Kenny Omega made his highly anticipated return to AEW in-ring action on the January 15th episode of Dynamite, following a battle with diverticulitis and subsequent surgery. Omega defeated Brian Cage in the opening match with the One-Winged Angel, despite interference from The Don Callis Family.
The match incorporated storytelling around Omega’s health struggles, with Cage targeting his abdomen to highlight his past issues. After the match, the Don Callis Family jumped Omega, only for Will Ospreay to run down to make the save.
Omega helped Ospreay take out the heels before turning around and locking eyes with both guys, talking trash to each other. AEW International Champ Konosuke Takeshita came out to take out Omega. The numbers got the best of Omega and Ospreay.
This marked Omega’s first AEW match since December 2023, when he defeated Ethan Page on Collision. While recovering from his health setbacks, Omega briefly re-entered the ring on January 5th at Wrestle Dynasty, defeating Gabe Kidd after executing a Kamigoye and the One-Winged Angel.
Omega’s return to AEW programming came earlier at Worlds End, where he presented the Continental Championship to Kazuchika Okada, the winner of the Continental Classic. The moment teased a potential future clash between Omega and Okada, possibly at All In: Texas.