10 Best Wrestlers Of 2022
3. Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay is a terrifying professional wrestler. That somebody whose style is as explosive, impactful, and jaw-dropping as the Brit keeps such a busy schedule without letting his quality levels dip shouldn't be possible. Every week, it feels like Ospreay pulls out a Match of the Year candidate in a completely different setting, worked with psychology tailored to his environment, circumstances, and opponent. At 29 years old, he is close to mastering the craft.
That his character has come together so well in 2022 is another reason why his year has felt so satisfying. Where once Will's heel persona felt like an attempt at capturing Conor McGregor's lightning in a bottle, this is no longer the case. Ospreay is unabashedly his own man. With United Empire, he has found his voice, resonating as a pig-ignorant British tourist abroad who also happens to be a world-class in-ring combatant, hitting boisterous, unruly notes in every heel symphony.
Early-year highlights opposite Kazuchika Okada and Michael Oku landed in different ways. The latter, in particular, is an agonising, story-driven drama reminiscent of a territory-era classic with modern window dressing. It is a must-watch, particularly for any remaining Ospreay sceptics, but each of his months had something of a similar calibre.
That's how prolific Will Ospreay has been in 2022. Whether working for NJPW, AEW, RevPro, or somewhere else entirely, he has been informally excellent. ****1/2+ has become a rough night for him.