Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland spoke warmly about Will Ospreay after the British star made a dramatic return at AEW Revolution 2026. Strickland praised Ospreay’s work ethic, his recovery, and the bond the two share.
Strickland on Ospreay’s comeback
Strickland said he watched Ospreay closely during his recovery from serious neck injuries. He told a recent interview viewers could watch on YouTube that he kept tabs on Ospreay “every step of the way” over the last few months. Strickland called Ospreay a friend and described him as like a younger brother.
He said he first met Ospreay when Ospreay was about 18 in the United Kingdom and believed then that Ospreay would one day be a global star. Strickland said a neck injury had the potential to stop that rise, so he was relieved to see Ospreay push back and return to the ring.
Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6TCHBdObww
Return at Revolution 2026
Ospreay returned to AEW television at the Revolution pay-per-view in 2026. His return came after a long layoff because of the neck injury. On the night, Ospreay attacked Jon Moxley and the Death Riders. The attack followed a match where Jon Moxley retained the AEW Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita.
The surprise appearance reinserted Ospreay into AEW storylines right away and showed he was ready to be part of big moments again. Strickland said Ospreay pushed his recovery and worked hard to come back sooner than many expected.
Respect and future expectations
Strickland highlighted Ospreay’s discipline and athleticism. He called Ospreay a “freak of nature” in terms of talent and said the wrestler’s strong work habits helped speed his return. Strickland also praised Ospreay’s performance quality and said that those close to him always knew how special a performer he is.
The tone of Strickland’s comments was personal as much as professional. He stressed that their chemistry comes from respect and friendship, not just from working together in the ring. That relationship helped make their matches feel important and emotional for fans.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Jon Moxley | Retained AEW Continental Championship (defeated Konosuke Takeshita) |
| Konosuke Takeshita | Lost to Jon Moxley (for AEW Continental Championship) |
| Will Ospreay | Returned from long injury layoff and attacked Jon Moxley and the Death Riders |
Swerve Strickland’s praise underlines how highly the locker room views Ospreay’s talent and recovery. Fans will now watch to see how Ospreay’s return changes the AEW landscape and which programs he joins next.
