Kenny Omega recently spoke with Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard‘s Week In Wrestling; you can read a few highlights below:
Kenny Omega comments on joining pro wrestling and e-Sports:
“New Japan is still learning about the concept of eSports and how this has the potential for them to be seen by new fans, but they believe in me. Alex Jebailey has a respect for the art of pro wrestling, and he bases the flow and style of his shows like pro wrestling to make them so entertaining. It’s not just a fun experience for the competitors, it’s memorable for the spectators, too. Ever since we met, we thought it would be cool to merge worlds and run a full-scale wrestling show at a fighting game event.
This is an event that keeps growing, and each year I’ve felt more part of the fighting game community. I really wanted to give back, and the best way for me to do that is with a wrestling show. You always have that self-doubt, and I’ve asked myself, ‘How many people will want to watch this?’ But I really feel bringing a full-scale New Japan show will be something that everyone there can appreciate.”
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Omega comments on facing Okada again at Dominion:
“For Okada, this is a match for his pride. For me, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m fortunate enough to be in a position again where I can say this is the biggest match of my career.
I, as Kenny Omega the character and the person, realize I am not the person who was rightfully in line for this title shot. The reason I’ve got this opportunity is that Okada has made his rounds and defeated everyone, sometimes twice over, but he’s realized there is a blemish in his record. That’s the draw from last year’s Dominion and I also beat him in the G1. You can make the excuse that he was beaten up, bloodied, and fatigued from the schedule of the G1, but then so was I. So he has no excuse. I wrestled all of the same opponents, we were in the same block.
I may not get a chance like this ever again. Regardless of what I have going on with my life–the tension between the Young Bucks, the tension with Cody, my promise to make Ibushi and me the best tag team in the world — I have to set aside this chunk of time to bring myself into singles wrestling champion quality shape. That doesn’t mean time stands still. Does that mean Cody may interfere? Yes, Cody may interfere. Does it mean Being The Elite continues? Yes, the BTE story is going to continue. So life goes on as I’m training for this opportunity.”
“For me, that’s not a character thing or a BTE storyline. The Bucks are pillars of my support. I don’t feel alone when they’re there, I don’t even feel pressure when they’re there. I’m staring at the most physically taxing match of my career, and they won’t be there. That’s very strange. Aside from the 2016 G1, when I had to go it alone, they’ve been there for everything. The idea of not having Matt and Nick has affected me. This time is going to be different.”
