Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Will Ospreay: Seth Rollins Twitter feud, possible match with CM Punk, AEW, Ricochet, Bea Priestley

Episode Date: April 14, 2020

Will Ospreay chats with Chris Van Vliet in an interview that is on another level (see what we did there?) Will talks about the possibility of wrestling CM Punk at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, his Twitter feud with Seth Rollins, whether he would want to work for AEW, his thoughts on WWE, his girlfriend Bea Priestley, his NJPW contract and much more.I'm so pumped to have Bespoke Post as a sponsor for this episode. Use the code BLUEWIRE at http://boxofawesome.com to get 20% of your first box.Also thanks to Bet Online! Use the code BLUEWIRE at BetOnline.ag to get a 100% welcome bonus on your first deposit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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This is the Chris Van Bleed Show. Chris Van Bleed Show. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Bleed! Yes, and here we go again. Thanks for coming back for another audio adventure. on the Chris Van Fleet Show. This episode is brought to you by Bet Online and Bespoke Post. And I know you just heard the ad for Bespoke Post,

but their box of awesome really is so awesome. Oh, man, I can't say enough good things about them. And it's such an honor and a privilege that they're sponsoring the show. It's like a box of manliness delivered to you every single month. So good. Speaking of manliness, have you seen any of Will Osprey's Instagram post lately? The guy is getting huge. I mean, a lot of quarantine workout photos lately, and why not?

I mean, he's put on something like 30 pounds of muscle over the last two years. We talk about that, and, well, you saw the title. You saw the title of this interview. We talk about everything. We get to it all. And this interview is on another level. See what I did there? Will also told me during this interview that not only does he listen to the podcast,

but he also left a review a few months ago. Think about that. If Will Osprey can find the time to leave a review, I'm thinking you probably can too. Yeah, Will Osprey left a review on Apple Podcasts. It's blowing my mind. And with Will's review, we're now up to almost 800 reviews creeping ever so close to that goal of 1,000 reviews before the end of the year.

And when you hear that Will Osprey left a review and you didn't, I'm sure that we'll be up to a thousand by like next week. Because Will Osprey left a review. All right, enough of that. But you know who else left a review? This is from Billy Boy Joe Boy. He says one of the best wrestling podcasts. I always look forward to the podcast.

Chris always asks great questions and doesn't shy away from the tough questions, but always handles them in a respectful way. This is definitely a podcast by a fan for fans. Thanks, Chris. Well, thank you. Billy Boy Joe Boy. And it was such an honor. This was just such a great chat with Will Osprey.

And this all began because last year, someone tweeted at me and tweeted at Will and said, you know, you guys should do an interview. Before I could even respond, Will basically tweet it out, you know, thanks for the offer. But I always get misquoted when I do podcasts. So basically thanks, but no thanks. And I said, sure, I completely respect that. And I have to respect that. That makes perfect sense.

But then last week, Will sent me a message and said, Hey, man, you still want to do an interview? And I was like, yeah, yeah, I absolutely want to do an interview. And I would argue that now is actually a better time to do an interview than if we did one, you know, towards the end of last year. I mean, he's already had two five-star matches in 2020. He had that Seth Rollins' Twitter feud, Twitter beef, Twitter thing. And now CM Punk threw his name out there as someone who he'd possibly want to have a return match with.

So, and after talking with Will here, it sounds like that match with Punk could maybe possibly happen. Oh, man. How good would that be? The Tokyo Dome, Will Osprey, CM Punk. We also talk about his. girlfriend B. Priestley, and since she's in AEW, we talk about whether Will would want to go there or even be able to go there. Also, if he has any interest in WWE, just like in the ring, Will holds nothing back here. And that's what makes him so, so good. Ladies and gentlemen, it's Will Osprey.

Well, Will Osprey, it's great to, I guess, officially meet you, although I'm sad that we haven't met in person. yeah dude like so after we had that like exchange on Twitter I was just like I don't like doing podcast because like I always find a way to get in trouble because you're like kind of like the higher up in like the podcasting community I guess or wrestling anyway like everything that I'd say like any my little detail people would take it and then put it as a news thing but they wouldn't read the whole thing so it would be like I don't know like a clickbait thing and it's like people would just be like, no, he's a bad person because of this. I'm like, no, I'm nice really.

Like, like, and it was literally just, I think I said something on an interview where I was kind of like, every top guy in WWV like comes from New Japan. And they really didn't. So I was just like, oh, they all like, they all like something here. And I was like, oh, actually no one in the top position in WWVE like came from New Japan. I was like, oh, seen her, rains, all those guys. I was like, none of them actually came from New Japan. So, no, sorry, my bad.

But everyone are like, no, you're wrong. Well, you know, there's going to be moments from this interview that people are going to just make headlines out of two. I'm sorry in advance. Well, yeah, there we go. I hope that could be the interview. That can be the headline. Sorry in advance. There it is.

That's what we'll title this interview. Sorry in advance. Yeah. Would you say, though, that since doing that last interview, are you more careful with what you say or do you just not do as many interviews? Yeah, I don't really do. many interviews. I did one like last week, but I just, I don't know, I'm just very, I actually generally care what people think of me. Like, I hate, I hate this idea that people think I'm horrible because of things I have said before and I'm just like, yeah, you know what, that's a stupid thing

to say, I shouldn't said it. I'll learn from it and I hate this world where we can't learn from our mistakes and stuff like that. So I'm trying my best to just be like very careful what I say, but in the same sense, if you ask me about my opinion, it's only my opinion. It doesn't really really matter. Like, no one's opinions matter in wrestling in a weird way. It's just like, you know, just enjoy the show, enjoy the product, enjoy what we do. But we're living in a very interesting time in wrestling right now where people find it difficult to separate, will ospre the character and will ospre the person. Yeah, yeah. I think, yeah, you're right. I can't comment over than that. No, I mean, it's true. So it's like, if you're saying this now, is that like, you know, is that

reflective of who you are as a performer or who you are as a person. And I think people like really blur those lines a lot. I think so as well. Because like we're so independent where stuff like what like how you see me in the ring cutting a microphone is a different person to see who is selling t-shirts at the merchandise I stand when I'm doing like independence or something like that. But it's just like I don't know like because the Will Osprey is a bigger hype got version than me.

Like, I don't really have a character. I have a persona and I have a certain, like, charisma about me. But it's just, like, it's just amped up in the reality of things. Like, I'm a dumbass. Like, do you know what I? I think it's nice to see that during the quarantine that you have continued to somehow put on more mass and get even bigger. I don't know how you're doing this. I just got weights in the, like, I was meant to be selling a lot of them.

But, like, so when New Japan canceled the New Japan Cup, like, obviously I was training constantly, like every single day, like training, even like when there are no gyms around in these weird Japan-Campan country towns that we was doing. And it got to the point where when New Japan cancelled the cup, I message B. I was like, do you almost go home, like finally have some

holiday time in our... But this is in my house, in England, never actually spent any real time here. So it's quite nice to just be like, let's meet up. And we didn't think we was going to get locked in because, like, we've survived the swine, blue, we survived bird blue, Ebola, all of it.

And then this one was just like, I think we kind of underestimated this one, so we're actually locked in. And I had like weights and a barbell and a squat rack. But when we landed and we done the wrestle talk show, uh, which was in, no fans one day. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I just said to me, I was like, instead of relaxing today, I think we should just look on eBay and just get as much weights as possible, disinfect them just because I think,

I think we're going to enter a lockdown. And by Friday, it was locked down. So, like, I had my initiative to this people. Wow, that's a big word for me, actually. Oh, there you go. I just kind of used my head and I was just like, the gyms are going to get close for sure. Like, restaurants and pubs, maybe, like, I don't know. Maybe there's limit people coming in.

