Opinion

Kenny Omega is back. That’s right. The Best Bout Machine made his long-awaited return on Wednesday's Dynamite to join The Young Bucks in the first round of the AEW World Trios Championship tournament.

The crowd greeted him with a warm welcome as he entered the Charleston Coliseum to compete in his first match in 277 days. It was a stark difference from the last time we saw the once-megalomaniacal champion, but the All Elite Wrestling fans clearly missed him.

It didn’t take long to realize The Cleaner wasn’t the same man who stood atop the company as its longest-reigning flagbearer, though.

The 38-year-old stepped out onto the stage for the first time since November 2021 with a familiar pose and accompanying pyro. However, he was sporting a shoulder brace and compression shirt under his ring jacket.

This was unfamiliar territory for his longtime fans. His hiatus to deal with several nagging injuries marked his longest time away from the squared circle in his entire career. Sure, we all expected him to show some rust or diminished athleticism. Instead, one of the most highly touted wrestlers of this generation looked human again.

It was a far cry from the conqueror who showed at Double or Nothing last year draped in world championship gold. Nevertheless, all of the collective title defenses and his record-setting 346-day reign as AEW world champion had taken their toll on him.

The price was high, but Omega accepted the challenge. Now he’s back to reunite with his best friends and make history again. Can he rise to the occasion, or will it take him more time than expected to return to form?

The Grueling Journey Back to Glory

During Wednesday night’s main event, the Canadian looked a step slower than usual, and his opponents targeted his surgically repaired shoulder throughout the match. He also failed to hit his trademark rolling fireman's carry and moonsault in the corner.

Regardless, Matt and Nick Jackson picked up the slack, and the trio looked as fluid at times as they were during their run with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In the end, Omega landed a brutal V Trigger and secured the win with his One-Winged Angel.

The two-time NEVER Openweight six-man tag team champions have the most experience together, making them the early favorites to win this tournament. Still, it will be bitter work for The Elite with a stacked field ahead of them.

Omega looked gassed as he addressed the Charleston, South Carolina crowd after the match. During his closing promo, he and Don Callis didn’t gloat about his win like they did many times in 2021.

Instead, he spoke candidly. The Cleaner admitted he questioned whether he could return to AEW and compete at a high level again. He even said it would be a while before he would be able to challenge for a singles title again.

“This very much is a work in progress, and I’m very glad that all of you are joining me on this journey,” he said as the crowd cheered.

Again, this is quite a shift for Omega considering his run last year. Nonetheless, he immediately warned the audience that doesn’t make him a “good guy.”

His physical limitations may have humbled him a bit, but his mission statement remains the same. His vow to give his best effort wasn’t greedy or self-serving like his conquests before he left. No, this seemed more like the celebrated in-ring competitor Bryan Danielson came looking for following All Out 2021.

It may take some time for The Best Bout Machine, who produced a classic Dynamite with The American Dragon, to return.

However, the fighting spirit is there, and it will be a treat to watch him grow stronger throughout the AEW World Trios Championship tournament.

The Missing Piece

Ever since the founding member of All Elite Wrestling made the trek to the United States, he has fought an uphill battle to establish himself for a new fanbase.

NJPW fans know how great he is, but mainstream fans didn’t see his acclaimed matches with the best the Japanese promotion had to offer. So, they didn’t understand the hype.

It was quite the undertaking for Omega as he struggled during his first year in his new home. In 2020, he made a massive impact as one-half of the AEW world tag team champions and eventually claimed the company’s top prize. But some of his biggest detractors still didn’t see what made him so special.

Watching him stand at the top of the industry as a decorated star probably didn’t connect with some viewers. His attempt to find out if he still has it in the final leg of his career could. This story could be some of his most engaging material with AEW to date.

It’s hard to tell someone who didn’t experience his greatness how talented Omega is when so many fans already put him on a pedestal.

This is a clean slate for some viewers. To that end, his empathetic push to recover and regain his confidence over the next few months could finally be the missing piece for them.

It took some of pro wrestling’s biggest stars some time to hit their stride and grow into the high-profile names we know today. With that said, it’s not hard to tell when someone has an "it" factor even if they’re still a raw talent. To that end, Ricky Starks has had a palpable aura since he debuted on the June 17, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite.

