Kenny Omega is headed back to New Japan Pro-Wrestling for Wrestle Kingdom 17 when he takes on Will Ospreay.
It'll be Omega's first bout in NJPW since Wrestle Kingdom 13 when he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Omega left NJPW following the bout to help form AEW.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Omega discussed his NJPW return.
"I’m returning to New Japan as an ambassador of AEW,” said Omega. “I’m returning to New Japan as an ambassador of pro wrestling. I’m also returning home. I left to start this new, exciting opportunity, but it’s still home. Now the things Will can do are things I cannot. He’s an athletic phenom. But as finely tuned as he is physically, he still hasn’t doesn’t have the knowledge or experience. I pushed my own physical boundaries in All Japan and DDT, but that’s not what I’m known for. My mind is my greatest asset, not my athleticism. That’s what’s allowed [Hiroshi] Tanahashi to have such a long and flavorful career. I needed someone to take my place in New Japan, I wanted someone to take my place–and it was Will, Jay [White], and [Kota] Ibushi. Will is the only one to have a problem with that. I had to speak in Japanese to remind him that he doesn’t have home court advantage. This is still my home.”
Omega and Ospreay had taken shots at each other on social media and in interviews throughout the years before they finally met in the ring, as part of the AEW Trios Title tournament, on the August 31 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Fans can check out the current lineup for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 by clicking here.