10 Things You Need To Know About Kenny Omega
7. He Won A WWE Developmental Deal
The goodwill from Omega's NWA match against Little Petey Pump didn't dissipate with the TNA debacle however, and the future IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion was eventually invited to a tryout camp at the school of wrestling legend Harley Race. This was no ordinary tryout however, and the whole thing was treated more as a competition with the winner receiving a Pro Wrestling NOAH contract.
Omega had been looking for a way to head out to Japan for a while, and as such this represented a huge opportunity. Omega was the standout performer, and despite not initially clicking with Race he ended the camp as the winner. However, this would prove to be a bittersweet moment for the Winnipeg native.
Instead of the NOAH contract, Omega was confronted by a special guest at the camp, none other than Johnny Ace. Ace saw a lot of potential in Omega, and instead of the NOAH contract Omega found himself offered a WWE developmental deal. He was somewhat disappointed in the Japanese carrot being ripped away, but passing up the developmental opportunity would have been foolish.
In 2005, Kenny Omega headed to Deep South Wrestling (DSW), then WWE's developmental territory. Things didn't go to plan.