What if Kenny Omega wins the 2019 Royal Rumble?

#2 WWE sees All Elite Wrestling as a big threat

More than anything, signing Kenny Omega could be WWE launching a defense against Cody Rhodes and The Elite.

WWE has some just cause to be concerned about All Elite Wrestling. While the new startup is unlikely to truly compete with WWE anytime soon, they lose a different kind of threat. Cody Rhodes has already demonstrated the principle that a dissatisfied talent can walk from WWE and actually better his fortunes. Moreover, the success of All In demonstrates that AEW can offer a substantive alternative style of programming for wrestling fans. All of that means that the new company could draw away a segment of WWE’s business, and cramp the company’s style by gobbling up under-appreciated talents.

The fact that WWE would make Kenny Omega such a huge offer provides evidence the company is trying to stymie AEW out of the gate by keeping Omega from them. If WWE were to position Omega as the Rumble winner, it would represent a next level commitment to him and potentially others coming over from Japan, and perhaps trying to capture what appeals to AEW’s target audience.