Will Ospreay thanks NJPW after final match before joining AEW

An emotional Will Ospreay thanked New Japan and its fans after his final match for the company for now.

Will Ospreay is done with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, though it could be less like “goodbye” and more like “’til we meet again.”

Ospreay wrestled his final NJPW match over the weekend at The New Beginning in Osaka 2024, joining forces with his United Empire mates for a 10-man Steel Cage match against the Bullet Club War Dogs. Fans on hand certainly got their money’s worth, as the match lasted more than an hour before Ospreay finally took the pin from David Finlay.

After the match, Ospreay got on the microphone and thanked NJPW fans while promising that he would return someday. He took to social media to express similar sentiments this morning.

The next step in Ospreay’s career has been known for months, as AEW revealed his signing at Full Gear last November. As explained at the time, he was always planning to join the company somewhere prior to Revolution once his NJPW deal expired.

That time is now upon us as Revolution is coming up quickly on March 3. He’s likely to have a familiar face joining him not long after, as Kazuchika Okada will reportedly sign with AEW as well, and could make his debut following Revolution.

Ospreay has gone on record as saying his AEW deal will still allow him to wrestle in NJPW on occasion, and the two companies have had a close working relationship for several years. Still, he’s also admitted he doesn’t know how long it will be until he’s back in a New Japan ring, so the emotions from both performer and fans are understandable now that his incredible NJPW run has come to an end.