When the “dream matches” were being theorised for Forbidden Door, many matches were thrown out as ones fans wanted – Page vs Okada, Tanahashi vs Moxley and Danielson vs Zack Sabre Jr were but a few names thrown out.
However, one match that was rarely, if all mentioned was Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy. And why would it? Cassidy has been injured since AEW Revolution in February, and before that was largely relegated to endless trios matches against some combination from The Elite.
Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy is the latest AEW vs NJPW match announced for Forbidden Door and is one that you should get excited for.
This feud against The Elite, whilst teaming with Best Friends Chuck Taylor and Trent Barretta, as well as his never ending feud with Matt Hardy really soured the fans on Orange Cassidy. He was considered a mid-card act and maybe one that overstayed his welcome. He was overexposed on the main roster and some his luster had been lost.
But that poor year, which had nothing to do with his own abilities in the ring, made people forget about just how good Orange Cassidy can be. Just how good his matches against the likes of Chris Jericho and PAC. And just how loud and excited the crowd were when they thought he would lift the AEW Championship at Double or Nothing 2022.
The triple threat match featuring Orange Cassidy, PAC and Kenny Omega for the AEW Championship is arguably the greatest AEW match of all time. There were so many moments in the match where the fans were behind Freshly Squeezed and wanted to see him dethrone Kenny Omega despite it being obvious Adam Page was destined to be that man.
That’s one thing Cassidy can do, make you believe. Once he is given that chance he can be one of the best wrestlers in the world. And up against maybe the best wrestler in the world, Will Ospreay and Orange Cassidy can create some absolute magic.
Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy
Orange Cassidy confront Will Ospreay after the Englishman’s match against Dax Harwood on AEW Dynamite, setting up the match for Forbidden Door.
This match was set up with no build, no previous theories on it happening and frankly nobody excited for it. But as soon as it was announced, the wrestling world exploded and the fans rejoiced.
Orange Cassidy had not been seen in months and before he left was on the cusp on main event stardom in AEW. He made it to the semi finals of the AEW Eliminator Tournament last year, only narrowly losing to Miro in a fantastic match.
He was meant to take on Jon Moxley (who himself faced off with Ospreay recently in NJPW), but Moxley missed out due to dealing with his own alcohol issues. He was one of the top stars in AEW before his injury and looked strong in the ladder match at AEW Revolution 2022.
In Will Ospreay, as we saw on Dynamite, is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Ospreay mesmerises in the ring, and has added fantastic character work and psychology to an impressive arsenal of aerial moves and crazy reversals.
Will Ospreay is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and only lost the title due to injury in 2021, although he failed to defeat Kazuchika Okada for the belt in the main event of this past Wrestle Kingdom. However, that match was one of the matches of the year and showed just how good Will Ospreay is in the ring.
When Orange Cassidy and Will Ospreay face off at Forbidden Door, I fully expect it to be the match of the night. The pair’s styles clash so obviously yet that is what will make it great. Both men have the skill to make it work and to make it excellent and the fans will be behind both men all the way.
Who do you think will win in the Will Ospreay vs Orange Cassidy match? Let us know in the comments and tell us which match you’re most excited for at AEW vs NJPW: Forbidden Door
