One of the biggest wrestling events of the year took place this weekend as New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) held its annual Wrestle Kingdom event live from the Toyoko Dome. It is usually a two-day event, but this year saw the second night enhanced by a multi-promotional event—Wrestle Dynasty (also from the Tokyo Dome). Between NJPW and AEW/ROH, the card was stacked with some of the best non-WWE wrestling in the world.
While Zack Sabre Jr. retained his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shota Umino in night one’s main event, all eyes were on the return of Kenny Omega—responsible for the rise in popularity of Japan wrestling stateside. Omega has been out of action since a December 2023 match with Ethan Page on “AEW Collision.” However, it had been announced weeks ago that the former AEW world champion would be making his return to the ring overseas on the joint-venture promotion. Social media criticized the decision—wondering why he was not being held for a return on actual AEW programming.
His opponent, Gabe Kidd, made a splash in the lead-up to the match—culminating in a profanity-laced tirade in which he called out the wrestling industry, including the entire AEW locker room and Tony Khan. Kidd, NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, has been a standout for the promotion and felt like the perfect return match for Omega when their faceoff at the presser sent social media into a frenzy.
Omega is responsible for so much of the perceived awesomeness that NJPW offers as an alternative, and his elaborate entrances interweaved with his love of all things gaming, have become memorable spectacles. This crossover with both the gaming and cosplay worlds (often intertwined) has helped bring in a younger generation of wrestling fans who feel connected to the talent.
Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
Omega’s entrance last night was a nod to “Final Fantasy,” and the entire package worked. As for Kidd, his whole gimmick is baked into his presentation, and he was able to give an accurate showing for any ‘first-time’ eyeballs on him.
The match was terrific, and it felt like Omega was turning the clock back as he showed why he is considered a top talent. They worked a boxing style very early in the match as both men connected with rights and lefts (closed fists). But the match would soon get bloody as tables were destroyed throughout the bout—Omega put Kidd through a table via powerbomb while Kidd landed a devastating ‘Brainbuster’ on Omega.
.@KennyOmegamanX “Powerbomb”
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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2025
Omega looked great and the performance bodes well for AEW’s 2025, but he sold a hip injury in the match that was a reminder of just how grueling his style is on the body. There was a moment when Omega slammed Kidd onto a pile of chairs, and you saw that even his offensive maneuvers left him vulnerable at this stage in his career. And yet, Kenny was able to eat a savage mid-rope suplex from Kidd onto those same chairs later on in the match. Near-falls were not overused in the bout, but Kidd showcased his grit by effectively kicking out of some close moments, including a V-trigger from Omega. In the end, Omega’s Kamigoye and The One-Winged Angel helped seal the deal, and as tough as Kidd is, nobody kicks out of ‘TOWA.’
The performance was solid in a losing affair for Kidd at a time when he needed to make the same kind of impression on ‘bookers’ as a pro baller does in a “contract year”— it is rumored his contract with NJPW is expiring/expired. He did that, although you have to wonder if telling the entire wrestling world to “F’ off” could hamper future aspirations.
What’s Next For Kenny Omega?
For Omega, he was able to return to the circumstances under what he felt were the right conditions, and you could argue that if he was worried about ring rust then it would be better to shake that off in front of an international crowd. He will return to AEW at a time that the company desperately needs him. There are many options for Omega with returns and debuts happening in the time since he’s been on the shelf.
There are some who hope a TRUE dream match can somehow be worked out so that we can see Omega take on John Cena in the latter’s retirement year, but that feels like a pipedream at this stage. Instead, Omega has his hands full with the video game and leading a product on the back of a major programming deal.
There will be questions of direction and longevity for “The Cleaner,” but this weekend’s match is the reason to have faith. It was not long ago that the American wrestling product was in need of rejuvenation and the staleness turned away generational fans. Kenny’s matches with Okada sparked a buzz in the U.S., leading directly to Chris Jericho’s decision to face Omega in a test of his wrestling prowess.
These Japan shows helped give Omega a stage, and with it, he raised the bar of expectations for wrestling from American fans. Even WWE’s own venture into the culture can be linked with the timeframe that saw Kenny creating a frenzy. It will always be true that the WWE will represent the big leagues, but Kenny’s work in Japan (including this weekend) shaped a new standard. Now, it is rare that you will hear an American fan claim that the best wrestlers in the world are limited to the WWE.
And for the business, Omega became the ‘target.’ The guy that Jericho left his cushy legends contract to test himself against who he considered was the best. When CM Punk came to AEW, he mentioned Omega, and so does everyone else. That allure that Kenny created was off the back of these Japan events, and getting the win over Kidd may be the first step in his next plan to shake up the wrestling world.
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