Will Ospreay was stretchered out of the O2 Arena following AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, after a savage post-match assault by Jon Moxley and the Death Riders. The attack served to write Ospreay off television as he prepares to undergo major neck surgery.
The violent angle concluded a night headlined by a chaotic Lights Out Steel Cage match. Ospreay teamed with Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi to defeat the Death Riders—Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, The Young Bucks, and Gabe Kidd. The brutal contest saw multiple wrestlers bloodied and featured high-risk spots, including Darby Allin being driven through two tables from the top of the cage by Kidd.
Ospreay’s team secured the victory after he and Omega hit a combination One Winged Angel and Hidden Blade on Matt Jackson, followed by a splash from Tanahashi for the pin. During the celebration, the Death Riders ambushed Ospreay. Moxley delivered multiple Paradigm Shifts and then wrapped a steel chair around Ospreay’s neck before stomping on it, leaving him motionless in the ring.
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This on-screen assault provides the narrative for Ospreay’s necessary, extended absence from the ring. He is scheduled for surgery to repair two herniated discs that are pressing against his spinal cord. The procedure marks a significant point in the 32-year-old’s career, as it will be his first major surgery.
In recent interviews, Ospreay admitted to being “generally… terrified” about the operation and the uncertainty of his future. He noted that while he has dealt with the injury for about ten months, an MRI after All In revealed the condition was more serious than initially believed.
Although AEW presented his Forbidden Door match as “unsanctioned” and suggested he wasn’t cleared, Ospreay received medical clearance from his surgeon for this final bout. The decision to perform was reportedly a priority for Ospreay himself.
Looking ahead, Ospreay has expressed concern that he may need to abandon his signature high-flying style post-recovery. He acknowledged the challenge, stating, “I might have to kiss this part of my high-flying offense goodbye now.” He has also cited wrestlers like Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger and AJ Styles as inspirations for successfully evolving their in-ring styles after significant injuries.
READ MORE: Will Ospreay Cleared for Forbidden Door Despite Not Being 100%
