Summary

Will Ospreay returned to the ring for NJPW in Japan on April 4 at Sakura Genesis, teaming with HENARE and Great-O-Khan of United Empire in a six-man tag against Yuya Uemura, Taichi, and El Desperado.

The match had already been positioned as one of the notable undercard bouts on the finalized Sakura Genesis lineup, and it also marked Ospreay's first NJPW match in Japan since February 2024.

Winner

United Empire, Will Ospreay, HENARE, and Great-O-Khan, defeated Yuya Uemura, Taichi, and El Desperado.

After the match, HENARE and Great-O-Khan tried to continue the attack, but Ospreay did not join in.

What Ospreay's Sakura Genesis return could mean

Ospreay stepping back into an NJPW ring in Japan gives extra weight to the result because it immediately puts one of the promotion's most recognizable former top stars back in front of that audience. His decision not to keep attacking after the bell also stands out, especially after Callum Newman questioned the timing of Ospreay's return to United Empire.

There is still a clear limit on how much to read into it. Ospreay remains signed to AEW, and the source notes that he is scheduled to challenge Jon Moxley for the Continental Championship at Dynasty on April 12, so this result reads more like a meaningful return appearance than a full-time NJPW shift.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.