Kenny Omega Recalls Final Message To NJPW Talent Before Leaving

AEW World Champion Kenny Omega has recalled his final conversation with Will Ospreay and Jay White before leaving NJPW.

Prior to his 2019 departure, Omega was one of the hottest names in NJPW. Omega has admitted that he wanted to motivate two of the company’s western-born wrestlers before walking out the door.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Omega noted that he told Ospreay and White that the western expansion was now in their hands. Metaphorically passing the torch to the young stars, Omega told them that it was up to represent “gaijin” wrestlers.

Discussing the future of NJPW, Omega said:

“Before I left New Japan, I pulled aside Ospreay and Jay White,” Omega said. “I don’t even know if I should tell this story, but I will. I told both, ‘This company, at least the western expansion and the pride of the foreigners, it’s all in your hands. They’re going to look to you to carry this thing, so you’ve got to do it.’ I said it to Jay and Ospreay knowing it was a likely scenario, but also hoping to light a fire under both of them.”

Following Omega’s departure, Ospreay transitioned into a heavyweight, winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in April. Ospreay recently was forced to vacate the title due to injury. Omega has since reacted to Ospreay relinquishing the gold.

Kazuchika Okada and Shingo Takagi will do battle for the vacant title at Dominion next month. You can read about the upcoming main-event here.

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