And then obviously by Friday, it was just like, yeah, everything's locked down. And I was like, thank God I got the equipment. Yeah. And it happened quickly. Like, I'm sure that you've had a whole. whole bunch of bookings that were supposed to happen both at the end of last month and this month. I mean, we had the New Japan Cup and I was still hopeful that Ria Goku was going to happen, which was 31st of March.

And I was like, yeah, it would be fine. 29th old land. I get 30th to recover 31sts to show. Then we're back to normal. But I just like, when I was in England, I was kind of like, oh, like, OTT's running a show. I'll just show up. Like, this person's running a show. I'll just show up.

And when I landed, I think I just saw, or no, when I was getting on the plane, sorry, everyone was just canceling their shows. Right. So on the line, I got in contact with people because I put up one of my old backyard matches. And I was just like, yeah, we used to wrestle in front of no one all the time. Like, this is wrestling in front of no one. Let's put it live and like people enjoy it. And then, but like, obviously I know indie guys work for like a payday. Sure.

So it's kind of like, I've got an idea. Like, why don't we put up like a live stream, wrestling in front of no one? And if people can donate, then we'll split it between all the wrestlers. Number one was like, I don't know how to live stream at all. I don't know anything about this. Once again, dumb ass. So then I got in contact with wrestle talk and they were so good on how they was able to do that. I messaged you guys and it was like, hey, basically you're wrestling for free.

If we get donations, we're just going to split it. And everyone just jumped at it. And it was like, I want to be part of it. And then obviously I put a tweet out and people were like, I'm in, I'm in, I'm in. and then it was a really fun show. Like, it was so different because, you know,

you're like going down for your music and then you par out and you're like, oh, yeah, like, so that was, that was an experience to actually wrestle in front of no one. It was a great match.

You didn't beeped on an incredible match. She's good, but she just doesn't get the credit. Like, she doesn't get, like, enough credit where credit's due. She's real good.

It's just, I know, like, sometimes you can't do, like you can't uh i think when people do in agenda matches they naturally just assume just like oh there's going to be reverse runners and stuff like that and it's just like but he doesn't do that when she faces girls anyway so why was she doing it against me right i kind of i like to i don't mind it gender wrestling at all in fact i'm very much for it but i like it with a story

and a purpose and i don't like people changing what they do if they would wrestle a girl just because of wrestling the guy that's just my only thing i mean you you went all out i mean was there not a part of you that when maybe I should just be like 90% it's my girlfriend. Nah, I just, she, I just, she, like, we, we, we fuck about all this. Sorry, I'm allowed to swear, aren't I? Yeah, of course, the internet. The fuck's the bad one normally. But like, we fuck about all the time in the house.

Like, every now and again, we'll just, like, stare at each other. And then I'll just be, she'll say something like mean or like just boot me in her face. Oh, wait, and just chopper. And then we just like start, like, brawling in the liver room, just trying to put each other in submissions. So I was just like, if you want to do this, just know, like, at one point, I've got to chop you. And she was like, yeah, I'm fine with that. So I was just like, oh, God, I've got meaty hands. Like, so as I just done the old koana kick, and she stood up, and went, sorry. It was nice of her to let you win, though. It was nice of her to let you win the

match? But was that, was that a discussion when you were like, all right, we're going to do this? who should go over in this? I said to her, I think you go over just because it's like, it'll be a nice happy ending for everybody and just like, yeah, she won, but she outright refused to win because she was just like,

in a real fight situation, you probably would win. And she's very much along the lines of keeping wrestling legitimate in some respects, because we all know, like, it is just along the lines of it. It is a over-the-top pantomime.

It is a cooperative production. It's a story, but she's just more or less long lines, can we just keep it as real as possible? Because in a real situation, you would beat me. And I was like, oh, well, I think you still give me a run for your money. Like, it only takes a submission or a sleeper or something like that, and I'm out cold. But if you're so willing to put me over, kid, thank you very much. So in us talking about you getting bigger, how much, like, right now, how much do you weigh? 102 kilos. Yeah, man, I got to do the conversion here.

uh 225 i think it is okay you're and everyone everyone in the comments is going to be like actually it's 224 pounds will's wrong about his own there it is so that that officially makes you a heavyweight yeah so uh that was the one thing is just uh i had an idea ages ago um about uh so i started putting on a little bit more weight after of Russell Kingdom 12. And I had an idea that I pitched to progress. And they didn't go along with it. And I was going, oh, whatever, I don't care. But it was like, they had the Atlas title at the time.

And the only way it's a super heavyweight title. So you have to be over 93 kilos. And at the time, I was 85. And I was like, I think I can make that. Like, I've got the right height. I'm six foot. I'm sure I could do it. But they just didn't do it.

But then instead of focusing on putting that towards progress, maybe I should just start doing it anyway just to see if there are any benefits. Because everyone's known. I've always had neck problems. I've always like had this like real, just body pain. Sure. So I was just like, maybe I'm just going to do it anyway to protect my body. And within like a month or maybe even like a month and a half, I shot up to like 90 kilos. So I'm like five with like just eating.

Just not like good stuff, just pizza and this. That sounds amazing. And I was just like, oh, I must just have really good metabolism, maybe. I think that's the right word. I just must have a good metabolism. So I just kept lifting. And then every now and again, like, people would be like, are you on the gas? I was like, no.

Like, I wouldn't have always started like with stuff like that. So I've just been eating. And everyone was like, wow, you're putting on a lot of size. And then I think it was from that point. I think it was like coming towards October time. I broke my ribs. In 2018, I broke my ribs. And I think that's because my body put on so much mass.

And then finally I did something where like I do it blindfolded. I do it all the time. But my body kind of wasn't prepared enough to do it. So my body kind of cancathed in on itself. So that's when I was kind of like, okay, I need to start moving a little bit different. Need to start doing things a little different. But then I think the bookers just saw in New Japan saw that I was really trying hard

got on weight. So then they started like edging me towards like the heavyweight, the open weight title, like the go either I'd raw weight. Yeah. After I did like a good job with that and I had a really great match of Jeff Cobb at Madison Square Garden

and when I won the title against the Bushi, I think they kind of saw that and went, maybe we start edging towards the heavyweight. So that year I did the New Japan Cup. I did the junior division, the best super juniors. I did the G1 and I'd done the J Cup and I've done the junior tag league.

So I was the first guy to do all of those tournaments in one calendar of year. So I think that was the, I think G1 was the moment they went, all right, just put him in the headweight division. Is there anything you can't do now that you could have done 20 kilos ago? I can't twist anymore. Like he used to be able to do the old standing courtscrew movie. Yeah, you just posted this on Instagram. Dude, like, because I said to B, I was like, I haven't actually done a backflip in like a month now.

So I just want to do, and I've done the standing one easy, no problem. I was like, I was going to try a twist because like I haven't done this one in ages. And as I done it, I landed, I was like, oh, God, no, too fat. Can't do it anymore. You don't think that there's a, you know, if you work on it, if you practice it, if you maybe take off in a different way, it's possible? I mean, maybe, probably, but I think it's just right now, like, the white majority is like here. So, like, that's where, like, this, I needed that, like, when I was skinnier.

