Career Timeline of Will Ospreay: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Will Ospreay made an impact.
Will Ospreay is an English professional wrestler currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former two-time AEW International Champion. He's renowned for his eight-year run with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he achieved significant success, including holding the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
April 2012: Professional Wrestling Debut
On 1 April 2012, Ospreay made his professional wrestling debut at BritWres-Fest as the masked character Dark Britannico, marking the official start of his career.
September 2012: IPW:UK Regular
Since September 2012, Ospreay has regularly wrestled for International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW: UK) in singles matches and with tag teams.
2012: Start of UK Independent Circuit Career
In 2012, Ospreay began his professional wrestling career on the UK independent circuit. This marked the beginning of his journey in professional wrestling.
February 2013: RevPro Debut
On 10 February 2013, Ospreay debuted for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), securing a win. This event marks the start of his career in RevPro.
May 2013: FPW Tag Team Championship Win
In May 2013, The Swords of Essex became the first FPW Tag Team Champions after winning a four-way match in Future Pro Wrestling (FPW). This event marks a significant achievement in his early tag team career.
June 2013: British Tag Team Championship Win
On 15 June 2013, Ospreay and Paul Robinson won the British Tag Team Championship in RevPro, defeating Project Ego. This marked a significant achievement in his tag team career.
January 2014: Progress Tag Team Championship Tournament
In January 2014, Ospreay and Paul Robinson as The Swords of Essex were defeated by FSU (Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis) in the first round of the Progress Tag Team Championship tournament. This event marked a challenge in his early tag team career.
March 2014: SWE Regular Appearances Begin
From March 2014 onwards, Ospreay became a regular for Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE). This event marks his consistent involvement in SWE events.
March 2014: Loss of British Tag Team Championship
On 15 March 2014, The Swords of Essex lost their British Tag Team Championship to Ricochet and Rich Swann in RevPro. This event marks a setback in his tag team career.
2014: UK Super 8 and Battle Royale
In 2014, Ospreay reached the final of the UK Super 8 tournament and won the 30-man Battle Royale in IPW:UK. These achievements mark a period of success.
May 2015: Rematch with Matt Sydal
In May 2015, Ospreay won a rematch with Matt Sydal. The series tied at 1-1, they were booked in a best of three falls match for the British Cruiserweight Championship.
May 2015: Loss of SWE Speed King Championship
On 30 May 2015, Ospreay lost the Speed King title in a Six-Way Elimination match to El Ligero. This marks a period of challenge for Ospreay.
September 2015: Loss of British Cruiserweight Championship
On 5 September 2015, after an eleven-month reign with title defences, Ospreay lost the British Cruiserweight Championship back to Bodom. This marks an end to his reign.
October 2015: Loss to Kazuchika Okada
In October 2015, Will Ospreay lost a match to New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Kazuchika Okada, who was impressed and recommended Ospreay to NJPW officials, leading to Ospreay being signed by NJPW.
2015: UK Super 8 Final
In 2015, Ospreay reached the final of the UK Super 8 tournament again, losing to Rampage Brown. This event marks both a triumph and a challenge in his career.
2015: Progress Championship Title Defenses and Manchester Main Event
Throughout 2015, Ospreay successfully defended his Progress title against Haskins and Robinson, overcame an attack from Robinson with help from Mark Andrews, beat Andrews, and headlined Progress's first show outside London in Manchester against Gibson and Webster. This year was full of triumphs and challenges in Progress Wrestling for Ospreay.
January 2016: TNA Debut
In January 2016, Will Ospreay made his debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) during their UK tour.
January 2016: Loss of Progress Championship to Marty Scurll
On 24 January 2016, Ospreay lost the Progress Championship to Marty Scurll after passing out in Scurll's chickenwing submission. This defeat marked the end of his championship reign.
March 2016: Joins Chaos stable in NJPW
In March 2016, Will Ospreay was announced as the newest member of the NJPW stable Chaos, after recommendations from wrestlers like Hiroshi Tanahashi, AJ Styles, and Kazuchika Okada.
March 2016: Loser Leaves Town Match Loss
On 28 March 2016, Ospreay lost a Loser Leaves Town match to his former Spitfire Britannia partner Dawkins in IPW:UK. This marks a significant setback in his career with the promotion.
August 2016: British Triangle Championship Unveiling
On 27 August 2016, Ospreay unveiled the new British Triangle Championship with his Swords of Essex partners. The trios championships could be defended anywhere.
November 2016: ROH World Television Championship Win and Loss
In November 2016, Will Ospreay signed with Ring of Honor (ROH) and, on November 18, he defeated Bobby Fish to win the ROH World Television Championship. However, he lost the title to Marty Scurll just two days later.
