Real Reason Kenny Omega Is Making Return With NJPW Not AEW Revealed

AEW

Kenny Omega has explained why he’s making his wrestling return with NJPW instead of AEW, ahead of his potential return to the ring.

Omega hasn’t wrestled since December 2023, with the popular star dealing with a serious case of diverticulitis in the almost-year since then.

While many AEW fans are excited for Omega’s return to the company, the AEW EVP appears to be set to make his in-ring comeback with NJPW, with Omega stating that he hopes to be healthy enough to compete at the January 5 Wrestle Dynasty crossover show.

Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp for Fightful, Omega explained that he feels he has a debt to repay NJPW, feeling it was his run with that company which really put him on the map:

“The way I look at it is, a lot of people, not only in Japan, but internationally, they never knew who I was until I did big things in New Japan, so I really owe New Japan a gigantic thank you. I do feel that there’s a debt I have to repay in some way, shape, form or fashion. 

“If by performing in the Tokyo Dome, making my comeback in the Tokyo Dome is a way to help repay that, if it can help something for their business, I’m more than happy to do that.”

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Omega continued, noting that he doesn’t want to take anyone’s spot in AEW right now. Noting that he’s still looking forward to wrestling for AEW again, he said:

“I’m sure naturally the next question is why not AEW first? That is the company I helped create, I’m contracted to, it makes sense. It’s tough to answer because why not AEW? There’s nothing wrong with AEW at all.

“If you watch any of the episodes of our TV recently, everything is flowing like clockwork right now. I feel like there’s a spot for all of the hardworking men and women that are on those shows, they’ve all worked incredibly hard to earn their spots and keep those spots.

“I feel like, if I just kinda showed up and said ‘hey guys, I’m back so one of you are gonna have to… you know…’, I just don’t want to be that guy. So I feel like, when there’s an opportunity, when there’s a chance, sure, I’d love to be back if you guys could have me.

“But right now I feel like AEW has got a good thing going. I don’t think they need me, so I’ll make my return for New Japan instead, for now.

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Kenny Omega’s return match hasn’t been announced at the time of writing. He recently appeared at NJPW Power Struggle, where he had a backstage brawl with NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd.

You can watch footage of this altercation at this link.

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• NJPW
• Kenny Omega
• Return
• AEW

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