Like, obviously, my body could. fold in that way, but I think it's kind of stopping now. So, I mean, I think I still can do like a corpse group splash, but I think that's out the window now. Does this mean you are no longer a junior heavyweight? Yeah, yeah. I'm out of the junior division now. I'm actually officially in the heavyweight class. Oh, so it's official now, okay. Yep. But if so much of what makes Will Osprey, Will Osprey is, you know, these twists and these flips, is that mean we're going to start to see a different version of you? I mean, we started to see it in the beginning of 2019 because there's a very controversial clip that went around when I introduced, well, didn't

introduce, but I brought back the old hidden blade. I did it to Abushi and it was concussed. And obviously, like, a lot of people were kind of like, ooh, we'll really like fuck him up. I was just kind of like, yeah, but I think a lot of people have kind of assumes, like, just because I do the tricks and the twist, I can't get dirty with guys. And I can't. throw certain strikes. So this is one of those things where I think I finally realized that I can throw. So from that point, I've kind of like evolved the style a little bit more, a little bit more, still kept the same speed, still kept the same kicks and the tricks and stuff like that. But I've got a little bit more nitty gritty now. When do you think that you like really started

to come into who you are now as a wrestler? I've, it's hard because it was kind of like a development change. Like after Kenny the Bucks and Cody left, it was a kind of position where I was like, well, there is a huge gap now where it was just like that style because like Jay White can't do that style and Juice can't do that style. And like I could, but I'm still a junior at that time. So I think it was just along the lines. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing, keep doing that. but like as I face different people, I'm going to change to who I'm wrestling against.

So it definitely was at the start of 2019 that I started to find my footing a little bit and starting to connect with the Japanese audience a little bit more because after the Super Juniors, the final with that match for Shingo, I announced everyone that was moving to Japan. It was a decision that me and my partner both made because we feel like if we committed 110% of our commitment

to New Japan and stardom, that we'd probably reap the benefits. and obviously, of course, it happened, B1, the Red Belt Tile, which is the highest that you can get in Stardom. And I was kind of like the ace of the junior division. And we're still there. We're still very, very happy. It's definitely a cult shock to the old sister.

It's definitely like a little bit weirder. And I was able to put on that last amount of weight coming back to England. Like I was at 97 in Japan, but that last, like, as soon as I came to England, it's like, bam, straight to 100. Man. And it's just dieting and lifting heavy? Is as simple as that? It is just as simple as that. My macro account is a little bit higher now because at first it was like 300 protein, 300 carbs, like 80 fat.

Oh, wow. Okay. Like 90 fat, 400 carbs, 300 protein now. So like as long as I can stick inside that margin, like sometimes I go low on the carbs just because like my, my, I feel so. sluggish sometimes. But like, I've really tried my best to stick to it. And it's been the hardest commitment I've ever done in my life. But I'm really seeing the benefits now. And I was very happy. I get so motivated lifting. It must be constant eating, though. Yeah. Like, after this is done, I'm about to cook some food. Jeez. Wow. Well, you talk about 2019 really coming into your own, but I feel like in the public perception, that match with Rickashay is really what kind of like

allowed people to, you know, kind of realize what you were about and what you were capable of doing. Yeah, I mean, if you didn't know about me, I guess that was the best way to introduce, like, the first chapter in my New Japan story just because I think me and Rikshay were like mirror images of one another. And it was kind of like, you've met your match in a weird way. It was just, that's the way I always see it. And I think that's the best way to introduce because it was just, if you're going to put Rick Scha and Will Osprey and a ring together,

that's the type of match you want to see. But like, I, the backlash was the main thing, just because I didn't think there was anything wrong with it, personally. I was just like, this is what we just do on the Indies. Sure. Because it was on such a large scale, like we've never done it on this scale before.

I think everyone had an opinion on it. It was like, it was a, conversation that needed to be had and this was the right match to start that conversation, I guess. And I took a bunch of things at what people did say about it. And I was kind of like, they are right to an extent, but I didn't, I didn't kind of grasp it until like changing my stuff up into a wrestle Shabata, really. Because I wrestled rigshay and I just wrestled that same match, not same, but like same style. Yeah.

Like for the Super Genius, for everything, even on the independence. And it was when we got in the ring with Shabata, and he was just like, I was like, yeah, I want to do this, I want to do this. And he was like, no. Oh, no. I was so scared of it. I was like, oh, God, he's going to beat me up. Dude, so giving such a cool guy to get in the ring with.

And just like, you know, there's a quote from a film I like called Green Street. And I think it's something like you take a few. you punches and realize you're not made a glass. I was kind of thing that snapped in my head and went, oh, okay. I think that's an interesting realization. It's also like very self-aware of you to go, man, some of this criticism might actually be true because there's a lot of people that go, no, that's the way I am and too bad. I'm going to keep wrestling like this.

I mean, yeah, like, and at first I was like that because I remember when Vader did say something about it, instead of being just like, oh, thank you for the feedback. So I was kind of like, oh, thanks for the share. Thanks for the retweet, mate. But I think it was as one of those things like, at first I was very defiant against it because I was just kind of like, no, like you're telling me that I'm wrong and this and that.

But as time kind of went on, I was kind of like, okay, well, they do have a point. I remember Marty telling me something ages ago now that I've just said it. And like when we went to do Rickshay versus Lerpray 2 in the Super Juniors, they were like, the fans would go crazy if you just wrestled each other from, five minutes. And I was like, oh, yeah, to be fair, he's right. And then it's from that,

that realization of like wrestling Shabata and doing that match with Rickshay on the second one, a lot of people were just like, oh, they can wrestle. Like, they can. It's just this one time they wanted to do what they're known for. Are your nails always painted, by the way? No, so is it, I would love to say this is a cute story, but like, I can't wait to hear it now. He doesn't want to be labeled as cute at all, but like, I was walking around in our shopping center. And I went to her, do you want to get your nails painted at all? And she was like, no. And she went all shy and head down.

I went, what's the matter? And she was like, all right, be honest with you. I've never had any friends to go get my nails painted with me. And I, I'll do it. Go on then. This is the first time I ever had my nails painted. Oh, well, like manicure. They painted my nails.

It looks beautiful, Will. very nice the one thing i will say is i have a whole new respect for women now have you ever had your eyebrows um freded no no no should i i think it's true because my eyebrows are better but it's the worst pain i've ever felt it's the worst they're getting like this thin thread and they're not shitting this on your eyebrows you're like ha ha ha this is coming for a man who who takes chops and wrestles for a living i don't feel anything here anymore man Like after like after 10, there's not much there now. I mean, every now and again, I'll feel it.

But there's not much feeling here. But this, I've never had these touch. These are like slugs. Just ripping them out. I was like, oh, a whole new respect for women. So you and B had a spa day is what you're trying to say. No, it was just in a shopping center. But you did the nails and the eyebrows.

I mean, that's a spa day, I feel like. It's torture. Not spa day. It's relaxing. Get massage. Get Art Stones put on your back. This is torture method. I know from my girlfriend that nail polishes have these, like, crazy names. Do you know the name of the one you have?

No. I don't know. They're starting to fall off now. You look like Jimmy Havoc now. Oh, yeah. Well, to be fair, as soon as he saw, Jimmy mess with me, just going, I'm so proud of you. I had him on the show about six months, six months.

ago, eight months ago. And he was talking about how his work with you, I think, really helped him get on a different level as well. I appreciate that because I didn't, once again, like when Jimmy suggested to progress to do this angle when they listened to Jimmy about to do stuff, they kind of like Jimmy kind of instructed me how to follow a story and how to, because at the time, I was just a kid that could flip. I didn't know how to tell a story. Like, so Jimmy really, took me under his wing in a very violent manner. But like Jimmy, Jimmy was so good. And he took a lot of time with me and he was very happy with the outcome of that match.

