Why Kenny Omega Hasn't Been On AEW TV Lately (UPDATED)
Backstage update on Kenny Omega's AEW Dynamite disappearance.
UPDATE - 27 January, 10:30 AM GMT: AEW hopes that Omega will be able to return for its 1 February show in Dayton, Ohio following his visa issues, though this is far from a lock (per Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter).
Visa issues prevented Kenny Omega from being at this week's episode of AEW Dynamite in Lexington, Kentucky.
Fightful Select reported that the reigning World Trios Champion wanted to be there, but is "battling visa issues."
As a result, Omega has now gone several weeks without featuring on Dynamite, with his last appearance being The Elite's Escalera De La Muerte match against Death Triangle on 11 January. Post-Escalera, it was reported that the bout almost didn't happen due to visa issues. There is currently no indication that this was related to Omega.
Omega's stablemates, The Young Bucks, were briefly on Dynamite this week, standing amongst AEW personnel to welcome Mark Briscoe at the top of the ramp. This was following Briscoe's win over Jay Lethal in a cathartic, emotional tribute to brother Jay, who passed away in a car accident last week.
Kenny was almost missing when The Bucks wrestled Top Flight on last Wednesday's show, putting the young tag team over.
It was revealed in 2019 that the Canadian-born Omega had obtained Japanese citizenship, having dedicated much of his career (and life) to the country. Wrestle Kingdom 17 (4 January) saw him return to NJPW for the first time since AEW's formation, wrestling Will Ospreay in an acclaimed bout.