UPDATE: Omega deleted the tweet and followed up saying, “I’ve said my piece and it opened the door to a very toxic environment. It wasn’t a message to fans, or the boys, just the decision makers. I wish everyone wrestling on any show that day all the best. That is all.”
Earlier today, it was revealed that the Evolve’s 10th Anniversary Show would feature a number of NXT talents and air live on the WWE Network on July 13. It isn’t a coincidence that the date is the same as All Elite Wrestling’s Fight for the Fallen charity event, and shows how WWE might choose to counter program Saturday night AEW events in the future. AEW Executive Vice President Kenny Omega isn’t a fan of the move and came out about it on Twitter.
“If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence?” asked Omega in a now deleted tweet. “I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick.”
Counter programming has a long history in professional wrestling and combat sports as a whole as WCW used to air free events during some WWF pay-per-views, and vice-versa. Most recently, we’ve seen the UFC put on free events the same night as competitor’s shows in order to curb their growth. It’s not always successful, but it’s a precedent that has been set for decades now. As Omega notes, Fight for the Fallen is a charity show helping victims of gun violence, so this certainly goes beyond a standard show. Also, for what it’s worth, Evolve’s anniversary show was always scheduled for the same time and day with Drew Gulak vs. Matt Riddle being a marquee match.
RELATED: Kenny Omega On Importance Of Staying Fresh In Wrestling, Inspiration For AEW’s Fyter Fest
