AEW Looks Strong Heading Into the Spring

AEW looks like it means business as it heads into spring, a season in the wrestling industry often dominated by WrestleMania. AEW Revolution is shaping up nicely, built around Sting’s retirement angle and the potential coronation of Swerve Strickland. Plus, there’s the imminent arrival of Mercedes Mone, who surely shows up at Big Business in Boston next month.

Two items missing from AEW’s recent resurgence are the debuts of Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada. One is definitely heading to AEW, and depending on what wrestling sources you listen to, another one is very likely. Arguably, they are the best two wrestlers on the planet; how will their arrival impact the scene in Jacksonville?

Bonded by their wonderful NJPW relationship and rivalry, Ospreay and Okada are no strangers to the deep waters of AEW. Performing on both Dynamite and Forbidden Door, the highly skilled pair have featured in memorable bouts against Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson, but what’s waiting for them in AEW this time? How about a bunch of wrestlers who aren’t impressed?

Tony Khan has repeatedly proven that he’s a fan of faction feuds and promotional wars, but how about an AEW vs. NJPW showdown with all the wrestlers under his banner? Ospreay arrives on Dynamite to cut a promo before The Elite or Blackpool Combat Club cuts him off before Okada makes the save via a spectacular entrance that will give him an impressive debut as an AEW signee.

Straight from the start, Okada and Ospreay launch a hostile takeover, criticizing the wrestlers they’re there to overtake, and immediately, a ton of options exist. This two-man band has numerous former New Japan stars on AEW’s books they could recruit to temporarily even the numbers, or they could even build on AEW’s blossoming romance with NJPW and borrow talent for a show or two.

Picture it: The Outsiders, those looking to prove that they’re far better than AEW’s congested roster, are immediately thrust into the main event scene against the BCC. Danielson vs. Ospreay, Moxley vs. Okada, Ospreay and Okada vs. Castagnoli and Yuta, Okada vs. Castagnoli. The multiple possibilities could fill weeks of television before culminating with Anarchy in the Arena or Blood and Guts.

If not BCC, then how about The Elite if Kenny Omega is fully recovered? The Cleaner has plenty of history with both men, but add The Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page, and it’s a recipe to build numerous interesting storylines.

Khan has the chance to elevate Ospreay and Okada if he signs onto a television platform, and he must have the right tales to get the most out of both stunning wrestlers. We’ve seen both men instantly placed in dream match scenarios without much build, but weekly TV requires a lot more, and Ospreay and Okada uniting to bring down the best AEW has to offer could be one way to go.

Walter Christian

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