Will Ospreay, the 32-year-old English wrestler, made a surprising return to AEW Dynamite on August 13 after a lengthy absence caused by a severe neck injury. His comeback quickly intensified tensions as he issued a direct and fierce Jon Moxley AEW challenge, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter.
Will Ospreay Returns Amidst Jon Moxley’s Attack on Darby Allin
The wrestling community was taken aback when Ospreay appeared unexpectedly during an attack by Jon Moxley and his Death Riders faction on Darby Allin. After the assault, Ospreay intervened, driving off Moxley’s team—Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir—who were present at ringside. Taking control of the microphone, Ospreay seized the moment to address the audience directly, signaling his return to active competition following treatment for two herniated discs in his neck that sidelined him for weeks.
Issuing a Fierce Challenge for AEW’s Forbidden Door Event in London
Following his intervention, Ospreay wasted no time delivering a challenge that instantly captivated fans and insiders alike. Facing Jon Moxley and his Death Riders crew, he spoke a challenge designed to escalate their feud ahead of AEW’s major pay-per-view event.
“You get your friends, I’ll get my friends, meet me in London, lights out steel cage bruv,” Ospreay declared to the shocked crowd. (0:01 – 0:15)
—Will Ospreay, AEW Wrestler
This challenge was specifically for the AEW Forbidden Door event scheduled for August 24, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London, England. The confrontation promises to be a significant chapter in Ospreay’s career, marking his first major bout in his home country since his injury. The “lights out” steel cage stipulation denotes a match outside official company sanction, allowing for heightened physicality and fewer restrictions.
Significance of the Upcoming AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling Crossover
The Forbidden Door show is AEW’s flagship annual collaboration with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and other promotions, and this year it will be hosted in London for the first time. Ospreay’s challenge to Jon Moxley and his faction not only revives a heated rivalry but also elevates the event’s profile by promising a brutal, no-holds-barred contest. Fans and analysts are now eagerly anticipating how both Ospreay and Moxley’s allies will respond to this provocative call-out, setting up intriguing possibilities for future storylines and alliances.
With Ospreay back from injury and boldly challenging one of AEW’s most formidable stars, the AEW Dynamite episode on August 13 has reinvigorated excitement around this looming clash. The venue, stipulation, and high-profile nature of the match underscore its potential impact on AEW’s narrative direction as well as on the careers of both wrestlers.
