Tag: Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega laid out by Swerve Strickland, new report on status for AEW Revolution

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

In their first-ever match, Swerve Strickland defeated Kenny Omega in the main event of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, possibly turning heel in the process.

After the match, Strickland continued to go after Omega, hanging him with a chain and then delivering a vertebreaker through the announcers table to seemingly write Omega off.

That absence will apparently last through March 15’s Revolution pay-per-view in terms of an in-ring match. Shortly after Dynamite ended, Fightful Select definitively reported that Omega will not compete on the PPV, adding that an appearance isn’t out of the question. That was the impetus for doing the Strickland match Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, it was noted by our Dave Meltzer that Omega was set to be in Japan during the week of Revolution to be part of the Capcom Cup 12 event. However, it was unclear at that point if Omega would be freed up to wrestle on the Sunday PPV.

Current AEW Revolution card | Sunday, March 15 | Los Angeles

  • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Hangman Page with stipulations to come
  • AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defend against The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
  • AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley defends against Konosuke Takeshita with no time limit

Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland signed for next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Kenny Omega will face Swerve Strickland on next week’s AEW Dynamite for the first time ever.

Strickland and Omega got into a pull-apart confrontation last Wednesday as Strickland’s attempt to aid Omega from a screwdriver attack in his match with Andrade El Idolo backfired.

The two former AEW World Champions then had a face-to-face meeting to open Wednesday’s Dynamite. Strickland took issue with Omega never being around the past few years to give him an opportunity in the ring (at one point noting he was either hurt or suspended) and accused him of using his EVP power to put himself into the title picture.

Omega took umbrage with the comments, referencing his friend Hangman Page burning down Strickland’s house, and a challenge was eventually laid out by Omega for a fight. A brawl followed around ringside and through the crowd that eventually saw both men go off the entrance stage.

It’s the first match announced for next week’s show in Sacramento, California. Both men are coming off losses to Andrade.

Current AEW Dynamite card | Next Wednesday | Sacramento, California

  • Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland

Kenny Omega on his AEW role: ‘We need to trust our future’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At this point in his career, Kenny Omega is less focused on personal goals and more concerned with building the next generation up.

The 42-year-old Omega recently entered back into the AEW World Championship picture but, at least for now, was unsuccessful in securing a title shot. Omega lost to Andrade El idolo last week, with Andrade now set to face Hangman Page at Grand Slam Australia on February 14 to determine who will challenge MJF at Revolution.

In an interview with Undisputed that was published after his loss to Andrade, Omega was asked if he’s still driven by the idea of becoming World Champion.

“That’s a very good question,” he responded. “I’m in a position where a lot of my own personal goals are out of the way. I’ve checked all those boxes. The one personal goal I have left is to be the best utility tool for what the situation calls for.”

Omega — who also holds an Executive Vice President position behind the scenes in AEW — added that he feels the promotion needs to trust its future and allow younger wrestlers to establish their own success.

“Maybe I could main event until I’m dead,” Omega said. “But what follows after if I haven’t built anybody–or if I haven’t had a hand in helping the next generation rise up? That’s more so my role now than it’s ever been.

“We need to trust our future. There are people who need these experiences. They need to learn and evolve as performers. We can’t keep relying on the same small-knit group of people that have a track record of success. We need to be cognizant of what we’re doing moving forward.”

Omega isn’t ruling out another run with the AEW World Championship, though. He previously held the title for 346 days from 2020-2021 and is willing to step into that role again if necessary.

“If for some reason, whether it be the fans or the wrestling world in general, there is a want and a desire for me to have one more title run, then I’ll push myself to get there,” he said. “I also take pride in not needing to be there. I want to be in a position where I can say that I helped create an environment where all these guys have risen to the call and the challenge of being able to carry the company. I would love that. But if people are calling for it, for me to step up and be that guy, then I’ll do my best.”

With his World title pursuit on hold for the moment, Omega is set to feud with Swerve Strickland. There will be a face-to-face interview with those two on AEW Dynamite this Wednesday.

Potential scheduling conflict for Kenny Omega and AEW Revolution

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: JJ Williams

While Kenny Omega’s path to an AEW World title match at Revolution ended on Wednesday’s Dynamite, his availability for the March pay-per-view has another potential complication.

