Kenny Omega made his return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling at NJPW Power Struggle on November 4, addressing the crowd in Osaka and saying he would love to compete at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty on January 5.
Omega has not wrestled since December 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulits and undergoing surgery. He was written off AEW television in May after an attack by The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson), Kazuchika Okada, and Jack Perry.
Some fans questioned why Omega's return happened on a New Japan show, and not on AEW.
Speaking to Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, Rocky Romero explained things from his perspective.
"I think Japan, especially New Japan, is something very special to Kenny. He doesn’t forget where this boom for Kenny Omega started. It was obviously New Japan many years ago. For that aspect of it, it’s very important and he is an [Executive Vice President] and he takes that role very serious, especially being one of the guys who founded the company. It’s a goodwill type of gesture to come back, and obviously, he’s a massive name in Japan. A massive, massive name. The first time doing Wrestle Dynasty on January 5 is a big deal and one of the biggest names, if not the biggest, we could have on the show is Kenny Omega. I thought that was really important. Kenny has been influential in the relationship between New Japan and AEW since day one. Even the days where there was a Forbidden Door and nobody was going through, he was one of the guys trying to break that down. For him, it’s a relationship that is very important, especially now that (Hiroshi) Tanahashi is the President. They have an interesting relationship and we saw a month ago where they released a cool video where Kenny came back to Japan and talked about the future and past issues between them both. They are two guys that completely see professional wrestling in two completely different ways, and that was part of their story when they wrestled. Overall, it’s interesting, and I don’t think it takes away from Kenny coming back to AEW. It just makes the question even bigger of when he’ll come back to AEW," said Rocky.
Omega got into a backstage altercation with Gabe Kidd at NJPW Power Struggle. Kidd was fined and warned for his role in the scuffle.
Fans can view footage of the altercation, and read Rocky's comments on the situation, by clicking here.
Gabe Kidd will headline NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on November 8th when he defends his NJPW Strong Openweight Title against Kosei Fujita.
Fans can order NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on Triller here.
