2017 was an interesting year. Independent wrestling experienced a boom period with ticket sales up thanks to social media and wrestlers like The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and others doing an excellent job at promoting themselves. The quality of wrestling outside of WWE is at levels never seen before.
2018 should be equally interesting because New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing their expansion around the world and Daniel Bryan is likely to leave WWE.
On Sunday night, Will Ospreay tweeted out a graphic that advertises himself against Pete Dunne. That is a dream match for many fans but it’s also a “first-time-ever match” because Ospreay is the current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion and Dunne is the current WWE United Kingdom Champion.
This would be the first time that a WWE and and IWGP Champion are booked to face each other. WWE has a working relationship with IPW so that is why the match is possible and Dunne is still allowed to work on independent shows whenever he is not booked for NXT. It’s a great time to be a wrestling fan.
Ospreay vs. Dunne will take place on Wednesday, January 17th. Visit IPWUK.com for details.
Have no idea if this has ever happened.
But for my knowledge, this will be the the first time a WWE champion & a IWGP Champion will be in the same ring at the same time. pic.twitter.com/A6KVSaLySg— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) January 8, 2018
Check out some of the trending wrestling news stories below:
- WWE reportedly gave up on Bayley a long time ago
- Daniel Bryan makes a bold statement concerning his WWE future
- Maria Kanellis reacts to leaked nude photos
- Big name added to the WWE Fastlane pay-per-view in March
- Former WWE Intercontinental Champion teases return at the Royal Rumble
