All Elite Wrestling originally planned to announce Will Ospreay’s return as part of the promotional rollout for All In 2026, but that strategy changed when the company decided to use him as a surprise at Revolution, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The report states that Ospreay had been medically cleared roughly two weeks before his appearance at AEW Revolution. However, AEW chose to keep that information private. The original idea was to reveal his return alongside the ticket on-sale for All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium, using his comeback to generate added interest for the event. The pre-sale for All In launched the day after Revolution, while general ticket sales began on March 20.

Instead, AEW shifted direction and brought Ospreay back as a surprise during Revolution. The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the show, changing the initial promotional plan but delivering a strong reaction from fans.

Ospreay made an immediate impact upon his return by confronting Jon Moxley, who had just defended the AEW Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita. The confrontation set the stage for a major program expected to continue into AEW All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium on August 30.

Meltzer also highlighted the speed of Ospreay’s recovery. He had undergone double fusion neck surgery and was cleared in less than six months, which is considered a fast timeline for that type of procedure. Ospreay had been out of action since September 14, 2025, following an attack by Moxley and the Death Riders inside a steel cage at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

The decision to adjust plans reflects AEW’s flexibility in maximizing key moments, with Ospreay’s return now positioned as a major storyline heading into one of the company’s biggest events of the year.

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