Emma McIntyre

AEW's Kenny Omega on Injury Rehab: I'm 'Done' in the Ring If I Have Another Setback

Mike Chiari

AEW star Kenny Omega implied this week that he may step away from professional wrestling if he experiences another significant setback in his rehab from multiple injuries.

Speaking on Twitch with CEOGaming (h/t WrestlingInc's Dakota Cohen) on Wednesday, Omega said:

"If I get another major setback, that's it … I'm done, because I can't do this ever again. Two times, three times a day, really painful rehab … What's it going to be like when I get back in the ring? I have no idea. Scary, actually.

"There is a different kind of expectation put on me, and I think that anything less than what [the fans are] expecting, which is already unrealistic, is going to lead to a lot of ridicule."

Omega, who is a former AEW world champion, has not competed in a match on AEW programming since the Full Gear pay-per-view in November, when he dropped the title to former tag team partner "Hangman" Adam Page.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio subsequently reported that Omega had been working through knee, shoulder and abdominal injuries, as well as a hernia, and was likely to undergo multiple surgeries.

Omega has long been regarded as one of the best in-ring workers in the world, and he largely maintained his usual level of performance despite the many ailments he was dealing with.

In the months leading up to his hiatus, Omega had highly rated matches against the likes of Jon Moxley, Jungle Boy, Christian Cage, Bryan Danielson and Page.

Omega's absence was initially mitigated by the fact that AEW signed CM Punk and Danielson last summer, but both of them are currently out injured.

AEW still boasts an incredibly deep roster with no shortage of talent, but it finds itself having to push forward without some of its top stars.

Although AEW has never provided a firm timeline for Omega's return to the ring, AEW president Tony Khan told PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson in February that Omega would be back some time in 2022.

When Omega does return, he will have no shortage of compelling opponents to potentially face, with Punk at the top of the list.

Omega could also be part of a feud pitting himself and The Young Bucks against Adam Cole and reDRagon since Cole and The Bucks have been working together during Omega's absence.

AEW has the roster depth to overcome a lot, but there is no doubt that the company and its fans are hoping Omega's rehab goes according to plan and that he comes back in the near future to provide even more dream matches.

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: profanity).

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