Will Ospreay’s Death Riders work was never about changing him, says Claudio Castagnoli

Will Ospreay’s Death Riders work was never about changing him, says Claudio Castagnoli

Will Ospreay’s time in The Death Riders was never meant to reshape the AEW star-he was already elite, says Claudio Castagnoli. Castagnoli spoke to Soundsphere Magazine about Ospreay’s recent training under The Death Riders, a faction that sidelined Ospreay at last year’s Forbidden Door. The goal wasn’t to fix Ospreay but to push him further.

What happened with Will Ospreay and The Death Riders?

Ospreay joined The Death Riders after losing to Jon Moxley earlier this year. The faction initially took him out of action at last year’s Forbidden Door. Castagnoli confirmed the group’s focus was on elevating Ospreay, not transforming him. “It was always about getting Will to that next level,” Castagnoli said. “It was never about changing Will. He was already great.”

Why Castagnoli trusts Jon Moxley’s vision

Castagnoli praised Moxley’s leadership within The Death Riders. “Everybody steps up, and everybody believes in what the team is doing,” he said. “Even if nobody else outside the group knows, we do. Mox has a vision. I trust him. But that trust doesn’t come overnight.” Castagnoli and Moxley have known each other for over 16 years, having worked together in and out of the ring globally.

What’s next for Will Ospreay?

The Death Riders’ training stint with Ospreay follows his loss to Moxley earlier this year. Castagnoli’s comments suggest Ospreay’s in-ring style may evolve, but his core strengths remain intact. The faction’s internal trust and shared vision could shape Ospreay’s next moves in AEW.

Elsewhere in recent interviews, Castagnoli also discussed Sheamus potentially joining AEW.