And then to have it come full circle because the one I'm most proud of is the last one we had at progress. Just because I was like, I said to it. I was like, I want to do the longest match in progress. And it was like, and you're the only guy I can do it because there's so much backed up history. So then to be able to do that And we just told this incredible story From that Pro-Rish, I think I want to say

It was chapter 57 Like, but that was one of my favorite matches Because the story between us It's always been Batman versus Joker But then towards the end, you can't tell Which is which anymore So that's kind of the thing I like about it I feel like Jimmy's so underrated

People don't realize that he's actually a great wrestler Not just a death match guy Yeah, he's fantastic dude like all of his stuff like and he knows how to condone himself in front of a crowd and just like I love the dude look that he's got going on in AW now just like looks like this cool vampire looks sick well maybe you should go have another match with him in AEW yeah well maybe I don't think that's going to happen anytime I would love it to happen like I would love for there to be something in the pipeline but there isn't unfortunately this is nothing well I you know

I guess that people look at it from the outside and go if Chris Jericho and John Moxley can do stuff in New Japan, why can't the reverse happen? Why can't you come and do a couple of shows with AEW? I don't know. I think the main reason is like we're kind of in bed with Ring of Honor right now. And I think that's, I think New Japan has a very big loyalty to the guys. Because once again, like, people need to remember New Japan at one point, we're going to file for bankruptcy. And like, they started loyal to the guys and they was able to bring it back up.

and then when Ring of Honor wasn't doing its best and was on the down, like New Japan won't, even like there were times where I think it was questionable, maybe, like I don't really know, but like New Japan have still been like, oh, no, we'll help out every now and again, still use some of your guys to like, put them on the show, hopefully it will increase their value a little bit, like guys at Jeff Cobb, for example, but I don't know, I just think it's, the way I always see it is do we really need each other? from fans perspective there are a lot of dream matches like sure we can probably we could probably

book like a nine match dream card right now just sitting here but i think it's more or less of the like a w and i'm saying like i love everything what a w's doing i think's fantastic uh it's fine like it's doing everything great new japan is doing everything great we don't really need each other like we don't really like there's nothing that can benefit I have a group. I don't really know. Maybe we could argue that like New Japan on T&T would probably

help out a little bit. But I just think there's this, there's this something there. And I think like, for me personally, I want it to happen. But like, I'm not like,

oh, it must happen. Yeah. I think that unfortunately there's a lot of fans that live in America that have never watched a New Japan show before. And I think that they're aware of who you are. They've maybe seen some clips

or some matches. of yours on YouTube, but they've never seen a full New Japan show. And I think that for them, it's like, come over to America and you'll have even more eyeballs on you. I mean, we're doing our best. I mean, the situation now is a little bit weird, but like, we're doing our best now where it's definitely trying to branch out to do the New Japan of America. So like, it's just time will tell if that, like, I mean, we've got Madison Square Garden coming up as well on August of 22nd. So there are things that New Japan

are trying to do to push that margin a little bit more, but we're just doing it more individually now. Like years ago, we would obviously rely on Ring of Honor to help us out, but now it's just kind of along the lines of like, we want to do this on our own. You know, like, I still think Ring of Honor are there, but I think it's more or less

we want New Japan to be its own product. And I believe in the product and I love everything about New Japan and what it stands for as pro wrestling. where it goes, that's not up to me. That's kind of like down to the guys in the office. But I think we're doing our best now to give New Japan, sorry, American fans more than New Japan.

But in terms of AW, I just think they're doing fantastic. They're literally, like, I'm one of the biggest fans sitting over here. Like, every time we get to watch Jericho or Moxley or, like, the Bucks and Kenny, they're all my friends. They're all my mates. Like, I'm supporting from the sidelines. Of course I am. Like, just like they are with us.

But I think it's just one of those things where. where you guys do your thing, we'll do our thing. I'm sure one day we're going to cross over. Well, you've been so loyal to New Japan. I mean, it's obviously worked really well for you. It's worked well for them. What is it about them that makes you want to continue to grow there? In New Japan?

Yeah. Just because I don't think there is anything unlike more. Because the stories in America, compared to the stories in Japan, a completely different thing where, like, American storylines are like, I don't know. You kiss my girlfriend and now I'm mad. That sounds about right. Kind of like more of a soap opera.

When the stories in Japan are more focused on the championship and how I can become the best and it's like rankings in a weird way and like divisions and it's more along the lines of like mixed martial arts. But like I like that story more where it's just like you have a guy and he goes through the tournament, it goes through the tournament. then he gets knocked down. Then next year he comes back in a little bit more. And then finally when he wins the big title,

it's almost like a crowning moment. You followed this guy. Like Naito, for example, when he won the double dash. Yeah. And it was, everyone thought Nito was winning in the singles title match he had with O'Carb.

We all thought it was going to happen. And it was like, one, two, three. And Nito lost. We was like, oh, that's him done. Like, built him all the way up. Boom. See you later. but now we see the final crowning moment

where it all come together and to listen to that reaction, we was like, whoa, this was insane. Yeah. I like that story more than just the old like, I don't know, but like once again, I just love what AW's doing. Like, it's just everything they're doing

is what I loved about pro wrestling when I was growing up. It's just like there are characters, there are stories, and there is great wrestling. And B seems, you know, I actually met her when I was, there at AEW. She seems to be doing great there.

Oh, did you? She hadn't said anything. Yeah, was at the first show, actually, on TNT. I did a spot there, and she was there. Oh, wow. So I met her and I haven't met you. Yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, I get very nervous around people.

I'm real sorry, man. I just, I get so like, I don't, like, because when it is my opinion, I can only say my opinion is how I view things. And then if someone's like, no he said this once I think a lot of people just be like I'm like sorry

I'm trying to be right now well you put it out in the universe a few weeks ago you basically told CM Punk to save the date is that just you know do you think that this is something that could actually happen? It can happen it can and the only person that can make

it happen is him that's the thing so the thing is we live in this world of possibility and like anything is possible and the whole never say never whenever someone goes will are you ever going to go to WWE

like my natural reaction is to go no but like the reality is it's like never say never but like punk I didn't really consider this a possibility at all because like the way he were talking the Colcabana interview he was done with wrestling

he made wrestling and when he showed up in the UFC he was like all right so this is him just pretty much done with wrestling right it was only when I saw that interview because my phone just went off on a random day. I don't know what I was doing this day. My phone just started going off. And when Punk did that interview, and he said, like,

I would listen to your idea if it was Sina, Mysterio, Brian, or Will Osprey. And I was just like, dude, those three are like legends, right? Those three are like the cream of the crop start. So no matter what you say about my confidence in ability or whatever, like they're there, I'm here. I'm not even on the screen. Like, I'm down here.

Like, somewhere down here. I'm on my foot. So, like, in that retrospect, I was kind of like, why me? And then I do sit there every now and again. I was like, I don't get it. Like, he's got, he's got seen it. If he's coming back, he's going to WWE.

But then, like, I always remember that promo where he sat cross-legged. And he was like, maybe when I'm done here, I go to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Maybe I'll go to Ring of Honor. Yeah. So he does watch. And that was back in 2012, 11. 2011, yeah, the pipe bomb.

That was then, like, this is now. He's still watching because I wasn't about in 2011. So he's still watching now. So it just makes me go like, okay, like, I don't know how films work. I've done one film with Greg Burrage, like, ages ago where it was like a budget film. I don't know how films work. But I'm pretty sure if he was like, hey, I want to do one more match.

