Kenny Omega Confirms AEW Deal?
The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion drops ANOTHER big hint.
In a move that will surprise absolutely nobody following this developing story, Kenny Omega has once again hinted that his long-term future lies away from New Japan Pro Wrestling, and with All Elite Wrestling.
Per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the former IWGP Heavyweight Championship told the audience at 17 January's Tokyo Sports awards ceremony that he "wouldn't be on that stage next year, but would still be doing Matches of the Year on an international stage."
Given that the self-proclaimed 'Best Bout Machine' recently turned down a big-money offer from WWE, the natural assumption is that he's talking about AEW.
Omega's current NJPW contract expires on 31 January. His words can't be taken completely at face value, given that he pulled a similar stunt during contract negotiations in January 2017, and he's constantly working his audience whether or not the cameras are rolling. Regardless, it's an interesting comment from the world's most in-demand wrestler.
Signing with AEW doesn't necessarily mean the end of Kenny in NJPW, as an All Elite/New Japan working relationship remains a possibility. There are still many hurdles to leap before that becomes a reality, though.