In the main event of the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024 PPV, Swerve Strickland defeated AEW International Champion Will Ospreay to retain the AEW World Championship.
Ospreay, a longtime friend and in-ring rival of Strickland, grew frustrated with the notion that Swerve’s title reign was merely a placeholder for him to eventually claim the championship at All In. Fightful Select reported that this perception prompted Ospreay to take action.
Will approached AEW management to pitch the idea of putting over Strickland, aiming to dispel the placeholder narrative. Those close to Ospreay and within All Elite Wrestling said that Ospreay wanted to demonstrate that AEW’s success required a collective effort.
This initiative came after Ospreay won the International Title, emphasizing that no one should be above losing to the World Champion. Some within the promotion believed that Ospreay was proving a point through this push.
Despite rumors, an Ospreay vs. Swerve match at All In was never planned. Both wrestlers have different opponents lined up.
Ospreay has received internal praise for his willingness to help others in the company with their matches, reinforcing his commitment to AEW’s team-oriented approach.
This was Ospreay’s first pinfall loss in All Elite Wrestling.
Reacting to his loss, Ospreay shared the following promo from former 2-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno:
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) July 1, 2024
On the other hand, Strickland tweeted the following after his successful title defense:
“There’s being on another level. Then there’s Swerves level.”
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