Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland put on a classic at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, in a booking that surprised many that saw it unfold.
Swerve ended up beating Ospreay, and we’re told how things happened behind the scene somewhat emulated how they played out on screen. Those we’ve spoken to said that Will Ospreay, who has long been a friend of Swerve’s in real life, and a foe in the ring, grew tired of seeing that Swerve’s title reign was a “placeholder” for Ospreay to win the title at All In.
Sources within the company and close to Ospreay tell Sean Ross Sapp that Ospreay approached AEW higher ups and extended his desire to put over Swerve to help eliminate the talking point. Considering that Ospreay already has big creative plans in store throughout the year, he had no issue with the situation, and wanted to set an example that for AEW to succeed it had to be a team effort.
Based on what we heard, Ospreay made the approach after winning the International Title, and wanted to show that nobody should be above losing to the World Champion. Some in the company claimed that a "point was being proven" as a result.
There were many that had previously expected Ospreay and Swerve at All In, but we’re told that wasn’t ever the plan, and both have different opponents planned.
AEW sources have said that Ospreay has been great to deal with in the company, and has often helped out when needed, including when others ask for help putting matches together.
This article first appeared on our premium service, Fightful Select and was republished here on Fightful. If you complain about it being "old news," you have to take all of the bumps in SRS' matches for him. Subscribe to get exclusive news every day, and a half-dozen weekly podcasts.
To directly support us and our continuing breaking news, interviews, and the like, subscribe to FightfulSelect.com. You'll get exclusive news sent to you directly before anyone else, and dozens of podcasts monthly including Alex Pawlowski's Sour Graps, Sean Ross Sapp's Q&A, Retro Reviews and more
