WWE wanted to sign Will Ospreay, but the lure of a part-time schedule and Tony Khan's deep pockets have seen him instead become one of AEW's top stars.
The International Champion frequently steals the show but AEW is struggling right now. Ratings continue to decline and the weekly critical acclaim AEW Dynamite once enjoyed is now rare. Ultimately, it appears Tony Khan is no match for Triple H since he's taken over from Vince McMahon, resulting in hotshot booking and the product no longer being able to outshine WWE's offerings.
Last week's AEW Dynamite drew record-low ratings with just 502,000 viewers and a 0.16 in the key 18-49 demo. While this week's show managed to bounce back to some extent, AEW is clearly in trouble.
Talking to CBS Sports, Ospreay explained why he and other AEW wrestlers aren't letting those numbers get them down.
"It sucks that it was such a low rating but it's just motivating me and I'm sure it's motivating others to try and think out of the box and come back swinging," Ospreay said. "I'm not someone who ignores that type of s---. I see it and I take note of it. I put it in the checkbook and I make sure whatever we do next week, we come back swinging."
"We shouldn't ignore criticism or shy away from it. We're still a five-year company and we're still hitting the ropes with these things. For me, AEW still has lots of growing pains to go through."
"If we look back five years to what WWE was doing, they were at a low. But the way they're thriving right now is inspiring to everyone. It should be something to hit," he added, making it clear he's aware of WWE's rise in popularity. "We need to change the bar and see what we must do to change things up. Like I said, I'm not the type of person to shy away from it. I enjoy criticism."
Elsewhere in the interview, Ospreay reiterated his hope to see Ricochet - who has reportedly cut ties with WWE - join AEW and show the world what he can do.
"I've said this to a lot of people recently. I've been shouting his name off in the distance for years, and I do mean years. It's only now, just because his contract is coming up, that people think is going to happen. I speak to Ricochet every now and again."
"There is nothing said between us about whether something is going to pop off. Honestly, I hope he does. I really really hope he does. I miss him as a friend. I do think there is money on the table to do a rematch, but I do think there is money on the table to do a tag team."
Ospreay will challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship at the Forbidden Door PPV this Sunday.