Kenny Omega previews his match against Will Ospreay at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Omega had been one of the company’s top stars before he left and became one of the founding members of All Elite Wrestling. He hasn’t wrestled in an NJPW ring since Wrestle Kingdom 13, where he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi. But he will make his return to the promotion by challenging Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
In an interview with NJPW’s official website, Omega shared his thoughts on his looming return. He noted that it will be a true homecoming, as fans and wrestlers alike have struggled through a “different time” since he last wrestled for the company. Omega stated that without him at the helm, NJPW has lacked charisma, magic, and eyeballs.
“I think I’ve already made a big enough statement,” Omega said. “My return to the Tokyo Dome is supposed to be astronomical. This is supposed to be a celebration, a real homecoming. For all of you fans, wrestlers that have struggled for so long through this difficult time. I understand that you guys have struggled with this for years now.
“I know what you’re thinking- that I mean the struggle with the pandemic, no, no, no. The struggle that I’m talking about is the struggle that you guys have had to incur without me running the ship! Without Kenny Omega running the show, there’s been an absolute lack of charisma, an absolute lack of magic, an absolute lack of eyeballs watching the product. We need people watching, talking, discussing. We need New Japan parties again, guys!
The former AEW World Champion emphasized that the people need something to give them a reason to get excited and come to a show, and him winning the IWGP United States Championship is that very incentive. He declared that the company is shifting away from an “experimental project” in Ospreay and returning to the real deal, as the true king is coming back.
“After years of hardship, what these people need is a resolution,” Omega said. “They need a reason to cheer and be happy again, they need reason to buy tickets and come to a show. They need something to really, really look forward to. Kenny Omega holding the US title belt, now that is a reason to buy a ticket. That is a reason to buy the magazines, that is a reason to buy the PPVs. Hell, that’s a reason to watch AEW television! You can watch it every Wednesday on FITE or even watch it on NJPW World.
“But there’s a shift coming, and unfortunately for you Will, we’re shifting away from this experimental project that was Will Ospreay. And you gave it your best shot, congratulations. I don’t know what else you want from me, I’ll give you a pat on the back, a fruit basket, you did great. But it just wasn’t good enough, and it was nothing compared to the real deal. I’m sorry, Will, but you’re going to have to move on. The king is coming back for the keys to the castle.”
WrestleZone will have coverage of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 once the event airs on January 4.
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