What could be called as something unbelievable, Will Ospreay came face to face with Swerve Strickland in what may be called the fight of the seasons that shook the wrestling world. It was highly billed for the AEW’s Forbidden Door event and even as the event unfolded, expectations and scripts for both wrestlers were thrown out of the window.
Many waiting for Ospreay to get his shot at the AEW World Championship many expecting it to happen at All In at Wembley making Ospreay a proper king of the aerial assassin. Thus, the audiences and fans were shocked with the words that Ospreay will fight not Yoshida but Strickland.
Informants familiar with the details of Ospreay and Strickland’s complex relationship, which is marked by friendships but rivarly between the two wrestlers, suggested that there was more to it than that. Some people assumed that Ospreay got bored of hearing Strickland claiming that a temporary champion he lost, was merely the steppingstone to Ospreay dethroning him at some other show. It is said that this feeling prompted Ospreay to come face to face with Strickland at Forbidden Door.
Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay – AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 (6.30.2024)
AEW World Championshippic.twitter.com/eJRnOH345K
— headskull (@awesomePuro) July 2, 2024
‘Will Ospreay for instance, saw an opportunity to make a statement,’ noted an observer. He wanted to show to everyone that nobody should feel that they are too mighty to be defeated by the world champion.
The match designed and executed as a true sports art was easily labeled as the match of athleticism and narration of a great story by both warriors. For Strickland this fight became rather defining because he had been receiving criticism for his bookings since the win of the world title. It was perhaps an opportunity for him to prove to the world that he is a worthy champion by performing on the biggest stage he his possible.
In those glitz and glamour spotlights a ringside commentator remarked, “This was not just a win tonight.” It was about regaining the control of ring and making Swerve back to the top contender in AEW.
Will Ospreay vs Swerve Strickland will be one for the ages at Forbidden Door 3 . 🔥#AEW #ForbiddenDoor3 pic.twitter.com/OYtETATSrJ
— Carry🤍 (@LethalNerd84) May 30, 2024
Ospreay’s decision to elevate Strickland in such a manner was seen as a selfless act of leadership within the wrestling community. By putting Strickland over in a high-profile match, Ospreay not only validated Strickland’s reign but also emphasized the importance of establishing a strong, credible world champion.
Fans and industry insiders alike took to social media to praise both wrestlers for their performance and the compelling narrative woven into the match. Many expressed hope that AEW officials would capitalize on the momentum generated by Strickland’s victory, positioning him for future success and solidifying his status as a top-tier competitor.
As the dust settled on Forbidden Door, one thing became clear: Ospreay vs. Strickland wasn’t just a match; it was a pivotal moment that reshaped the landscape of professional wrestling. With both competitors leaving everything in the ring, the stage is now set for new rivalries to emerge and new champions to rise.