Noted during Wrestling Observer Radio by Dave Meltzer and announced by Omega last September, Omega is scheduled to be in Tokyo, Japan, for the five-day Capcom Cup 12 event as 48 players will play the Street Fighter 6 game for a $1 million grand prize. Omega did some motion capture work for the game.

The event runs from March 11 through March 15 with Omega meet & greets set for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It’s unclear if he will also remain in Tokyo through Saturday and Sunday, the latter of which is the date for Revolution. The PPV takes place in Los Angeles which is roughly a ten-hour direct flight from Tokyo.

Wednesday’s Dynamite teased a future match between Omega and Swerve Strickland as they had to be pulled apart following Omega’s loss to Andrade El Idolo that saw Strickland attempt to aid Omega only to lead to a distraction.

Young Bucks reveal plans for scrapped Golden Lovers AEW match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It looks like The Young Bucks vs. Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) was originally the plan for AEW Full Gear 2025.

During a Q&A posted to the Being the Elite YouTube channel today, The Young Bucks were asked to name a proposed match of theirs that never got the chance to happen in AEW. Nick Jackson revealed that he and his brother Matt were supposed to face off against Omega & Ibushi at a recent pay-per-view, but Ibushi suffered an injury that forced those plans to be scrapped.

“The Golden Lovers,” Nick Jackson said. “It was actually supposed to happen pretty recently. But [Ibushi] had a really bad leg break. We were supposed to do Kenny & Ibushi at — when was it? Not Revolution. Where the heck was it? It was a couple months ago. You guys tell me. We ended up doing a six-man tag.”

With Ibushi unable to compete, the Full Gear card instead included a six-man tag where The Young Bucks & Josh Alexander defeated Jurassic Express (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) & Omega.

The Young Bucks and Golden Lovers previously met in a dream match at NJPW Strong Style Evolved 2018. Omega & Ibushi got the win in that highly praised first meeting.

It was initially said that the injury Ibushi suffered in October 2025 would keep him out of action for two years, but Ibushi is hoping that he will be able to return quicker than that.

Contender’s series to determine World title challenger at AEW Revolution

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page all want shots at the AEW World title and now have a path forward to earn one at AEW Revolution via a contender’s series.

The title shot for the March pay-per-view in Los Angeles will be earned at next month’s Grand Slam Australia in Sydney, but who earns their way into that opportunity remains to be determined.

Announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite following Omega’s victory over Rocky Romero, Omega will face the winner of the Swerve Strickland vs. Andrade main event next Wednesday in Las Vegas that will determine one of those spots.

How the other spot is determined has yet to be revealed. It’s assumed Page will be involved, but former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe may not be as it was said Wednesday he suffered a “non-contact injury” during training.

Who they face is up in the air as current champion MJF faces Brody King next Wednesday in their own eliminator match. A King win gives him a title shot at Grand Slam Australia.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | Next Wednesday | Las Vegas

  • AEW World Champion MJF vs. Brody King title eliminator
  • Young Bucks in action
  • Kenny Omega vs. either Swerve Strickland or Andrade El Idolo in a Grand Slam title shot eliminator

Kenny Omega singles match added to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

AEW has also announced a Continental Championship eliminator match between Jon Moxley and Ace Austin for Wednesday’s show. If Austin wins, he earns a shot at Moxley’s title.

**********

For the second straight week, Kenny Omega will be competing in a singles match on AEW Dynamite.

AEW has added Omega vs. Rocky Romero to the lineup for Dynamite in Cedar Park, Texas this Wednesday. Omega, who is coming off a win over Josh Alexander, will continue his feud with the Don Callis Family by taking on another member of the faction in Romero.

“After his win vs Josh Alexander, Omega said that @TheDonCallis Family doesn’t have a member that can beat him in his current condition, but Rocky wants his chance TOMORROW!,” Tony Khan wrote while announcing the match.

Last week’s victory was Omega’s first match of 2026. He’s set his sights on entering back into the AEW World Championship picture, with Omega, Swerve Strickland, Hangman Page, and Andrade El Idolo among those who want a shot at MJF’s title.

Strickland vs. Andrade is also part of the Dynamite card for this Wednesday. The show is being held at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

AEW Dynamite (Wednesday, January 28) —

  • AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Thekla
  • AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Jake Doyle & Mark Davis
  • TNT Champion Mark Briscoe defends against El Clon
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Kenny Omega vs. Rocky Romero
  • AEW World Champion MJF appears
  • Continental Championship eliminator match: Jon Moxley vs. Ace Austin

Fight Game: SNME preview, AEW product discussion

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Paul Fontaine joined Garrett Gonzales, to discuss the latest happenings in pro wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube, which is embedded below, or listen below as well.

