Will Ospreay challenges Kazuchika Okada for NJPW Battle in the Valley

Will Ospreay still has unfinished business with Kazuchika Okada.

While speaking as part of NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 18 interview series, Ospreay issued a challenge to Okada for NJPW Battle in the Valley. Ospreay said he’s confident that he’s going to become the first-ever IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. Ospreay then wants his first title defense to be against Okada in San Jose.

Ospreay is facing Jon Moxley and David Finlay in a three-way match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 to determine the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.

Ospreay was the final IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship before the title was retired. The title belt was destroyed by Finlay during the build to Wrestle Kingdom.

Though this is his last Wrestle Kingdom as a full-time NJPW-contracted talent, Ospreay said he’s still dedicated to competing in an NJPW ring. He wants to show that with this match against Okada. Ospreay has signed a multi-year deal with AEW but will still be able to wrestle for NJPW as well.

Ospreay said in his challenge to Okada:

I’m confident going into this match that I’ll be walking away with this championship. I’m that confident in doing it, like, I’m prepared to make a challenge right here for San Jose. I know it’s on the poster that Okada is on that poster. And we have so much unfinished business. Yeah, granted, I was able to get that win in the G1 and I could finally prove to everybody that I can beat Okada. But I’m happy to put this challenge out right here, right now in front of you all that I want to face Okada in San Jose. 

Okada is facing Bryan Danielson at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4.

Okada’s NJPW contract is set to expire at the end of January. He’s reportedly “seriously entertaining” the idea of signing with a promotion other than NJPW, which would mean WWE or AEW.

Battle in the Valley is being held at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California on Saturday, January 13.