I know we're filming, but it's January the fourth. I'm giving you plenty of notice. Yeah. Can this happen? Yeah. I don't know how it works. Maybe they'll be like, no, we don't want you to get hurt. All right.

Okay, whatever. But like, the only person that can make this happen is him. If he says to his agent or whoever manages him, maybe he manages himself. And he's like, call New Japan's office. And they start talking, blah, blah, blah. blah blah, January the fourth, can it happen? Can't see him punk versus Will Osprey happen? He's the only person that can make it happen.

He's the one that's got to pick up the phone. Well, the interesting thing about this is of those four people that he listed off, he's already wrestled three of the four. Yeah. And I don't know why me. Well, I think we all know why you. No, no. But the thing is, is I don't because I'm not a WWE guy.

I'm not like, I haven't been seen in America. I like it, like maybe like a handful of times. Like, you know, I've done PWG, evolve, a couple high spot shows, and obviously the New Japan shows in America and Ring of Honor, right? I don't know that's like a big list, but like to the local American wrestling fan, I'm no one. Like, like, so I think for him to say that, he's clearly interested in Japan. Like, I don't think he's ever wrestled in Japan.

I'm not too sure. maybe he has but I don't think he has this is another reason to make this happen but that's the reason and I think like there is no bigger stage for this to happen like especially right now we need to take our minds off of something because the world is about to end in my mind the world is if there is something that can take our minds off of something and something to get us excited about something because I think and I think you think this and I think we all think this once we get the old clear hate everyone can go back to work everyone can go attend wrestling shows there's still going to be a few people a little bit like nervous about traveling

oh yeah being like arenas again if there is something to make people go like oh i'm going to risk my life it's seampunk versus will us break we need to make this happen well in the to tokyo don't have all places to do it and the thing is the outside of roma possibility I wouldn't think this until Chris Jericho showed up in New Japan. Once he showed up, I went, we can do whatever we want. This is part of wrestling. The only way this can get bigger is if punk comes to the Tokyo Don't. And I know, like, I know New Japan will want it.

I want it. And everyone in wrestling wants it. I just want punk to want it. He said he's willing to listen. I have ideas. Well, somebody needs to connect you guys. I'm talking to him on Instagram, that's it. Okay, then you're already connected.

Perfect. So we just need to have like, maybe when this is over, maybe when the COVID-19 is done, then maybe we can just sit down and we can just talk because like I just know, I know, because I'm a passionate guy about wrestling. I love wrestling so much. And like, I know the guy got his heartbroken by WWB.

He said in that interview, I don't want to talk about wrestling. I've got nothing nice to say about wrestling. The one thing I'm really good at is just making people love this. Like, I'm really so passionate about it. And I can just be like, dude, like this means the world to me. Like everything. I wouldn't have this house if it wasn't for wrestling. I wouldn't be able to reach out and face so many guys that now I consider friends.

And just the people that I've met and just the people's lives that I've touched. And I'm just like, dude, we have the power to, like, change someone's life. from just saying, all right, it's happening. Punk versus Osprey. If there was anybody that's going to make CM Punk have a wrestling match again, it's you. I hope so. I really, really do, just because that, I face Mysterio, and that was the most life-touching thing in my life, like ever.

I faced AJ Stiles, who is the sole person that got me into wrestling. I faced Amazing Red, who I brought out of retirement. Like, that was, like, that was the coolest thing in the world. woe to me. I can bring punk out of retirement. I want to hit pause for just a second to thank our sponsor, BetOnline. And with currently no NHL, NBA, or MLB, you might think there's nothing to bet on. Well, you would be wrong. Our exclusive partner, Bet Online, still has hundreds of events, games, and props to

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Bet Online. It's your online wagerings. So did you reach out to him on Instagram or did he reach out? No way. What did he say? Well, to be honest, he said do push-ups. This is this quarantine thing. And he tagged me in it. I was just like, I've never like really spoken to you before. Oh, the push-up challenge. Yeah. So then he like to start messaging me and now we're talking. I was just like, okay. So what's going on here? This is going to happen. We've never spoken to each other. I've never met, never done anything. well not yet not yet but i can i really hope one day i'm just like celebrating and i'm having a good

day i was like oh looking around this beautiful arena nothing bad can happen and all of a sudden like look in my eyes what do you see i'm like what i only hope that happens one day but well i think you and me both until then i'm just going to put it out there there's not been one thing said there's not been him contacting my office there's not been my own office it's not been my own office contact in his office. There is nothing said. There is nothing in the pipework. But if I can make it happen, I will bend over backwards and fold myself in half to make it happen. I hope so. Man, I hope so. I love that you listed off AJ Styles as a match that obviously meant a lot to you. I know that the match with Daniels and Samoa Joe and AJ is a match that,

you know, really got you into wrestling. Did you know that's the only five-star match in the history of TNA wrestling? Oh, yeah. To be fair, that makes sense. Really? Yeah, but like... AJ and Daniels had an Iron Man match, I thought would have for sure been a five-star match.

To be honest, like, I started to fall off the TNA bandwagon, one, like, when Hogan and all that, all those guys came in. Not just because, like, it was just, I don't know, I never was the biggest WCW guy. Like, I love the cruiser weights and, like, I like the alternativeness,

but I was kind of like, this is about the new generation and now these guys coming on. I don't really, like, I've not got a good vibe about this. So I kind of fell off wrestling and then started watching Dragon Game. I'm just like, this is insane. But like, I just always remember as a kid, that's channel flicking and just seeing the six-sided rim. Yeah. Oh, wow, this is mental.

And then AJ Starr's coming out with his red hood and the sparklers coming down. I was like, this guy looks sick. It was just that moment. I just remember it so clearly 14-year-old Will. I think springboards shooting star brace and I just literally went I want to be a pro wrestler that was the coolest thing ever seen in my life yeah googling schools like dude AJ's the one but I don't really remember that many like I know Joe and Daniels when they first came uh not not sorry Joe and angle sorry uh so there was a load of matches there are but it's just like

but it was also that stretch of like 05 to 08 when the ex-divis was really hot. Yeah, and that's the thing. I love the Ex-Division, like Peter Williams, Saban, Motor City Machine Guns were the best tag team. Oh, yeah.

Ever. Like, yeah, and I loved it when the Dudleys came in. I loved it when Christian came in, when Angle came in, but then afterwards, I was kind of just like, all right, enough now.

It's like, I want A.J. back. Or, like, yeah, put Peter Williams in the main event. Like, I loved him. Bobby Rood as well. Like, I love those guys. I love that generation. of guys but after a while I was just kind of like come on right when you saw a j do that

shooting star that springboard shooting star did you go I have the capability to do that like do you have an athletic acrobatic background yeah well athletic background I had a trampoline in my back garden that's that's all takes that's every kid's first wrestling ring I just put the trampoline against So my house with my mum and dads, I had like a swimming pool and it had a ledge on top. And then I just butted the trampoline next to the swimming pool. It just you do moonsaults off it. And then I'd watch Billy Kidman do like a shooting star press on WCW. I'd go, okay, rewind.

And I'm just real weirdest, like, mathematic equations all come up. And I'm just staring. I'm like, okay, feet together. Arms here, throw back. And I was like, I think I can do my shooting star press better than Billy Kidman. So I would go to like 11 year old, Will would just. sit here just be like okay shit shit oh i got it so then it's just doing it over and over again and then when i finally got into the ring i really know how to do it like it was if i could do it a

swimming pool edge i can do it up a top rope but sometimes you think you can do it into a swimming pool and then you get into a wrestling ring and your trainer goes what that's not how it's done no it was just oh when'd you learned that oh wow that god like i already know how to do with flips it was wrestling i sucked at wrestling You had said in the Colcabana podcast that you want to, you think that someone might be able to do a double shooting star. Do you think it could be you? No, I'm too fat now.

