Marie Shadows dives into the heated final promo exchange between Gabe Kidd and Kenny Omega leading up to their clash at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th. Here's what we unpack:

Gabe Kidd: A Self-Made Madman

• Gabe Kidd has had a breakout year in 2024, carving his path in NJPW and proving his worth.
• At the press conference, he demanded respect, calling out Omega for AEW’s perceived undermining of NJPW and its talent.
• Kidd’s intense energy and raw passion captured what many NJPW loyalists feel about their promotion.

Kenny Omega: The Disrespectful Mentor

• Omega dismissed Kidd’s pandemic struggles, comparing them to his own NJPW tenure a decade ago.
• His patronizing tone framed him as a disappointed “father” figure, offering Kidd a supposed "opportunity" while taking credit for NJPW’s growth.
• Omega’s claim that NJPW’s success is built on his name neglects the promotion’s long-standing legacy and history with international stars.

A Familiar Pattern: Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay

• This confrontation echoed Omega’s feud with Will Ospreay, with a strikingly similar narrative.
• Both Kidd and Ospreay have spoken openly about their mental health struggles during the pandemic, only to be met with Omega’s dismissive and diminishing responses.
• While Omega’s “heel” persona may justify some of his behavior, these comments feel unnecessarily out of pocket, given the real-life hardships endured.

Does This Match Even Make Sense?

• Despite the hype, the match between Omega and Kidd feels perplexing, with no clear storyline or *true* stakes driving the confrontation.
• The press conference seemed to manufacture drama rather than build on organic tension, leaving fans questioning the purpose behind this pairing.

NJPW vs. AEW Culture Clash

• The conversation also highlighted the tension between NJPW’s tradition and AEW’s modern influence, raising questions about Wrestle Dynasty’s true identity.
• Is this event a genuine NJPW production or more of a Tony Khan-backed AEW showcase?

Why This Feud Feels Hollow

The Omega vs. Kidd showdown lacks the depth and stakes needed to make it compelling, despite the heavy-handed press conference drama. Don’t miss this must-listen breakdown of the dynamics and questions surrounding Wrestle Dynasty!