Will Ospreay on upcoming surgery: ‘I don’t know what it looks like afterwards’
Will Ospreay is nervous about the surgery he has scheduled for after AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on Sunday.
During an interview with CBS Sports, Ospreay revealed he does not know what his career will look like after having surgery for two herniated discs in his back, saying:
“I’m anxious. I’m scared. Generally, I’m terrified. Not about the match, but just about afterwards. I don’t know what it looks like afterwards, because for the first time in my life, I have been disqualified from doing the thing that I love doing.”
“I’ve never had anybody cut into me. I’ve never had surgery,” he continued. “I’ve never broken a bone, other than my nose, which everyone can tell, because it looks like I’ve been hit by a frying pan.”
Ospreay also revealed that he’s spoken to Adam Copeland about his upcoming surgery, and Copeland told him the most difficult part isn’t the surgery itself, but the mental challenges that come after.
“He said, ‘The hardest things are not the surgery, it’s the mental stuff that comes afterwards. Just know that I’ve been here and I’ve done it. So any time that you want to talk and bullshit, here’s my number,'” Ospreay said.
Ospreay will team with Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin and Hiroshi Tanahashi at Forbidden Door on Sunday in a Lights Out Steel Cage match against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Gabe Kidd, and The Young Bucks. He responded to criticism of him being in the match given the two herniated discs in his back, but says he’s cleared to perform at Forbidden Door.
“I know what I’m capable of. I know what I can do. I know what I can’t do. Most importantly, the medics know what I can and can’t do. The surgeon knows what I can and can’t do. And the most important thing is that my safety is utmost guaranteed. I can guarantee my safety in this. I’ll make it through.”
Ospreay also commented on possibly having to tone down his style following the surgery, saying it’s something that would be hard for him to part with.
“I might have to kiss this part of my high-flying offense goodbye now. It’s something that I’m not ready to let go. I’ll be honest with you, I’m not ready to let go of that side of me because I think that should be done on my terms. I don’t know if that’s on the card. So I’ve got to hope that after this, I can still pick up where I left off. But if not, all the greats have done it. Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger’s done it. AJ Styles has done it. I call myself the Billy G.O.A.T. for a reason. I think I can adapt.”
Ospreay’s full interview with CBS Sports is available here.