Bryan Danielson urged Will Ospreay to take precautions ahead of their match at the Forbidden Door event in 2025, emphasizing the importance of minimizing risks in the ring. Ospreay was set to appear in what was intended to be his final match before undergoing surgery for serious neck injuries.
Bryan Danielson’s Concerns Over Will Ospreay’s Safety at Forbidden Door
Will Ospreay participated in a grueling Lights Out Steel Cage match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door alongside top wrestlers like Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Darby Allin. Opposing them were The Death Riders, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks. Prior to this high-profile crossover event, Ospreay had been dealing with two herniated discs pressing on his spinal cord, a condition that had troubled him for many months.
Aware of the severity of Ospreay’s neck problems and the fact that this match was his final performance before surgery and a lengthy recovery, Bryan Danielson, himself a veteran of neck injuries that contributed to his wrestling retirement, made a direct appeal to Ospreay. His experience with similar injuries made him particularly sensitive to the dangers involved in pushing too hard inside the ring.
Danielson’s Plea to Ospreay to Choose Moves Wisely
In a recent interview with the Kairouz Bros, Danielson revealed he personally warned Ospreay to avoid risky spots during the match, urging him to prioritize his long-term health over flashy maneuvers. He advised Ospreay that he did not need to perform every high-risk move to succeed and that him carefully selecting safer spots was crucial to avoid worsening his injury.

“Will, I’m begging you, please don’t do anything stupid…He doesn’t need to do all of the amazing things. He can pick the amazing things that don’t hurt his neck. The big thing is to prevent it before it starts getting bad. Realize which moves are doing the most harm and scale those back.” —Bryan Danielson, Wrestler
Despite Danielson’s caution, Ospreay still executed one of wrestling’s most dangerous moves during the match: a dive from the steel cage. This high-risk maneuver demonstrated Ospreay’s willingness to perform at a high level even while managing his injury.
Ospreay’s Post-Match Status and Support from Fellow Wrestlers
The AEW officially announced that Will Ospreay would be sidelined indefinitely as he prepares for surgery scheduled in the coming weeks. His road to recovery is expected to be challenging and prolonged. Wrestlers who have faced similar neck injuries, including Adam Copeland and Danielson himself, have extended their support to Ospreay during this difficult time.
This situation highlights the physical toll the sport can take on athletes and the delicate balance between performance and health that wrestlers must navigate. Ospreay remains optimistic about his potential return to the ring following his rehabilitation.
Additional Wrestling News Updates
Toni Storm recently spoke about her experience with a controversial pie-throwing incident in WWE, which marked a turning point in her career. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes is confirmed for a return at Wrestlepalooza, with Triple H revealing the exact date on the Pat McAfee Show. Rhea Ripley made a notable comeback to NXT, raising questions about her intentions, and is hinting at forming a surprising alliance after intervening in a WWE Raw segment.
In other news, Blake Monroe shared candid thoughts about her life after WWE during an interview with The CW. John Cena is winding down his WWE SmackDown appearances and promoting upcoming episodes of WWE Raw, as fans speculate about his retirement and potential final opponent.
