Kenny Omega staying in NJPW, will not be in the Rumble.

[Swarm]

I'm both happy and bummed out at the same time. Kenny Omega is my current favorite wrestler (and FG game card). NJPW is my favorite fed. But I would have marked out had he showed up in the Rumble.

I'm not sure if WWE would treat him like Styles or stick him in nXt, barely to be seen or heard from again like most of those guys. So I'm cool w his decision. Here's hoping he overcomes his loss to Okada and takes the belt.

[pikemojo]

I like Omega but I don't think the reaction to him showing up at the Rumble would have been anywhere near what AJ Styles got. He just hasn't had the US exposure that AJ Styles has had for the last 15+ years.

[jwar]

Omega is one of my favorites as well, was kinda hoping he would pop up in the Rumble, exposure or not I would still go nuts.  

[lk3185]

He was signed all along and even if not, his current deal reportdly ended 1/31 so he wouldn't be in the rumble regardless.

I think eventually he's in WWE and will be successful... but that doesn't mean main roster right away..

Honestly, having him in the FG universe is the reason i want to buy ROH sets now.. more than anything.

[Pete]

I don't think Omega will sign with them if he doesn't get the AJ Styles express treatment. Not unless the WWE backs a dumptruck full of money up to him, in which case they'd best try to get some return on their investment and put him on the main roster anyway.

Omega's decision is his decision either way. That said, I'm somewhat baffled at people (not necessarily here) who lament the lack of competition for the WWE and then turn around and trip all over themselves to express how badly they want to see NJPW or Indy Star X in WWE.

[Pete]

I'll also add that IMO, there's really nowhere for Omega's value to go from here but down. I think it's far more likely that he's already peaked than he is to get a big payday next year. But again, his life and his decision. He clearly loves Japan dearly, so maybe he's content to stay.

[lucifer]

Tough call...the "mark" in me would have obviously loved to see him show up at the Rumble, while the "smark" in me knows he's probably better off career-wise in Japan. The WWE, more specifically, NXT, has definitely changed the game as far as Indy wrestling goes, I just can't decide if it's for better or worse...

[Deleted]

His deal didn't expire until 1/31 so there was no chance of him popping up in the Rumble. The interesting thing is that he only wants a one year deal and basically wants the AJ schedule where he'd work the major shows and then work US/Canadian indies between them. If New Japan were serious about expanding here next year (as disastrous of a move as that would be), he's a guy they should want to keep long-term.

Jan 27, 2017 18:47:46 GMT -5 Pete said:

I don't think Omega will sign with them if he doesn't get the AJ Styles express treatment. Not unless the WWE backs a dumptruck full of money up to him, in which case they'd best try to get some return on their investment and put him on the main roster anyway.

I think money + a compelling idea for what they'd do with him are the two biggest issues for him.

Jan 27, 2017 18:47:46 GMT -5 Pete said:

Omega's decision is his decision either way. That said, I'm somewhat baffled at people (not necessarily here) who lament the lack of competition for the WWE and then turn around and trip all over themselves to express how badly they want to see NJPW or Indy Star X in WWE.

I think now it's just people see their favorite indie talent getting stockpiled so they just want to see EVERYONE there so that it's all under one umbrella. It's a really weird mentality, for sure.

Jan 27, 2017 19:00:44 GMT -5 Pete said:

I'll also add that IMO, there's really nowhere for Omega's value to go from here but down. I think it's far more likely that he's already peaked than he is to get a big payday next year. But again, his life and his decision. He clearly loves Japan dearly, so maybe he's content to stay.

In fairness, we all thought the BC peaked in 2014...and then again in 2015...and then again last year. Kenny's a made man in New Japan. As long as he continues to work at a high level and as long as people still want to see him and the Bucks, he's more valuable than anyone in terms of expanding into North America. As for what's happening in Japan, unless they really fumble his return and he gets lost in the shuffle with Suzukigun returning, he's probably not going down the card any time soon. He'll probably be more valuable this time next year than he is right now.