Kenny Omega looks back with fondness at his initial wrestling days.
In a recent conversation with NJPW leading up to the Power Struggle 2024 event on Monday, the AEW Executive Vice President shared his journey of confronting the dual roles of an executive and on-screen performer, a struggle that is not unfamiliar to NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Some salient points from the podcast can be found below:
On handling his various roles: “I would never wish it upon anyone else in the world, believe me. I miss the times when I would walk into an arena with just my travel kit, a small bag containing my gear, and my focus was only on that match, that one performance. The performance was singularly about me. Instead, I’m now at the arena several days in advance, trying to puzzle out, ‘How are we going to make this work? How do we perfect this guy’s entry? How do we make sure all the entry videos are formatted? How do we ensure that the extras and the talent get fed? How do we ensure they’re in good health? What plans do we make in case of a mishap?’
“It’s a constant juggling act of numerous things; unless you are supremely confident in your wrestling skills or are unwaveringly passionate about the success of not just your output but that of the entire company and perhaps the overall state of professional wrestling, you really can’t do it. It’s a tumultuous responsibility. Although the Young Bucks have let me down recently, I could not have achieved it without them. It was truly a joint effort. But seeing Tanahashi now tackling it all single-handedly with the support of many talented individuals, I can comprehend the heavy burden it puts on Tanahashi.”
Talking about Tanahashi’s balancing act: “His ability to remain an active professional wrestler and continue to feature in any title scene is nothing less than astounding. This allows me to reflect now, as I recover from a severe illness, and wonder if juggling all these responsibilities is what had landed me in this condition? The short response would probably be ‘Yes’. However, I did it for the love of wrestling, and I did it because I wanted to assist people, the fans. I wished to bring together people from around the world who are enthusiasts of professional wrestling, as well as those who have never watched it so they might develop a love for it. And while I may have sacrificed a bit of my physical and mental wellbeing for it, I’m still standing. Much like Tanahashi, it’s our passion that drives us.”