I'm way too fat now. But like, I'm waiting for that day. So this is actually a story. Like, do you know Andrew Everett? No. Andrew Everett does a TNA and... Oh, wait. Yes, I do. I'm sorry, yes.

Yeah. And I took him to a trampoline park once when he came over to England. and there was this high-ass like balcony like done out of just a podium and like a big airbag and he did the double shooting star press but like he came down hard

on his head so I was like it is possible like then did you go back up after it and go I'll show you how it's done after I saw him on his head I went nope

like I don't like doubles I can twist easy but I don't like doubles like doubles like when I used to do 6.30, like, it was ages ago, but then after a while, as I started getting heavy, I was like, this is getting harder and harder to do. I'm just, I'm cutting it before I land on my nogging again. But it's probably a smarter move for, like, the longevity of your career, too. Yeah, now I just biff guys as hard as I can, and now it's not me to get my career short and it's there. Yeah, that's a great exchange. A much better way to, that's exactly it.

Geez. What ended up coming out of this exchange you had with Seth Rollins? He apologized. I won't Twitter. You're the Twitter champion now. Yeah, I went from being the worst guy on Twitter and like, probably still on there, maybe. But like, at least I'm not the worst guy on Twitter anymore.

Yeah, I did it. I escaped that realm. Yeah, his apology was very, it sounded very thought out. and it sounded very sincere, perhaps? I mean, I heard rumors. Like, once again, these are only rumors, but I've heard rumors that, like, Paul Heyman told him to apologize.

Because me and Paul Heyman's a big supporter of mine, and once again, Paul Hamer is Paul Heyman. Like, you know what I mean? Of course. I heard that he told Seth to apologize. Like, I don't know if that's true or not, but, like, it's kind of rumors going around backstage. And, like, I've got guys who are friends with Seth Rowlands in New Japan

who have told me this. I'm like, I don't know if that's true. But like it sounds about right. I've just don't know. I've never met Seth at all, like ever. But like I've always been a fan of him when he was in Ring of Honor and like when he was doing stuff with Jimmy Jacobs. And I don't know.

When he said that, at first I didn't think it'd have been of it. I was just kind of like, oh, whatever. Like, whatever. Like he makes more money. He's like, good on him. And then after when I was like reading it over and over again, he went, he kind of did he slagged me off a little bit, didn't he? It was like, this called me a shit version of ricochet.

I was kind of like, well, that hurt. And then he was like, he was like, kind of like, well, I make more money than you. It's kind of like, that doesn't make you better. Like, no one's better in wrestling. It's like, he's wrestling. It's a cooperative sport. Like, so that's why I'm just kind of like, I don't know how to feel bad because at the end of it,

if someone apologizes to me, I'll just let it go. Yeah, whatever. Next time we're in the same area, like if he comes to Tokyo with WWA, and I'm not doing anything, let's go get dinner. Like, let's, like, just because I don't, I don't like holding grudges. I don't like, because that's just, having someone live inside your head rent free.

Like, you know what I mean? So I'm just a long, but like, he apologized. That's what I care about. Did he apologize to you or just the tweet? Like,

did he reach out to you? No, no direct message, nothing. Like, he has that ability. Like, I follow him.

He has that ability. He don't follow me. But like, like, as far as I'm aware, he publicly apologized. Do you know what I mean? That's all I care about. Like, but I would have to think that he's a fan of your work.

I think he is because when the rickshay match did come out. He did speak highly on it. on the Jericho podcast. And I was very thankful for that. And I think I'm sure I said, like, if I could wrestle anyone in WW, it would be him. And I think he did say something back, like an Instagram story thing.

I don't know. I can't remember to be brutally honest with you, but just like, the fact that he publicly apologized, that's all I care about. Like, I don't need a DM being like, well, I'm sorry, dude. It was a buzz, whatever.

It's just like, dude, it's banal. Like, I don't care. Yeah. At the end of it, I sold a lot of T-shirts. And he mentioned me on the backstage thing. So I'm just like, yeah, dude, you made me a lot of money. Like, cheers. What's interesting, though, is if he worked for any other company,

people would have just laughed that off as, oh, this is a good Twitter feud between these guys. There wouldn't have needed to be an apology, I don't think. Yeah, but I think the problem was, it was just like, I think the problem was the money thing. I think, like, when you are in WWE, you are bubbled a little bit. Once again, I don't know. I don't know what's like to be there.

I've never been backstage, never try out. I've never done anything with them. But when you're there, I think you are bubble-wrapped, and anything that they do is, it's amazing to anyone. To me, it's like Shark Nader. You kind of watch it for a disaster. To be fair, though, I will say this. It warmed my heart so much seeing Drew as the WWE champion.

I was just kind of like, yes, you've done something right for once. Like, it's taken a while, but you got there. Well, you say that you haven't worked there, but there was the opportunity to be part of the Cruiserweight Classic. And, you know, that didn't pan out. But were you close to doing that? Yes, I was. But not really. Like, no one near, to be honest.

It was just phone calls. It was just, like, Regal called me while I was filming a commercial for Virgin trains or something like that, maybe. And then he was just like, do you fancy doing the Cruiserweight Classic? we have this tournament happening, you've got to be under 205 pounds. And I was just like, I mean, I'm interested, yeah, but like I am going to New Japan in April. And like, there was nothing signs, like saying that I was like legally New Japan's property at that time. It was just, yeah, I'm just doing this. And they said, would you have a problem if I did New Japan?

And then like, Regal just drops the one line where he's like, oh, let me ask Triple H. I'll get right back to you. And me being a kid, I'm like, what the fuck is going on? So then it was just one of those things with Regal-Ras' Triple-H. He was like, yeah, I'm fine with him doing New Japan. I'm finally of him doing the Super Juniors. And then he can come to the Cruiserweight Classic, and then he's free to do what he wants to do.

But then as it started getting closer to April, yeah, that's when I debut, April. There was a call in February. No, March, in fact. And they said that they wanted me full time. And I would have to go over there and be a part of the system. And I kind of wasn't ready for that. for me. So it was a case of in March of 2016. It was a choice by going I had W.W.E.

New Japan and TNA. And TNA for me, it wasn't an option at a time. I just didn't want to go there. And it was between these two. I talked to my mom and obviously my mom's like, oh, well, I know WWA. I don't know what a new Japan is. Like, yeah, I'm just like, but I know. Like, I know where Finn Baller came from. I know where like all these guys had come from. And at one point, they did something in WWA, not in New Japan. So in my mind, my best bet is to go there, learn the tricks of the trade. And then within my first year, I was like, this is the place for me. Like everything like, this is it.

And I told Reg, I was just like, I'm sorry, dude. I'm just, I'm not ready to sign on. And then he was like, what do you want to do the cruise weight classic anyway? I don't really want to do something unless if I'm 100% committed to it. I'm just not, so I'd rather just go to New Japan. And they were completely understanding. And there has been phone calls since, but just, I'm just not interested. Especially what the current product is, I'm just not interested at all.

