Backstage Update On Kenny Omega's NJPW Return

Kenny Omega is back in AEW and soon to be back in NJPW. Here's how it happened...

by Andy H Murray
Kenny Omega
NJPW

Kenny Omega will finally return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling on 4 January 2023, facing Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17.

It'll be the first time Omega has competed for the promotion since January 2019, when he dropped the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi ahead of departing NJPW ahead of AEW's launch. NJPW announced the comeback at its co-promoted Historic X-Over show with Stardom on Sunday, with Kenny addressing Ospreay and New Japan as a whole via pretaped promo.

Fightful Select reports that conversations focused on making Omega vs. Ospreay happen started during the summer. Rocky Romero, who frequently serves as a go-between in these situations, helped facilitate the deal, continuing his big role in NJPW's expansion.

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Romero, who wrestled for AEW at this Saturday's Full Gear 2022 pay-per-view, was regularly in contact with the All Elite founder and CEO, Tony Khan, during the process.

Ospreay vs. Omega wasn't finalised until sometime during the past two-to-three weeks. Talks continued despite AEW suspending Kenny for his role in the post-All Out 2022 brawl, where he and The Young Bucks fought CM Punk and Ace Steel backstage. Kenny and the Bucks returned from their suspensions at Full Gear, falling to Death Triangle.

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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.