WWE star AJ Styles' moveset recreated by AEW talent
A top star and former champion in AEW, Will Ospreay, had the tall task of defeating one of the company's Four Pillars this week on Dynamite: Holiday Bash. The Aerial Assassin was unsuccessful despite employing the moves of a WWE Superstar and pro-wrestling legend.
On the December 18 edition of Dynamite, Ospreay took on Darby Allin in a Gold League match of the 2024 Continental Classic. The two men put on a singles clinic, utilizing their athleticism and agility to counter the other's offense. Ultimately, the former TNT Champion reversed a Stormbreaker attempt from the Englishman with a Scorpion Death Drop before finally sealing the win with multiple Coffin Drops.
Viewers of the Tony Khan-led company are still fawning over Allin vs. Ospreay on Dynamite, some of whom recently took to X/Twitter to point out how The Commonwealth Kingpin borrowed from the repertoire of WWE Superstar and former WWE Champion AJ Styles during the bout. Notably, toward the closing stretch of the match, Ospreay delivered a huge Styles Clash on Darby from the apron onto the floor - remarkably, the maneuver failed to keep Allin down for the count.
Ospreay's next C2 2024 bout will pit him against his old rival Ricochet on AEW Christmas Collision.
Wrestling veteran's critique of Will Ospreay v Darby Allin on AEW Dynamite
Numerous fans have praised Will Ospreay's match against Darby Allin this week on AEW Dynamite as one of the best television matches produced by the Jacksonville-based promotion this year.
The opinion was disputed, however, by Bully Ray on Busted Open After Dark, who took exception to the face-painted daredevil surviving a Styles Clash on to the arena floor at ringside.
"I don't know about you, but to me, the Styles Clash from a bigger Will Ospreay onto a smaller Darby Allin, a Styles Clash to a floor, and a jumping Oscutter should be enough to put the smaller opponent away, but it wasn't. But Darby's two Coffin Drops and a Scorpion is enough to put Will away... "I'm sorry, I'm just not buying into it, they could've done something a little bit different. And I would've taken the Oscutter out or I would've had Ospreay throw Darby back into the ring. Because to see Darby just come up out of the cell."
It remains to be seen how Darby's victory over Ospreay may affect the latter's promise to help the former battle The Death Riders after the Continental Classic.