Fans are eagerly anticipating updates on AEW stars Adam Copeland, Kenny Omega, Ricky Starks and Keith Lee, who have been absent from programming for a long time. Prior to that, Adam Copeland stepped away from the ring after suffering a foot injury.
Copeland suffered the injury during his match against Malakai Black at AEW Double or Nothing. He is now focused on recovering soon. On the other hand, Ricky Starks last appeared on TV in March and has not competed since. Fans are questioning his current status, as months have passed without seeing him in an AEW ring.
Keith Lee earned a victory over Brian Cage at AEW Collision: Holiday Bash last December, but he has been off TV ever since. Reports later confirmed that Lee has not yet been medically cleared to compete due to an undisclosed medical condition. This has kept Lee’s in-ring return on hold.
While the status of these three stars remains unchanged, Kenny Omega has shared more details about his situation. Omega went on hiatus after being diagnosed with diverticulitis at the end of 2023.
Recently at NJPW Power Struggle, Omega revealed that he plans to make his in-ring return in Japanese promotion. He hinted at Wrestle Dynasty at the Tokyo Dome on January 5th as a potential return date. Now the former AEW World Champion even has an opponent in mind.
AEW star Kenny Omega issues match challenge to NJPW star Gabe Kidd
Kenny Omega officially announced his return to the ring at NJPW Power Struggle, confirming his involvement in Wrestle Dynasty. During the same event, Omega found himself in a backstage altercation with NJPW star Gabe Kidd. Following this incident, Omega issued a challenge to Kidd for a match at the highly anticipated Wrestle Dynasty event.
In an interview with NJPW, Omega reflected on the events following Power Struggle, including his confrontation with Gabe Kidd. He stated, “Well, I’d like to address recent circumstances, and things that have happened with Gabe Kidd. I’ve had time to reflect after Power Struggle, and I feel I would regret not being able to make things right.”
Omega elaborated that he did not want a “rift between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling” to occur. After meeting with the executive members of NJPW as well as President Tanahashi, Omega said, “I’ve decided that if New Japan requests it, if Gabe requests it, and if the fans want it, then I will wrestle Gabe Kidd, as a professional at Wrestle Dynasty January 5.”
If Gabe Kidd accepts Omega’s challenge, it will mark the former AEW World Champion’s first match since late 2023.
