AJ Styles Responds To People Saying Will Ospreay Stole The Styles Clash

There’s a fine line between homage and theft in professional wrestling, with all manner of wrestlers using moves utilised by names of the past and the present either as a mark of respect, or in order to get themselves further over.

All Elite Wrestling star Will Ospreay has been using the Styles Clash as of late, most recently getting a two-count with the manoeuvre during his 59-minute AEW International Championship match with MJF on the July 17 edition of Dynamite. Ospreay’s continued use of the move has drawn ire from some fans who feel he ‘stole’ the move from AJ Styles, but Styles has a different take, saying the following on X/Twitter:

“Why do you think it bothers me that someone else is doing my move? We all do it. Its wrestling! I think if nothing else, it shows appreciation,” posted Styles.

Ospreay has mentioned on multiple occasions how Styles was a major influence on his wrestling, with his use of the Styles Clash a nod the one of the greatest in-ring talents of all time. Besides, unless you’re a 90s Joshi wrestler, the late great Chris Kanyon, or ECW’s Nova then chances are you’re not inventing too many moves.