The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of Kenny Omega Possibly Joining WWE

The Bad

Omega is undoubtedly one of pro wrestling’s most gifted performers, but a move to WWE might hinder his ability to perform at his highest level.

On January 4 at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 11, Omega and his opponent, Kazuchika Okada, stunned the 26,192 people in attendance at the Tokyo Dome and those around the world in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches of all time. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter praised the matchup and broke his own five-star rating scale, awarding it six stars.

With Okada’s coveted IWGP Heavyweight Championship on the line, the two went to battle in an epic bout that lasted 46 minutes and 45 seconds. The build was perfect and the story was a masterpiece. A highlight of the match was a table being revealed, only to be used 16 minutes later. That level of storytelling is rarely seen in today’s wrestling.

After some devastating knees to Okada’s head, a heart-stopping Dragon Suplex off the top rope, and numerous failed attempts by Omega at executing his One-Winged Angel, Okada retained his championship and New Japan concluded what may go down as the best show of 2017.

The point is, Omega simply won’t be awarded the same freedom to have such a match in WWE. Sure, he will have great ones, but not at the level he did at Wrestle Kingdom 11.

As a company, WWE has limitations due to a variety of reasons. For one, Omega may not be given the leeway to use moves at his own disposal due to safety concerns, as WWE performers have been known to have had moves banned by the company – such as Seth Rollins’ Curb Stomp. Restrictions could be placed on Omega’s moveset, including his One-Winged Angel finisher. It’s Omega’s in-ring ability that has played a key role in his rise to stardom, and the fact that WWE may control that facet of his persona means the WWE Universe will not see Omega at his finest.

What also must be taken into consideration are Omega’s recent comments regarding WWE. In an interview with Sports Illustrated following his Wrestle Kingdom 11 match, Omega diminished the integrity of the WWE Championship.

“The WWE belt means nothing, it means absolutely nothing,” Omega told Sports Illustrated. “They pass around that belt like a hot potato. I probably have a neighbor on my block who held that belt at one point. There is no prestige to that belt whatsoever.”

For Omega to be a star in WWE, he will have to win that title. If it supposedly means little to him, what reason would Omega have to chase it? As a WWE Superstar, his goal – like anyone on the company’s roster – should be to win the WWE Championship. Taking the comments he made regarding WWE’s richest prize into consideration, it would be sort of puzzling for Omega to follow that familiar path.