Omega Admits Now Was A Good Time To Sign W/WWE

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Kenny Omega is one of the biggest stars in wrestling to never step foot in WWE. Well, he was signed to WWE in 2005 and 2006, but he only competed in their developmental territory at the time, Deep South Wrestling.

Shortly after that, Omega went to Japan where he made his name. He says his career was at a crossroads at that time and admits that he has no clue what he would be doing today had he not gone overseas. He appeared on TSN's Jay and Dan where he was asked what his career would look like without the Japan experience.

"It would be over. It would be ballgame. I don't know what I'd be doing," Omega said before adding he was also involved in MMA at the time but still wanted to be a performer.

"I wanted to be entertaining. I wanted to put on a show for everyone…I felt that my [MMA] matches were boring so I decided to give it one more kick at the can.

While wrestling at what was supposed to be his farewell tour in the United States, he got scouted and went to Japan. What was supposed to be a short stint ended up being the thing that turned his career around.

"I thought I was going to be in Japan for one month but that turned into 10 years," stated Omega. "And then I thought I would end my career in Japan but there's this whole new opportunity with AEW and I'm taking my craft and unique style to North America and I'm really excited about that."

Regarding his short stint with WWE, Omega said that their creative restrictions played a part in him leaving and never returning.

"It just wasn't for me," Omega said of the WWE. "I learned a lot of things that helped me take the next step after I left WWE. I had always felt when I had full creative control of my own person and own ideas that I could be the true me and show my full potential."

While Omega says back then he wasn't a good fit for WWE, he admits that now he probably is and even thought about signing with them recently.

"At that stage of my career, probably not. 10 or 12 years later, yeah, now would be a good time. I was actually considering going there earlier in the year, but AEW just seemed right for me. I always get really excited at the idea of having full creative control and just doing new things," said Omega.

"To me that's exciting as a performer. I felt that was probably what was best for me, as of right now."

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/kenny-omega-admits-that-now-would-have-been-a-good-time-to-652494/

Interesting. Seems crazy to think NJPW could have possibly been 3rd on his list between these 3 brands but AEW is right for him and the door is not closed on WWE if he ever really wanted to go later

[TGM]

Imagine the wrestling world today had Kenny Omega stayed with Deep South and WWE. He'd be part of the Lost Generation.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

Is there any footage of Omega in mma? Was he any good? Cause I never heard him having any background at wrestling or bjj.

[Deleted]

I can’t even begin to imagine how hard the WWE would have bungled Kenny.

[Alice Syndrome]

Mar 29, 2019 15:15:43 GMT -5 TGM said:

Imagine the wrestling world today had Kenny Omega stayed with Deep South and WWE. He'd be part of the Lost Generation.

I can totally see him being among the people in a thread about the FCW goobers that never reached TV like Aiden Frost and Donny Marlow

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 29, 2019 14:11:16 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Kenny Omega is one of the biggest stars in wrestling to never step foot in WWE. Well, he was signed to WWE in 2005 and 2006, but he only competed in their developmental territory at the time, Deep South Wrestling.

Shortly after that, Omega went to Japan where he made his name. He says his career was at a crossroads at that time and admits that he has no clue what he would be doing today had he not gone overseas. He appeared on TSN's Jay and Dan where he was asked what his career would look like without the Japan experience.

"It would be over. It would be ballgame. I don't know what I'd be doing," Omega said before adding he was also involved in MMA at the time but still wanted to be a performer.

"I wanted to be entertaining. I wanted to put on a show for everyone…I felt that my [MMA] matches were boring so I decided to give it one more kick at the can.

While wrestling at what was supposed to be his farewell tour in the United States, he got scouted and went to Japan. What was supposed to be a short stint ended up being the thing that turned his career around.

"I thought I was going to be in Japan for one month but that turned into 10 years," stated Omega. "And then I thought I would end my career in Japan but there's this whole new opportunity with AEW and I'm taking my craft and unique style to North America and I'm really excited about that."

Regarding his short stint with WWE, Omega said that their creative restrictions played a part in him leaving and never returning.

"It just wasn't for me," Omega said of the WWE. "I learned a lot of things that helped me take the next step after I left WWE. I had always felt when I had full creative control of my own person and own ideas that I could be the true me and show my full potential."

While Omega says back then he wasn't a good fit for WWE, he admits that now he probably is and even thought about signing with them recently.

"At that stage of my career, probably not. 10 or 12 years later, yeah, now would be a good time. I was actually considering going there earlier in the year, but AEW just seemed right for me. I always get really excited at the idea of having full creative control and just doing new things," said Omega.

