At AEW Full Gear, Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho defeated The Young Bucks to earn a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championships. Unfortunately, before Omega and Jericho could cash in on their opportunity, The Cleaner was sent to the hospital and ultimately diagnosed with diverticulitis. His rush to the emergency room came just hours after his AEW Collision match against Ethan Page on the December 5, 2023 episode.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that fans should not expect to see Omega back in action for AEW anytime soon. Due to the inflammation around the affected area, Omega has yet to have surgery and may not need it. In about seven weeks’ time, the decision will be made based on how his body is healing. If he does require surgery, it is going to put him out of action for a significant amount of time. As it stands, there is no time frame for his return to AEW.
In place of Omega, Jericho reunited with his Le Sex Gods tag team partner Sammy Guevara in an attempt to take the AEW Tag Team Championships. The build to the title match was awkward, at best, as Jericho was met with “NDA” chants at Worlds End, and AEW had to use tactics like playing “Judas” very loud on television to mask negative fan reactions. Ultimately, Jericho and Guevara were not successful in defeating current AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks and Big Bill this past weekend at Battle of The Belts.
Omega’s fellow EVPs and The ELITE stablemates, The Young Bucks, made their return to AEW TV two weeks ago on Dynamite. The brothers, now sporting mustaches, confronted Sting and Darby Allin, setting up The Icon’s retirement match at Revolution in March. They duo were back this past Wednesday night, now requesting to be called Matthew and Nicholas, and foreshadowing a return to how the company was run in its initial iteration.