At AEW WrestleDream 2024, Will Ospreay defends his Intercontinental Championship against Ricochet and Konosuke Takeshita. What if Will Ospreay loses though?
The card and the results of the matches are always subject to change. Just because we think we know the direction; the pathway and destination doesn’t mean we can’t and aren’t swerved from time to time.
Through exploring the alternative possibilities of what could happen if important matches don’t go the way we expect/want them to go, we learn multiple things. Not just what our expectations and wants tells us about the current product (its strengths and flaws). How generally we as fans view the wrestlers involved. Where we want them to go and how the company views them. It can give a snapshot at our attitudes towards the product at this time. Plus, a sense of our optimism/pessimism for the future.
In this second speculative piece, James asks the question of what happens if Will Ospreay loses his AEW International Championship to either Konosuke Takeshita or Ricochet. Then what’s next for all three men?
At Present
AEW is a company of contrasts. A complex blend of philosophies and ideas about wrestling that has (at times) resulted in matches and stories with straightforward and predictable results.
We see where things might be going. AEW, before WWE’s return to form, built trust with its fans based in part on signposting what would happen later to keep you watching.
With logical and consequential booking that allowed you to see the growth and development in a wrestler’s arc. Currently, AEW creative feels fractured.
Its hellish and potholed road towards nirvana is something I’ve discussed here. With rumors and discussions online suggesting shows are booked on a weekly basis with no long-term planning, there certainly feels like there is proof.
The memory of Excalibur almost losing his mind on a weekly basis previewing what was scheduled for the upcoming weeks is distant. At present, some creative decisions have myopically advanced one story while simultaneously hurting another.
Look at Bryan Danielson pinning Kazuchika Okada on the anniversary of Dynamite. The slight distraction from Claudio Castagnoli might have advanced their issues after a draw in Cardiff and heading to the Continental Classic.
However, it also takes away some of the significance of a potential scalp being claimed by Takeshita if he topples the Continental Champion later this year. Part of the issue is that, sometimes, the pay-off has been hinted at, but the wait requires time and patience.
Something that the bumpy road tears away at that desire to see things play out.
The International Championship Three-Way
The graphic alone of Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Ricochet screams a potential show-stealer. Like most Ospreay matches.
Just times this one by three. We have seen the combination of Billy Goat vs. Takeshita and Ricochet separately in one-on-one action.
Combine all three, then we might end up in the situation where we have one of the most memorable three-way matches in AEW history. Kenny Omega vs. PAC vs. Orange Cassidy at Double or Nothing 2021 is the current standard.
One X user I saw posted the three-way graphic alongside TNA’s Unbreakable three-way between Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and AJ Styles. This match has high expectations and high potential.
And Ospreay’s PPV win record this year is impressive with only one loss. That was to stop Ospreay’s talent from overshadowing Swerve Strickland.
Undeniably, Ospreay will be a future AEW world champion. Holding the International Championship is a somewhat clever way of keeping him (as well as Okada) away from the main event scene.
So, Ospreay retains right? The victory and putting the championship for Ricochet or Takeshita offers both potential positive and negative consequences for the future AEW has mapped out for at least two of the competitors.
Let’s look at how drastically (if at all) removing the belt from the Billy Goat could impact AEW’s winter and the potential foreshadowing related to the C2.
There’s a Good and Bad Version of Everything
As a big fan of the alternative history sub-genre of fiction, there’s a lot we can learn by questioning how a change in our expectations or the future impacts our fandom. Exploring other possibilities of what could or might have happened reveals a lot about our present as well as our fears/hopes for the future.
Rather than fantasy booking or stating what should be, this is about exploring what could be. When I previously predicted this year’s Owen Hart Cup, I was clear that my ideas were reflective of the general optimism towards the tournament.
This isn’t about predicting one narrow vision of what should be, but the wider possibilities. The spectrum of wrestling booking ranges from masterful to good to bad to ugly.
We’re going to consider all possible outcomes and what could go wrong, as well as what could go right.
If Ricochet Wins – The Problems
In my Dynamite previews and when I recently discussed who might be the next two champions for each AEW title, I stated that I don’t think Ricochet is ready to beat Ospreay. Even if you ignore the optics of a former WWE star entering AEW within a few months.
Winning a top title against a man who all year has been presented as the best in the world. The story AEW has presented of Ricochet trying to recover.
Prove he is in best in the world form. This is somewhat meta.
As smart fans who saw Ricochet in his prime, it’s hard to ignore that Ricochet isn’t on Ospreay’s level. Not yet.
Ricochet is not washed, just acclimatizing. No different from other former WWE talent who have crossed the sides.
There are few seamless transitions. The AEW style has taken the former King’s past best and innovated it.
Ricochet has been out of the loop for a while. This new work environment has different standards.
A different rhythm to the Indies in the 2010s. And, instead of focusing on the lack of readiness, the storyline being that Ricochet is ready makes it harder to invest.
Their Dynamite anniversary match had great moments. There was promise.
Yet, trying to present both men as equal is a dangerous game. Yet, for hardcore sickos who remember those original spots, the callbacks reveal a difference in Ricochet’s movement.
Even if Ricochet were to get the pin on Takeshita rather than Ospreay, there is a risk. Such a title reign is a double-edged sword.
AEW’s “no floaties” approach means Ricochet would swiftly need to back up his character’s newfound confidence with that best-in-the-world athleticism in-ring. A failed run would provide easy criticism of another former WWE underwhelming in AEW.