"To me that's exciting as a performer. I felt that was probably what was best for me, as of right now."

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/kenny-omega-admits-that-now-would-have-been-a-good-time-to-652494/

Interesting. Seems crazy to think NJPW could have possibly been 3rd on his list between these 3 brands but AEW is right for him and the door is not closed on WWE if he ever really wanted to go later

I think it was an interview with Garret and Meltzer, but I can’t remember, when Kenny blatantly said when he was negotiating he was surprised that after talking to everyone, he really felt the choice was either WWE or AEW. Not due to cash, just from a perspective of what next step excites him more.

[abjordans]

He has been said it was between AEW and WWE and he took the WWE offer serious, I have gotten the impression he felt slighted by his negotiations with NJPW.

[corndog]

Mar 29, 2019 16:10:02 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 29, 2019 14:11:16 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/kenny-omega-admits-that-now-would-have-been-a-good-time-to-652494/

Interesting. Seems crazy to think NJPW could have possibly been 3rd on his list between these 3 brands but AEW is right for him and the door is not closed on WWE if he ever really wanted to go later

I think it was an interview with Garret and Meltzer, but I can’t remember, when Kenny blatantly said when he was negotiating he was surprised that after talking to everyone, he really felt the choice was either WWE or AEW. Not due to cash, just from a perspective of what next step excites him more.

I think he liked the challenge of going to WWE, but chose AEW because it was the most comfortable choice and it was a question he answered with Meltzer. Also, if ever possible, his AEW contact has a clause to allow him to wrestle for New Japan.

[EyeofTyr]

Mar 29, 2019 17:34:20 GMT -5 abjordans said:

He has been said it was between AEW and WWE and he took the WWE offer serious, I have gotten the impression he felt slighted by his negotiations with NJPW.

Yeah, from what little he's said about it, it does sound like NJPW stiffed him and he felt slighted. Which I can't entirely fault NJPW, they're not dumb, they have to know it was a very real possibility Omega was using them as so many fans have claimed The Elite and him were to piggy back off of them with AEW. 

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Mar 29, 2019 16:10:02 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 29, 2019 14:11:16 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/kenny-omega-admits-that-now-would-have-been-a-good-time-to-652494/

Interesting. Seems crazy to think NJPW could have possibly been 3rd on his list between these 3 brands but AEW is right for him and the door is not closed on WWE if he ever really wanted to go later

I think it was an interview with Garret and Meltzer, but I can’t remember, when Kenny blatantly said when he was negotiating he was surprised that after talking to everyone, he really felt the choice was either WWE or AEW. Not due to cash, just from a perspective of what next step excites him more.

The challenge of WWE I assume was enticing and I think they (WWE) would have treated him just like they did AJ but you can't say that for sure. At the end of the day, AEW is also a challenge as well and with creative freedom it allows him to keep his motivation and gears turning

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 29, 2019 18:14:21 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Mar 29, 2019 16:10:02 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

I think it was an interview with Garret and Meltzer, but I can’t remember, when Kenny blatantly said when he was negotiating he was surprised that after talking to everyone, he really felt the choice was either WWE or AEW. Not due to cash, just from a perspective of what next step excites him more.

The challenge of WWE I assume was enticing and I think they (WWE) would have treated him just like they did AJ but you can't say that for sure. At the end of the day, AEW is also a challenge as well and with creative freedom it allows him to keep his motivation and gears turning

I definitely get the vibe that Kenny is just as invested in growing wrestling as a whole as he is growing his own career/legacy so AEW just made all the sense in the world. Do you want to be part of the machine, or part of the team that changed how the machine worked?

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Mar 29, 2019 18:17:46 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 29, 2019 18:14:21 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

The challenge of WWE I assume was enticing and I think they (WWE) would have treated him just like they did AJ but you can't say that for sure. At the end of the day, AEW is also a challenge as well and with creative freedom it allows him to keep his motivation and gears turning

I definitely get the vibe that Kenny is just as invested in growing wrestling as a whole as he is growing his own career/legacy so AEW just made all the sense in the world. Do you want to be part of the machine, or part of the team that changed how the machine worked?

And at the end of the day if AEW doesn't work he could always go back to Japan or even WWE if opportunity still there

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2019 16:08:09 GMT -5 Alice Syndrome said:

Mar 29, 2019 15:15:43 GMT -5 TGM said:

Imagine the wrestling world today had Kenny Omega stayed with Deep South and WWE. He'd be part of the Lost Generation.

I can totally see him being among the people in a thread about the FCW goobers that never reached TV like Aiden Frost and Donny Marlow

To be fair to Donny Marlow, he did make it to WWE TV, and is now a multi-time (and current) tag team champion in NJPW.

