There has been a lot of focus on the upcoming contract negotiations of AEW star Kenny Omega. Having helped to form All Elite Wrestling alongside The Elite & Tony Khan in 2019, Omega finally had a chance to become a mainstream star in the United States after ruling the professional wrestling world in Japan.
However, aside from a short stint in one of their developmental territories in the 2000’s, Omega never made it to WWE. With his contract with AEW ending later this year, one free agent could be the key to Omega’s future.
Kota Ibushi Became A Very Important Free Agent Earlier This Year
Earlier this year, we would get the official release of Kota Ibushi from the roster of New Japan Pro Wrestling. This was a long time coming, with the relationship severed in 2021 when Ibushi was injured in the finals of the G1 Climax – with NJPW pushing him to return well before he was ready.
It was a bitter fight between Ibushi & NJPW, with him calling them exploitative and calling out members of their management for their actions.
Despite his messy split from NJPW, Kota Ibushi is one of the hottest free agents in the realm of professional wrestling – with him being one of the best of his generations between the ropes.
One person who is deeply linked to Ibushi is Omega – as their time together in DDT Pro Wrestling saw the formation of The Golden Lovers.
Their chemistry in and out of the ring and a storyline putting them as soulmates ensures that their legacies are intertwined like few others.
We saw them reconnect in NJPW in 2018, with several massive tag team matches following. However, we didn’t see this time conclude their storyline – as Omega would leave to form AEW, while Ibushi rose to the top of the NJPW roster, becoming IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in the process. With the final chapter yet to be written, fans are waiting to see which company will be the author.
Kenny Omega’s Legacy Is Incomplete Without The Final Chapter Of The Golden Lovers Saga
This deep connection, combined with Omega being someone who is keen on ensuring he carves out his own spot in professional wrestling history – makes Ibushi a very important man.
Omega’s legacy will not be complete without a satisfying conclusion to the Golden Lovers saga – making it likely he will go where he can finish that story.
Signing Ibushi is easier said than done, with WWE failing to do so in 2016 when Ibushi was part of the Cruiserweight Classic. He’s someone who values freedom of expression over all else, meaning a restrictive contract doesn’t work for him.
This gives AEW a slight advantage – with Tony Khan allowing his talent a large amount of freedom, unless they are put into a big storyline. Ibushi has never worked with AEW, but was in the main event of the proto-AEW event All In.
With Omega at 38 years old, and Ibushi at 40 – both men only have so many years left in the prime of their careers. They remain two of the best in the world, but father time comes for everyone – especially those with as much wear and tear on their bodies as professional wrestlers.
Both men love this industry, and this might not be their last chance to work together – but nothing is sure with the future.
Simply put, this storyline means so much to them and their fans, and signing Ibushi ahead of November gives WWE or AEW both an incredible professional wrestler, and a major bargaining chip when trying to get Omega on a deal.
Where do you hope to see Omega in 2024? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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