Architects of the Aerial Style
Will Ospreay is looking back to move forward. Ahead of the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event, Ospreay sat down with KRON 4’s The Finish to dissect the influences that forged his high-flying, technical identity. Rather than citing the usual industry titans, Ospreay pointed to a trio of innovators who expanded the boundaries of what a wrestler could do in the ring.
The Icons Who Defined a Generation
Ospreay’s list of dream opponents reads like a blueprint for modern wrestling. According to an interview transcribed by 411mania.com, he identified AJ Styles as a primary influence on his career trajectory. Beyond Styles, Ospreay credited Hayabusa for his inspiration. He also championed Amazing Red, noting that the “New York crew” from that era opened “gateways” to his creative process, enabling the complex, high-impact style he now executes.
A Preference for Independent Powerhouses
When pressed to rank the greatest factions in history, Ospreay pointedly ignored the mainstream shadow of the nWo or D-Generation X. Instead, he curated a list that reflects his own history and professional sensibilities:
- Bullet Club: Ospreay selected this group for the massive influence they exerted on the global wrestling landscape.
- United Empire: He included his own creation, founded during his New Japan Pro-Wrestling tenure, noting the group provided a “fresh air” period for the promotion and performed well in merchandise sales.
- Fortune: Ospreay expressed his admiration for the TNA stable, specifically citing the work of AJ Styles and Kazarian.
- Main Event Mafia: He labeled this TNA faction a favorite, describing their run as a “sick little time period” in professional wrestling history.
The Road to Tournament Victory
These reflections came during a defining week for the performer. Ospreay capped his preparations by securing a victory in the men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament at last night’s show. His focus on the TNA X-Division era—a period he credits for the evolution of his persona—underscores the technical foundation currently driving his rise.
Worth a look