AEW star Will Ospreay has shed light on the promotion’s approach to talent acquisition, suggesting AEW prioritizes wrestlers who are actively “grafting and improving the markets elsewhere” over those who merely expect a spot after WWE release. This comes as WWE has made multiple talent cuts in 2025, while AEW has focused on signing overseas or non-WWE talent like Mina Shirakawa and “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Speaking on JJRBTS, Ospreay referenced Bailey as an example: “Speedball Mike Bailey… was like the Indie King… putting on some of the greatest matches ever. I think that’s what we’re looking at more now instead of guys that just got let go from WWE.” While expressing sympathy for released talent (“my heart goes out to them all”), Ospreay stated, “It should never be assumed that ‘Oh, I got let go here, I can just walk into AEW.’ Nah, bruv. The bar is too high now.”
He urged recently released wrestlers to prove their value independently: “I want to see all of these guys cut their teeth elsewhere… Go to New Japan, go to NOAH, go to STARDOM. Go elsewhere and improve their houses before you can think ‘Oh, I’ll just come here.’” Ospreay acknowledged exceptions like Swerve Strickland, MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin as “special” talents who transitioned directly, but reiterated, “You can’t just be good anymore. You’ve got to be elite.”
H/T to Fightful for the transcription. Thanks for checking out this article. Make sure to follow Jeff Jarrett and all things GFE on Facebook.
