Kenny Omega Credited With Securing Key AEW Signing

Kenny Omega made sure a highly-rated star signed with AEW.

Despite his recent battles with injury and health problems, Kenny Omega continues to perform at the top of his game. While the regularity of those matches might be more carefully managed than in years gone by, he hasn’t lost a step.

However, following an admission that he’s closer to retirement than not, fans have begun to wonder whether Omega’s involvement backstage will increase. The former World Champion has been an EVP since AEW was created, but that role has largely taken a back seat to his in-ring career. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t proven to be very influential.

Kenny Omega Recommended Star To Tony Khan

During a recent appearance on Busted Open, Tony Khan revealed that it was Omega who helped secure the signing of Konosuke Takeshita. Khan recalled a conversation with Omega where he said he believed in the Japanese star and felt he was someone who deserved an opportunity.

“With (Konosuke) Takeshita, it was Kenny Omega, who first came to me and said, ‘I really believe in Takeshita, and if you give him an opportunity here, I think you’re really gonna like him,’ and boy was Kenny right.

I mean, Kenny’s a wrestling genius himself, and I was just talking with Kenny about this the other night because Kenny and I flew home together after WrestleDream — back to Florida — and we were talking on the flight back, and I am very grateful to Kenny because when he brought that kid here, he was on to something.

You could see it from when Takeshita first got here. He was like a big athlete. Sometimes I compare Takeshita to Barry Windham.

I think when I first saw him, I saw this tall kid that glides effortlessly through the ring and just glides, and he’s so crisp with everything he does, and I couldn’t put my finger on it, but then, when I watched a few of his matches, I said, ‘Barry Windham,’ and I feel like the way he’s improved and continuously got better and better, again, it reminds me of seeing young Barry Windham coming into his own.

I’m really excited because I think Takeshita’s had great mentorship, and here in AEW, we really believe in him and he’s risen to these opportunities.”

Even outside of AEW, Konosuke Takeshita has enjoyed a remarkable 2025. Back in August, he won the famous G1 Climax Tournament before beating Zack Sabre Jr. two months later to claim the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

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H/t to Fightful