It's just until things start to change, I don't think I'll ever be interested in going to WWE at all. It would be interesting for you to be part of the Cruiserweight Classic if you weren't going to win the Cruiserweight Classic. And if you weren't going to sign their long term, that would mean you'd have to go in, maybe win a match, probably wouldn't it'd probably it'd probably be like first round get out yeah I don't know if that even makes sense well it depends on what you do with it

I mean it's just like once again I don't run the company it's just like the interview that you had with Austin Aries they're McDonald's like you know what I mean they are the like we've made a million of these burgers we don't need someone to tell us how to change the sources or anything along those lines we just need you to do the burgers yeah and I'm not ready for that yet because

like I'm ready to experiment with Will Osprey. Like the aerial assassin is the bracket that you constantly see with Will Osprey, but I'm willing to change it. I'm willing to gamble and be like, you know what, I don't want to wear the coat anymore. Like, I'm not going to be the assassin anymore. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that. And that's the beauty of the position that I am in is that I can decide what Will Osprey is, where the moment I go to WWE, it's kind of like a yes, sir, no sir, free bags full, sir. And when you're there, I think it is, like, I think there are a lot of guys signed to

W.E who just signed just because it is the WVE. And like at the end of it's their choice. They have a family there for certain reasons.

But I think it's just like there are guys there who are coming up in the Indies and they were the hottest thing at the time. And then all of a sudden it was a book and this.

What are they doing now? Like I don't know. I don't follow the product but I know what people do. And at the end of it, payday is a payday to some people. I just, I'm 27 in May. I'm more than willing to play around this character until I'm ready to be like, you know

what, I'm willing to roll the dice and let WW take great, create of control over my character. But money is ever, money is nothing to me. Like, as long as I'm getting by, like, as long as I can pay my mortgage and I can feed my family, I'm happy just being me and just, just smiling and just showing up to work. What do you guys want to do today? don't want to be like handed a script, read this line and read it exactly word for word. You can't improvise. You can't do this.

When you pin someone, if the hard camera's here, you need to do that weird float over thing to stare down the camera. Like, I hate that so much. Just like, just pin him. You know, not to, you know, bring CM Punk back into this, but I think he raises a good point for himself when he says, the longer I'm away, the higher my stock will rise. And I think for you, the longer you stay away from WWE, the more interest that I think there will be, the higher your stock will get.

As long as I can, I keep up the, uh, the, the, the, the, the rap, the row of matches that I can do. Like if I can keep doing the matches that I was doing in 2019 in 2020, which is a rough start because like I've only had one, no, no, two singles matches right now. You've also already had two five star matches this year and, you know, yeah. Congratulations. It's amazing. You've had more five-star matches this year than TNAs had in their entire existence. Well, I'm very thankful for that, but I'm still, I'm enjoying impact now, especially.

I'm very much enjoying what they're doing. Me too, yeah. Like, it's really nice seeing a load of my friends over there again, just doing what they're doing. It's really good once again. But, like, dude, I'm just, as long as I can keep doing really good matches, but I just don't want it to be like, oh, Will's going to do a good match. I would like to experiment and just be like, you know what? I want to try a new character. I want to try something because I really did enjoy my last run in progress

where I kind of played the bad guy. And I think a lot of people didn't think I could do it. And I really did like, I never like to boost my own ego, but you've got to believe in yourself in some opportunities. Of course. I did enjoy that last run. I really enjoyed my last run. I've just been a bad guy.

I was with my best friend Paul Robinson. And I was just like, this is so fun. and then there's that part of you just going I do think I could do it in New Japan but right now I am loving what I'm doing like there's like the way that I connected with the Japanese people

it's just it's so cool like dude I love telling this story and sorry if it drags out my apologies no tell away what else we got to do one day in Nagoya I was just having the worst day I just broke up once up wrongs out of bed I was just really sad and like

just really depressed that night And I just was like, oh, I'm just going to walk around. Big sitting in the guy. I'm just going to have a walk around. And I was walking back to a hotel that just happened to be just a big group of fans wanting pictures and stuff like that. And I was like, yeah, go on a like smiling smile. And all of a sudden I just felt someone grabbed my leg. And I was like, oh.

And like Japanese people are very reserved. Like they're very like, just respects personal space and whatever. But this little Japanese baby grabbed my leg. and hugged me. I was like, oh, what are you doing? And then she looks up and goes like that. And I was like, oh, I was like, oh, can I? And she was like, yes, yeah. So I picked up this Japanese baby. She just gave me the biggest hug in the world. And I was like, oh, my God, this is adorable. I was just like, this is great. Someone's got the photo somewhere. It's somewhere out there in the world, but I can't find it. But it was one of those days where

I was just like, they should not like, I don't know if you've ever been to Japan. No, I've never been to Japan. I would sit on a train, a packed train, and there'll be an empty seat right next to me, and they won't sit there because they're so, like, reserved. And, like, the fact that, like, this child, this child has kind of, kind of, like, looked at me, and it's been like, oh, it's like one of our own. This is a wrestler that I'm watching on TV. Yeah. And, like, as me is, I kind of want to be the adopted son in Japan. I want to be, like, they're kind of like their adopted boy.

well i've i've always wanted to go to japan so i guess i got to go january fourth for you and cm punk yeah if it happens no no when it happens when it happens when it happens how much japanese can you can you speak not much but like i can i can hold like a basic conversation just like oh no this the old dijibu this like uh oh ginkie de ska like just how are you are you okay like how's your condition, stuff like that. But like, if you were asked me to, like, order from a menu, I'm fucked. Dink. What do you do then when you go to a restaurant?

I just point to the food. This. Oh, there's pictures on the menu? Yeah. This. Twice. Thank you. This twice.

See how big I am? Well, no. There's still guys a lot bigger than me. Like, I just do good camera angles. This makes me look big. but like when I'm just standing X-Luck, Juice Robertson, I'm just like, look at you. You're an actual man. I don't know, you posted this thing on Instagram the other day about after your shoulder

workout, which I commented on and said, I've got to get your shoulder workout, which you sent to me, thank you very much, but your shoulders, your doubts were popping out. Like, it's impressive. Thank you very much, sir. It really does mean the world just because, like, I think it's just funny to this day. Like, when someone actually starts, like, I think people have just known me. for so long as a skinny kid. There's a really, like,

and this is actually the reason why I started working out. When I first won the IWGP Junior title, worst out of shape, IWGP Junior Champion of all time. Honestly, so that's what made me work out. And I think it's like, people automatically just go,

like, you take steroids. I'm not, like I'm completely clean. Like, I'm clean of everything. I don't really like that stuff. It says, I don't, I'm scared of needles, so I can't physically, like, I can't do it. So it's just one of those things where I'm like,

I gradually just increased and increase. And you can see it from the start of 2018, I just increase and increase and increase. So now like, obviously it really does mean the world that you think like I have gone bigger because like it's really been one of my missions to be like, right, I want to be a heavyweight. And like I feel like I have done it now.

Well, now you're a heavyweight. And I can't wait to do this shoulder workout you sent me as soon as we're allowed to go back into gyms. It hurts. so much. That's that's it looks like a deadly work. It's like super sets and it's drop sets and it's it hurts so much. But like it's only because I'm doing that now, but like once Jim's reopen, I'm going back to my trainer, Yestin Reese, who's like, he's a pro wrestler. Honestly, he's the sole reason I'm in shape now just because like his diet, he's macro county. I didn't know what

a macro was. I thought, like honestly, like when I first heard macro, I just thought of mac and cheese for some strange reason. I don't know why. Sounds delicious, yeah. I do love macro. Wait, Macro, not mac and cheese. It's one of those things, right? But he told me why I can't eat?

Like, and having to give up stuff, I mean, like, to be honest, like, I've had some chocolate today. I've had a bit of chocolate. You're drinking a Coke right now. Zero. Yeah. Zero. Yeah.

