Will Ospreay could take the AEW World Championship back to Japan for a future defense in NJPW.
AEW President Tony Khan made it clear that the idea is on the table when he was asked about it during the media scrum after last night’s All Out at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
“I absolutely think that it’s possible. And it’s a great point.”
He pointed to Ospreay’s long history with NJPW and the relationship between the two promotions, citing their partnerships on Forbidden Door and Wrestle Dynasty. Khan also noted that major AEW names have worked in Japan.
That scenario, however, depends first on Ospreay’s next defense. He beat Jon Moxley in the All Out main event for his first successful defense and then challenged Kazuchika Okada to a title match at Grand Slam: France on October 6 at the Adidas Arena in Paris.
Khan added that the same applies to Okada should he win the title. In other words, whoever leaves France with the AEW World Championship could defend it on an NJPW show down the line.
Ospreay won the title on August 30 at All In: London, defeating Kenny Omega in the main event at Wembley Stadium.
There would be no contractual obstacle to Ospreay returning to Japan, either. When he wrapped up his full-time NJPW run in February 2024, Ospreay said his AEW deal allowed him to go back and promised that he would.