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!

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode, I break down Wrestle Dynasty, a rushed, disjointed PPV thrown together after the last NJPW Strong event. Tony Khan’s booking pattern lacks cohesion, with no storylines or follow-through, even though he claims to love NJPW. I discuss the puzzling matchups like Ricochet vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP Championship, despite them not having faced each other in eight years. The Young Bucks' inclusion raises concerns about unnecessary title opportunities. I also touch on the cultural impact of this multi-promotion spectacle, especially in Japan, where fans face financial strain from the packed schedule. Tony Khan fails to understand the business and spending habits of Japanese fans, forcing them to choose between attending Wrestle Kingdom, Wrestle Dynasty, or New Year's Dash, making this a disappointing show overall.

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode, I break down all the matches for Wrestle Kingdom 19, including the chaotic Ranbo, the high-stakes retirement and hair loss match between Tanahashi and Evil, and the Junior Tag Team Titles ladder match. I also delve into why Yota Tsuji vs. David Finlay for the Global Heavyweight Championship feels mistimed. Wrestle Kingdom is NJPW's WrestleMania, and while I want it to deliver, NJPW needs to solidify its identity apart from AEW.