Will Ospreay has quickly established himself as one of All Elite Wrestling’s top stars. As the AEW International Champion, he has taken on several notable names on the roster, showcasing his talent and further solidifying his reputation.
However, the June 19th episode of AEW Dynamite raised some concerns due to a significant drop in television ratings. The show garnered 502,000 viewers with a 0.16 rating in the key demographic, a stark decline from the previous week’s 681,000 viewers and 0.23 demo rating on June 12th. This was the lowest viewership for a non-preempted episode of Dynamite.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Ospreay addressed the disappointing ratings. He acknowledged that while it was disheartening to see the low numbers, it also served as motivation for him and his colleagues to think creatively and come back stronger.
“It sucks that it was such a low rating, but it’s just motivating me and I’m sure it’s motivating others to try and think out of the box and come back swinging,” Ospreay said. “I’m not someone who ignores that type of sh*t. I see it and I take note of it. I put it in the checkbook and I make sure whatever we do next week, we come back swinging. We shouldn’t ignore criticism or shy away from it. We’re still a 5-year company and we’re still hitting the ropes with these things. For me, AEW still has lots of growing pains to go through.”
Ospreay emphasized that every company or wrestler goes through a 5-year period of growth and adjustment. He pointed out that even WWE faced low points five years ago, but their current success is a testament to their resilience and ability to adapt. He views this as an inspiring example for AEW to follow.
“If we look back 5 years to what WWE was doing, they were at a low. But the way they’re thriving right now is inspiring to everyone. It should be something to hit. We need to change the bar and see what we must do to change things up. Like I said, I’m not the type of person to shy away from it. I enjoy criticism.”
Ospreay’s determination and willingness to embrace challenges highlight his commitment to AEW’s growth and success. As the company navigates its growing pains, his leadership and attitude will undoubtedly play a crucial role in its evolution.
In the main event of tonight’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door PPV, Ospreay will challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship.
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