Kenny Omega is leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling. He announced the news in an interview with Tokyo Sports. His contract with NJPW expires at the end of this month.
According to a translation from Chris Charlton, Omega said that he is taking some time away and seemed to imply that he is taking time away from wrestling in general:
“There is no real place for me to fit, so it’s best for me not to be in (NJPW). I can’t be there working under Tanahashi. I don’t think he’s surpassed me, don’t think he’s better. If we can, I want to face him again. But I need time away, and not just from New Japan.”
‘There is no real place for me to fit, so it’s best for me not to be in (NJPW). I can’t be there working under Tanahashi. I don’t think he’s surpassed me, don’t think he’s better. If we can, I want to face him again. But I need time away, and not just from New Japan.’
— chris charlton (@reasonjp) January 7, 2019
Omega lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4. The loss sparked rumors that he could be leaving the company for All Elite Wrestling or WWE. It is no secret that both companies want him and there is a large offer on the table for him from WWE. Omega said in a 2017 interview that one of the main reasons why he would consider going to WWE is so that he could have a match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania.
There’s no word on which company is leaning towards singing with and we might not find out for a while if he is going to take time off from the wrestling ring.
This is obviously a major development. We’ll pass along updates when we get them.