2016: Progress Championship Title Loss
In 2016, Ospreay lost the Progress Championship and didn't have a victory in the promotion since that loss.
2016: Non-title wins and Cruiserweight Championship Match
In 2016, Ospreay secured wins over Marty Scurll and Cruiserweight Champion Pete Dunne in a non-title triple threat match, as well as beating Mike Bailey. This led to a Cruiserweight Championship match against Dunne on July 10, which Ospreay won.
2016: Super J-Cup and NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship shot
In 2016, Will Ospreay entered the Super J-Cup, and received a shot at the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.
2016: Joining NJPW
In 2016, Will Ospreay joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the junior heavyweight division after being recommended by AJ Styles. This marked a significant step in his career.
2016: Best of the Super Juniors win
In 2016, Will Ospreay won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, becoming the youngest winner and the first English winner. He later failed to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Kushida on June 19.
2016: WCPW Successes and Tag Team Championship Win
Throughout 2016, Ospreay wrestled for What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW), securing wins and joining the Pacitti Club. Ospreay and Scotty Wainwright became WCPW Tag Team Champions. This time marked significant achievements.
January 2017: Lucha Forever Promotion Start
In January 2017, Ospreay and Ryan Smile started their own promotion, Lucha Forever, marking a new venture in his career.
February 2017: Unsuccessful British Heavyweight Championship challenge
In February 2017, Will Ospreay unsuccessfully challenged Katsuyori Shibata for the British Heavyweight Championship at The New Beginning in Osaka.
April 2017: Loss of British Cruiserweight Championship
In April 2017, Will Ospreay lost the British Cruiserweight Championship to Josh Bodom.
August 2017: PWA and MCW Championship Wins
In August 2017, Ospreay debuted for Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) and won the PWA Heavyweight Championship. He also won the MCW Intercommonwealth Championship, and announced his move to Australia to contribute to its wrestling scene.
August 2017: Pro Wrestling World Cup Final
In August 2017, Ospreay made it to the finals of the Pro Wrestling World Cup, before losing to Kushida. This event marks success but also a challenge in his career.
November 2017: Failed to win Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship
In November 2017, Will Ospreay failed to win the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship from Zack Sabre Jr at Global Wars.
2017: Final Battle Loss
At Final Battle 2017, Will Ospreay was defeated by Matt Taven in an ROH match.
2017: Return to Progress and Victory
In 2017, Ospreay returned to Progress as a mystery opponent and lost. He later defeated Adam Brooks, marking his first victory since 2016, and later defeated Mark Haskins.
January 2018: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship win
On January 4, 2018, at Wrestle Kingdom 12, Will Ospreay won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time in a four-way match. He later retained the title against Hiromu Takahashi on February 10.
May 2018: Super Strong Style 16 and Wembley Arena Challenge
On 7 May 2018, during the Super Strong Style 16 tournament, Ospreay challenged Jimmy Havoc to a match at Wembley Arena, later being forced to withdraw. This marks an event of challenge in his career.
June 2018: Frontline Wrestling's First Event: Build Me An Empire
In June 2018, Will Ospreay's promotion, Frontline Wrestling, held its first event titled "Build Me An Empire."
September 2018: Victory Over Jimmy Havoc & Progress Tag Team Championship
In September 2018, Ospreay defeated Jimmy Havoc in a no disqualification match. Ospreay and Paul Robinson also defeated Aussie Open to become the Progress Tag Team Champions.
September 2018: ROH World Title Challenge
In September 2018, Will Ospreay answered Jay Lethal's open challenge on ROH TV, declaring his intention to pursue the ROH World Title, but ultimately lost the match at Death Before Dishonor later that month.
2018: NEVER Openweight Championship
In 2018, Will Ospreay challenged the new NEVER Openweight Champion, Kota Ibushi, to a championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
2018: Teaming with Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii
In 2018, Will Ospreay teamed with Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii in a winning effort against Suzuki-gun, represented by Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka and NEVER Openweight Champion Taichi at King of Pro-Wrestling. Ospreay called out Taichi for a NEVER Openweight Championship match, hinting at moving to the Heavyweight division, but the match was cancelled due to Ospreay's injury.
2019: NEVER Openweight Championship & G1 Climax Participation
In 2019, Ospreay won the NEVER Openweight Championship and participated in the G1 Climax, NJPW's biggest tournament featuring heavyweight wrestlers. This was a year of significant achievements for Ospreay.
February 2020: Wins Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship
In February 2020, Will Ospreay defeated Zack Sabre Jr. at High Stakes to win the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship.
November 2020: Title defense against Ricky Knight Jr.