We kicked it off with Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down and then hit on some of the important happenings this week.

Our main topics:

  • WWE Unreal season 2
  • The current AEW product
  • Thoughts on NJPW, AAA, and TNA
  • Saturday Night’s Main Event preview
  • UFC 324 preview

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Kenny Omega doing motion capture work for ‘Street Fighter 6’ video game

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Notable video game enthusiast Kenny Omega has joined the team of the Street Fighter 6 video game.

On Wednesday, Omega was “happy” to announce his role of doing mocap (short for motion capture) work for the character of Alex, the main focus of Street Fighter 6 Year 3’s DLC character.

“Incredibly happy to announce that I’ve done some big mocap work as Alex in Street Fighter 6. Can’t wait for you all to see more, he’s my favorite character in Street Fighter,” he wrote.

Before announcing his role, Omega also reacted to the Street Fighter 6 Alex trailer launch, where he teased his resemblance to Alex. In the trailer, the character can also be seen performing Omega’s iconic V-Trigger knee strike and the One-Winged Angel finishing move, while also adopting his body language and stance.

“It’s almost like looking in a mirror,” he wrote.

In addition to that news, Omega also wrestled Wednesday in his first singles match since AEW All In Texas, defeating Josh Alexander on Dynamite.

Alex is the third DLC character from Street Fighter 6 Year 3, following the release of Sagat and C. Viper last year. Alex will make his Street Fighter 6 debut on March 17, 2026. The game is also set to release a live action movie this year, starring Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Jason Momoa, Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, and more.

Kenny Omega’s return match set for next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega will look to take a step toward a future World title shot on next week’s Dynamite.

Omega will take on Josh Alexander after a verbal confrontation with the Don Callis Family during Wednesday’s show. While they have been on opposite ends of several tag team matches, this will be the first-ever singles match between the Canadians.

On Wednesday, Omega appeared in the ring after Hangman Page’s win over Bryan Keith. Swerve Strickland also joined the fray as all three men are vying for a World title match, followed by Callis and some of his crew interrupted to set up the Alexander match.

Omega hasn’t wrestled since the December 17 Holiday Bash Dynamite in Manchester, England, when he teamed with the Young Bucks against Hechicero, Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita. It will also be his first singles match since last July’s All In when he lost to Okada.

Alexander is coming off a Continental title eliminator loss to Jon Moxley on the New Year’s Smash Dynamite. He teams with El Clon and Kyle Fletcher this Saturday against Skyflight.

It’s the only match announced thus far for the show.

Next Week’s AEW Dynamite | Orlando, Florida

  • Kenny Omega vs. Josh Alexander

NJPW World reveals five most-viewed matches of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW World has revealed the five most-viewed matches that aired on the streaming service in 2025.

Based on view count from January 1-December 31, 2025, Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty was the most-watched match. It took place on January 5 of last year and was Omega’s first time wrestling in Japan since 2023.

Here is the full top five:

  1. Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  2. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  3. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  4. IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match: Yota Tsuji vs. Gabe Kidd from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  5. Dog Pound cage match: David Finlay, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori & Gabe Kidd vs. EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru from Wrestling Dontaku (May 3, 2025)

The Sabre vs. Goto match from New Beginning in Osaka saw Goto finally become IWGP Champion for the first time in his NJPW career, which has spanned more than two decades. Goto was champion for 138 days before dropping the belt back to Sabre.

Tsuji now holds both the IWGP Championship and Global Heavyweight Championship after defeating Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. That show was headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada, which seems likely to top the 2026 version of this list.

Kenny Omega set to return on AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage

Posted on by Josh Nason

After calling out AEW World Champion MJF last Wednesday, former champion Kenny Omega will appear on next Wednesday’s Maximum Carnage episode of Dynamite.

Announced at the end of Wednesday’s show, Omega could confront the winner of next Wednesday’s MJF vs. Bandido World title match, perhaps setting up a title match for March’s Revolution, if not sooner.

A new women’s trios match will see AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander team with AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath against the Triangle of Madness after the challenge was issued in a backstage segment by Thekla and the Sisters of Sin.

