Kenny Omega made a triumphant return to AEW on the January 8 episode of Dynamite in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it was clear the wrestling world had missed him. Omega’s emotional promo during the show’s final segment left fans with chills as he opened up about his struggles with diverticulitis, his doubts about making a full recovery, and his relentless drive to prove he’s still among the best in the business.
The emotional moment was further intensified when Omega revealed how hard it had been for him to even consider giving up. “I don’t want the message of the day to be, ‘Do not listen to your doctors.’ That’s maybe the wrong advice to give,” Omega shared. “But what I will say is that if you have strong conviction, if you have a strong belief in your heart, in your mind that you can do something, trust me when I say, that if you really, truly give it your all, you can accomplish whatever it is that you set your mind to.”
Omega went on to express his excitement for the future of wrestling: “As a fan of wrestling, not only am I happy to perform for you, but I’m happy to watch the stars of AEW and heck, any promotion, I’m just happy to watch professional wrestling, and in the year 2025, oh my goodness, is professional wrestling ever thriving. So no matter how you guys choose to consume it, professional wrestling is alive and well, and boy, it’s taking over the world.”
Despite his physical struggles, Omega made it clear that he wants to be at the forefront of wrestling’s movement. “If I have my say, if I have any power at all over my person, if I can be even a sliver of what I used to be, I want to be at the forefront of that movement,” he said. Omega promised his fans that he would be back in AEW next week, and his passion for the craft was evident as he concluded: “So next week, I will be back in an AEW ring, and moving forward, I would love to absolutely be in the ring performing in front of all you guys.”
Just before the segment ended, Omega delivered his signature line, “And now that we are finally off the air, and finally I am not being attacked by anybody, I can finally say Goodbye, and good night bang!” It was a classic nod to Omega’s iconic send-off, which has become a fan favorite over the years.
With his return, Omega’s next match is set for January 15 against Brian Cage on AEW Dynamite. But the real question is how things will play out with Will Ospreay now involved in Omega’s feud with Don Callis. Will Ospreay continue to stand by Omega’s side, or will tensions rise between the two?
Do you think Kenny Omega’s emotional return signals a major shift for AEW in 2025? Will Ospreay play a pivotal role in the ongoing feud, or will Omega’s path to redemption be a solo journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!