This may be the only time I have ever used ESPN.com as a source for a wrestling story, but if rumors are true, then it looks like wrestling’s mega power will soon pursue Kenny Omega.
Could the 33-year-old star from New Japan Pro Wrestling not only make an appearance at the Royal Rumble, but become a player in an angle involving The Club?
While most wrestling fans should be salivating over the idea of Omega’s move to Vince McMahon’s kingdom, I see it as a point of interest that may not make the impact many of us hope for. WWE is still teetering on the brink of destruction with its unbalanced rosters, its lack of depth and its failure to draw the masses back to its caves once the brand extension took place.
Creatively, WWE has done a good job promoting 205 Live, using both Sasha Banks and Charlotte as atlases of the women’s division and utilizing gems like The Miz, Chris Jericho and Baron Corbin to the best of their abilities. Adding more wrestlers outside the realm of NXT has its merits, but Omega’s arrival, potentially like that of AJ Styles, does not cure the problem of what should be done with the current roster.
As Nicolas Atkin wrote, “Omega solidified his stock as one of the greatest professional wrestlers in the world following his instant-classic main-event match against Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 11 on Jan. 4 at the Tokyo Dome. The 33-year-old Canadian has since stated he is taking time away from NJPW to consider his future following his defeat to Okada, with his contract reportedly set to expire at the end of the month, fueling speculation he could be considering a move to WWE.”
While I appear to be questioning the move, Omega’s ascension to the show is inevitable. His star may not be hotter than it is now. His international appeal would bring more worldwide viewership. And, if you think about it, he could be an instant hit in a program with someone like Seth Rollins. WWE continues to take chances with the next big thing without using the current roster to build quality. The quantity won’t matter if wrestlers are stepped over for the new flavor of the month. Of course, the news of the possible reunion of Omega and WWE has both Triple H and the wrestling community buzzing.
“If somebody is talented as a performer and they want to come work for the WWE, if they want to come to the largest platform in the world where they can truly show what they do off on a global basis, then WWE is the choice for them. If they want to come work for us and they’re very talented, then I’m interested in talking to them, and that’s across the board,” Triple H said in an interview with ESPN.
In looking at WWE’s roster, Omega’s inclusion would do wonders as the last links to the Attitude Era continue to become more distant to the main event picture. Styles proved he could come to the company and excel – far more than the McMahons thought he would upon his arrival at the Royal Rumble last year. Would someone like Omega give the same kind of impact? Potentially. Styles is a once-in-a-blue moon talent whose universal appeal warranted an immediate move to the main roster. Does the former Tyson Smith have that kind of stroke? It’s highly unlikely.
WWE will soon have fresh meat roaming the ring on Monday and Tuesday nights. Samoa Joe, Nakamura and Bobby Roode all have a date with success. Omega is a champion in the making, but let’s not jump the gun. There are others in line to kiss the brass ring. Giving him the ball before others would be a step in the wrong direction. Triple H may be excited by the potential of a Kenny Omega signing. But unless he can give fans a Styles-like performance from the opening bell, everyone needs to pump the breaks a bit.
Besides, this is only speculation and rumor, even if Triple H is secretly drooling.
David Levin
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