The Podcast that Reignited the Flippy-Wrestling Wars

Grab a cold domestic light beer, pull up a barstool, and let’s talk about the wrestling internet's absolute favorite debate. Ten years after they broke the wrestling world at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Will Ospreay and Ricochet sat down on the June 24, 2026 episode of "Talk Is Jericho" to reminisce. After joking about how the Viking Raiders claimed they "ruined wrestling," Ospreay dropped a bomb by demanding one more singles match while they are both in peak physical shape.

Here is the exact quote from Ospreay on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, which shows how much this rivalry means to him:

"The idea of him being in the shape that he's in now and me being in the shape that I'm in now, I want to do it one more time ... I'll always have that love, that respect and that gratitude towards him for being so patient with me."

Naturally, this sent the internet wrestling community into a tailspin. We have seen them cross paths in AEW already, most notably in a three-way match with Konosuke Takeshita at WrestleDream 2024 and a brief singles clash in the 2024 Continental Classic. But Ospreay wants a full-blown, spotlighted singles match to settle the score.

Some fans are already throwing their money at the screen, while others are groaning at the thought of another choreographed gymnastics routine. They worry that another match will just be a glorified stunt show with no actual stakes.

The Work-Rate Marks Are Drooling

Over on r/SquaredCircle, the enthusiasts are practically writing fan fiction about what these two could do in 2026. Back in May 2016, they were young, hungry performers trying to make a name themselves in the Best of the Super Juniors. Now that they are seasoned veterans who have mastered ring psychology, the pro-rematch crowd argues that a new bout would be a mature masterclass rather than a simple rerun of old high-flying spots. They believe both men have learned how to structure matches that blend aerial feats with dramatic storytelling.

Fans who support the match point out that Ricochet was never given the freedom to show his true capabilities during his WWE run. In AEW, he actually has the time to breathe and build a story. They want to see a twenty-five minute epic where Ospreay counters a Recoil into a Hidden Blade, or Ricochet hits a springboard shooting star press to the floor.

For this group of fans, a final singles match is the logical conclusion to a decade-long story of mutual respect. It is a chance to show the world that their style has matured alongside their bodies.

The Art of the High-Flyer

There is also the historical weight of their connection to consider. As Ricochet has argued before, their early matches helped define the modern fast-paced style seen in major promotions today. Pro-rematch advocates want to see how that style translates when both men are at the absolute peak of their mainstream popularity. They want the drama, the near-falls, and the athletic showmanship that only these two can deliver in a singles environment.

The Skeptics Think the Magic is Gone

But not everyone is buying the hype. The contrarians and skeptics are out in full force on wrestling forums, and they make some very valid points. They argue that the 2016 match was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that cannot be recreated.

Back then, the double-moonsault landings and synchronized handspring backflips felt revolutionary. Today, every second wrestler on the indies is doing a Spanish Fly off the top rope. The shock value is gone, and trying to recreate it might just feel like a sad nostalgia act.

There is also a vocal group of fans who point out that their singles match in the Continental Classic was underwhelming. It felt like they were holding back, saving their best material for a bigger stage that never came.

Other critics are tired of matches that rely on high spots instead of actual storytelling. They argue that AEW already has too many matches with zero heat or emotional stakes. If Tony Khan just books Ospreay vs. Ricochet on a random Wednesday night with no build-up, it will feel like a waste of their history.

The Takeshita Shadow

Then you have the crowd that thinks the spotlight should be elsewhere. Many fans point out that Konosuke Takeshita was the real star of that WrestleDream match. They argue that Ospreay has moved past Ricochet, making this rematch a step backward for the British star.

Why focus on the past when Takeshita represents the future of the company? In their eyes, Ricochet has not done enough since joining AEW to warrant another high-profile singles match with one of the company's biggest stars.

The Verdict: Give Us the Match, But Build It First

Here is my hot take, and I will stand by it: we absolutely need to see this match, but only if AEW treats it like the historic event it is. As Wrestling Inc. reported, their 2016 clash was a pivotal moment in wrestling history. We cannot have a repeat of the 2024 Continental Classic where it felt like just another tournament match with no stakes. If they are going to do it, they need to build a real story around it.

To date, their rivalry has featured three major chapters:

  • Their initial 2016 Best of the Super Juniors tournament match at Korakuen Hall.
  • The WrestleDream 2024 three-way match that also featured Konosuke Takeshita.
  • Their singles match in the 2024 Continental Classic tournament.

AEW has a habit of assuming the fans know all the backstory. They need to put together video packages highlighting the 10th anniversary of their BOSJ match. They should show the footage of Big Van Vader calling their work "gymnastics" and explain how they proved him wrong.

If they build the drama, the match will draw. Even the skeptics who complain about stunt shows will still tune in to see if the magic is still there.

The critics who say Ospreay has outgrown Ricochet are ignoring how much better Ospreay is when he is motivated by respect. A high-profile feud with Ospreay is exactly what Ricochet needs to remind everyone why he was signed in the first place. Let them go out there, hit the crazy counters, and tell a story of two guys who changed the business together, rather than waiting until they are fifty.