Kenny Omega Credits AJ Styles for Saving His Wrestling Career

Early Disillusionment: Omega, during his time in WWE's developmental territory, Deep South Wrestling, became disillusioned with the professional wrestling environment.

The Pivotal Match: A match against AJ Styles in 2006, booked by Premier Canadian Wrestling, served as a turning point for Omega. This match made him realize he could compete at a high level and motivated him to push himself further.

Influence in NJPW: Later, in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Omega observed Styles' conduct as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, which influenced his own approach to the sport.

Bullet Club Leadership: Styles' decision to pass the leadership of the Bullet Club to Omega had a significant impact, leading to the formation of The Elite and, ultimately, AEW.

Why This Matters: This story highlights how a single match and the influence of a respected peer can drastically alter a career path, even leading to the creation of a major wrestling promotion.

Q: What was Kenny Omega's initial impression of professional wrestling?

A: He was disillusioned by the micromanagement and lack of creativity in WWE's developmental territory.

Q: How did AJ Styles influence Kenny Omega's career?

A: A match against Styles reignited Omega's passion, and Styles' leadership in NJPW influenced Omega's approach to wrestling.

Q: What role did the Bullet Club play in the formation of AEW?

A: Styles passing the leadership of Bullet Club to Omega led to the formation of The Elite, which eventually led to the creation of AEW.

Inspiration can come from unexpected places: Omega's story shows that even a single match can have a profound impact on one's career.

Mentorship matters: Observing and learning from experienced professionals like AJ Styles can significantly shape one's approach and success.

Legacy can be built through others: Styles' decision to pass the torch to Omega had a lasting impact on the wrestling world.