Health and Wrestling Update on Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay has officially commented on his shoulder injury, when he's returning, and his concern for his career long-term in a new video released today.
Will Ospreay has an 11-year career in professional wrestling and during that time his wrestling style has evolved from the super, fast-paced flips and cool moves to a medium-slow burn of calculated flips, technical, and depending on who he’s wrestling a mixture of both with storytelling and selling. He’s also matured in his 11-year career - mentally and psychically. He moved from the Super Jr. weight division to Heavyweight division. Two years ago, he was our IWGP Heavyweight Champion. And even then, had to relinquish that championship due to a fractured neck injury.
Wrestlers understand that this business is brutal and unforgiving. It takes a toll on the mind, body, and spirit.
Will Ospreay wrestled during this year’s New Japan Cup. He fought his United Empire stablemate and one half of Aussie Open Mark Davis during the New Japan Cup tournament. The match was hard hitting and psychically tolling on March 13, 2023 at Ookaga, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime.
At one point during the match, Ospreay is sent to the outside of the ring. Mark Davis followed and decided to tear the thin cushion pad up from the floor and place it over Ospreay. Davis then does a senton. To me, it looked like Ospreay turned his body last second as Davis comes crashing down on Ospreay’s shoulder. Ospreay was in pain after that and finished the matched with a hurt shoulder. Ospreay mentions during his backstage promo that he felt and heard a pop, still unsure about the extent of the injury.
Watch here:
At the time we didn’t know the extent of the injury, but it was later revealed that he would be pulled from the New Japan Cup because of this injury and then Ospreay flew home to get his shoulder fully checked out. Luckily, he didn’t require surgery for the injury and went straight into psychical therapy.
In Will Ospreay’s newest update video he explains that he’s medically cleared to wrestle.
Please watch here:
https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1647924083122663424?s=20
Will Ospreay shares with fans the following:
He’s been cleared for the past 2 days.
He passed the physical therapy strength tests to be cleared.
Full strength hasn’t returned even with the full range of motion of his shoulder.
Changing up his style.
Hopes we all join him for the ride because he’s not sure how much longer he can continue to wrestle with all the injuries.
Confirmed by 1PWrestling that Will Ospreay will be able to compete on April 22nd show All or Nothing.
While Ospreay is going to fulfil dates already accepted, in the twitter video it is clear that there is uncertainty and reflection in his voice. If Ospreay needs to take longer time to fully recover, then that should be done. The fans can wait. Ospreay will still have support on his side. A healthy wrestler is a better, smarter wrestler.