WWE Hall of Fame member JBL (John “Bradshaw” Layfield) has expressed a strong belief that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) standout Will Ospreay will eventually transition to WWE, citing both professional opportunity and the allure of a global platform. Speaking during an interview with Video Gamer, JBL emphasized the reasons he expects Ospreay’s WWE future to materialize despite Ospreay’s current AEW success.
Insight Into Ospreay’s Skills and Audience Connection
During his discussion, JBL praised Will Ospreay’s in-ring abilities and acknowledged the high level of competition within the world of professional wrestling. Drawing on experience and references from legends like Roddy Piper, JBL explained the importance of developing more than just technical skill in wrestling, highlighting the necessity for performers to set themselves apart through personality and personal connection with fans. He included another renowned competitor in his analysis, stating that Ricochet, among others, also distinguishes himself as a performer, but emphasized that earning audience investment requires more than just athletic displays.
“Roddy Piper used to always tell me, you can’t out Hulk the Hulk. Meaning you’ve got so many guys that can flip and flop, and I’m not degrading that at all. I can’t do any of it. And they’re fantastic, but they’ve got to have something that differentiates them. And that comes from being either better on the mic or finding a way to make people care about you more than just about the fact that you’re a great performer who gives them great matches. The fans have to care personally about you. And once they do, it’s a different level. Then all of a sudden everything becomes so much easier and everything becomes so much better. And that’s what’s hard. You know, they spend so much time trying to get good at what they do, and they’re great. He’s fantastic. Ricochet is fantastic. I think he’s doing a good job being a heel on social media. You have to figure out a way to make people care.”
— JBL, WWE Hall of Fame Legend
The Temptation and Opportunity of WWE’s Global Reach
When asked directly about the likelihood of Ospreay joining WWE, JBL cited the sheer scale and visibility that WWE offers compared to other major wrestling organizations. He suggested that the prospect of performing in packed stadiums and appearing on mainstream platforms is a powerful incentive for top athletes like Will Ospreay. JBL reflected on AEW’s accomplishments but was clear in establishing WWE’s global dominance and the broader array of opportunities presented by the company, referencing appearances by WWE stars like Seth Rollins at highly visible events as an example of the exclusive perks available to WWE talent.
“Probably yeah. The temptation is just too great for these guys to go do big stadium shows and the money I guess probably a little bit better. But the temptation is just too big to have that platform. I mean, WWE is on every freaking platform in the world right now. In a huge way. You know, AEW’s got a good presence, but I mean, there’s, there’s no comparison. I mean, they’re way up here and, you know, AEW’s not close yet. Maybe they will be one day, but that temptation to be on all those platforms is pretty cool. I saw Seth Rollins at one of the weekend football games. A huge game. You don’t get that unless you’re with WWE and you have a deal with ESPN. And the opportunities from WWE are so much more vast than anywhere else in the world that yeah, I think he probably ends up going there.”
— JBL, WWE Hall of Fame Legend
Key Figures and Implications in the Wrestling World
This prediction about Will Ospreay’s WWE future comes amid significant developments within WWE and AEW, including discussions about contracts, roster reshuffling, and the ongoing reach of wrestling brands into mainstream entertainment, such as partnerships with Getty Images and platforms like Netflix. Figures like Matt Cardona and Tommaso Ciampa have made headlines for their own career moves, reflecting the shifting landscape in which rising stars like Will Ospreay navigate decisions about their next big career steps.
The strong praise and insight from JBL—a figure with decades of experience in major promotions—suggests that Ospreay’s journey may ultimately mirror those who seek the expansive stage and exposure unique to WWE. As events like WrestleMania continue to draw global audiences and as the WWE brand leverages media deals with broadcasters such as ESPN, opportunities for superstars to become household names continue to grow. If Ospreay’s career path follows JBL’s prediction, it could signal another major shift in wrestling’s evolving hierarchy, with fans and industry observers watching closely for his next move.
