Kenny Omega, who has not wrestled since December 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulitis and undergoing surgery, is returning to in-ring action. He will do so when he takes on Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5.
This event features wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH at the Tokyo Dome on January 5. NJPW shot an angle earlier this month at Power Struggle with Omega doing an in-ring promo and teasing a return before doing a brawling angle between them later in the show.
Fans have criticized Omega for not returning to in-ring action for AEW instead of NJPW due to interest in AEW’s product being down right now. Omega, one of their top stars, having his first match in a year would certainly drum up interest for AEW, and they could use that to help business.
Omega has stated that he doesn’t feel AEW needs him right now and doesn’t want to take a spot from other talent who have been in the mix. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported, “Omega wants to take it slow before going back full-time with the idea of easing into a full-time schedule down the line and hoping everything holds up.”
It’s still unclear when Omega will be back on AEW TV.