With AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door just around the corner, Kenny Omega has addressed whether he will replace the injured Bryan Danielson to take on NJPW’s Zack Sabre Jr.
Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega has been out of action since losing the title to Hangman Adam Page at Full Gear in November 2021. He has since been receiving treatment for a host of injuries ranging from vertigo to “blown-out” knees, taking time off was necessary for Omega’s wellbeing.
Meanwhile, AEW has been preparing to co-host the Forbidden Door supershow with Omega’s old employer, New Japan Pro Wrestling. One of the most highly anticipated inter-promotional matches announced for the event was a battle between AEW’s Bryan Danielson and NJPW’s Zack Sabre Jr. to determine once and for all who the best technical wrestler on the planet really is.
However, in one of several blows to the event, Bryan Danielson announced he was unable to compete at either Forbidden Door or the following Blood & Guts Dynamite special. Despite this, ZSJ will still compete at the event but against a mystery opponent handpicked by Danielson himself.
The #SubmissionMaster@zacksabrejr from @njpwglobal is here! Who will he face this Sunday at #ForbiddenDoor?! It’s #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/n3Ja0s0ltc
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 23, 2022
During a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Kenny Omega was asked if he was the man to take on the Submission Master. Unfortunately for the many fans clamouring for The Cleaner’s return, it’s not to be, as he admitted there is “zero chance” it will nbe him. On a more positive note, he added that the replacement will “leave people very happy”.
“I can safely say there is zero chance it will be me. But the replacement is going to leave people very happy. I can’t see people being disappointed by this legitimately handpicked replacement by Bryan Danielson.”
With Kenny Omega’s flat-out denial, Zack Sabre Jr.’s Forbidden Door opponent is currently unknown, many are hoping the bout will see the AEW debut of former WWE Superstar Cesaro. Fuel was added to that fire when it was reported that the Swiss Superman has recently been back in training.