Triple H "really upset" after top AEW star rejects WWE's offer - Reports
The launch of AEW brought back pro wrestling bidding wars on a scale we had not seen in years. WWE went years without much competition when it came to signing free agents, but that changed when Tony Khan's father backed his wrestling promotion. Sources are now revealing just how angry Triple H was when a current champion chose AEW over WWE.
Will Ospreay is widely regarded as one of the best pro wrestlers today. The two-time International Champion made his name in Japan, then debuted for AEW in June 2022, but signed a full-time contract last November after leaving NJPW. Ospreay officially arrived on the roster this past February, joining Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Moné as top names who recently signed with All Elite Wrestling instead of World Wrestling Entertainment.
WWE reportedly offered The Aerial Assassin a lot less money than AEW did, and it was reported then how Triple H didn't realize just how good Ospreay is. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show during WrestleMania XL Weekend, the Chief Content Officer made his "not in it for the grind" controversial comments that many saw as a message to Ospreay. The UK star later fired back with a line about Triple H getting his position by "grinding on the boss' daughter" during a live Dynamite.
WrestlePurists' Ibou is now revealing more details on the Ospreay situation in WWE. It was noted that Triple H sees Ospreay as a tremendous wrestler, and he feels "salty" over WWE failing to sign the 31-year-old.
Triple H's "grind" comments were described as The Cerebral Assassin just venting as he was "really upset" about failing to sign Ospreay. Hunter reportedly knows how great The Commonwealth Kingpin is, but a source added that back then it was not his call to say how much money would be offered to Ospreay, and that his hands were tied as far as pay went.
The Sky King's All Elite deal allows him to reside in the UK, and still make some appearances for NJPW. Ospreay being able to live in the UK factored into his decision in a major way as this would allow him to raise his stepson.
Will Ospreay suffers huge loss at AEW WrestleDream
Will Ospreay's second reign with the AEW International Championship has ended. His first reign lasted for fifty-two days, and this most recent run went forty-eight days.
Saturday's WrestleDream Pay-Per-View saw Konosuke Takeshita dethrone The Aerial Assassin of the International Championship, thanks to interference by Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis. The 21-minute Triple Threat also included Ricochet.
Ospreay has not been announced for Wednesday's Dynamite, but Takeshita is expected to return to the show as champion. The new champion has not been announced for a match at Battle of the Belts this weekend, or Full Gear on November 23.