Given the importance of AEW All In as the company’s literal biggest show of all time, not to mention the hints provided by Tony Khan since the event was announced, it’s expected that some of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s top stars will be part of the card. Will Ospreay fits that description, and since All In is taking place in his home country of England, he’s probably a more natural fit than anyone.
The natural expectation is that Ospreay would have a rubber match with Kenny Omega, as the two men have already engaged in two Match of the Year candidates in 2023. But it sounds as if AEW might have another idea in mind for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
A new report from Fightful Select (subscription required) says that Ospreay is indeed being considered for All In, but against a legend he’s never faced.
We’re told by NJPW sources that the plan relayed to them in July was Ospreay competing against former AEW, WCW, ROH and WWE World Champion Chris Jericho.
While Jericho has appeared on some NJPW cards in the past, he’s never crossed paths with Ospreay, even in a multi-person match.
Meanwhile, Fightful also notes that Don Callis is expected to be involved somehow. Callis has been trying to recruit Jericho to his “family” for weeks now in AEW, but he assisted Ospreay in defeating Omega at Forbidden Door. One naturally wonders if perhaps Callis’ machinations will somehow tie into his ongoing plans for revenge against his one-time friend, or perhaps Jericho will turn him down and he’ll sic Ospreay on him in revenge.
In any case, while it might not match the frenetic pace and insane risk-taking of Ospreay-Omega, Ospreay vs. Jericho is an intriguing pairing that could qualify as a dream match in its own right to many fans. Though AEW typically doesn’t book even its PPVs too far in advance, All In is now less than a month away, so a potential bout of this caliber could very well take shape over the next few weeks.