AEW International Champion Kenny Omega is adopting a more cautious approach to his wrestling career following a life-threatening diverticulitis attack in December 2023. After undergoing surgery in May 2024 and returning to the ring this past January, Omega reflected on his new perspective in a conversation with Adi Shankar, creator of Netflix’s “Devil May Cry” series.
Omega, who has wrestled seven matches since his comeback including dethroning Konosuke Takeshita for his current title, praised his agent Barry Bloom for prioritizing his health during his absence. “He’s [Bloom] really like a family member to me, absolutely,” Omega said. “It wasn’t, ‘Show me the money.’ It was like, ‘Show me your doctor’s report and tell me you’re healthy or if not, no one’s getting their hands on you.’… He’s like, ‘No, no, you have to know you can do it. I don’t care about the money. You need to be healthy.’”
The health scare profoundly impacted Omega. “And this is coming from someone now who is understanding of his own mortality now,” he shared. “I’m being way more cautious, and as cautious as I am Barry is still more cautious than I am. Whether it costs me or him money or not, that’s not the primary concern. At all.”
Omega’s most recent match saw him team with Mark Briscoe, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey against Kazuchika Okada, The Young Bucks & Ricochet.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Adi Shankar with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
