Kenny Omega is hurting, leading to concerns if he will miss AEW TV. Also, WWE is hopeful Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) returns.
Kenny Omega Hurting
At New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) Wrestle Kingdom 17, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay put on a classic. In the end, Omega walked away as the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
After a grueling match, Omega was showing signs of pain. Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter how the AEW star was banged-up.
“Omega’s eye was swelling shut from a cheeky nandos kick and his face had a footprint on it,” said Meltzer. “But, no orbital break or anything serious, at least as far as everyone thought late last night.”
With the win, Omega moves to 2-0 against Ospreay. As for the future, Ospreay contemplated life after NJPW in a years time.
Kenny Omega defeats Will Ospreay to regain the US Title
@ NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 pic.twitter.com/z2H7ULbBRH
— Ayo’s Wrestling Clips (@ayowrestleclips) January 5, 2023
Despite the physical match, Omega is still set for the January 11 edition of AEW Dynamite. With The Young Bucks, Omega takes on Death Triangle.
The Escalera De La Muerte Match will conclude the Best of 7 Series. And, the winner will be AEW Trios Champion.
Ever since Omega and The Young Bucks returned from suspension, they have been feuding against Death Triangle. Of course, all three were part of the brawl following All Out.
With The Elite back, only the future of CM Punk remains unclear. Since he is still recovering from injury, AEW does not need to explain his absence.
Many are under the belief AEW will buyout Punk’s contract.
As for Omega, expect him to be wearing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on AEW TV. AEW and NJPW continue to have a strong relationship.
WWE Hopeful About Mercedes Mone
Speaking of NJPW, Mercedes Mone (known as Sasha Banks in WWE) debuted at Wrestle Kingdom 17. She attacked Kairi, which will setup Battle in the Valley ’23 from California’s San Jose Civic.
Back in May of last year, Mone and Naomi walked out of RAW. They were the Women’s Tag Team Champions, so the titles had to also be vacated.
They wanted a better push from WWE and thought they deserved it as champs. Instead, Mone is temporarily working for NJPW, with no official update on Naomi.
On the Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer speculated how those in WWE still see Mone returning.
“I also know from WWE that they are very strongly under the impression that she will not wrestle for AEW,” said Meltzer. “They think that she’s coming back at some point and she’ll get this out of her system [and] she’ll do her New Japan matches.”
“Because, she’s only contracted for a couple of matches. And, if she’s going to AEW, she has to sign for 3-years minimum because why bother if she’s going back?”
Many were hoping Mone would be the surprise partner for Saraya this week. Although, she announced Toni Storm as her partner.
A big issue between Mone and WWE was money. She wanted Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch level money, which WWE did not agree upon.
