During the match between Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship, Ospreay would pull out one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling.
Innovated by Mitsuharu Misawa in Japan, the Tiger Driver ‘91 is a variation of a piledriver, which sees the opponent land hard on their neck. It’s a move that carries high risk, and Omega caught some flack for this following the match – but believes it did it’s job.
Kenny Omega Understands How To Navigate Danger
While speaking with Sports Illustrated after Forbidden Door, Omega would have a chance to explain the reason behind the scary Tiger Driver ‘91 spot during the match. Omega had the following to say.
“There are people who want to complain and put themselves on a pedestal by saying what we did was dangerous. Well, you think? So I’ve been asked, why did we do it? It made sense in the match and evoked emotion. And we both knew I would end up coming out of the move unscathed. Is there a risk? Sure. There’s always a risk.
Look at the way Mike Tyson boxed. His style was so dangerous, he stayed so close to his opponent. What was he doing boxing in-style? Shouldn’t he have fought more stick-and-move and waited for the counterpunch? Wouldn’t that have been better for his brain? Didn’t he understand how dangerous it was? But that’s what made him Mike Tyson.”
Don’t Tell Mike Tyson How To Box, Or Tyson Smith How To Wrestle
Omega would continue, telling fans they don’t get to dictate how he wrestles – saying the following.
“Don’t tell me not to wrestle the way I know how to wrestle. Is there a risk? Was there a risk when Mike Tyson was fighting within inches of space between another championship-level boxer throwing power punches? Of course. But Tyson was confident in his abilities, and he knew he was the best. So don’t tell Mike Tyson how to box, and don’t tell Tyson Smith how to wrestle. You aren’t even close to being qualified. Just shut the f— up.”
Omega is set to enter another dangerous match next week, as he enters Blood & Guts alongside The Elite & Kota Ibushi – facing the Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC.
Should Omega avoid dangerous moves in the future? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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