When talking about the “Full package” in wrestling, there are very few superstars in mind. There aren’t many wrestlers who are able to have match of the night every time they perform while also having a solid character with strong mic skills. Kenny Omega definitely fits the billing. While there’s no doubt that he could come to WWE and become a main eventer like AJ Styles (and perhaps even more, as he has the height, the look, the in-ring skills, the character and he can talk), Omega seems to have chosen Japan as the place he wants to cement his legacy.
One of the reasons why Omega has reached such popularity in Japan is the fact that fans don’t really view him as a gaijin. He’s worked his way up in Japan, speaks fluent Japanese and has integrated well, which has done wonders for him. But when it comes to getting the job done in the ring, he belongs to an elite bunch in the world.
There are few wrestlers who match-up to Omega and it’s seen in his body of work. Let’s look at his five best matches
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#5.) vs Kota Ibushi – DDT Nippon Budokan 2012
Before their days at NJPW, Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega were together as The Golden Lovers in DDT. They have a long history together and before they tore it up at Japan’s biggest promotion, they were paying their dues in DDT. They’ve had wars with each other and many times against each other.
If you haven’t seen their matches before, their bout at DDT Nippon Budokan 2012 is one to look out for. It’s fast-paced, exciting and high risk. It’s the perfect example of Junior Heavyweight wrestling at its best! The match was physical and intense. They knew each other better than anyone.
Next Page: Kenny Omega’s 5 Best Matches
#4.) vs Tetsuya Naito – G1 Climax 2016
It was the B-Block finals, and for Tetsuya Naito, it was do or die. Anything other than a win would send him crashing out. They would have an absolutely enthralling match, one which many consider as one of the best in G1 Climax history (and that’s saying a lot). Naito tried desperately to put Omega away and qualify, but his frustrations got to him.
A couple of years prior, he had his Tokyo Dome main event taken away from him. He tried hard again to reach the finals but was unable to do so. In an instant classic, Omega and Naito had counter after counter and it all culminated with Omega hitting the One-Winged Angel and cementing his place in the G1 Climax finals. Omega would go on to win the finals and become the first gaijin to win the G1 Climax.
Next Page: Kenny Omega’s 5 Best Matches
#3.) vs Kazuchika Okada – Dominion 6.11 in 2017
Kazuchika Okada had just about hit a year into his IWGP Heavyweight Championship run. He had successfully overcome Omega by the skin of his teeth earlier in the year, but he wasn’t happy about the fact that more people were talking about Omega and that he was outperformed. This led to a much-anticipated rematch at Osaka.
The bout once more proved that they were even competitors on almost every level. They would even have a longer match than their first encounter and in an absolute classic, they went on to have a time limit draw at 60 minutes. While many fans weren’t happy with the result, it strengthened Okada’s reign and Omega’s legitimacy as a threat. Fans knew that it was only a matter of time before Omega would get the better of the champion.
Next Page: Kenny Omega’s 5 Best Matches
#2.) vs Kazuchika Okada – Wrestle Kingdom 11
The best matches are always the ones that leave both competitors looking good at the end. This was the match that set the wrestling world abuzz and made Kenny Omega the hottest superstar in the world, even if only for a while. With his G1 Climax win, Omega would also become the first gaijin to main event Wrestle Kingdom.
There’s not much we can say about the match that already hasn’t been said, but both competitors cemented their legacy in what many consider one of the greatest matches in wrestling history. It was a 45-minute war and Okada had to overcome the fact that his Rainmaker was weakened while also evading the threat of the One-Winged Angel.
In a show of absolute resilience, the champion Okada overcame the onslaught of Omega in an all-time classic. Both of their stocks had risen significantly.
Next Page: Kenny Omega’s 5 Best Matches
#1.) vs Kazuchika Okada – Dominion 6.9 2018
It was the culmination of a near two-year title reign for Okada. In the minds of many fans, Okada’s reign is the greatest world title reign of the century, and frankly speaking, it’s hard to dispute that. After overcoming Hiroshi Tanahashi to surpass his record title defenses, Okada chose Omega as his next (and what would be his final) opponent as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
The stage was set and there wasn’t going to be any draw as it was a 2-out-of-3 falls match. This was their third encounter, with Okada winning the first, the second being a draw, and Omega winning the 3rd match at the G1 Climax. It was clear that they were even competitors and Okada’s final match of his reign turned out to be his best.
It was dramatic, intense, physical, emotional and everything you could possibly want from a pro wrestling match. Whether you agree that this match was perfection or not, Omega getting the three count and finally winning the World title was a moment that fans will never forget.
