The Cleaner picked up a huge win over Will Ospreay at NJPW’s event Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th, winning the IWGP United States championship. Kenny Omega has previously been the US champion before, defending the title in Japan on multiple occasions.
However, Kenny Omega is looking to go in a different direction for the start of his current reign as the IWGP United States champion. Omega recently expressed his desire about defending his title in not only Japan but the USA as well, particularly in the company he is currently signed to, AEW. He spoke about this during an interview with Tokyo Sports.
“I want to [defend the belt] either [in] New Japan or AEW. When I was the US champion, I did a lot of defenses in Japan. So I want to do it not only in the United States, but also in Japan.”
“Someday, I want to try with Shingo Takagi. Kenny & Keisuke Ishii and Takagi & YAMATO, [which took place] at DDG (Osaka on June 5, 2012) before I went to New Japan for the first time, are great. It was an interesting match. Ever since then, I thought I would be able to have a good singles match with him. I didn’t have a chance when I was in New Japan, but now Takagi is also on top. I think it’s the best timing.”
Kenny Omega to Tokyo Sports
Kenny Omega currently performs in Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling. He has reigned as one of the promotion’s top stars, winning the AEW World Championship on one occasion back in 2020. Only time will tell how 2023 shapes up for The Cleaner.
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