Kenny Omega could have to defend his IWGP Heavyweight Championship multiple times before WrestleKingdom. His likely first title challenger was revealed today.
After pinning Chase Owens in a tag match, Tomohiro Ishii declared he wants a shot at the champion. Kevin Kelly speculated the match could main event NJPW’s return to Long Beach on September 30th.
Ishii was the first wrestler to defeat Omega in the tournament this year. Omega was later defeated by Toru Yano and Kota Ibushi as well.
Pimping ain’t easy! @YujiroTakahashi Watch @YTR_CHAOS , @JayWhiteNZ and Ishii take on Yujiro, @realchaseowens and our IWGP Champion @KennyOmegamanX ! #njpw #g128
Watch @njpwworld live now!!! ??https://t.co/cEFFsYKcrQ pic.twitter.com/qpO8EsN7T7— njpw_global (@njpwglobal) August 12, 2018
Kenny Omega Tomohiro Ishii 1-on-1 History
Omega and Ishii are tied 2-2 in their all-time one-on-one series. Ishii defeated Omega the first time they met in the 2017 NJ Cup. Omega would defeat Ishii the next time they met at Wrestling Dontaku 2017, however.
Omega then defeated Ishii in the finals of the tournament to crown an inaugural IWGP United States Champion in Long Beach. Most recently, Ishii defeated Omega in the G1 Climax 28 B-Block.
Kenny Omega G1 Climax 28
Omega lost his final 3 matches in this year’s G1 Climax tournament. He started the tournament much as Kazuchika Okada had last year. Omega won his first 6 round-robin bouts but his 12pts were only good enough for a 4-way tie atop the group.
Kota Ibushi advanced to the finals based on the tie-breaker rule that the wrestler with the best record against the 3 opponents he’s tied with advances. Ibushi defeated Omega, Zack Sabre Jr, and Tetsuya Naito.