However, the 32-year-old has been with the company for two years, and it’s hard not to wonder what's next for him. Starks and his fans have heard the hype and the promise of a bright future. Still, that success hasn’t materialized yet.

If you didn’t follow the New Orleans native during his time as an indie wrestler or with NWA, you were missing out. The inaugural NWA world television champion brought such conviction and charisma to his character work. That energy carried over to his first appearance with AEW as he answered Cody Rhodes’ open challenge for the TNT Championship.

Even though it was a losing effort, the right people took notice because Tony Khan signed him immediately. Starks’ time on commentary for Rampage and as a member of Team Taz was also fruitful, but one can’t help but feel he’s just scratching the surface. There is so much untapped potential there and he’s poised to turn a corner.

His recent face turn came at the right time and it could be just what he needs to catapult up the card. AEW has handled Team Taz’s implosion well so far. Starks’ gutsy title defenses, HOOK’s crowning moment, and Powerhouse Hobb’s betrayal culminated in a tremendous segment at Fight for the Fallen.

Even more, Starks has delivered when given the opportunity, cutting some of his best promos to date.

A Diamond in the Rough

There has been a recurring theme as Starks has poured his heart out over the past few months. It was evident during his feud with Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee and even more so after he lost the FTW title to HOOK.

Viewers can feel his growing impatience and hunger for more as other names step in and enjoy success. He’s ready for the next step, and it’s starting to seem overdue. The Absolute star spoke about it during his appearance on Drive Time with DeRusha.

"I'm hopeful," he said. "You guys played a snippet of my very passionate and from-the-heart promo that I cut after my loss of the FTW Title where, I have felt like a time has been glossed over. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, 'Your time is coming, be patient. Your time is coming. You're the future.' I don't buy into that idea. I don't buy into the idea of 'trusting the process.' I don't buy into the idea of leaving it up to somebody else. I've busted my behind to get to where I'm at and I've done it all on my own merit. The idea that I now have to wait for somebody else to allow me the time or whatnot, I don't agree with it. At this moment, yes, this is my time to show 'you've been missing out for the past two years.' If you haven't gotten on board with Ricky Starks, this is the time now." (h/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful)

There has been a renewed sense of determination in his recent performances on the microphone and in the ring. The former FTW champion did the most to make Taz’s “unrecognized” title relevant again, but there’s a visible drive to accomplish more.

AEW tag titles may have been a good fit, but he and Hobbs already seemed destined to succeed as singles competitors. Moreover, Starks’ growing popularity made it harder to justify booing him at live shows. It may have been a bitter pill to swallow initially, but it was time for the two to go their separate ways.

This face turn is huge for Starks cause it puts him on the same trajectory as the pillars of the company. It will finally allow him to forge his own path and achieve bigger goals.

A Promising Star on a Crowded Roster

It’s an apt time to put him in the conversation with other homegrown talents like Darby Allin, Jungle Boy, Sammy Guevara, or MJF. Conversely, that raises the question of whether or not he can thrive among them and AEW’s biggest established stars.

His dynamic presence, in-ring ability, and promo work ensure that he could be a fixture on Dynamite and Rampage. There is a demand to see him test himself against the best that the roster has to offer. It’s safe to assume he will flourish when given the chance.

AEW’s loudest critics have expressed concern that the company has become bloated over the past two years. That means there is stiff competition for up-and-coming looking to make an impact.

Nevertheless, Starks appears to have the total package. On a roster where most of its performers wrestle at a high level, he still stands out because of his inventive offense, smooth counters, and trademark pose. His deft character work will also continue to make him an asset.

It will be a full-circle moment for the Absolute dark horse when he finally secures the TNT Championship, but the sky’s the limit. His current turn will be a great litmus test for him but there are plenty of reasons to believe he could win AEW’s top prize eventually.

That prediction may seem premature. However, Starks already has one of the best records in the company, comparisons to The Great One, and the approval of some noteworthy peers. He will be a name to keep an eye on for the rest of 2022 and a potential main event talent for years to come.