Ahead of their clash at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Swerve Strickland offered a candid preview of his men’s Owen Hart Cup Finals match against Will Ospreay — and made clear he understands exactly what’s at stake narratively for both men.
Strickland, speaking ahead of the event, heaped praise on the story building around Ospreay heading into AEW All In, calling it the kind of narrative that doesn’t come along often. In Swerve’s own words, the potential arc for Ospreay sounds like “Scorsese himself has written it” — a nod to just how cinematic and compelling he views the storyline that could unfold if Ospreay advances.
The Owen Hart Cup Finals — both the men’s and women’s tournaments — serve as one of the marquee attractions at Forbidden Door. Strickland and Ospreay are set to collide in the men’s bracket finale, with a significant opportunity on the line for the winner.
The match carries enormous weight for both competitors. Ospreay has established himself as one of the most talked-about performers in professional wrestling over the past several years, and a deep run at a major AEW event would only cement that reputation further. Strickland, for his part, is no stranger to big-match moments, and framing this contest in such grand storytelling terms suggests he’s approaching it with that same gravity.
With Forbidden Door set to deliver on multiple fronts, the Owen Hart Cup Finals figures to be among the night’s most anticipated bouts. Whether it’s Strickland or Ospreay walking away with the cup — and whatever comes next — the stage is clearly set for something memorable.
Reporting and match coverage produced by the PW Exclusive team. Articles under this byline are drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication — see our editorial standards for how we work.
More from PW Exclusive Staff →
Every match, rumour and result as the briefcase goes up in New Orleans
Visit the Hub
Join the discussion. Free MyPWE account — comment, react and get replies.
Create free account Log in