Omega answered this question and others about his health in a mostly in-character interview.
When Kenny Omega, former AEW World Champion, announced that he would be making his in-ring comeback after a long absence due to injury at the NJPW Wrestle Dynasty in January against a “young NJPW Star,” it was obvious why this return wasn’t taking place for the company where he is executive vice president.
The 41-year old hasn’t wrestled in 2023 since a bout on Collision against Ethan Page. He last appeared on Dynamite in May, when he was beaten by the Elite of the Young Bucks: Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry. In the same month, he underwent surgery to treat diverticulitis.
He said NJPW “was willing to facilitate my return” and even though he had concerns about his appearance and how he might feel, he said that they were “just glad to house me”.
He hasn’t yet committed to an opponent, and despite a backstage scuffle with Gabe Kidd during Power Struggle in which he announced his return, there was still no commitment that this would be his return match on January 5th.
“I owe New Japan an enormous thank you (for giving me my big career break), and I feel like I have a debt that I need to repay in any way, shape, or form. If performing at the Tokyo Dome and making my comeback there is a way to repay this debt and help their business, I’m more then happy to do it,” he said.
He said that it was a “tough question” to answer as to why AEW wasn’t chosen. He said that there was nothing wrong with it, but that everything “flowed like clockwork” right now in AEW. He also said that he did not want to be the “guy” who just shows up at a job and takes it away from someone else.
“When there is an opportunity and a chance again, sure. I’d love it if you could have me back, but I don’t believe AEW needs me right now. I will return to New Japan for now, he said.
It’s possible that he will return to AEW sooner than then, as there are still two pay-per view events and plenty of TV left before then.
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Omega revealed that he almost died from diverticulitis because it went unchecked so long. He said he was “off” and had low energy during training because “nothing worked in the midsection” no matter what he tried. He also mentioned that he asked AEW’s makeup department to help him look “more tan” before a particular in-ring segment when he was not feeling well.
He watched it and said, “I was not there, gone,” and also felt it inside the ring. It was a warning for him to seek help and he admitted that it took a lot of effort to take a backward step.
He said that he was having more good days these days and that he is not as explosive, fast or strong as he once was. However, he does notice that his body is changing and that it is now matching what his outside is trying.
Kenny Omega’s return to NJPW: I don’t think AEW need me right now in todays Wrestling news, Chatalong Chatbox, Results will be Hidden inside a spoiler Button so you will not bet spoiled about direct results.
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