Will Ospreay is excited to step into the ring with Speedball Mike Bailey this weekend at IMPACT Bound For Glory.
IWGP United Kingdom Champion Will Ospreay was a recent guest on the Battleground Podcast. When asked about his feelings heading into IMPACT Bound For Glory this weekend to face Speedball Mike Bailey, Ospreay said he’s interested in what the fan reaction to him will be.
“I’m curious about the fan reactions more importantly,” Will Ospreay admitted. “Because while I’m sure my wrestling has gone out there, and a few people have seen it in high spectacle situations, I do know that IMPACT has its own fan base.
“So maybe they haven’t seen anything of me maybe since that 2016 run at the start. How I’ve matured and how I’ve grown, and are they happy to see me back, or are they going to side more with Mike Bailey? I don’t know. I’m just interested in seeing how the crowd reacts more importantly.”
Ospreay has followed Speedball for a while
When asked about when he first took notice of Speedball Mike Bailey, Ospreay revealed he’s been following his career for quite some time.
“Mike Bailey first came into my view around late 2014 when he was going to PWG,” Will Ospreay said. “Quite a lot, though. And I remember even before the pandemic kicked in, Mike Bailey was always over in England with Rev Pro. I think he did a lot of Fight Club Pro back then as well. But I know he was in England quite a lot.
“So I would always keep an eye on him, and I think this is one of the things I’m fascinated with while wrestling Mike because we’re very similar in terms of we love stretching ourselves out and testing ourselves against the world’s best. I think that’s why me and Mike Bailey are the two last world beaters of wrestling. We go out, we face the world’s best, and go out and conquer.
“Like with the Jericho and the Kenny and the Okada matches, I was always climbing up to their level. For the first time, me and Mike are on the same level, both entering our primes. For the first time like this, I don’t know if this has actually happened in wrestling for a very long time where it is two guys on complete opposite sides of the earth by that same type of career path and now coming together and are in their prime both world beaters at this point.
“I think that’s what excites me now, and it’s on this type of stage. IMPACT is a big stage to be doing on. IMPACT are the guys that developed AJ Styles, Petey Williams, Chris Sabin, The Motor City Machine Guns. They generated a whole different style, and now, for the first time, two of the best wrestlers at this caliber are going to meet. Man, It does excite me.”
READ MORE: Will Ospreay Talks Mental Health Struggles, Doubting Himself With Kenny Omega Match
What do you make of Will Ospreay’s comments? Are you looking forward to his match with Speedball Mike Bailey at Bound For Glory? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
If you use any of these quotes, please credit Battleground Podcast with a link to this article for the transcription.
