The recently crowned All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Champion, Will Ospreay, swiftly discovered the identity of his first challenger. During Wednesday's "Dynamite" broadcast, the esteemed "Aerial Assassin" was informed he would defend his coveted title against Jon Moxley at the upcoming All Out pay-per-view event.
A Champion's Declaration
Ospreay opened the show with a passionate address, acknowledging Kenny Omega as "the best wrestler in the world" for the past decade and asserting he "still is."
Reflecting on the lineage of the AEW World Championship, Ospreay mentioned esteemed predecessors such as Chris Jericho, ‘Hangman’ Page, Jon Moxley, Omega himself, Bryan Danielson, and Swerve Strickland.
I think about the people that have held this belt before. Chris Jericho, ‘Hangman’ Page, Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, Swerve Strickland … and I have to pinch myself a little bit. These guys were once-upon-a-time my heroes. I would watch them on TV. … These guys are my heroes and now the reality is, I’m amongst all of them. I worked hard for this, mate. All my idols, they’re now my rivals.
Initially admitting a personal struggle with self-confidence, Ospreay then emphatically declared his new status:
I’m one of these guys that struggle to be able to say that I’m the guy. I haven’t got that much confidence in me. But then I look down at this belt and you can all look at it through your screens, bruv, I am the standard now. I am the Billy goat. I am the best in the world. I am your AEW world champion. And if anyone is going to take it from me, you’re going to need to walk through the same fire that I went through and I will see you at the end of the line, bruv.
Unexpected Confrontation and Title Challenge
Later in the evening, Ospreay participated in a ten-man tag team contest, aligning with Andrade El Idolo, Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, and Henare. Their opponents included Gabe Kidd, Bishop Kaun, Ricochet, Toa Liona, and Clark Connors. Ospreay's team emerged victorious, but a post-match assault ensued.
As Kidd prepared to strike Ospreay with a steel chair, Jon Moxley unexpectedly entered the ring and confiscated the weapon. Although Kidd and Connors are affiliated with Moxley's faction, The Death Riders, Moxley has previously demonstrated a protective stance towards Ospreay. Moxley had notably assisted Ospreay in his physical recovery from a neck injury and presented him with the Union Jack flag prior to his entrance at All In.
Moxley then stared down Ospreay before returning the AEW World Championship belt. The arena crowd erupted as the video screen confirmed the impending clash: Ospreay would defend his AEW World Championship against Jon Moxley at All Out on September 26.
Separately, Andrade El Idolo holds a guaranteed championship opportunity, having secured it by winning the Casino Gauntlet match. However, the exact date for his title challenge has not yet been determined.
For now, all eyes will be on the highly anticipated confrontation between Ospreay and Moxley at the close of the month.
