Will Ospreay reflects on injury issues: ‘I don’t know how long this ride’s going to be’

In a social media video on Monday, Will Ospreay reflected on the injury issues that he’s been dealing with.

Ospreay was forced to withdraw from the New Japan Cup this March due to suffering a shoulder injury. He hasn’t wrestled since then, but Ospreay will be returning to the ring in a match against Bobby Fish for 1PW this Saturday.

Ospreay confirmed in Monday’s video that he’s been medically cleared to compete and does feel a lot better, but he still feels like there’s a lot of weakness in his arm. Ospreay said the sensible answer would be to take some more time off, but he’s going to compete and do as much as he physically can.

Looking back on the 11 years of his career thus far, Ospreay said injuries have been a constant recently. It’s felt like his body is “deteriorating” in front of everyone’s eyes. Ospreay has had to make changes to his moveset because his body can’t do some of the things that he did when he was 22. Ospreay said he understands the risks that come with his style, but it’s a style that suits him and one that the fans enjoy.

Ospreay said he doesn’t know if this ride is going to be a long one, but he’s going to enjoy it and hope for the best.

Alright guys, I just pulled up at my gym and I just kind of want to do a video because I think it’s better than doing like a notes app.

I got medically cleared two days ago — and it’s a weird one. I’ve seen my physio now for about five weeks. I’ve got the range of motion back in my arm. The strength is there, somewhat. But because I was able to complete four strength exercises, apparently I’m medically cleared.

It does feel a lot better, but I still feel like there is a lot of weakness in my arm, which, obviously, the sensible answer is to take a little bit more time off. But over those last 48 hours, I just — I don’t know, I’ve just been reminiscing and thinking about my 11-year career. And it’s been incredible. But the one thing that’s been constant, especially in these last few years, is that the injuries have stacked up a lot more recently. It’s because I’m getting older as well. It’s because I’m getting heavier, but because of that, the moveset that I started when I was 22 years old has kind of vanished and disappeared and it’s not out of choice. It’s because my body can’t do it anymore.

I can’t perform a Shooting Star Press safely anymore, so I’ve decided that it’s best to cut it out. But like I’m not gonna lie to you guys, I feel like my body, and me personally, I am deteriorating in front of everyone’s eyes. It kind of is really upsetting and it’s because I chose to do this style. I understand the risks that come with this style, but it’s just one that suits me down to a T and I think everyone enjoys it.

So having said that, you know, I don’t know if this ride’s going to be a long one, if everyone understands what I mean. But then I kind of think — and you know I’m from Essex, like, I didn’t think I’d reach this far in my career anyway. So I’m just going to enjoy it myself and hope for the best. I’m going to have to change things up a lot, but I am going to compete, I am going to come back, and I’m going — to the best of my abilities — to do this as much as I physically can.

But you know, I don’t know how long this ride’s going to be, I’ll be honest with you guys. I hope you guys enjoy the ride, that’s all. Alright. Much love guys.

A match between Ospreay and Hiroshi Tanahashi has been announced for NJPW’s Resurgence event in Long Beach, California on Sunday, May 21. Tanahashi’s status for that match is in question after suffering a broken rib at NJPW Capital Collision.

The winner of Ospreay vs. Tanahashi is scheduled to face Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion to determine the number one contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.