But I definitely could see him being lost in the FCW shuffle. It’s insane how badly the developmental system was handled during those years.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Mar 29, 2019 18:20:45 GMT -5 @notoriousnd22 said:

Mar 29, 2019 16:08:09 GMT -5 Alice Syndrome said:

I can totally see him being among the people in a thread about the FCW goobers that never reached TV like Aiden Frost and Donny Marlow

To be fair to Donny Marlow, he did make it to WWE TV, and is now a multi-time (and current) tag team champion in NJPW.

But I definitely could see him being lost in the FCW shuffle. It’s insane how badly the developmental system was handled during those years.

It's insane it took someone so long to fix that shit up

Everybody was the same and you just weren't getting good production from there. HHH actually deciding to pitch for a feeder system was a Godsend because no way WWE was going to be able to replenish talent

[Hypnosis]

Mar 29, 2019 16:08:09 GMT -5 Alice Syndrome said:

Mar 29, 2019 15:15:43 GMT -5 TGM said:

Imagine the wrestling world today had Kenny Omega stayed with Deep South and WWE. He'd be part of the Lost Generation.

I can totally see him being among the people in a thread about the FCW goobers that never reached TV like Aiden Frost and Donny Marlow

Aiden Frost sounds like a Mortal Kombat character who would have been killed off after one game in the series.

[Feargus McReddit]

Mar 29, 2019 18:24:36 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Mar 29, 2019 18:20:45 GMT -5 @notoriousnd22 said:

To be fair to Donny Marlow, he did make it to WWE TV, and is now a multi-time (and current) tag team champion in NJPW.

But I definitely could see him being lost in the FCW shuffle. It’s insane how badly the developmental system was handled during those years.

It's insane it took someone so long to fix that shit up

Everybody was the same and you just weren't getting good production from there. HHH actually deciding to pitch for a feeder system was a Godsend because no way WWE was going to be able to replenish talent

And the DUIs...

So many goddamn DUIs...

[Alice Syndrome]

Mar 29, 2019 18:59:00 GMT -5 Hypnosis said:

Mar 29, 2019 16:08:09 GMT -5 Alice Syndrome said:

I can totally see him being among the people in a thread about the FCW goobers that never reached TV like Aiden Frost and Donny Marlow

Aiden Frost sounds like a Mortal Kombat character who would have been killed off after one game in the series.

He looked like Hade Vansen with a rounder head, and he had Frankie Kazarian's "Ass Trumpets" theme for some reason.

[The 1Watcher Experience]

If AEW doesn’t last I can totally see Omega and the Bucks cashing in on the WWE. They’ll get much more famous and they can run their occasional super indie shows again once they’re done there and want to work much less at that point. It wouldn’t be a bad move for their own long term interests.

[cabbageboy]

I don't get why WWE moved developmental down to Tampa in the first place. All those DUIs to me are a result of that. Tampa is a really wild town with Ybor City and countless strip joints. This stuff didn't happen as often with OVW, and if someone did get into some trouble I think Cornette smoothed it over with the authorities. The move was more about WWE execs wanting to hang out in Florida when they visited.

In all honesty I think the main reason guys like Omega and the Bucks are doing AEW is that they don't want to actually be pro wrestlers. By that I mean they don't want to actually be on the road with a full schedule of dates. They would rather take Tony Khan's money to do very little. It's nice work if you can get it, but it is also taking the 2018 Wrestler of the Year and the Tag Team of the Year off the board for months at a time.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 30, 2019 10:16:31 GMT -5 cabbageboy said:

I don't get why WWE moved developmental down to Tampa in the first place. All those DUIs to me are a result of that. Tampa is a really wild town with Ybor City and countless strip joints. This stuff didn't happen as often with OVW, and if someone did get into some trouble I think Cornette smoothed it over with the authorities. The move was more about WWE execs wanting to hang out in Florida when they visited.

That kinda sounds like you’d prefer if WWE could just grease some palms and DUI’s would go away.

In all honesty I think the main reason guys like Omega and the Bucks are doing AEW is that they don't want to actually be pro wrestlers. By that I mean they don't want to actually be on the road with a full schedule of dates. They would rather take Tony Khan's money to do very little. It's nice work if you can get it, but it is also taking the 2018 Wrestler of the Year and the Tag Team of the Year off the board for months at a time.

So to be a pro wrestler, in your eyes, it only counts if you’re willing to work 250+ dates a year? Are you a McMahon? Because that’s some high level pro-WWE propaganda