it was a pair of them as well. Yeah. Everybody talks about MJF on the mic, but MJF in the ring is pretty great too.

Devastating, bro. Yeah. Like, brof, there it is. It's been such a pleasure to sit down with you here. Like,

I'm so glad we were able to finally make this happen. Oh, thank you so much, right? And once again, I remember you asked me to do it like at the beginning. I want to apologize.

It is just because, like, I get so nervous with interviews because I always feel I'm going to put my foot in it somewhere. I'm going to get in trouble. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. There's nothing malicious behind what I do.

Just a fucking idiot. yet. No. We had a very lovely Twitter exchange and people can go back and find it. I was basically like, I would love to have you on the show and you're like, I'd like to do it, but I'm not really doing any interviews. No disrespect to you, but I just don't. Once again, I love listening to your interviews. I listen to all

of them, man. Every single one. You're my favorite interviewer just because it is like you're just so good with people. You understand how to like delegate the stories and always bring it back. I always love listening to you. I just get nervous because you are one of the bigger platforms. A lot of people will end up seeing this.

I don't think you did. I hope not. I hope not. I hope they do. I am fucking trying. I am fucking trying. I don't want to be in trouble anymore. I don't mind being a cunt in the ring because that's what I'm here to do.

But I just don't want to get in trouble anymore. Just if you see something bad, right, instead of the fucking tweeting it, just drop me a message. Bill, this isn't nice. That's it. And then I'll just be like, you're right. Because everything I've ever done, everything bad, right? I've always put my hand up and gone, right, I've fucked up. bad. I've always gone,

I've fucked up, my bad, my sorry. But please, be nicer to me. I'm fucking fragile, I. Since you listen to the show, you know that I end every conversation talking about gratitude because it's such a big part of my life. So, Bill, what are three things in your life as you sit here right now

that you're grateful for? Wrestling just as that awful, because it has been a wild, wild journey. I can never imagine coming from Essex backyard in an Arroy's youth center opposite of Tesco to doing the token so I'm grateful for that I'm grateful for my family right now like just everyone's in real good health

and especially after COVID and there's a bunch of scares of my family like my dad had cancer and it'd be like fucking mad cunt mad cunt like was ever to do that and like just real grateful for my missis and my new family at home just because like never thought I'd ever be in this position but like my missis it's like tough as nails

like just proper proud of art and just I'm just proper just like I'm like head screwed on. Do you know what I mean? Like for the first time in my life, I don't feel like a fucking kid in the candy shop anymore. I've like, I've got my pocket money.

I can only spend it on so many sweets. Now I'm like, I'm little Billy isn't there. But now I'm like family. I'm going to say friends as well. I'm going to put a fourth one out. My fucking friends. I've got such a,

that nine group, that number nine group, we are strong as ever. What a bond. I fucking love my crew, eh? And with what you said there, this is why I think,

with everything you've done these last 11 years and you've done some amazing stuff, this is why now we're going to see the best work that you've ever done. Because you've got your head on straight, as you said. Yeah, I'm ready, mate. Fucking ready. Let's fucking go. Brob. Thank you so much.

Yes, bro. There we go. Freaking love that guy. And so glad we could do that interview in person. And, I mean, it sounds like I got to go to Tokyo next January. So if you're listening to this and you're interested, let's do it. Let's meet up. Let's meet up in Tokyo for Russell Kingdom. How's that sound? Very interesting, though. I love how open he is about saying my contract with New Japan is up next year,

and I don't want to live in America. So kind of limits his options here. I think that sounds to me like New Japan has to find the money to re-sign him because it's well worth it. Or AEW needs to find a way that Will can work while still living in the UK. So it'll be very interesting. to see what happens early next year. I guess we'll see. Take a screenshot. Let us know what stood out for you and please share this with a friend as the show continues to grow. Tag us on social media when you tag when you post this and tag us. He's at Will Osprey. I'm at Chris Van Fleet and if you're not following this show already, please. I mean, you've already listened to the intro, the full interview and now this, I would hope that if you're still listening, that you're following the show.

But if not, please check right now to make sure you're followed or subscribe. wherever you're listening to this. And I will leave you with the words of Henry Ford. Don't find fault. Find a remedy. Anyone can complain. That's very fitting for social media, right? All people are doing on there is just complaining instead of looking for a remedy of a solution. Don't find fault. Find a remedy. Anyone can complain. Be great. Be grateful. We will see you on the next one for some more insight. Jim Rome takes on sports. Why? Because I have a job to do. With rapid fire takes.

So I don't want to hear from you lava pigs on this notion today. No idea what you're talking about. You're complaining more than you like to breathe air. It's like you get up in the morning only to complain and cry and moan on social media about things that you don't even understand. He's the spitfire of sports smack. Take advantage of it. Get up in here. The Jim Rome Show podcast.

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