AEW star Kenny Omega has outlined his near-fatal battle with diverticulitis and admitted that he knows he is moving closer to the end of his in-ring career, with his body no longer able to handle the schedule it once could.
Widely regarded as the best in-ring worker of his generation, the question now becomes: if Omega is soon to hang up his boots, who could be his final opponent?
Here are six potential options.
6. Hangman Adam Page
Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page share one of AEW’s most storied histories.
From Page’s days in Omega’s Bullet Club in New Japan, to being part of the group that launched AEW, to their reign as AEW Tag Team Champions – capped off with their classic against The Young Bucks at Revolution 2020 – their story has defined much of the company’s first years.
Their rivalry later culminated in Page defeating Omega for his first AEW World Championship, and the pair have now met three times in singles bouts, each delivering outstanding matches.
With that legacy, there appear to be few better choices for Omega’s final opponent than his original Elite partner, Hangman Adam Page.
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5. Kota Ibushi
On the subject of storied histories, arguably no one has more shared history with Kenny Omega than Kota Ibushi.
It was Ibushi who helped Omega secure his roster spot in DDT Pro-Wrestling, his first home in Japan.
The pair teamed in both DDT and New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the Golden Lovers, while also delivering an undisputed classic singles match at DDT’s Peter Pan in 2012.
Though Ibushi has struggled to perform at the same level in recent years, could we see him turn back the clock for Omega’s final bout in AEW?
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4. Kazuchika Okada
Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada’s series in Japan was widely celebrated as perhaps the greatest feud of all time — including their Dominion 2018 classic, considered by many to be the best match ever.
Their histories are forever intertwined, their legacies always mentioned together.
The pair have already met once in AEW at this year’s All Out, a standout bout that understandably did not quite reach the peak of their earlier classics.
Given their shared importance to each other’s careers and to pro wrestling as a whole, it seems only right to consider Okada as Omega’s final opponent.
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3. Bandido
This year saw the summer of Bandido – the 30-year-old luchador has been killing it with incredible bouts in AEW, as ROH World Champion, and in Mexico’s CMLL.
Bandido, however, has no shared history with Kenny Omega, with the two never meeting in a singles match, and not even sharing a ring until teaming together on the 6th anniversary edition of Dynamite on October 1.
Even so, a bout between the two men would undoubtedly be outstanding.
Traditionally, a star retires on their back to help create the next top star – and Omega could do just that for Bandido.
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2. Will Ospreay
When it comes to the discussion of the greatest in-ring workers of the past decade, the debate largely comes down to two names: Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay.
The pair have already met twice in recent years, producing state-of-the-art bouts that were hailed as instant classics – and they currently stand at one win apiece.
A rubber match to decide the very best could be an appropriate way for Omega to finish his career.
That said, the timing would depend on Ospreay’s recovery, as he recently underwent neck surgery and is not expected back in AEW for around a year.
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1. Kyle Fletcher
AEW’s recent pay-per-view, All Out, could be seen as Kyle Fletcher’s coming-out party.
Long regarded as a star with unbelievable potential and world-class in-ring ability, the 26-year-old was placed in his first main event spot, challenging Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship.
Placing him in this position demonstrates the faith the company clearly has in him as someone primed to be one of its top stars.
And there are few better ways to solidify his place at the top of the card than sharing a classic with Kenny Omega and defeating him in his final match.
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