Will Ospreay just proved why he is the absolute best in the world

The master of Full Gear

Full Gear has historically been AEW's most consistent pay-per-view, but the 2026 edition in Newark felt different. Will Ospreay didn't just have a match; he conducted a masterclass in pacing and escalation. While the rest of the roster relies on high-octane spotfests, Ospreay treated his main event like a chess match played at 100 miles per hour.

He navigated the ring with a level of intentionality we rarely see in modern wrestling. Every transition, every snapmare, and every strike felt like it had a specific goal. It was a stark contrast to his earlier years in the indies where style often eclipsed substance.

The technical refinement

The sequence that defined the night happened roughly 22 minutes into the contest. Ospreay countered a suplex attempt into a mid-air transition, forcing his opponent into a corner where he landed a basement dropkick that looked like it snapped his opponent's neck. It was precision work that rewarded the viewer for actually paying attention.

He has finally shed the reputation of being a guy who just flips around. This was grounded, gritty, and technically sound work. He is currently operating at a level that even legends like Bryan Danielson or Kurt Angle would have to respect. The crowd stayed locked in for the full 34 minutes of the bout, which is a near-impossible feat in today's distracted media climate.

The glaring flaws

Despite the technical perfection, the booking of the finish left a sour taste. We have seen the Hidden Blade used as an absolute finisher for years, yet the opponent kicked out at one. It felt like a decision forced by a creative team obsessed with the "kick-out culture" that often plagues high-profile AEW matches.

When a move has been established as a match-ender, using it for a false finish devalues the entire repertoire. It took away from the realism Ospreay worked so hard to build throughout the first two acts of the match. It felt like a cheap pop for an audience that deserved a cleaner, more logical conclusion.

The path forward

This match solidifies Ospreay as the anchor of the promotion. While some might argue that Jon Moxley or Swerve Strickland carry a different kind of star power, Ospreay is the only one who can carry a technical clinic on such a massive stage. AEW needs to lean into this style more often.

He is no longer just the Billy Goat of the independent scene. He is a professional wrestler in the purest sense of the term. If the company continues to allow him this much creative freedom, we are looking at a run that will be analyzed for decades. Just stop with the unnecessary kick-outs, and he becomes untouchable.