Kenny Omega has been absent from in-ring competition for almost a year. Omega last competed on the December 5th, 2023 episode of AEW Collision against Ethan Page. Last May, he appeared on AEW Dynamite and was written off from television with an attack angle.
Earlier this month, Kenny Omega appeared at NJPW Power Struggle, announcing that he would make his in-ring return on January 5 at Wrestle Dynasty. In an interview with Fightful Select, the former IWGP World Champion explained why he decided to return to NJPW instead of AEW.
“A lot of people, not only in Japan but internationally, they never knew who I was until I did big things in New Japan. So I really owe New Japan a gigantic thank you, and I do feel that there is a debt I have to repay in some way, shape, form, or fashion. And I think that if by performing at the Tokyo Dome… is a way to help repay that, if it can help something for their business, then I’m more than happy to do that.
It’s tough to answer. Why not AEW? There’s nothing wrong with AEW at all. If you watched any of the episodes of our TV recently, everything is flowing like clockwork right now. I feel like there’s a spot for all the hardworking men and women that are on those shows…I feel like if I just kind of showed up and said, ‘Hey guys, I’m back,’ so one of you is gonna have to, you know [gestures backward with his head], I just don’t; I don’t wanna be that guy. So I feel like, when there’s an opportunity again when there’s a chance, sure, I’d love to be back if you guys can have me.”