Will Ospreay has opened up about the challenges ahead of him as he heads to AEW All In to face MJF for the American Championship.
The 250th episode of AEW Dynamite saw MJF defeat Will Ospreay to become the new AEW International Champion.
A week after the July 17 match, MJF would reveal a rebrand for the title, christening it the AEW American Championship with a suitably themed belt.
Now calling himself the ‘American hero’ and demonstrating his love for America, MJF used the July 31 episode of AEW Dynamite to further antagonise Ospreay who wants to bring the AEW International Championship back.
Footage from the July 31 episode of AEW Dynamite, which saw Ospreay assailed by “USA” chants while he took issue with MJF can be seen below this news story.
With the pair set for a championship match at AEW All In on August 25, Ospreay has opened up to share his thoughts, saying:
“I feel like I’m in a toxic relationship right now, and I’m struggling to keep my head cool because I’ve literally just heard this man talk about South Carolina in the most derogatory way, in the most asshole way, and yet it is so hard for this town, or any state or anywhere that we are in this country to boo a guy wearing a championship with a flag on his belt.
“It’s hard. I know I’m doing the right thing. I know that I am fighting for the legacy and the history and the lineage of the International Champion. It’s bigger than just than the flag that is on the belt, it’s bigger than the country. It represents not only my country, but Japan, America, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, everywhere. It represents all of it, and yet I’m in this weird mind games battle right now where no one wants to boo the guy with a flag around his waist.
“But I understand, and I get it. I understand that there’s gonna be boos coming my way, but you need to understand that this bigger than just one country. It’s about all of us. It’s about every single man that has ever bled in that ring to make the International Championship mean something. It matters to any person that has died in this ring, wanting to provide pro wrestling for a fan base that cares about professional wrestling. This is my dream.
“You don’t understand how hard it is to leave Japan, to leave England, and to come here, where my anxiety is through the roof. I am scared coming here all the time because this is so big.
“I understand the American dream is something that is talked about, it’s unachievable, yet somehow I am doing. Somehow, they’re still cheering for me. Somehow, I am fighting a losing battle but day by day, I will gain everybody’s respect because they will understand that this is a battle worth fighting for.
“For everyone that has made that championship and for everyone that has made AEW the place to be, it is my duty, it is my due diligence to ensure that at Wembley Stadium, I restore honor to the International Championship.
“Trust me, America, I will not throw that championship in the trash like he did the International Championship. I will hand it back to Tony Khan, and I will say, ‘Keep it in a safe place.’ But the International Championship needs to be restored, and I’m the guy to do it.”
As recently reported, MJF will put the AEW American Championship on the line against Michael Oku at Revolution Pro Wrestling’s upcoming show on August 11 in England.
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EXCLUSIVE! Former Champion Will Ospreay is determined to restore HONOUR back into the INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Wembley Stadium when he faces ‘American Champion’ MJF!@WillOspreay pic.twitter.com/Xkb48oSAZy
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 1, 2024
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