AEW star Will Ospreay revealed to CBS Sports‘ Shakiel Mahjouri that he is deeply fearful about his upcoming neck surgery. The British wrestler admitted that while he is not worried about his matches, the uncertainty following the operation is overwhelming, as this marks the first time he has ever undergone surgery or been sidelined from wrestling.
Ospreay Reflects on His Fear and Uncertainty
Ospreay expressed his apprehension candidly, stating,
“I’m anxious. I’m scared. Generally, I’m terrified. Not about the match, but just about afterwards.”
He went on to highlight how unusual it is for him to be removed from the activity he loves, saying,
“I don’t know what it looks like afterwards, because for the first time in my life, I have been disqualified from doing the thing that I love doing. … I’ve never had anybody cut into me. I’ve never had surgery. I’ve never broken a bone, other than my nose, which everyone can tell, because it looks like I’ve been hit by a frying pan.”
Support and Advice From Trusted Peers
Ospreay shared how his friend Cope helped prepare him mentally for the journey ahead after surgery. Cope’s advice focused on confronting the psychological challenges that follow the physical procedure, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience. Ospreay recalled,
“He said, ‘The hardest things are not the surgery, it’s the mental stuff that comes afterwards. Just know that I’ve been here and I’ve done it. So any time that you want to talk and bullshit, here’s my number.’”
Looking Back on His Latest Performance and Wrestling Future
Discussing his performance at the recent Forbidden Door event, Ospreay acknowledged a shift in his wrestling style and the possible end of his high-flying moves due to his injury. Yet, he remains determined to adapt. He remarked,
“I have that stubborn pride about myself that I would love to come back in the ring and continue doing what I was doing, but I feel like that’s what’s happened, and that’s the reason why I’ve gone down this route… I might have to kiss this part of my high-flying offense goodbye now. It’s something that I’m not ready to let go. I’ll be honest with you, I’m not ready to let go of that side of me because I think that should be done on my terms. I don’t know if that’s on the card. So I’ve got to hope that after this, I can still pick up where I left off. But if not, all the greats have done it. Justin Thunder Liger’s done it. AJ Styles has done it. I call myself the Billy G.O.A.T. for a reason. I think I can adapt.”
What Lies Ahead for Will Ospreay After Surgery
Will Ospreay’s openness about his neck surgery fears highlights the difficult path wrestlers face when balancing their career with their physical health. His willingness to confront these challenges head-on and adapt his wrestling style shows his determination to continue competing. Fans and industry insiders will closely watch his recovery and return, hoping that he can reclaim his place in professional wrestling on his own terms.
