10 Things You Need To Know About Kenny Omega

5. AJ Styles Reignited His Love For Wrestling

Somewhat disheartened by his experience in WWE, the lack of authenticity in professional wrestling led to Omega trying out a few different directions after leaving Deep South. Not ready to leave the combat sports world completely, Omega tried his hand in MMA, with limited success. He took part in a number of Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, but the passion and motivation just wasn't there.

Omega got himself a full-time job at an airport, possibly preparing for the big bad world that exists outside of professional wrestling. A local promoter had booked AJ Styles, and Omega was positioned as AJ's opponent. Omega had made his mind up to wrestle the match and then retire afterwards, to go out on a high.

What happened could not have been more different. Omega was blown away by AJ and his athleticism, and has credited that match with re-establishing his love for professional wrestling. It also led to Omega working with standouts like Amazing Red and Chris Sabin, further stoking his fires.

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Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.