In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, reigning IWGP US Champion Will Ospreay addressed his plans for next year, noting that Impact Wrestling could be his next home.
Ospreay’s contract with NJPW expires in February 2024. He said,
“The deal is up in February, and we’re still in negotiations. I’m looking to explore every single option and every single avenue. IMPACT Wrestling is in the running for my next home. I’m willing to test the waters. So this match against Mike Bailey is a real treat for me, and I’m excited to do it, especially with what could happen next year.”
Ospreay will face Bailey later tonight at Impact Wrestling’s Bound For Glory 2023 pay-per-view event.
AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone has a memorable history with Ricky Steamboat, and he recently looked back at The Dragon’s time in the Mid-Atlanti and more.
On a recent edition of his “What Happened When” podcast, Schiavone recalled working with Steamboat in his career including his recent AEW appearance.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Steamboat’s career: “With the exception of grey hair, he looks pretty much the same. He was a phenomenal star in the Mid-Atlantic. Even though fans remember him more as Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat — WrestleMania III against Randy Savage and then coming to work for WCW — this [Mid-Atlantic] is where he made his name. Ric Flair is the man he made his name with. Everybody thinks of his ’89 series with Flair but there were so many phenomenal matches that fans on a national basis, or even regional basis, never saw — unless you went to the Greensboro Coliseum.”
On Steamboat being initially hesitant to take a bump in his AEW match: “He was very cautious in the beginning … ‘I don’t want to do this and that’ … but when he got the arena, it all changed. He got into the excitement of it. It was really great working with him.”
