There was plenty to love when it came to AEW World’s End 2024 on Saturday night in Orlando, FL, on PPV.com, but one thing stood out the most: Will Ospreay carried the event on his back. Whether you knew he was a star or it was the first time you had watched him perform, it was clear that AEW relied on Ospreay to bring it all home, and he did just that and more.
The 31-year-old from London, England, is at the prime of his career. There was a reason why the WWE was motivated to sign him when Ospreay was a free agent late last year, but he ultimately decided to sign with AEW. Every time he goes out there for a match, especially on a PPV, he becomes a hard act to follow, and Saturday night was another example of that.
Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher Raised the Bar From The Start
When the PPV began, the first immediate thought on the minds of the fans was which match would kick off World’s End. As soon as Ospreay’s music hit, the crowd at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL, went wild. Those on the PPV.com exclusive live chat immediately felt like this match would be hard to follow, and boy, were they right.
Credit to Kyle Fletcher, whose performance was at another level than where he had previously been. The pace was a little slow at the beginning of the match, but that did not affect the high level of execution that fans were seeing during that part of the match. Ospreay would get cut on his forehead, making it a mess early in the match. The bleeding added to the drama & psychology of the match, as Ospreay was a compromised warrior at this point.
Ospreay and Fletcher going HEAD TO HEAD giving EVERYTHING they GOT!
Order #AEWWorldsEnd LIVE on PPVhttps://t.co/JlBXZPLNGj@kylefletcherpro | @willospreay pic.twitter.com/oc3VZ1vgmI
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 29, 2024
But then, as it often happens with Ospreay matches, the light switch goes on and he goes from 60 to 100 at a moment’s notice. The beautiful thing about it is that Fletcher hung right there with him. It takes two to make a brilliant match, and Fletcher proved he was ready to be there with the best of them. There was a moment in the match when the crowd gave them both a standing ovation because they knew what they were seeing was extraordinary. After a ridiculously great sequence, Ospreay was able to cover Fletcher and move on to the Continental Classic finals with an unknown opponent and a bleeding forehead.
Will Ospreay & Kazuchika Okada Showed Fans What They May Have Missed In Japan
When Kazuchika Okada beat Ricochet to advance to the finals against Ospreay, the hardcore fans knew they were in for a treat. That’s because these two competitors have a long history as they battled it out in New Japan Pro-Wrestling in years past. Those not privy to those matches hoped for a classic and that’s precisely what they got.
Ospreay, with his head wrapped in gauze, staggered to the ring for the Continental Classic finals match just before the main event. Ospreay clearly showed that he wasn’t 100%, but when the match with Okada began, that all went out the window. No one could believe what they were watching. It was one high-level sequence after another. Both wrestlers executed signature finishes and popped out of a count. Just when you thought the match was over and there was no way a kickout would occur, it would happen, leaving the crowd in attendance speechless.
Will Ospreay is still in this match!
Order #AEWWorldsEnd LIVE on PPVhttps://t.co/JlBXZPLNGj@RainmakerXOkada | @WillOspreay pic.twitter.com/Y6UeEGRMYP
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 29, 2024
The fact that Ospreay and Okada had to go out there and have two high-level matches was unbelievable, but these two warriors were highly qualified to do so. Okada would finally win, triggering the return of Kenny Omega as the executive vice president and future opponent but it didn’t take away from the match Ospreay and Okada just had.
Ospreay! Ospreay! Ospreay!
Although Ospreay did not win the Continental Classic, his performance in both matches carried the event for AEW. He once again showed last night that he can be the top guy and carry the flag for AEW. The only problem is that there are other big talents that have the same potential but not necessarily the in-ring skills to do so. AEW has a good problem regarding that, but they have to find a way to make Ospreay the top guy because he is overqualified for the job and last night proved that.
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