Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher advance in Owen Hart Foundation tournament at AEW Dynasty

Will Ospreay

Image: JJ Williams

Two bitter rivals and former partners both advanced in the opening bouts of the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament as part of AEW Dynasty.

Former AEW International Champion Will Ospreay opened up the pay-per-view with a victory over Kevin Knight in their first ever meeting. Ospreay picked up the win to end an extremely athletic bout by connecting on a Hidden Blade after Knight kicked out of both a Styles Clash and an Oscutter.

Later on the show, Kyle Fletcher won his trilogy series with former ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe to also advance. Fletcher battered Briscoe throughout the match, power bombing him on the ringside floor and on the ringside barricade, later hitting back-to-back brainbusters on the ring apron and inside the ring. Fletcher survived a Briscoe offensive rally late, hitting two running kicks and a turnbuckle brainbuster for the win in a hard-hitting bout.

Ospreay now moves on to face the winner of Brody King vs. Konosuke Takeshita in the eight-man tournament while Fletcher awaits the victor of the Hangman Page vs. surprise entrant/wild card match. The dates for those bouts has yet to be announced.

The finals of the tournament will take place at May’s Double or Nothing. The tournament winner will challenge for the AEW World title at July’s All In Texas.