Tony Schiavone speaks highly of Kenny Omega and his match with Will Ospreay at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
At the pay-per-view on June 25, Ospreay challenged Omega for the IWGP United States Championship. The two foes delivered an instant classic, and the match hwas drawn plenty of praise. Schiavone, a legendary broadcaster who had a long run with WCW and has been with AEW for the majority of its existence, was particularly impressed by the bout.
Speaking on What Happened When, Schiavone reflected on AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door and highlighted the match between Ospreay and Omega. He stated that, in many ways, it was the best match he's been a part of.
“I’ve called so many matches, or been a part of so many matches, in my career. When peopel ask me, ‘Is that the greatest match you’ve ever been a part of, I would say, ‘Yes, it is.’ That’s kind of a difficult statement to make because I don’t recall every match I’ve done, obviously, because I’ve done so many. I’ve done a lot of great matches. Most of the matches that I remember doing are the bad ones, and the ones that have had issues, like for instance Sting and Hogan at Starrcade ‘97. That sticks in my memory because of the fucked up finish. But as far as guys being able to perform and drama and fans being a part of it, I would say Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay was the best match I’ve ever been a part of," Schiavone said.
Schiavone continued by highlighting how Omega's match at AEW Revolution 2020, where he and Hangman Page faced the Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) was another one of the greatest matches. He stated that Omega was one of the greatest performers he has ever been around, and he knew Kenny's match would be special.
"I can also go back to Revolution 2020, right before the pandemic, when Omega and Hangman faced the Young Bucks. That was another one of the greatest matches. People ask me, ‘What’s my favorite match to call?’ It’s still Hogan and Bossman from Madison Square Garden. It was a great match, but not because the match so much as it was because it was my first time calling a big match at Madison Square Garden. So there’s a lot of reasons this is one of the best matches ever. To me, Kenny Omega is one of the best performers I’ve ever been around in my life. Will Ospreay, I’ve seen some of his matches, but not as many as a lot of people who have followed New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I have such a respect for both men, and I knew going in that this was going to be something special," he said.
Looking back on his thoughts prior to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Schiavone noted that he knew Omega and Ospreay would steal the show. He also made it clear that being part of a Kazuchika Okasa match was something he would never forget, and calling the action for a Bryan Danielson match is always special.
"I do also want to say that being part of an Okada match was one of those moments that you’ll never forget, and being a part of any Bryan Danielson match is special, especially when he worked the last part of that match with a broken arm. He put that LeBell Lock on with a broken [arm], and we don’t know if he’s working of not, and he forces his hand to lock under that much pain. It’s an unforgettable moment, it really is, for me. I’ll remember that because I was right there, seeing him take the second hand and hook him and stretch that LeBell Lock on. I’ve seen the x-rays and I know how bad the break is. It’s a severe break," Schiavone said.
Omega recently discussed the controversial Tiger Driver '91 spot in his match with Ospreay. Click here to see what he had to say.
Eric Bischoff has said he was blown away by Ospreay's match with Omega. Check out his comments here.
Omega will face Wheeler Yuta on the July 5 episode of AEW Dynamite. Check out the card here. Fightful will have coverage of the show as it airs.
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