AEW must hitch its wagon to Kenny Omega

The January 8 edition of AEW Dynamite featured a major return to close the door. Kenny Omega was already “back,” as he wrestled at Wrestle Dynasty a few days earlier. But he’s officially back as an AEW competitor. The reaction to his return and his performance against Gabe Kidd has many wondering why All Elite Wrestling isn’t built around Omega. This is the way, and the move to make to give AEW the momentum it’s held but lost time and time again.

Saying Kenny Omega is a special talent would be one of the most obvious statements an individual could make. He missed more than a year of action and returned to face one of the most important performers in Japanese wrestling. Omega versus Kidd stole the show and is an early candidate for Match of the Year. What’s funny is that Omega is going to have several entries on that list if he remains healthy.

But this piece isn’t about Omega as a great performer – there are several to read about that topic. This is more about AEW needing to hitch its wagon to his back for the foreseeable future.

All Elite Wrestling is an excellent example of quality professional wrestling. Each week, there’s some match that leaves fans talking, excited about what “dream” match will happen in the next few days. That’s not AEW’s problem. What the organization lacks is a truly compelling performer at the top of the roster who keeps fans watching every week. Omega is that guy. Look at how fans responded to the simple idea that he was coming back. Look at the praise he’s receiving for yet another high-quality match. AEW fans want to see the version of Omega who shows up in Japan as the central player in the company they watch every single week. AEW needs to make him that guy as well.

AEW’s current main event picture isn’t working. Jon Moxley is fantastic, but this character and angle with the Death Riders is losing steam on a weekly basis. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage lingering around the main event is a problem because they are two 50+ year-old, former WWE stars taking up spots that should go to younger performers. The Undisputed Kingdom has lost all the momentum as well, even though Adam Cole, Kyle O’Rielly and Rodderick Strong are back together. Will Ospreay and MJF are big names who can also play this role, but they are doing midcard things until the Death Riders angle plays out. Eddie Kingston is injured and out for the foreseeable future. As you can see, AEW’s roster is stacked, but not utilized in a way to fill a role the promotion desperately needs.

Kenny Omega is a superstar no matter where he performs. It’s time for All Elite Wrestling to present him as such and do so for as long as possible. Should the “Belt Collector” return? Perhaps. It doesn’t matter the exact angle or gimmick, but all things in AEW need to revolve around Omega being the main attraction.