10 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About AEW

10. "Kenny Omega Is A Geek"

Kenny Omega isn't resonating as the megastar he was in New Japan Pro Wrestling - by design.

That version of Kenny Omega cannot exist, yet, while Chris Jericho reigns as Le Champion. Under the win/loss ranking framework, that version of Kenny Omega would find himself in immediate contention for the AEW World Championship, and the key is that this version of Chris Jericho must exist now. His presence on the show as Champion legitimises the entire enterprise, he's in bravura form as the single most entertaining act in the entire industry, and the the chase to vanquish him is the most compelling long-term storyline.

This Le Champion character is so powerful because he has arrested a career-long narrative that has undermined the argument that he is an all-timer. He is a true World Champion, as credible as he is entertaining, and the bit works so well because he is the best, immediately, in canon. That glorious, boy-popping arrogance has genuine heft.

Omega therefore has to exist in an upper midcard role, though that doesn't excuse the specific portrayal of it. He needs to cut more promos. He needs to project his character, or his quest to recover it, to get himself over with the TV audience.

But he isn't failing. He is building.