If Ricochet Wins – The Flipside
If Ricochet were to win the championship, that story of not being on the Billy GOAT’s level or in the best form for AEW could become the overarching story of the title reign. Switching the story to maybe Ricochet wasn’t ready, it was bravado, could lead to some interesting directions.
Allow Ricochet to build to his best form while constructing a character. Leaning into this could result in a sympathetic babyface arc with Ricochet.
An underdog champion has to prove his capabilities. Or if leaning into heelish tendencies, Ricochet resorts to cheating because he’s unable to do it fairly.
There is also the possibility that, like with PAC or MJF more recently, Ricochet could be a champion who defends the belt abroad. Making the championship international in both name and nature once again.
NJPW, CMLL, and elsewhere, Ricochet’s name value and history could allow him to put on some interesting exhibitions. In Japan, Mexico, and the world, it could be another case of AEW using excursions to strengthen their relationship with their partner companies.
It would also distinguish the championship again from the other two men’s midcard championships.
If Takeshita wins – The Upside
If Takeshita won the International Championship, there would be little complaining. Since last year when Takeshita joined The Don Callis Family and beat Kenny Omega twice in one week, we expected the rocket to take The Alpha to the pinnacle.
However, like The Pinnacle stable, that awesome presentation and potential just whimpered out. A dud firework.
In AEW fashion, there’s been a delay due to roster rotation and putting others in the spotlight. Most fans want Takeshita to win a championship.
And if Takeshita wins, it not only could progress the Ospreay/Callis Family storyline that’s been teased and delayed for ten months. With a string of PPVs heading to the end of the year, there are various combinations of singles and team matches for Takeshita to compete in.
Takeshita vs. Ospreay II. The eventual turning of Kyle Fletcher to join Ospreay.
Possibly a revamped United Empire? The issue with this is perhaps they are in plain sight and historic.
If Takeshita wins – The Downside
We, as fans, know holding a championship on your shoulders doesn’t equal a meaningful or satisfying push. Various wrestlers have held championships and subsequently have been booked poorly or in a way that diminishes or reduces their status.
The pairing of Takeshita with Don Callis looked promising at the start. Takeshita quickly fell into the role of heater.
The feud with Omega was between Omega and Callis based on their history. Takeshita in The Don Callis Family has never been the center of attention.
The risk of finishing this feud with Ospreay is that, rather than elevating Takeshita, it is again about Callis. The Alpha just being an obstacle or representative of the final boss.
Not the big boss himself. Takeshita’s sporadic appearances and matches on Dynamite since his return from Japan make The Alpha seem like another stepping stone in Ospreay’s growth.
The larger problem in this story arc is that it seems that, ultimately, Ospreay needs to win. As one of the main characters of AEW, Ospreay can’t lose this feud cleanly.
However, it could be done. Conversely, there could be ways of handling such a situation where Takeshita doesn’t slip behind Callis.
Likewise, where Takeshita could – by cheating or other means – get a meaningful win over Ospreay. Another possible downside would also be about Okada.
Is that done?
If Will Ospreay Loses?
Ospreay doesn’t need the championship. Losing it on Saturday would free the Essex lad to go for the world champions in the long term.
Having said that, it feels like Darby Allin is being built up to be the next world champion. In the short term, as mentioned, there is the messy business of The Don Callis Family to address first.
The issue afterward would become what stops Ospreay from challenging for the world title until he is ready. Sometimes logical (or illogical) would need to distract the Billy Goat.
Or else for us as the viewer it will seem ridiculous that the best in the world is happy to be there. There would need to be another set of diversions.
There are plenty of potential opponents. In the short-term, heading towards World’s End, there is the potential of the C2 either after or as a means to finish The Callis Family feud.
Will The Results Impact The Continental Classic?
I am already thinking about the C2. It’s leagues and who should be involved.
All three men would have their reasons for entering. Plus, as athletes, all three men would be perfect competitors for the sports-orientated style of the round-robin tournament.
The bigger picture would be what would happen to the championship. Does the International Champion take part in the tournament or not?
If there are two champions in the competition, does this lead to a situation like last year with the winner taking all the belts? A title unification as opposed to a triple crown.
It would certainly address some criticism that there are too many midcard titles in AEW. Ospreay vs. Takeshita II taking place in the C2 could be another match-of-the-year candidate.
I’ve predicted, as have others, that this is Takeshita’s tournament to win. Takeshita being the one to take the Continental crown from Okada delivers on the foreshadowing.
Something AEW delivers consistently. Like last year with Eddie Kingston, the tournament seems to be a platform to reward and mark the ascension of someone that the fans want to see at the top of the card.
Yet, this can happen regardless of who is the International Champion. All it impacts is the potential stakes.
Conclusion
In terms of the immediate future, whoever walks out with the International Championship in theory doesn’t change significantly the landscape of AEW’s upper mid-card. At least, in terms of what fans want long-term.
If anything, if there is a title change, only if the championship is placed on Ricochet’s shoulders is there a change of direction for the belt. And, as discussed, there is potential for something different.
If creative decided to go in that direction. Ricochet is risky and his success depends on how he adapts to life in AEW – title or not.
The fallout between Ospreay and The Calli Family seems imminent. If Ospreay remains the champion, it neither adds nor takes away from his current position or story.
If Takeshita takes the International Championship, it rewards and begins the push some fans have long expected. As for the C2, it’s up to creative to either fulfill or ignore the Chekov’s gun/table that’s been teased.
What this match reveals about AEW’s current upper midcard is that despite claims otherwise, there are set tracks for long-term stories and characters. If anything, sometimes AEW can be so set in their ways.
It makes me think that perhaps an upset, trying something different, would be a risk worth taking.
