Kenny Omega's return heavily discussed for AEW Worlds End 2024 - Reports
AEW will present its final pay-per-view of the year, Worlds End, later this month. It appears that the event could feature the return of one of the company's defining stars - former World Champion Kenny Omega - according to a new report.
The Best Bout Machine had to go on an indefinite hiatus from in-ring action last year due to a severe diverticulitis infection. After months of recovery, rehabilitation and training, Omega arrived at NJPW Power Struggle last month to announce that he wanted to step back into the squared circle against a budding New Japan talent at Wrestle Dynasty 2025.
Some time after a subsequent backstage altercation between Omega and the explosive up-and-comer Gabe Kidd, it was announced that The Cleaner would face the Bullet Club War Dogs member at the Tokyo Dome on January 5. Much discussion stemmed from this announcement on the topic of Omega returning to action on an NJPW platform rather than in AEW.
Interestingly, Fightful Select reported earlier this month that the former AEW World Champion was rumored to be returning to the Tony Khan-led promotion at Worlds End 2024. A new report from the same outlet has revealed that there is an "active plan" for Kenny Omega to appear at the upcoming pay-per-view as per their sources, in an as-yet unknown capacity.
Furthermore, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is supposedly expected to head to Japan on January 1 or 2, and could be available for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 the day before Wrestle Dynasty 2025, despite not having been publicly booked for the former show.
Notably, Omega's All Elite comeback was also teased last week with a vignette during the Holiday Bash edition of Dynamite.
AEW's Kenny Omega received a warning from his upcoming opponent
Kenny Omega has made no bones about his disapproval of Gabe Kidd being his opponent for his comeback match at Wrestle Dynasty 2025. During an interview with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, the reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion fired back at the 41-year-old star, claiming that the latter, regardless of preparation, is not ready for a battle with him.
''I saw some clips. He can say what he wants. I’ve been wrestling this whole year. Active. Actively war-ready going into fights. He can do whatever he wants to prepare for this. He can go to the gym, he can hang out with his little friend Ibushi. He can do whatever he wants. It’s not going to compare to anything that I’m going to bring to that fight. Let’s get that clear. It’s not a match, it’s a fight."
Fans, in the meantime, continue to speculate on whether Omega's first major program back in AEW will pit him against old rival Kazuchika Okada, or see him cross paths with The Death Riders.