6-foot-8-inch giant promises to humiliate Will Ospreay despite the AEW star's respect for him
Will Ospreay's successful AEW run has continued despite a few recent setbacks, including the end of his singles winning streak. The UK superstar is headed for a major match on his home turf, but first, he must overcome another major obstacle.
The Aerial Assassin made his name Japan, and one of his rivals in The Land of the Rising Sun was Lance Archer. The rivalry will continue on AEW Dynamite this week as Archer is interested in the AEW American Championship that Ospreay is set to challenge for at All In. MJF recently captured the International Championship from Ospreay and re-introduced it as the American title.
The Murderhawk Monster was seen destroying wrestlers backstage at Saturday's Collision after footage from his June 2023 NJPW loss to Ospreay was shown to promote a match between the two on Dynamite. Archer then squashed a local enhancement talent in a preview of what he has planned for Ospreay on Dynamite.
AEW later released footage of The American Psycho sending a direct statement to The Commonwealth Kingpin, referring to him as his "Tomodachi," or friend, from Japan. Archer then declared that he will go to All In to win the American Championship from MJF.
"You've won some, I've won some. A lot of people have put you to the test, and hell, you've put them to the test, but I'm going to put you through the ringers in a way that you couldn't even imagine. You want MJF's American Title, but I don't think you belong in that title picture anymore. So, I'm going to hurt you, I'm going to put you down, I'm going to beat you in a way that you've never been beat before," Lance Archer said.
Ospreay took to X this morning to respond to the former Vance Archer. The 12-year veteran confirmed he has respect for Archer and promised it will be kill or be killed on Dynamite.
"From East to West @LanceHoyt has been my ultimate test of endurance & strength. It’s no secret the respect I have for him but he is exactly what I need to remind me about having a killer instinct. It’s either kill or be killed this Wednesday on @TBSNetwork @AEW," Will Ospreay wrote.
There have been three singles matches between Archer and Ospreay since 2017, and more than a dozen multi-man bouts. Ospreay currently leads the series 2-1 after his win at NJPW Dominion in June 2023.
AEW Dynamite updated lineup for Wednesday
All Elite Wrestling will return to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday for Dynamite.
This week's Dynamite will feature fallout from Blood & Guts, plus more build to All In. Below is the updated lineup:
- Bryan Danielson will speak
- Renee Paquette will interview Mariah May
- Title Eliminator Match: CMLL World Women's Champion Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander
- Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer
AEW is expected to finalize additional All In matches on Dynamite as well. No matches have been announced for Wednesday's Rampage tapings as of this writing.