AEW: Kenny Omega Diverticulitis Injury & AEW Return Plans Update, Tony Khan Named Among Variety’s 2024 Dealmakers List, More News

Dec 20, 2024

Kenny Omega Diverticulitis Injury & AEW Return Plans Status Update

As noted before, Kenny Omega will be making his in-ring return at AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s upcoming co-promoted Wrestle Dynasty event in January 5, 2025 in Japan. Omega has been out of action since this past January due to diverticulitis and surgery.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Omega’s in-ring return taking place first in NJPW for Wrestle Dynasty was done with AEW CEO Tony Khan’s blessing. Those spoken to reportedly stated that this was viewed as a goodwill gesture towards AEW’s relationship with NJPW.

In regards to the current plans for Omega’s return to AEW, it was reported that AEW officials had some discussions internally about having Omega return at this past November’s Full Gear 2024 event first but this was never a firm plan. AEW officials reportedly did have some talks about Omega appearing in AEW first before going back to Japan.

Those spoken to within AEW reportedly stated that Omega’s return to AEW television is expected to be happening by the Worlds End 2024 event on December 28th. Omega’s involvement for this upcoming event reportedly is currently not known.

Also, Fightful notes that while there was some discussion internally about having Omega return last month at Full Gear, that was reportedly never a firm plan. But there was reported talk about Omega appearing in AEW first before going back to Japan.

Tony Khan Named Among Variety’s 2024 Dealmakers List

Variety recently named AEW CEO Tony Khan to their 2024 Dealmakers List.

In Khan’s listing portion, it was stated that AEW is currently valued at over $2 billion as a company.

In October, five years to the week after Khan launched professional wrestling promotion AEW as a direct competitor to Vince McMahon’s long-dominant WWE, he closed a multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, worth a reported $185 million a year, that calls for AEW’s shows and events to be broadcast on TBS and TNT and stream on Max. The company is now valued at more than $2 billion, making it the third-most-valuable combat sports company in the world.
Ain’t bragging if it’s true: “Our new arrangement signifies that AEW will make history as the first professional wrestling promotion to simulcast events weekly on top cable channels and a top streaming platform,” says Khan.”

AEW News & Notes

Kamille has been absent from AEW since the November 30th episode of AEW Collision following her being seen laid out backstage after an unseen attack by a mystery assistant. Prior to the attack angle, Kamille had split from Mercedes Mone on the November 27th episode of AEW Dynamite. Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that Kamille might not be returning to AEW and he would not be surprised if she did not return. No other details were given regarding Kamille’s current status in the company.

AEW recently released a behind-the-scenes video of the Toni Storm’s “Portrait of a Rockstar” interview segment from this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash 2024 show.

In a recent interview with The Five Star podcast, AEW CEO Tony Khan gave his thoughts about him having recent talks about licensing more songs from Guns N’ Roses for AEW shows. Khan stated “I’ve had talks, this is the first time I’ve ever said it out loud so exclusive stuff right here, about maybe doing even more collaborating with Guns N’ Roses in AEW on licensing.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent TikTok stream, WWE talent Drew McIntyre gave his thoughts about AEW and him happy to see his friends succeed in the company and being a fan of all wrestling. McIntyre stated “I’m happy to watch all wrestling, especially when I’m off. When I was out that three months, when one person called me the entire time I was out, that’s the time for me to catch up on everything. IMPACT, AEW, New Japan, the independents. I’m happy to see so many people I’m friends with making a full-time living. That wasn’t the case when I was fired in 2014 and reinvented what it meant to be a professional wrestler, using social media as I still do to this day at the top level. It’s been going since 2014. To rebrand myself, to see how much the industry grew in those three years, and it led to so many places and so many people making a full-time living. It’s awesome.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Thunder Rosa gave her thoughts about one way AEW’s Women’s division could improve in the company. Rosa stated “Everybody has their thing, their flavor, their character. Everybody’s different in the division. I still feel very strongly that we need to have really strong babyfaces to go against the really strong personalities that we have as heels. One of the reasons why Willow Nightingale is so popular is not only because she’s good, it’s because she’s a real babyface. She’s been able to take it to the next level. One of the reasons why for me it was so entertaining and so fun to work, not only with Toni Storm, because Toni was becoming a babyface, but when she worked with me, she became the heel, it’s because I was like okay, I have to be a real babyface, and it was a challenge for me because you know how I am. But it’s not about who I am as Melissa, it’s who Thunder Rosa needs to be in the ring for the story.” Rosa gave an example of her recent feud with Deonna Purrazzo. Rosa stated “Every time we were in the ring and every time she’d cut a promo, it was a challenge. I feel that that’s what we need with the women that we have. They’re very strong in the ring, but personality-wise or babyface and heel, we need to get that basic essence of professional wrestling. If you’re really a heel, be the freaking heel. If you’re a babyface, you don’t need to get your shit in. Just take the people on the ride and let them suffer with you.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent episode of the What Happened When with Tony Schiavone podcast, co-host Tony Schiavone gave his thoughts about his belief of Kyle Fletcher coming into his own as a singles star during this year’s Continental Classic tournament. Schiavone stated “This has been really, really good. We have seen great matches. I think we have seen Kyle Fletcher come into his own during this tournament. Obviously, Will Ospreay has been great in this tournament as well. Claudio Castagnoli, and I know I’m gonna miss some running the list down, but Kazuchika Okada, we’ve got some great stars in this tournament. Unfortunately, Juice Robinson broke his foot the very first time out, so Komander had to replace him. But I’ve enjoyed the matches, I really have, and I’m saying that as a wrestling fan. I really have enjoyed those matches. Tonight, one match that is gonna be I think phenomenal is gonna be Will Ospreay and Darby Allin. It’s just great matchups.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

AEW recently announced the full card for Friday’s AEW Rampage Holiday Bash 2024 show on TNT:

Continental Classic 2024 Blue League match – Brody King vs. Komander
Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage) vs. Mark Davis & Powerhouse Hobbs
Lio Rush & Action Andretti vs. mystery opponents
Willow Nightingale vs. Harley Cameron
Don Callis to speak