AEW star Kenny Omega opens up about challenges after recent return
Kenny Omega is set to step back into action in a promotion outside of AEW. The Cleaner has been on the shelf for quite some time, recovering from a severe illness.
The Best Bout Machine has been missing from the squared circle since December of last year owing to diverticulitis. He appeared at NJPW Power Struggle 2024 earlier this month. He announced his desire to make his comeback in a New Japan ring against an up-and-coming competitor, revealing that he was eyeing next year's Wrestle Dynasty to make his return.
Since then, speculations and conversations have thrived about who could serve as Omega's opponent for his comeback bout, with recent developments suggesting Gabe Kidd as a possible candidate. In a recent interview with Fightful, the former AEW World Champion discussed how his in-ring dynamics with his opponent(s) will be different in his targeted January 5, 2025 return match and possibly afterward.
"I used to pride myself on the type of in-ring conditioning I would have," Omega said. "I would feel like it's their job to keep up with me. And now I sort of feel like a page has turned... the question is now, can I keep up with them? So the shoe is certainly on the other foot."
Omega also spoke about warning NJPW about the potential quality of his projected comeback match and the promotion's response to the former AEW World Tag Team Champion:
"I kinda told [NJPW] I was a little leery about how I was feeling," Omega said. "I wasn't sure how it would look. And I wasn't sure if I could give them the kind of Kenny Omega performance that maybe they were looking for. But they weren't looking for that. They're just happy to house my return." [H/T Wrestling Inc]
AEW's Kenny Omega on Gabe Kidd as his next opponent
Considering the recent and unexpected backstage brawl between Kenny Omega and NJPW's Gabe Kidd and the latter's subsequent remarks about the former AEW World Trios Champion, many suspected that the Bullet Club War Dogs member would be a likely and suitable pick as the Canadian star's opponent for his comeback match next year.
During the same interview with Fightful, however, Omega argued to the contrary, stating:
"Do I think that he's a suitable opponent for my return? No. Absolutely not. I'm coming back from a life-threatening injury and professional wrestling and fighting are similar, but they're a little different. If this were a thing where Gabe really wanted to fight, I feel like that challenge would have been tossed my way already," he said.
It remains to be seen how Kenny Omega fares in the ring at Wrestle Dynasty 2025.