The huge bout between AEW’s Kenny Omega and NJPW’s Will Ospreay looks to be in doubt after it was revealed that Omega’s suspension is keeping him out of non-AEW roles, as well as wrestling for Tony Khan’s company.
The former AEW Champion recently returned from a near-year long injury before All Out 2022, where he teamed with The Young Bucks in the AEW Trios Championship Tournament. The Elite won the tournament to become the inaugural championship, but were stripped of the titles after a backstage fight with CM Punk saw all parties suspended from the company indefinitely.
Will Ospreay was a part of that tournament and even wrestled against Kenny Omega. In the second round, Ospreay and Aussie Open took on The Elite, with Omega picking up the victory via pinfall. The two men shared the ring at times which lit up the crowd and excited them for a future Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega match.
That match was expected to take place early next year in Japan. Many had theorised the huge encounter would take place at the Tokyo Dome, in one of the main events of Wrestle Kingdom 17. Omega had not wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling since the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13, where he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi.
While Omega left the company to help form All Elite Wrestling with the likes of Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks and Chris Jericho, Will Ospreay stepped up to fill the big shoes of the Canadian star. The British high-flyer reinvented himself and showcased his talents as one of the best wrestlers in the world, defeating Kota Ibushi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in 2021.
They’re long-awaited clash, with both men at the peak of their powers, was said to have been planned for Forbidden Door. However, due to Kenny Omega’s ongoing injury issues the match was shelved and Ospreay faced Orange Cassidy in an incredible match instead.
Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega Cancelled?
The Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay match was looking to be taking place at next years Wrestle Kingdom show, but recent events may have put a spanner in the works for one of the most anticipated matches in wrestling history.
Due to Kenny Omega’s suspension for AEW, he was not allowed to wrestle on AEW TV nor appear for the company in a professional capacity. However, it was was not known that this also included work outside of Tony Khan’s promotion, which became clear during the recent AAA show “Triplemania XXX”.
The biggest show in one of Mexico’s top promotions featured a number of stars paying tribute to the companies’ long history. The most notable of these was Rey Mysterio, who appeared on video to talk about his memories of the promotion and to congratulate them for making it to 30 years of Triplemania events.
However, one former AAA Mega Champion that was decidedly absent from the event was Kenny Omega. It was revealed by Mexican Legend and booker Konnan that Omega was supposed to appear at the event (via video message, like Mysterio) but due to his suspension by AEW was not permitted to.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the latest episode of his podcast, Konnan revealed:
“I don’t think it does any good for you to go out there and say, ‘No comment, no comment,’ and I know there are some legal issues because I actually asked Kenny Omega if he could send me a video for Triplemania, [directed at] whoever wins between the Vikingo and Fenix because, you know, he’s the number one contender, and he goes, ‘I still can’t because of legal issues.’ So there is something legal going on.”
With him not permitted to work anyway, and not just AEW, the match vs Will Ospreay seems in doubt for Kenny Omega. There is no end in sight for his, and The Elite’s, indefinite suspension, with some rumours claiming they could sit out the rest of 2022 on the sidelines.
If we do miss out on Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay it will be one of the biggest shames in wrestling. It is a dream match witht he ability to be one of the most fantastic bouts of all time, and if the world never gets to see The Kingpin face off with The Best Bout Machine then it will be all the poorer for it.
Who do you think would win in Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega? Let us know in the comments or click below to read about which AEW star Nikkita Lyons went to school with