Kenny Omega Media Conference Call Highlights

The Kenny Omega media conference call is underway.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega wants New Japan Pro Wrestling to have a presence in countries all over the world, and wants to help lead that.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says Chris Jericho was the guy he originally modeled his career after, so it would be poetic if it ended as late as Jericho's career has gone.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega has faith in the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster as they expand globally to carry shows

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega tells me he struggled with a neck injury during his junior heavyweight run that was at risk of getting really bad, so he wasn't at full health

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega also tells me that he's adjusted physically to heavyweight completely, and there's nothing he can't do with the added weight that he couldn't do before

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega says that added media has helped fans connect with him as a person more, and hope that carries over to his other projects and his wrestling

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Re: Highly anticipated Ibushi match: Omega thinks he's set up to fail in big match situations in the eyes of his detractors (ex, Omega, Jericho, etc). He just trusts in his own skills.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Admits they'll both be beaten up by the end of the G1.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega is really proud that the Golden Lovers story is so popular with LBGTQ fans.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega says he wasn't sure that he promised he would speak "only" in Japanese to the fans, but said he would speak "more" to them in Japanese, and he has

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega doesn't appreciate Naito's message, and thinks it only works in Japan. Some people in Japan live rough lives and work long days, and Naito's message is "don't care, don't strive for more." You can't make Naito the face of your company globally with a message like that

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega: Naito's message is "stupid." And LIJ are "assets," but are rinse, wash repeat. Sees them as a localized act. Says English speakers call him racist for those comments, but locals agree with him

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega says when he goes to the gym, it's mostly foreigners, and they're always trying harder than the locals, who are mostly waiting for their turn. It's not a racial thing, it just is what it is. The guys who are killing it right now are mostly foreign talent.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega: "I don't want to be a turn waiter. I want everyone to do well."

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

I think that was the angriest I've ever heard Omega on an interview, and he didn't even raise his voice.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says he wants to see @SuperKingofBros in NJPW, thinks he could have a very successful career. Sees him as one of the leaders of a new strong style

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega wants to see how Jeff Cobb does at the G1 Special

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega sees Canada as worth a shot for NJPW to explore

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega was shocked to hear of the passing of Vader. Thought he was indestructible. Was lucky to have pleasant memories of Vader, and was a huge fan of Vader and got to work with him in Vader's promotion

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega: Vader was the reason I was able to get my first work visa in Japan.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

I reached out to @SuperKingofBros about @KennyOmegamanX's comments. His response: "Stallion."

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega wants to do more media in North America, and establish himself more in Japan. Wants to carry his talents all over the world. Being bilingual can help him tread new land as champion

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

"Everyone else who has been through that door has had time and opportunity, why didn't they do anything special?"- Omega on people saying his lack of restrictions are the only reason he can be good.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega says that it's a disservice to his fans if he can't make sure he can show what he can do. Can't necessarily do that in a 5 minute WWE match, but he would be just fine and pull it off

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega started studying the Japanese language in 2008 and by about 2010-2011 he had a breakthrough and could comfortably approach someone. He was cutting fluent promos in Japanese in 2011.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Omega says, The Elite and New Day both want to have a match badly, and broke all kinds of streaming and VOD records just playing a video game. They've shown they can draw business with a feud. Dollars make sense, and right now is the time to ease up "us vs. them" and do it.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says New Day vs. Elite can make money, so there's no reason not to do the match and feud

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega isn't sure if CM Punk has the MMA bug in him, hasn't spoken to him about his interests in wrestling, but "name a time and place" and he'd love to work with him.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says he could argue that comedy wrestling is harder than slapping each other in the face and shoot headbutts, because you have to tell a story to an entire audience and it plays a specific role

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says New Day vs. Elite can make money, so there's no reason not to do the match and feud

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega definitely wants to see WWE and NJPW work together, and @ryansatin types really loudly

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega says he stays away from Fortnite and Pub G because he'll get addicted to it

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018

Kenny Omega tells me that he cleared the E3 appearance, but doesn't think NJPW knew how it would play out. He got the company's president up to speed. When Omega told him the details he was all for it, but hasn't spoken to him since

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 21, 2018