Backstage Notes On Why Kenny Omega Wore A Bullet Club Shirt In Impact Wrestling

The latest on Kenny Omega's Bullet Club shirt at Impact Wrestling Hard To Kill 2021.

Kenny Omega
Impact Wrestling

Kenny Omega attracted major attention for stepping out at Impact Wrestling's Hard to Kill pay-per-view wearing a Bullet Club t-shirt last Saturday, as the reigning AEW World Heavyweight Champion teamed with former BC stablemates Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows to face Moose, Rich Swann, and Chris Sabin.

Rumours swirled in the aftermath, as neither AEW nor Impact has a known working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Dave Meltzer has now shot them down on Wrestling Observer Radio.

When Bryan Alvarez asked what was the deal was, Meltzer responded "Nothing, nothing at all." He said that the idea for Omega to wear a Bullet Club shirt only came about when 'The Cleaner' arrived at the tapings, with Anderson and Gallows pitching it to him. Kenny agreed and that was the extent of it. It had nothing to do with NJPW, Meltzer stressed.

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Alvarez brought up the legality of Omega, an AEW wrestler, wearing NJPW merch on an Impact show. Meltzer couldn't imagine this being illegal in any shape or form. If Omega was selling the shirt, things would be different, as he'd be profiting from a New Japan property, but he appears to be safe.

An NJPW/AEW working relationship has been brought up, speculated on, and dismissed several times since AEW came into existence in January 2019. It appears to be no closer to coming to fruition despite Omega's shirt.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.