After chasing after him the entire episode and spraying him with a fire extinguisher, Darby Allin will finally get his rematch with PAC. It will be their third-ever AEW singles match with Allin still in search of his first victory. PAC defeated Allin at November’s Full Gear with Allin chasing a rematch ever since.

Current AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage lineup | Next Wednesday

  • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Bandido
  • Kris Statlander and Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale) vs. Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart & Skye Blue)
  • PAC vs. Darby Allin
  • Kenny Omega returns

Kenny Omega shares statement on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kenny Omega has released a statement on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement.

Omega was one of several great opponents from Tanahashi’s past who came out to pay tribute to him following the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome on Sunday. Following the show, Omega posted the following to social media:

“Tonight I had the incredible honor of participating in Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony. To stand with him in that ring, to see what he saw in those final moments…I felt the reality of it all, the weight of his decision. 
Once I returned backstage I sat in stand-by lost in thought watching the monitor. Before I knew it, everyone around me had left. Tana, Ibushi, and I made the final walk. I joked that all 3 of us had to take the stairs slowly one by one – something I’m usually self conscious about (it doesn’t look cool), but today was different. We owned it proudly. 
In the car ride back to the dressing rooms we shared one last conversation. I could easily type what was said, but to explain the real meaning of it was probably different for all 3 of us. 
Broken down rivals now turned comrades. It’s really a beautiful thing, isn’t it?
Thanks to all that tuned in to celebrate the retirement of one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Omega and Tanahashi previously headlined the Tokyo Dome against one another in 2019. Tanahashi defeated Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13. The bout went just under 40 minutes and was rated five and three-quarter stars by our own Dave Meltzer. Their only other singles match took place at the New Beginning in Niigata show on February 14, 2016. On that show, Omega defeated Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a match that went just under 30 minutes and was rated four and three-quarter stars by Meltzer.

Omega’s post is below:

AEW stars set to attend Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

In less than a week, Japanese wrestling legend and NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi is set to wrestle his last-ever match. At 49-years-old, the veteran will face off against AEW’s Kazuchika Okada in his retirement bout. With still a few days left for the event, All Elite Wrestling EVP Kenny Omega and former champion Will Ospreay have now been announced to attend Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

On January 4th at the Tokyo Dome, during Tanahashi’s final wrestling match against the seven-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Okada, NJPW will also be hosting a retirement ceremony. Earlier today, via a social media announcement, NJPW shared that Omega and Ospreay are now set to be a part of the ceremony.

Omega last appeared in NJPW when he competed at Wrestle Dynasty and defeated Gabe Kidd in his pro-wrestling return last year. On the other hand, Ospreay is currently recovering from a neck injury. His last match before going under the knife was at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, which also involved Darby Allin, Kota Ibushi, Omega, and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Both Omega and Ospreay share a vivid history with Tanahashi, which they will now be able to reflect on during the retirement ceremony.

Pro Wrestling Tees releases 2025 top sellers list

Posted on by Josh Nason

With the year coming to a close Wednesday, Pro Wrestling Tees released their 2025 top sellers list on Tuesday, featuring a slew of AEW talent in addition to former WWE legends.

Leading the list was former AEW World Champion Hangman Page followed by former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm and then former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega.

PW Tees is the official merchandise store for AEW in addition to CMLL, Ring of Honor, NJPW and MLW. They also handle non-WWE t-shirts for stars like Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, Randy Savage, Bret Hart and others.

The top 15 was entirely AEW talent with Sabu, who passed away in 2025, coming in at number 16. Non-AEW affiliated talent that ranked included Austin (18), Killer Kross (22) and Mick Foley (23).

Here’s the full list:

  1. Hangman Page
  2. Toni Storm
  3. Kenny Omega
  4. Will Ospreay
  5. MJF
  6. Mercedes Mone
  7. Kazuchika Okada
  8. Swerve Strickland
  9. Adam Copeland
  10. Sting
  11. Darby Allin
  12. Willow Nightingale
  13. Danhausen
  14. Jon Moxley
  15. Orange Cassidy
  16. Sabu
  17. Kyle Fletcher
  18. Steve Austin
  19. Brody King
  20. Mariah May
  21. Konosuke Takeshita
  22. Killer Kross
  23. Mick Foley
  24. Bandido
  25. Skye Blue