Will Ospreay Cleared For In-Ring Return, Unsure How Much Longer He Will Wrestle
Will Ospreay feels he's "deteriorating in front of everyone's eyes"
Apr 17, 2023
After a month out of action, Will Ospreay has been cleared to return to the squared circle.
1PW announced over the weekend that Ospreay has been medically cleared to wrestle and he will be back in action at their All or Nothing show on April 22. Ospreay will face Bobby Fish in the tournament to crown a new 1PW World Champion.
The 29-year-old has since provided an update on his health, revealing that there is still a lot of weakness in his arm. He is also unsure how much longer he will be able to wrestle, having suffered multiple injuries over the past few years.
"I got medically cleared two days ago. It's a weird one, I've seen my physio now for about five weeks. I've got the range of motion back in my arm. The strength is there somewhat but because I was able to complete four strength exercises apparently I'm medically cleared. It does feel a lot better but I still feel there's a lot of weakness in my arm. Obviously, the sensible answer is to take a little bit more time off but over those last 48 hours - I don't know I've just been reminiscing and thinking about my 11-year career, and it's been incredible but the one thing that has been constant, especially in these last few years is that the injuries have stacked up a lot more recently. It's because I'm older as well, it's because I’m getting heavier, but because of that, the move set that I started with when I was 22-years-old has kind of vanished and disappeared. It's not out of choice, it's because my body can't do it anymore. I can't perform a Shooting Star Press safely anymore so I've decided it's best to cut it out," Ospreay said in a Twitter video.
"I'm not gonna lie to you guys, I feel like my body and me personally, I am deteriorating front of everyone's eyes. It kind of is really upsetting. It's because I chose to do this style. I understand the risks that come with this style but I think it's one that suits me down to a T and I think everyone enjoys it. Having said that, I don't know if this ride's gonna be a long one...So I'm just gonna enjoy myself and hope for the best. I'm gonna have to change things up a lot but I'm gonna compete, I am gonna come back, and I'm gonna to the best of my abilities do this as much as I physically can."
Ospreay is scheduled to return to the ring for New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Resurgence on May 21 to face Hiroshi Tanahashi in the IWGP United States Heavyweight Title number one contender's tournament. Should Ospreay win, he will face Lance Archer in the tournament final at Dominion on June 4.
The winner of the tournament will challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, likely at Forbidden Door on June 25.