What do I know about that, but. To be honest, I don't know anything about it either, but just like, as long as I keep him, my macro. and I don't go over my fats and I don't go over my carbs Like I just I'm fine Like I've got

I'm just nailing it So walk me through a day then What's a typical day of what you'd eat? I don't eat until 12pm So Okay so it's like an intermittent fasting thing Yeah So I

Do you drink something before that? I have like amino So I just drink like BCAA is like The entire day Okay So like at least try and drink 5 litres a day but it's mainly just like chicken, sweet potato, avocado, fish.

Like, when I'm in Japan, especially, like, I just eat sushi, like, all the time now. But, God, what was it? Peanut butter out of the tub? I have, like, a PB2, I think it's called, where it's like a powdered peanut butter. Okay. People are really high in fat. But, you know, what was my day like yesterday? So, like, yesterday I had 365 grams of...

breast fillets which is how I start the day 200 grams of sweet potato then we've done like a true mass protein shake semi-skinned milk then I've done some turkey mints black beans frozen peppers more protein a big pack of rice to go with that another protein shake and then I treat myself with a little crunchy bar that's a lot of food it hurt it really hurt. It's to the point where I like, I bloke myself out so hard now, but it hurts so much. When you look ahead, like, into your 30s, whose career do you think that you'd like to emulate? I just don't know, because I kind of take one day at a time. I don't like looking into, well, I'm with New Japan for another four years now, so like I guess I've got to look that far deep, but I don't know.

I'm just like, by the time New Japan contract ends, I'll just be in my 30s. That's in 2025? 20, no, before that, 23. Like, I'm 31 when it ends. I've no idea what that is. But I mean, I guess what I'm saying is, if you look at that AJ, that triple threat match, that AJ Daniels Joe match, those guys were, you know, 30-ish, right? Maybe AJ was like in his late 20s.

And look what he's accomplished now. Like, look what he's gone. to do you know do you look at some of those guys who you looked up to 10 or 15 years ago and go man i'd love to have the career that they're having now a j definitely yeah just because i feel like i j has i can't remember a time when a j wasn't in a promotion and people weren't talking about what he was doing yeah like in t and a he was the like even the shit times in tina he was still fucking killing it yep then he had that killer match of j lee for final battle then he like stuff in new Japan that he did like completely change how the bullet club is and then goes to

w-dwee and just not see out of the park so it's just like i would like to be that guy like i would love to be like all right if one day i don't think it ever will happen but like if i decide okay i'm done with new japan where do i go from there it's just like no matter where i go i want to be like i want to reinvent myself and i want to be like that guy i want to elevate something which is ironic because my theme song is that ah see what you did there you're tied it all back in together there. Into my theme song at least. It's great. I super appreciate your time and I appreciate you making this happen today. This has been such a great conversation. No, thank you. Honestly, I'm really sorry about like, like, just shrugging it off at the beginning just because it was just like, I'm not good with

talking to people. I always find a way I put my foot in it. And I don't think I've done it today. Maybe I don't think so. I don't feel like I have, but I'm so nervous about what other people think of me to the point where I'm just like, oh, I don't want to offend people, just like, because I just love everyone. I really do, but I just, like, there are times I've really put my foot in it. And I've gone, oh, God, why did I ask if international men's day exist on the international movie state? Like, why should I just typed it into Google?

Like, and that was just a genuine question. I was just like, oh, like, oh, like, this is such a thing? Like, I don't know. And I was like, oh, why did I do that? I'm such a fucking dumb ass. Like, like, this, I don't like, this. I don't like talking, but recently I've just got a little bit more comfortable now, and I'm just like, as long as I don't post about negative things, if I don't like, I shouldn't say what I hate about wrestling. I should always be like, what is the best thing about wrestling right now? And it's just the fact that, like, we're able to touch a load of people's lives. All of my friends are making phenomenal money, and there is always, there's always an alternative. If you don't like what WW is doing, New Japan are doing great things. You don't like what New Japan's doing. All-Eat wrestling are doing amazing things.

You don't like what All-Eat is doing, Ring of Honor. There are so many options for what you like in pro wrestling, and that's the thing I'm just like, no matter what, all of my friends are happy, healthy, earning great money, and there's always an opportunity for you to be something else, somewhere else. Yeah. And look, you're great in interviews. I think that you need to realize that, because it's just, you know,

we just hung out for the last hour. It was great. I really hope so. I'm just super nervous. about talking about things just because I just don't it's just little things I say when like Seth Rollins is brought up and he's just like oh like why does he hate you and I was like I don't know like maybe because of it and I was like maybe because of this and it's just like I don't mean it I'm just banter it's like please stop taking words and twisting them but they're not actually

words I'm just speaking out my head of this car I'm sorry but what do you say what do you say when this is all over we do this again in person yeah in person actually be really nice because that's the thing. I actually generally listen to all of your podcasts when I'm working out. No way. Yeah, I was listening to, I've actually left you a five-style review once. What? I can't remember where, but if you'll have to, I'll have to read it on this episode of the show.

If you're looking at Apple Podcasts, it is there somewhere, but I listen to your like podcast, you, Jericho and someone else while I'm working out of the gym, because after a while, music can only do so much. I'm with you. Conversation. So it's like, I like, I like listening. into other people's stories. The Austin Aries one was very interesting.

The Jimmy one was really nice what he said. There's Kipps one as well. Just sit there and I'm just like, wow, all these guys are my friends. Like I've done so much of these guys. So that's when after a while, once I get more comfortable. And I did ask, it was like, is he cool dude? He was like, he's the coolest. Oh, wow.

So another compliment back to you. It means so much to me that number one, that you agreed to do this, but number two, that you're even aware of any of the, podcast that I've had or any of the shows I've had on YouTube. So, man, thank you. Thank you, sir. And we'll do this. How about January 4th in Japan? Do you want to do it? I dare you to come over. January 4th, do it. Done. Go on then. All right. I'll see you there. We'll go get a Korean barbecue. I hope you have a couch I can sleep on. I do actually. Actually, now I have like two spare beds, so you're more than welcome. There we go. Then part two of this interview is happening. It's the

first interview of 2021. Please do. Oh, man, how good was that? A huge thanks to Will for that great conversation. Please take a screenshot, tag me, tag Will Osprey. Let us know what stands out for you the most. And please show this with your friends or anyone else who you think might enjoy this. I think this might have been one of my favorite interviews that I've ever done.

Man. And you heard it here. It sounds like I'll be in Tokyo on January 4th for Russell Kingdom and for an in-person. version of this interview with Will. So if I'm going to be there, who else from New Japan should I do an interview with? Let me know. And can you believe Will is so good and he's only 26 years old? Can you imagine how good he's going to be when he's in his 30s?

Man, the future is so bright for him and it's all in his control. He wants that match with CM Punk to happen. I think I speak for fans all over the world when I say that we want that match to happen. so it's just up to CM Punk now. That'd be so good. Also, how cute is that story about Will and B getting the nails done? And I know you can't see it because this is just the audio, but his nails look good. They're very, you know, Jimmy Havik-esque-esque.

Once again, such a pleasure to have this chat with Will. And I know that a lot of people are worried right now because of the pandemic and there's so much uncertainty right now in the world, but we're going to get through this. And things are going to get better on the other side of this. And I saw this quote. I don't know who it's from. It's like an unknown quote.

But when you're ready to make this happen at the end, this quote's going to be really applicable. At the end of everything's going on right now. If you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice. Man, enjoy your week. Be well, be safe. We'll see you soon.

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