AEW went to Wembley Stadium in London earlier this year for the return of All In, marking one of the biggest pro wrestling shows in terms of attendance ever. It wasn’t without controversy, but the show still made waves as Tony Khan’s company never tested the waters as greatly as that massive sports venue.
For Will Ospreay, All In was a chance to entertain a huge crowd of his home country fans, as he defeated Chris Jericho. It wasn’t the Aerial Assassin’s first experience performing for a large audience; he had previously worked on Wrestle Kingdom shows for New Japan Pro Wrestling, among other events, but this surpassed them all.
Several months past All In, Ospreay recalled his experience working the show. He told ComicBook.com that although he was scared, performing there was “the coolest thing” he’s ever done.
Oh man, I was scared. I just remember feeling like I’ve done it now. The maximum I’ve ever performed in front of was 40,000 at [NJPW] Wrestle Kingdom. This was twice as many. I was worried that my stuff was going to get lost, or not as big of a reaction as what it could get. Maybe I’m not the guy that they really want in this position. Maybe it should have gone to someone else. That’s all going through my mind. The moment the music was playing, just that bit of the piano, I could just feel my heart coming out of my chest. So flipping scared. Family’s here. Everyone is here just wanting to just enjoy wrestling in England, wrestling of this caliber and stage.
Going out and hearing people sing my song… man. I literally heard people screaming it and then pointing up to the sky and when the fireworks were going off. Just watching it, it felt like two minutes. It felt like everything was going in slow motion. Then to get in the ring and the bell rung and then just 80,000 people do the olé! chants. Oh man, it was just the coolest thing. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Ospreay was able to soak up as much of the night as possible, performing at Wembley Stadium in front of his loved ones. But if he signs with AEW, he’ll have the chance to work that same venue again with All In returning to London in August 2024.
An alternative for Ospreay is joining WWE next year — a tantalizing move that would give him constant opportunities to work big stadium shows. Whether he goes to WWE or not, though, opportunities are fruitful for him to dazzle in front of large audiences.