At AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2, Will Omega defeated Kenny Omega in a match that some are hailing as the greatest pro wrestling match ever. The physical bout was the second time the two men had faced off this year, with Omega picking up a win earlier this year over the young star at Wrestle Kingdom 17, reclaiming the IWGP United States Championship in the process. This time around, the gold was taken from his waist, but that fact wasn’t front of mind for many fans and pundits watching on.
During the match, Ospreay delivered a move known as Tiger Driver ’91 to Omega, resulting in The Elite member being dropped on the back of his head. It was a scary maneuver that many felt was unnecessary and genuinely put the top star in harm’s way. In an interview for Sports Illustrated, Omega responded to “a lot of people criticizing” him and Ospreay for working the controversial move into the match.
“Don’t tell me not to wrestle the way I know how to wrestle,” he said. “Is there a risk? Was there a risk when Mike Tyson was fighting within inches of space between another championship-level boxer throwing power punches? Of course. But Tyson was confident in his abilities, and he knew he was the best. So don’t tell Mike Tyson how to box, and don’t tell Tyson Smith how to wrestle. You aren’t even close to being qualified. Just shut the f— up.”
The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion also discussed how he feels there are those trying to put a “dark spot” on a fantastic bout. He was also quick to note that it will be harder and harder for him to have matches on the same level he had with Ospreay as he gets older.
Omega will next tempt fate inside a gigantic steel structure next Wednesday night when he teams with The Golden Elite, complete with Kota Ibushi, in a Blood & Guts match against Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley, Claudio Castignoli, and Wheeler Yuta, along with Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC.