Kenny Omega has certainly reached legendary status himself, and that was all without touching down in WWE for any extended or official period of time.
He only spent a brief stint in Deep South Wrestling (a developmental territory of WWE’s) from 2005-2006. He was highly critical of his time there an of the trainers, specifically Bill DeMott, who has had controversy surrounding his name for years, and was released by WWE because of allegations of his being too hard on trainees.
WWE tried to sign him again and again, specifically in 2014, 2015 and again in 2019 before he signed with AEW, according to Wikipedia…he rejecting WWE’s offers every time out.
via Cactus Back Wrestling /YouTube
But like I said at the start of this piece, he has definitely made a name for himself, despite not having WWE there as a backer and promoter for his name, and for a wrestler who had his start in the 2000’s—an era in which WWE dominated the business—that’s saying something indeed.
He was likewise named PWI’s top male wrestler for 2021, beating out WWE’s Roman Reigns and that too is quite the statement.
But I can go on and on about this man and his many accolades; for example, how his appearance on Impact improved that promotions ratings by a very high margin; or how he has helped catapult AEW to where it is today, but perhaps that would be rendered moot, as AEW has reached the realm that it deserved to and is providing serious competition for the former juggernaut, WWE.
But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t respect WWE stars or perhaps the company itself. Besides, even in competition, respect should always be shown.
According to Wrestling Inc, in a recent conversation with Adam’s Apple, Omega shed some light on a plethora of subjects; including a dream opponent—an icon—from WWE’s and even Impact’s storied history.
On AEW’s recent acquisitions, he said:
“We were able to introduce some fresh faces that people hadn’t seen on TV, and I think that we’re mixing them in with established faces like the guys Daniel Bryan, Adam Cole, CM Punk…And when you do that on worldwide television, it gets people excited and gives them something fresh. We just happen to be another promotion, so it’s competition across the board for everyone…For me, they’re friends that I’ve seen, and grew up with, and done the indies with, and toured with…So, it’s like a high school reunion of sorts almost. And it’s great to work with these guys after 4, or 5, or 10 years…It’s just great to be back among friends and make some new magic because we’ve all changed, we’ve all grown, we’ve all evolved.”
via Adam’s Apple
On how AEW and the rest of the pro wrestling industry is doing, he said:
“It’s great to see that there are more fans than ever enjoying multiple products across the world. I’m glad to see we’re growing, and thriving, and we’re seeing a lot of new fresh matchups and scenarios in wrestling that we haven’t seen in a long time…So, it’s an exciting time to be a wrestler and an exciting time to be a wrestling fan.”
via Adam’s Apple
But who was the one man from the annals of wrestling history that Omega wishes he could have squared off with in the ring? Well, that would be none other than Kurt Angle.
“I felt like I just missed out on maybe wrestling Kurt Angle, and that would have been a dream match for me…He’s a guy that I consider probably one of the best of all time. Especially for what I try to do in the ring and I try to bring in athletics and real sports. He was a jack of all trades and there won’t be anyone like him ever again, I don’t think.”
via Adam’s Apple
VIA Adam’s Apple /YouTube
High praise for the Olympic Gold medalist, Kurt Angle, and coming from the best in the business right now, that should make Angle proud and maybe little antsy for I don’t know…one more match…the perfect and best way for him to retire.
Food for thought, dear readers. I mean, we can always hope, can’t we. Yes…in this uncertain, crazy world of ours, there is that…no matter how bleak, how dark the day is likely to get, there is undoubtedly always hope.
