Kenny Omega says he’s taking things ‘day-to-day,’ talks struggles following diverticulitis

Kenny Omega is taking things day to day.

In an interview on Friday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Kenny Omega agreed with Dave Meltzer when he said Omega wasn’t the same wrestler as he once was. The former AEW World Champion noted that despite making a return to in-ring action in January, he’s still taking things day-to-day and is still recovering from nearly dying following a bout of diverticulitis that kept him out of action for nearly a year.

“It’s as you said, I feel in the pursuit of just staying at the same pace that the younger healthier talent are moving at, I feel in situations like that I wouldn’t be able to stand out or oppositely, I would be able to stand out, but I would stand out in different kind of way, a negative way…I try not to bring attention to that,” he said. “I don’t want people to feel scared or sorry for me, or I don’t want anyone’s opinion of a match to be hampered because I simply just can’t move consistently as fast all the time…there’s still a number of issues I’m working through, and it’s really day to day.”

Later in the interview, he noted that he still had adhesions from his surgery that caused him discomfort.

“I have these adhesions in my stomach, quite a few, and when you’re breathing heavy, when you have to use a lot of core, when you have to twist, when you have to stretch, the adhesions that are binding to my inner organs, they’re pulling apart, and it’s causing a lot of discomfort, kinda sorta like a lot of flu like symptoms to emerge,” he said.

Omega recalled that one of his last matches prior to the interview was the Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing. He noted that between the match he had, the planning meetings, and the meet and greets that took long hours, he was exhausted.

“It’s not meant to scare anybody, I’ll be in bed until 5 p.m., 6 p.m. for almost an entire week…I just don’t have the energy, I can’t move,” he recalled. “That was the most scary part to me.”

Omega said that he no longer wants to push himself past the breaking point, as that was how he ended up having emergency surgery, and wants to avoid having to do it again.

“Knowing my own limits and being okay I do have a limit is what’s important. And again I’m also very lucky I have a boss that has an understanding of that…my safety and health is always paramount to the company.”

AEW is set to have their biggest show of the year, All In, at Globe Field in Dallas, Texas on July 12. Omega will defend the International title against Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a title unification match.

WOR: Marc Raimondi NWO book interview, AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Mexico rating

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with our Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. We didn’t get to too much that was in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, but you should still give it a read. The reason is because Marc Raimondi, author of the new book Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Professional Wrestling’s New World Order Changed America, joined us to talk about the nWo era of WCW.

After the interview, Dave and I stuck around and discussed:

  • AEW Dynamite’s Grand Slam Mexico rating
  • UFC’s upcoming TV rights deal
  • Tony Khan’s comments on ratings and WBD
  • How the cable industry has changed since the Monday Night War

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: WWE WrestleMania 42 moves away from New Orleans

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with our Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the other things we discussed:

  • Sabu’s influence in wrestling
  • WrestleMania 42 changing from New Orleans
  • AEW Double or Nothing
  • Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • AEW on Max
  • Why Being The Elite hasn’t come back

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: The passing of Sabu

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with a quick Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio talking about the passing of Sabu.

Dave talks about Sabu’s influence, Terry Funk’s thoughts on Sabu as a pioneer and his Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame candidacy, ECW as an alternative for US wrestling fans, and more.

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: Hosts, How to listen, Download and more

For wrestling fans that are seeking in-depth analysis, timely news, and expert commentary, Wrestling Observer Radio stands out as a premier destination in the online world. Hosted by renowned journalist Dave Meltzer and veteran broadcaster Bryan Alvarez, this flagship podcast of F4WOnline.com offers listeners a comprehensive look into the world of professional wrestling.

Wrestling Observer Radio Hosts (WON Hosts)

The main hosts of Wrestling Observer Radio are Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez.

Dave Meltzer is a legendary wrestling journalist and the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. With decades of experience covering professional wrestling, MMA, and combat sports, Meltzer is known for his detailed reporting and star rating system, which has become a benchmark in match evaluations across the industry.

Bryan Alvarez, a professional wrestler himself, is also the editor of Figure Four Weekly and a long-time contributor to the Wrestling Observer site. His dynamic chemistry with Meltzer helps make the show both informative and entertaining.

Together, Dave and Bryan offer unmatched coverage of the wrestling world, breaking down events, analysing storylines, and discussing the latest behind-the-scenes developments.

Wrestling Observer Radio: How to listen and download

To listen to Wrestling Observer Radio, you’ll need a subscription to the Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online website. This gives you access to the full audio archive, including thousands of past episodes and daily new content.

Once subscribed, you can either stream episodes directly from the site or download them for offline listening. The site supports downloads in MP3 format, making it easy to listen on any device.

Additionally, subscribers can use third-party podcast apps that support private RSS feeds. Once you’ve subscribed, simply copy your unique RSS feed URL from your account and paste it into your preferred podcast app (e.g. Pocket Casts, Overcast, or Apple Podcasts). This allows for seamless listening without having to visit the site each time.

Can I listen to old episodes of Wrestling Observer Radio?

Yes, you can access a comprehensive archive of Wrestling Observer Radio episodes through the official F4WOnline Podcast Archive. This extensive collection features thousands of past episodes, covering a wide range of topics from major wrestling events to in-depth interviews with industry insiders.

