It’s official: Kenny Omega is set to return to the ring for the first time since his battle with diverticulitis.
The former AEW World Champion hasn’t competed in almost a year, last wrestling on the December 9th edition of Collision last year against now-NXT star Ethan Page. Omega was taken off programming a few days later after being hospitalised and diagnosed with diverticulitis.
On top of being potentially career-ending, Omega narrowly avoided the condition becoming life-threatening. Doctors reportedly told him that if he hadn’t been diagnosed when he was, he could have developed a fatal blood infection with “a 50% chance of death”.
Thankfully, after undergoing surgery and a long road of recovery, Omega made his long-awaited return NJPW Power Struggle earlier this month. It didn’t take long for controversy to find The Best Bout Machine, however, as he got into a backstage brawl with Gabe Kidd at the event.
Their fight led Omega to proclaim that, should both Kidd and the New Japan head office request it, he’d face the Bullet Club member at Wrestle Dynasty, the cross-promotional event featuring stars from NJPW, STARDOM, AEW, ROH and CMLL, on January 5th.
Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has made the move official: In his first match in over 13 months, Kenny Omega is set to face Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty. This marks Omega’s eighth match in Tokyo Dome following his last two years ago against Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
OFFICIAL
January 5 2025 #WrestleDynasty@kennyomegamanx
VS@GabeKidd0115https://t.co/k1mHfQc2ko#njpw#njWDpic.twitter.com/Il5tTR2Byv
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) November 23, 2024
Tony Khan Recently Hinted At Kenny Omega’s AEW Return
With Kenny Omega just weeks away from his in-ring return, some fans have been wondering when he’ll finally return to his home promotion of AEW.
During the AEW Full Gear 2024 media call, AEW President Tony Khanaddressed Omega’s return while speaking to ITRWrestling’s Alex Hunt. Khan shared his excitement at Omega competing at Wrestle Dynasty and hinted that the company’s former Executive Vice President will be returning very soon.
Wrestle Dynasty will also see an appearance from another top AEW star, as TBS and NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone plans to be at the cross-promotional show.
In a further update, the long-term plans for Kenny Omega have been revealed.