Kenny Omega Comments on His Upcoming In-Ring Return & Feeling “Reborn Like A Phoenix”
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 on January 5, 2025 in Japan. Omega has been out of action since this past January due to diverticulitis and surgery.
NJPW recently released a new video on their official YouTube channel featuring Omega’s thoughts about his upcoming in-ring return and match against Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty.
“There’s no guarantee of a second chance in life. Not everyone can be the person they grew up dreaming of becoming. But there are those chosen by destiny and doomed to bear a responsibility from birth. I cannot escape it, I cannot hide from it, and I cannot die. When I thought my time was finally over, I saw a brilliant light, and like a phoenix from the flames I was reborn. I thought, ‘Why must I continue?’ It’s because of you and people like you who destroyed the beauty I created. ‘I’m a madman, I’m a madman.’ No, you’re not. You’re weak. You’re riding on a legacy of what I created. You’ve managed to create a group of sheep around you. You think they agree with you, that they support you? What those fans really want to see is strength. So let’s see how strong you are. Let’s see that spirit that you like to talk about so much. Because I just don’t see it in you. I have given you an opportunity on a platter. Are you scared? Do you want to run away? Don’t worry, Gabe. If you can’t handle the pressure, I’m sure there’s room back on the psych ward. Until next time, Gabe, goodbye, mwah, and good night. Bang.”
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
Tony Schiavone Comments on Him Hoping AEW Returns Yearly to Hammerstein Ballroom for Shows
A recent episode of the What Happened When with Tony Schiavone podcast featured co-host Tony Schiavone giving his thoughts about the potential of AEW running shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom as a new yearly tradition for the company.
“I would like to think so. I didn’t know what to expect because I’d never been there before, but of course I knew about wrestling events being there, and of course ECW being there. I thought we had a great crowd, I thought we had a crowd that responsive to everything that we did. Regardless of what I had heard about, ‘Well, it’s a very small venue, and there’s not many rooms to be able to gather in and not many locker room space,’ it worked. It worked for all of us on many, many levels. It was a great weekend for us to be there, and I would hope that is something that we can do. That’s such a legendary ballroom for more than just wrestling. It was the first time I’d ever been at the Manhattan Center. It was a wonderful experience for us, and I thought we gave them some very good matches. Long answer, yes, I think it’s something that we can do every year, and I hope we can.”
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
AEW News & Notes
AEW reportedly has sold and distributed around 6,347 tickets for tonight’s Worlds End 2024 event at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida as of this morning, according to WrestleTix.
Friday’s AEW Rampage series finale show was notable for HOOK defeating Nick Wayne in the last match held in Rampage series history at least for the foreseeable future.
AEW recently released a new AEW Timelines video focusing on the MJF vs. Adam Cole rivalry ahead of their Dynamite Diamond Ring match at AEW Worlds End 2024.
House of Glory released a video on Twitter about Mercedes Mone recently visiting their HOG Wrestling Academy in New York City to train with Amazing Red ahead of her TBS Championship match against Kris Statlander at AEW’s Worlds End 2024 event.
As noted before, Juice Robinson has been out of action for AEW since the November 27th tapings for AEW Collision due to a broken fibula injury. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer that his sources stated that AEW officials original plans for Robinson in this year’s Continental Classic tournament was for him to defeated Claudio Castagnoli with the use of brass knuckles in their final match of the tournament. Meltzer reported that the plan was for Robson’s victory to be used to heat up the Bang Bang Gang vs. Death Riders feud but those plans were dropped after Robinson’s injury. Meltzer also reported that AEW still went ahead with the same ending for Castagnoli’s final tournament match with Komander to eliminate him from advancing.
AEW reportedly drew an attendance of 1,491 for their Dec. 21st AEW Collision show at the Hammerstein Ballroom and 1,491 for their Dec. 22nd AEW Dynamite show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In a recent episode of the My World with Jeff Jarrett podcast, co-host Jeff Jarrett praised Shelton Benjamin’s work in AEW since his arrival in the company. Jarrett stated “I just gotta give somebody their flowers. Shelton Benjamin — You know, Shelton is no spring chicken, but I’m telling you, the Okada match, he has had a hell of a run of matches to me. I told him this yesterday in catering, he said, ‘I can’t eat too much, I got to work out.’ I said, ‘I hear you, the digestive system doesn’t work as quick as it used to.’ But I told him, I said you have, and I don’t want to say stepped your game up, but man oh man you have done some special things since you arrived. So, I’m happy for Shelton big time.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
In a recent interview with the Going Ringside podcast, Adam Cole gave his thoughts about his current feud with MJF and their upcoming match for the Dynamite Diamond Ring at AEW’s Worlds End 2024 event. Cole stated “If this was maybe a year ago, I think it would’ve gotten under my skin. But like i said, I’ve gotten to know MJF over the years, I know exactly what he’s doing. When you know that you’re trying to be manipulated, it’s easier to avoid being manipulated and Max was doing everything in his power, like I said, to get under my skin and I wasn’t going to let it happen to the point where I’m saving a lot of energy for when we do get to World’s End and I can punch him in the mouth for a lot of the things that he said.” Cole also gave his thoughts about what he would do to the Dynamite Diamond Ring if he were to win it. Cole stated “Yeah, it is possible. I would actually love to get my hands on it so the rest of the world never has to see it again.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
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