In November 2020, Ospreay successfully defended his Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship against Ricky Knight Jr. at RevPro Epic Encounters 5.
2020: Transition to Heavyweight Division & IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Win
In 2020, Ospreay transitioned to the heavyweight division in NJPW and won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, marking a significant accomplishment in his career.
2020: Transition to Heavyweight Division
In 2020, Will Ospreay transitioned to the Heavyweight division, bulking up and adopting the nickname "The Commonwealth Kingpin." He incorporated more technical skill and powerful offense into his in-ring style.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact and G1 Climax
In 2020, Will Ospreay's participation in the New Japan Cup was initially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of NJPW activities. He later returned in September for the G1 Climax, where he turned heel, formed United Empire, and defeated Kazuchika Okada.
May 2021: Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Due to Injury
In May 2021, Will Ospreay vacated the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship due to a neck injury sustained during a title defense, ending his reign.
August 2021: Title defense against Doug Williams
In August 2021, at RevPro's Ninth Anniversary, Will Ospreay defended his Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship against Doug Williams.
2021: New Japan Cup Victory
In 2021, Ospreay won the New Japan Cup, further solidifying his status in the heavyweight division.
June 2022: AEW Debut and IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Defense
In June 2022, Will Ospreay made his AEW debut, aligning with the United Empire. He also successfully defended his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Orange Cassidy at Forbidden Door.
2022: Return to RevPro
In 2022, Ospreay returned to RevPro, defeating Tomohiro Ishii at Revpro Uprising after losing his title.
2022: Loss of Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship
In 2022, Will Ospreay lost the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Knight Jr. at RevPro's 10th Anniversary show, ending his reign at 919 days, making him the longest reigning champion.
May 2023: Progress Return and Swords of Essex Reunion
In May 2023, Ospreay returned to Progress, participated in the Super Strong Style 16 tournament, and reunited the Swords of Essex with Paul Robinson. While he lost by DQ to Nathan Cruz, the reunion was a highlight.
June 2023: AEW Return and Attack on Kenny Omega
In June 2023, Will Ospreay returned to AEW and attacked Kenny Omega, building towards their match at Forbidden Door. He also teamed with United Empire to defeat Chaos on Rampage.
November 2023: Signing with AEW
As of November 2023, Will Ospreay is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former two-time AEW International Champion, marking a new chapter in his career.
December 2023: IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Deactivated
In December 2023, the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship was deactivated during Ospreay's second reign. He was the final champion of the title.
2023: Sporadic RevPro appearances and match against Shingo Takagi
In 2023, Ospreay made sporadic appearances for RevPro, defeating wrestlers such as Big Damo and Luke Jacobs. He defeated Shingo Takagi on August 26th, leading to an attack by Chris Jericho.
2023: New Japan Cup and IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Pursuit
In 2023, Will Ospreay entered the New Japan Cup but had to forfeit due to a shoulder injury. He returned to action in May, winning a tournament to become the #1 contender for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. In June at Forbidden Door, Ospreay defeated Kenny Omega to regain the title.
2023: Return to "The Aerial Assassin" Moniker and New Finisher
In 2023, Will Ospreay returned to "The Aerial Assassin" moniker and began using a kneeling double underhook powerbomb called the Tiger Driver '91 as a new finisher.
January 4, 2024: Failed IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship bid at Wrestle Kingdom 18
On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Will Ospreay competed for the newly created IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship but was defeated by David Finlay, failing to win the title.
February 2024: Official AEW Roster Joining
In February 2024, Will Ospreay officially joined the AEW roster after his NJPW contract expired, solidifying his commitment to the company.
February 2024: Officially Joins AEW
In February 2024, Will Ospreay officially joined the AEW roster, after signing a multi-year deal with All Elite Wrestling.
February 2024: Final RevPro event
On February 18, 2024, Ospreay had his final RevPro event, unsuccessfully challenging Michael Oku for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship.
March 2024: First AEW Match
In March 2024, Will Ospreay had his first AEW match as a contracted wrestler, defeating Konosuke Takeshita at Revolution.
2024: AEW's Worlds End Feat
In 2024 at AEW's Worlds End, Ospreay became one of five wrestlers to have wrestled two five-star matches on the same night, solidifying his status as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
2024: Return to TNA and Match Against Josh Alexander
In 2024, Will Ospreay returned to Impact Wrestling, now rebranded as TNA, and faced Josh Alexander in a rematch on January 18, which he lost.
January 8, 2025: Aids Kenny Omega
On January 8, 2025, Will Ospreay came to the aid of Kenny Omega from an attack by the Don Callis Family on Dynamite.
