Challenges Faced by Will Ospreay: Obstacles and Turning Points

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 16, 2026

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Will Ospreay. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Will Ospreay is an English professional wrestler currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former two-time International Champion. He's also a producer and creative team member for Pro-Wrestling: EVE. Ospreay gained prominence during his eight years with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he won multiple championships, including the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He is renowned for his exceptional in-ring skills and is considered one of the top wrestlers globally.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

March 2014: British Tag Team Championship loss

On March 15, 2014, The Swords of Essex, comprised of Will Ospreay and Paul Robinson, lost their British Tag Team Championship to Ricochet and Rich Swann, known as The Inner City Machine Gun.

September 2015: British Cruiserweight Championship loss

On September 5, 2015, after an eleven-month reign, Ospreay lost the British Cruiserweight title back to Josh Bodom.

2015: UK Super 8 tournament and Battle Royale

In 2015, Will Ospreay reached the final of the UK Super 8 tournament for the second year in a row, losing to Rampage Brown. He also failed to win the 30-man Battle Royale in 2015.

March 2016: Loser Leaves Town match

On March 28, 2016, Ospreay lost a Loser Leaves Town match to his former Spitfire Britannia partner, Dawkins, marking the end of their partnership and Ospreay's temporary departure.

November 2016: ROH World Television Championship win and loss

In November 2016, Will Ospreay signed with Ring of Honor (ROH). On November 18th, Ospreay defeated Bobby Fish to become the new ROH World Television Champion, but lost the title to Marty Scurll two days later.

2016: 2016 Super J-Cup

In 2016, Will Ospreay participated in the Super J-Cup, defeating Titán in the first round on July 20th, but was eliminated by Matt Sydal in the second round on August 21st. Later, on October 8th, Ospreay, along with his Chaos stablemates Beretta and Rocky Romero, unsuccessfully challenged for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship against David Finlay, Ricochet, and Satoshi Kojima.

February 2017: The New Beginning in Osaka

In February 2017, at The New Beginning in Osaka, Will Ospreay challenged Katsuyori Shibata for the British Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful. Also in May, Ospreay won his block in the 2017 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, advancing to the final, but was defeated by Kushida on June 3rd.

April 2017: British Cruiserweight Championship loss

On April 13, 2017, Ospreay lost the British Cruiserweight Championship to interim champion Josh Bodom.

August 2017: Pro Wrestling World Cup finals

In August 2017, Ospreay reached the finals of the Pro Wrestling World Cup, before ultimately losing to Kushida.

November 2017: Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship match

On November 10, 2017, at Global Wars, Will Ospreay failed to win the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship from Zack Sabre Jr.

2017: Final Battle 2017

In 2017, at Final Battle, Will Ospreay was defeated by Matt Taven.

April 2018: Neck Injury

On April 1, 2018, Will Ospreay suffered a neck injury during a match against Marty Scurll.

September 2018: ROH World Title challenge

In September 2018, on ROH TV, Jay Lethal issued an open challenge answered by Will Ospreay, who stated his desire for the World Title. The match was set for ROH Death Before Dishonor, where Ospreay was unsuccessful.

2018: King of Pro-Wrestling and NEVER Openweight Championship pursuit

In 2018, at King of Pro-Wrestling, Will Ospreay teamed with Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii to defeat Suzuki-gun, with Ospreay pinning Taichi. He then challenged Taichi for the NEVER Openweight Championship, hinting at a move to the Heavyweight division. The match was scheduled for Power Struggle, but it was canceled due to Ospreay's injury. Later, Ospreay defeated Taichi and challenged Kota Ibushi for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13.

2019: New Japan Cup and G1 Supercard

In 2019, Will Ospreay entered the New Japan Cup, defeating Bad Luck Fale and Lance Archer, but was eliminated by Kazuchika Okada. He then faced ROH Television Champion Jeff Cobb at G1 Supercard, losing his title to Cobb, who retained his.

January 2020: Wrestle Kingdom 14

On January 4, 2020, at Wrestle Kingdom 14, Will Ospreay lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Hiromu Takahashi. Ospreay suffered a heel injury during the match.

May 2021: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Win and Injury

In May 2021, Will Ospreay defeated Shingo Takagi at Wrestling Dontaku for his first defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. However, during the match, he suffered a neck injury and was forced to vacate the title on May 20th.

2022: End of Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship Reign

In 2022, Ospreay lost the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Knight Jr, ending his reign at 919 days with 7 successful title defenses. His reign was the longest in history.

2023: New Japan Cup, IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship pursuit and win at Forbidden Door

In 2023, Will Ospreay entered the New Japan Cup in March but forfeited due to a shoulder injury. In April, he was announced as a participant in a tournament for a new #1 contender for Kenny Omega's IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. On May 21st, Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi at Resurgence. Ospreay defeated Lance Archer at Dominion 6.4 to become the new #1 contender for Omega's title. On June 25th at Forbidden Door, Ospreay defeated Omega to regain the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.

January 2024: Wrestle Kingdom 18 and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Will Ospreay competed for the newly created IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship but failed to win, with David Finlay winning the title instead.

February 2024: Final RevPro event

On February 18, 2024, Will Ospreay unsuccessfully challenged Michael Oku for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship at High Stakes, which was his final appearance for RevPro.