Ever since Will Ospreay declared his intentions to expand the United Empire into AEW, that has me thinking about potential selections for his new crew. And that’s where I’m asking for your opinion. Calling all Cagesiders to sound off in the comments with your picks for Will Ospreay’s new faction.
This started with Ospreay’s promo on Dynamite. Bruv thanked his mates from NJPW. Ospreay misses that camaraderie built through training together (much like his time with the Death Riders), so he wants to start his own
branch of the United Empire in AEW.
Thinking about different roles in a faction for Ospreay, there always needs to be the muscle. There should be a respected veteran who is a star, but not star enough to clash with the leader over the world title. (That makes me question if Andrade will be in the group.) There should be a tag team. There should be a young rising star with the potential ability to surpass the leader in time. Some of these roles can overlap for the same person.
My first pick (not meaning first in order of importance, just first for the sake of writing the discussion) is Sheamus. I’d love to see the free agent bruiser slap meat with other brawny faction fellows, such as Toa Liona in the Demand and all the hosses in the Callis Family. This would give Sheamus a role to feel important on screen while also not relying on him to work matches every week. I’d also take Jeff Cobb in this spot. Cobb happens to be a former United Empire member.
Next up is “Speedball” Mike Bailey as the respected veteran. He can be a calming influence outside the ring with the ability to produce bangers inside the ring.
Scanning the AEW roster, I’d go with Adam Priest & Tommy Billington as the tag team. Billington has the UK wrestling legacy being the nephew of Dynamite Kid. Both men can also serve the purpose of taking singles losses in Ospreay’s feuds, while they rise up the ladder of the tag team division.
The last pick for rising star is a tough one. Frankly, I don’t see that person currently on the roster who isn’t already affiliated with another faction. Then, it hit me. Leon Slater from TNA. Rumors suggest free agency status coming sooner than later. The 21-year-old also hails from England. Slater may become the youngest TNA world champion in history at Bound For Glory. Even if he wins that gold, coming to a new company will be a fresh start with time to grow toward the top. Slater’s style in the ring would mesh well with Ospreay as a mentor.
To sum up, I’d go with Sheamus (or Jeff Cobb), “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Adam Priest, Tommy Billington, and Leon Slater as Will Ospreay’s new United Empire faction in AEW.
Who are your picks? What kind of group dynamic are you looking for? Lay out the case for each member in the comments. Think far and wide. Poaching talent within AEW is accepted.