To explore the archive, visit the Wrestling Observer Radio section of the F4WOnline website. Here, episodes are organized chronologically, allowing you to browse by date or search for specific topics of interest. Whether you’re looking to revisit classic pay-per-view analysis, historical wrestling discussions, or detailed breakdowns of significant matches, the archive provides a valuable resource for fans and researchers alike.

Please note that full access to the archive requires a subscription to F4WOnline. Subscribers can stream episodes directly from the website or download them for offline listening. Additionally, the platform supports private RSS feeds, enabling you to integrate the podcast into your preferred podcast app for convenient access.

CategoryDetails
Hosts– Dave Meltzer: Wrestling journalist, founder of Wrestling Observer Newsletter
– Bryan Alvarez: Editor of Figure Four Weekly, ex-wrestler
Subscription Required?Yes – Subscription to f4wonline.com is required for full access
How to Listen– Stream directly from website
– Download MP3s from the site
– Use private RSS feed in podcast apps (e.g. Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts)
Access to ArchivesYes – Full access to thousands of past episodes included with subscription
FormatAudio podcast (MP3 format), suitable for streaming or download

WOR: WWE releases, AAA & WWE, AEW’s residency

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with our Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

As we were doing the show, WWE release news was starting to come out. Dave’s phone was chiming throughout and we were discussing them all as the show was going on.

Here were some of the other things we discussed:

  • AAA & WWE
  • All Star Grand Queendom 2025
  • AEW’s residency
  • Hollywood Demons on the Von Erich family
  • Dark Side of the Ring on Eddie Gilbert
  • Real American Freestyle

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: Marc Mero interview, full WWE WrestleMania 41 card

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. But before that, we interviewed Marc Mero about his new book. We talked about his early wrestling days as Johnny B. Badd, leaving for WWF in 1996, his relationship with his ex-wife Rena Lesnar, and his current days as an inspirational speaker.

Here were some of the things we covered after the interview:

  • AEW Dynasty buy rate
  • Future AEW PPV matches
  • Full WrestleMania card for both nights
  • Future matches for John Cena
  • Dark Side of the Ring on Big Van Vader

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: Kevin Owens injury, AEW Dynasty preview

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Injuries to Kevin Owens, Orange Cassidy and Mark Davis
  • AEW Dynasty updates
  • Tony Khan’s media call
  • AEW Dynamite on Max numbers
  • WrestleMania 41
  • Bret Hart
  • Dark Side of the Ring on Ludvig Borga
  • Kim Woods
  • NJPW Sakura Genesis

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: Heel John Cena, AEW & WWE rosters

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • The Shad Gaspard/Jonathan Huber award
  • Heel John Cena
  • New Japan Cup finale
  • AEW Dynamite rating
  • AEW & WWE rosters
  • Lex Luger and Tony Khan’s dilemma
  • TKO & Netflix

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: A preview of the 2024 Observer Awards

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

John Pollock from Post Wrestling and Paul Fontaine joined us on the show.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • The latest on the Janel Grant lawsuit
  • WWE Raw on Netflix
  • AEW on Max
  • Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty
  • The 2024 Observer Awards

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: AEW Worlds End preview, top news stories of 2024

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Tony Khan’s AEW Worlds End media call
  • AEW Worlds End card
  • The top news stories of 2024
  • The passing of Jax Dane
  • Dave’s Rey Mysterio Sr. story
  • Christmas ratings

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: Lots of business news, the passing of Rey Misterio Sr.

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • The passing of Rey Misterio Sr.
  • WBD’s company change
  • AEW on MAX
  • Saturday Night’s Main Event TV ratings
  • Insane sports competition this weekend for AEW Collision
  • CM Punk & Roman Reigns
  • AEW in arena experience

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: 2024 WON Hall of Fame show

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. We didn’t cover any of the stories in today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter because it’s WON HOF season.

Pro wrestling historians John Muse and Ethan Tyler joined us to go over this year’s ballot. For almost two hours, we dug through all of the categories debating who the top candidates are on the ballot.

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: AEW TV deal Q&A

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. We talked about all the big news in today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and took questions from subscribers about the AEW TV deal.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • AEW library on Max
  • PPVs on Max, plus pricepoints
  • Audience for cable viewing plus streaming viewing
  • Possibility of a Fox deal
  • WWE’s NXT deal by comparison
  • How the shows will be simulcast
  • AEW Dynamite rating
  • Dave’s new book on 1984
  • WON HOF ballot
  • NXT Title Tuesday vs. NXT

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Radio: UFC 306 recap, SmackDown on USA

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our second podcast in two nights. Ryan Frederick joined us for the first segment to recap UFC 306 from The Sphere.

Then, we covered some wrestling news before recapping SmackDown which is back on the USA Network.

Here are some of the topics we covered:

  • The CMLL Anniversary show
  • NXT moving the St. Louis show
  • First day sales for Survivor Series
  • Toni Storm vs. Mayu Iwatani
  • Flair/Thesz award front runners
  • Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns as a tag team
  • RAW matches and segments for Monday
  • Terry Funk’s thoughts on pro wrestling before he passed

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)