Will Ospreay, a significant figure in the wrestling world, had a powerful reaction to AEW’s recent dip in television ratings, which saw the company hit a new low. At the AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 30th in Long Island, NY, the AEW International Champion Will Ospreay is set to challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship in the main event.
Since officially joining the AEW roster as a full-timer in early 2024, Ospreay has been on a remarkable unbeaten streak as a singles wrestler. Despite his rapid ascent to main event status in just four months, AEW has been facing some business challenges, with attendance numbers dwindling compared to previous years and a shrinking television audience.
AEW’s Struggling Viewership
The June 19th episode of AEW Dynamite, widely praised as one of the best episodes of the year, nevertheless recorded dismal ratings. It drew the smallest audience in the five-year history of Dynamite (on a non-holiday), with only 502,000 viewers tuning in on TBS. In the coveted 18-49 age demographic, the episode garnered a 0.16 rating, a sharp 30.4% decline from the previous week.
Ospreay’s Perspective
In an interview with CBS Sports, Will Ospreay shared his thoughts on the disappointing ratings while also highlighting the show’s quality.
“That one did suck to see when it came out because, for me, that was a home run Dynamite. It was an excellent show. There weren’t any down points in it for me,” Ospreay said.
Despite the setback, Ospreay views the low ratings as a source of motivation. He believes that this will drive himself and others in AEW to think creatively and push harder.
“It sucks that it was such a low rating, but it’s just motivating me, and I’m sure it’s motivating others to try and think out of the box and come back swinging,” Ospreay continued. “I’m not someone who ignores that type of s–t. I see it, and I take note of it. I put it in the checkbook, and I make sure whatever we do next week, we come back swinging.”
Embracing Criticism
Ospreay emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing criticism. He believes that for AEW, still a relatively young company at five years old, such challenges are part of the growing pains they must endure and overcome.
“We shouldn’t ignore criticism or shy away from it. We’re still a five-year company and we’re still hitting the ropes with these things. For me, AEW still has lots of growing pains to go through,” he added.
Rising to the Challenge
The viewership for AEW Dynamite improved for the June 26th edition, but overall, June 2024 saw a 23% decline compared to June 2023. This drop is likely to further motivate Ospreay and his colleagues to innovate and elevate the product.
As Ospreay prepares for his high-stakes match at the Forbidden Door PPV, his focus remains sharp. His drive and commitment are clear, not just in the ring but also in his dedication to helping AEW thrive in the competitive wrestling landscape.
Stephen’s Insight
Will Ospreay’s reaction to AEW’s ratings dip exemplifies a resilient and proactive approach. His determination to confront challenges head-on and use setbacks as fuel for improvement reflects a strong leadership mindset. This story underscores the importance of adaptability and perseverance in the dynamic world of professional wrestling.
