Kenny Omega and El Hijo del Vikingo finally clash on the March 22 episode of AEW Dynamite in what is considered a dream match by some fans.
The match was originally slated to happen in December 2021 at AAA TripleMania, but Omega was sidelined with injuries and could not compete. Vikingo obtained his visa in the fall of 2022 and has been making various US appearances.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Omega explained why the bout means so much to him.
“Every Vikingo match has something embedded in it that we’ve never seen before,” said Omega. “It’s a very exciting time. I thought our eventual clash would happen in AAA on Mexican soil, but it’s an opportunity that fell into my lap. I’m not the booker, I’m not the matchmaker, I don’t make the rules, but I have been given a chance to wrestle someone that’s going to change the way people think about wrestling and change the way we think about lucha libre. There is a sense of pride to help with this introduction of a new power player in professional wrestling. The way Vikingo’s captured people’s attention and conquered AAA, he deserves a world stage to show what he has to offer.”
Omega continued, "I love showing different wrestling cultures. Lucha libre is an art unlike any other. Vikingo is a modern-day innovator and an incredibly talented practitioner of lucha libre. People are going to be in for a treat. This is also a personal test for me. He’s made a couple stops here in the United States with GCW and Impact, and had a couple barn burners, but I want to offer a different experience visually. I’m hoping that the marriage of styles will create something very unique looking.”
One complaint regarding Omega vs. Vikingo has been the lack of build as the match was announced on social media and Vikingo has never appeared on AEW television prior to the match announcement.
Omega responded to the complaints by saying, "AEW is somewhat of a gateway drug for people that want to see new types of wrestling and these types of unique matches. We’ll always be accommodating to any talent on the planet—it doesn’t matter where they’re from, their shape, size, color, gender—who can display pro wrestling at its best. Pro wrestling is not just one particular style. A big motivator in creating AEW was unity. Coming together for one common goal, an open door to a platform for the best pro wrestling. By seeing two different sides clash, I hope people receive a different kind of experience from the encounter
“The two times I was most blown away were by individuals I’d never seen heading into the match. One was Rey Mysterio versus Psicosis in ECW, and the other was Great Sasuke versus Taka Michinoku when they first appeared for WWF. That took me down a rabbit hole so far that it helped create the wrestler I am today. So the people that want to cast this match away because they’re not too familiar with the name Vikingo, I hope they give it a shot. Allow this young man to display what makes him so special. We’re going to more than earn our spot in the show, and you get to be part of that experience.”
Wednesday will mark Omega's first singles match on Dynamite since November 2021 when he faced Alan Angels.
Fans can check out Vikingo's comments on the bout by clicking here.
Fightful will have live coverage of AEW Dynamite beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
