NJPW sparked a lot of buzz in the fall of 2024 by sharing a video that featured Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi, seemingly teasing a match between the two. A new report provides an update on the situation.
At the time, Omega was sidelined with diverticulitis, but NJPW announced that he would appear at NJPW Power Struggle. There, he got into an altercation with Gabe Kidd, setting up a match between the two at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty. Omega has not returned to NJPW since then. There have not been any more teases of another match with Tanahashi.
Sean Ross of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that a match between Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi was never actually planned. The report notes that, per sources, “creative had not been broached within AEW” before the video was posted.
Sapp cites NJPW sources who claimed that there was never a plan for Omega and Tanahashi to team up or face each other as of the time they filmed their video. These sources noted that the video “happened to be edited” in a way that would excite fans.
Omega has fully returned to AEW in recent months. He and Will Ospreay defeated Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher at AEW Grand Slam Australia. Omega will challenge Takeshita for the AEW International Championship at AEW Revolution.
Tanahashi is currently on his retirement tour. His last match will be at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026.
