To become an "air assassin," one must learn from a trailblazing figure in aerial wrestling. Former two-time AEW International Champion Will Ospreay feels he models his style after such pioneers but believes they often don’t get the recognition they deserve, especially the legendary Hayabusa.
Ospreay shared on "JJRBTS" that Hayabusa was a major influence on him: "I remember when I first saw him around 2006 or 2007 and thought, ‘Wow, check out how this guy works,’ especially with his 450 moves. It’s incredible because he was paralyzed back in 2001."
Today’s stars, influenced by Lucha Libre and trailblazers like Hayabusa and Ospreay, are willing to push their bodies to the limit to inspire fans and future wrestling stars. Embracing Hayabusa’s legacy, Ospreay was honored to introduce his hero in front of 11,000 fans and thousands more at a special event last year.
In 2022, Ospreay expressed a deep desire to wear a mask in homage to Hayabusa, whose masks hadn’t been commonly worn by Japanese wrestlers due to the painful memories associated with him. Ospreay met with Hayabusa’s daughter in Japan to seek permission, which she gladly gave, appreciating the tribute. The original mask maker also reached out, asking Ospreay to don a Hayabusa mask, an emotional moment that gave him goosebumps.
After his main event match, Ospreay sold custom masks inspired by Hayabusa, donating all proceeds to the late wrestler’s family.
If quoting from this article, please credit "JJRBT" with AH/T to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.
Fan Take: This heartfelt tribute from Will Ospreay highlights the deep respect AEW wrestlers have for wrestling legends like Hayabusa. For AEW fans, it signals a powerful connection to the sport’s rich history, while inspiring future generations to honor and evolve the high-flying style that captivated audiences worldwide.
