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Kenny Omega is the current AEW World Champion, and many consider him to be the best bout machine in the world. Omega is a deeply private individual who is likable and wears his passions and nerdy nature on his sleeve.
But did you know these facts about him?
#5 He has competed in more wrestling promotions than you might realize
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Kenny Omega might be best known for working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and AEW, but he has appeared in so many more promotions than just those two. He was part of WWE's then-developmental territory, Deep South Wrestling, in 2005, before asking for his release. He spent a few years in DDT Pro-Wrestling, working with the likes of Kota Ibushi and El Generico during his stint there [2008-2014].
Omega has also worked for PCW in Canada, facing off against AJ Styles, Petey Williams, and Ultimo Dragon. Along with this, he worked for Jersey All Pro Wrestling and other independent promotions.
But the most surprising place that Kenny Omega has worked for would be the oldest promotion in America. In 2004, he wrestled at the NWA 56th Anniversary show, competing for the TNA X-Division Championship against titleholder Petey Williams. He would be unsuccessful but would later hold the NWA Canadian X-Division Championship.
#4 Kenny Omega is an avid gamer and fan of anime
Kenny Omega is an avid gamer and anime fan, which he often references in his gear and promos.
Omega uses Twitch and YouTube to stream his gaming while also connecting with his fans. Even the way he delivers his promos are like that of an Anime villain. The AEW World Champion likes shows such as Dragon Ball Z, and his gimmick is best described as being influenced by Otaku. He regularly attends gaming and comic book conventions and is good friends with fellow gamer and wrestler Xavier Woods.
Omega has taken inspiration from fighting games such as Street Fighter, Resident Evil, and Kingdom Hearts, as well as the Final Fantasy series. He has dressed as Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, dying his hair silver, and even naming his finisher, The One-Winged Angel, after the fictional character.
His ring name is also a reference to the Omega Weapon in the Final Fantasy franchise. In 2018, he portrayed the character of Cody Travers in the live-action trailer for Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition.
#3 Kenny Omega was in a small independent film
Kenny Omega has appeared in various pieces of media over the years, not just inside of a wrestling ring. His appearances in wrestling-based documentaries include Ospreay: The Rise of an International Pro Wrestler [2020], and Before the Bell: The Story of All Elite Wrestling [2019]. His love for Japan and video games have allowed him to take part in The Download in 2020 as well as the documentary series Begin Japanology in 2013.
He was showcased in an Engraved on a Nation docuseries episode in 2019, titled, Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story, which is a deeply personal journey pulling back the curtain to look at the man behind Kenny Omega.
But did you know that Kenny Omega made an appearance in a short film in 2004? That is right, the film is called Sissy-Boy Slap-Party, completely filmed in black and white, edited in a montage style with music and minimal dialog. It’s a strange watch but definitely something to have a look at.
Kenny Omega is set to appear in a film called The Walk-On's, which is currently in pre-production and is slated for release in 2022.
#2 He has Japanese citizenship
Kenny Omega loves Japan, and this is shown from his love of video games and the wrestling of the country. He has seemingly spent the majority of his career in Japan, and it is the place that made him a star. Putting on five-star classics and getting to main event WrestleKingdom in the Tokyo Dome, it seemed that he would never come back to North America full-time.
With all this in mind, it isn’t that surprising that Kenny Omega has Japanese citizenship. As Japan was his base of operations for over ten years, it isn’t that much of a stretch to think that he would make the country his permanent home.
As with anything, life is unpredictable, and the AEW World Champion always has the option to return to Japan one day.
#1 Kenny Omega is Straight Edge
Just like CM Punk before him, Kenny Omega joins the list of pro wrestlers who have chosen a straight edge lifestyle. While Punk has made this a part of his gimmick, Omega hasn’t, with it only really being referenced in the YouTube show, Being The Elite, and during his AEW Tag Team Championship run with "Hangman" Adam Page, when they were feuding with FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler).
Being straight edge means that you don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs, and many in-ring professionals are now adopting this lifestyle to stay healthy and to extend their careers. Interestingly, Omega and CM Punk aren’t the only Straight Edge pro wrestlers in AEW, as they are joined by Bryan Danielson, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), TNT Champion Sammy Guevara, and Darby Allin.
It’s great to see that there are pro wrestlers out there who are choosing different ways to have fun. Kenny Omega would rather spend his nights gaming rather than having a few drinks, and that is pretty cool.
