Kenny Omega

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from WWE and AEW.

'Simpsons' Wants The Rock for Cameo

Carolyn Omine, a writer for The Simpsons, says the writer's room recently came up with an idea for The Rock to make a cameo appearance.

“There’s a story that we actually came up with, Lisa and The Rock … but we don’t know [if it will happen] yet,” Omine said at Comic-Con@Home 2021. “We’re still hoping that The Rock will hear us. If anybody knows The Rock, tell him that we want that!”

Given that The Rock isn't known for being especially picky about his projects and The Simpsons is a legendary show, it's hard to see him turning down the offer.

Not only that, if the wrestler-turned-actor decides to strap up the boots one more time and face cousin Roman Reigns, it'll be a great cross-promotional opportunity for SmackDown on Fox.

Kenny Omega Says WWE Crossover is Possible

One of AEW's most notable accomplishments since its debut has been its strong working relationship with other promotions. New Japan and Impact have lent both their stars and championships to AEW programming, and AEW has reciprocated. 

Of course, there's one major wrestling promotion that has not joined in on the fun: WWE. During an appearance on Wrestling Observer Radio, Omega said he could someday see the companies working together—albeit not anytime soon.

“The one huge crossover, will you ever see WWE team up with anybody?” Omega asked. “Who knows? I feel as the world evolves and changes and time goes by, people become more open-minded to everything, whether it be the wrestlers themselves, people in the office, the fans.

“I wouldn’t hold my breath, but at the same time, I would never say it’s impossible.”

Given some of the recent rumors about a leader of a certain movement leaving WWE for AEW, perhaps WWE might want to open its walls a little to the outside world and allow the light in. Otherwise, the company may see more stars bolt in favor of professional freedom.

Nikki A.S.H. Has Sights Set on Becky Lynch

No one knows when Becky Lynch will return to WWE, but the overwhelming odds say it'll be soon. Perhaps very soon.

If Nikki A.S.H. has her way, Lynch's return match will be against the new Raw women's champion.

“I’m ready for the challenge from Becky and I truly hope it does happen,” Nikki A.S.H. told Ross Crae of the Sunday Post. “Becky and Drew [McIntyre] have been amazing role models, inspiring me and creating that blueprint.”

Given her gimmick is mostly one played for comedy, the overwhelming odds are Nikki A.S.H.'s title reign isn't going to be a long one. The company could hot-shot it back to Charlotte Flair–it would surprise absolutely no one if Flair demanded and received a rematch Monday night and then got her belt back—or use it as an opportunity to bring back Lynch, who has been out more than a year after having a daughter with Seth Rollins.

Lynch technically never lost the Raw title, so there's a natural storyline there that wouldn't make her look heelish for challenging a face like Nikki. 

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).

Suffice it to say Kenny Omega thinks bringing Daniel Bryan and CM Punk into All Elite Wrestling would be a strong move by the company.

Stepping outside his heelish onscreen role, Omega spoke to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio and said both rumored AEW signings would bring a loyal fanbase with them. Omega cited Bryan's creation of the "Yes!" Movement in 2014 as one of the greatest moments in wrestling history. 

They're two very different athletes, two very different performers. I respect both. ... Daniel Bryan, I always knew that he was incredibly intelligent. He's ridiculously smart, especially as it relates to professional wrestling. And for him to kind of create a movement, an actual legitimate movement, with the Yes! Movement and all that, for him to come up with that, he created it ... there's absolutely no way you could find written documented evidence saying that, '[WWE] always planned to have [Bryan] have [his] WrestleMania moment, be the champion. I wouldn't believe it. Even if I saw it in front of my face. I don't think that was ever the plan, but he made it the plan because he's just that smart.

He was able to kind of turn everything around and emerge as a megastar, because he is smart enough in a wrestling sense, in a business sense. Just like in ROH, how he was able to have those fans in the palm of his hand, he was able to have the entire WWE universe in the palm of his hand with one word. The only other person I can think of to do that was [Steve] Austin.

Bryan's contract with WWE expired at the end of April, and he's not been seen on programming since. The wrestling community has been abuzz over the last week amid reports of Bryan and Punk both signing in AEW, moves that could shift the hierarchy of wrestling in the United States.

H Jenkins of Ringside News reported Friday that Punk has agreed a return to wrestling with AEW, while Meltzer has reported receiving indications a deal between AEW and Bryan is "done" (h/t Wrestling Inc.).

Punk left WWE in 2014, and his only reported in-ring appearance since came under a mask in 2019 on an independent show. Omega noted that the continued loyalty of Punk's fans is nearly unheard of in the modern era. 

"CM Punk ... he probably has a different line of thinking than your current-day performer, the average performer," Omega said. "He has this incredible reputation—he has fans to this day who would follow him to the end of the earth. Very dedicated fanbase, and that fanbase believes he's the best in the world and will be the best until the end of time.

"If you're able to have people like that follow your career so passionately, you probably have something very special about you."

AEW has not confirmed either signing. 

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).

When Kenny Omega won the AEW World Championship on the Dec. 2 episode of Dynamite, he seemingly accomplished the goal that many New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans had set out for him.

In the process, the Canadian officially broke bad and introduced the American audience to an updated version of The Cleaner. Then, he took it a step further when he took his newly acquired title to Impact Wrestling and started his pursuit for industry-wide dominance.

Over the last 230-plus days as champion, The Best Bout Machine has become increasingly divisive as revels in his new megalomaniacal persona. His bid to collect rare championship gold and cartoonishly grandiose posturing makes him so much fun to hate. But he's also living up to his namesake as he produces some truly incredible title defenses for both All Elite Wrestling and Impact.

Love him or hate him, Omega is at the top of his game. This raises the question: Who can possibly dethrone The Collector and take his place at the top of the company?

Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown

Despite his nefarious tactics, Omega has been an excellent representative for AEW. He has raised the bar in terms of match quality and exposure, and the company's world title feels more prestigious than ever as he has carried it and defended it outside of AEW.

Even more, the 37-year-old has created a Herculean threat that has brought the best out of new contenders and up-and-coming stars.

At Double or Nothing, Orange Cassidy answered the call and proved he is a future mainstay in the main event scene. Similarly, Jungle Boy looked like the star many of us projected he would become when he unsuccessfully challenged for the AEW world title on the June 26 edition of Saturday Night Dynamite.

The Cleaner also lifted Rich Swann to the biggest match of his career in their Winner Take All bout at Impact Wrestling's Rebellion pay-per-view. The sensational high-flyer wasn't able to ward off Omega's quest for immortality, but he showed some real heart and tenacity in defeat.

Omega's greatest strength over the last few months has been his ability to elevate his competition and generate enough vitriol against him that viewers are desperate to see someone take him down. That's the mark of a great villain and a formidable champion. To his credit, that's quite a task because some fans called for him to become a world-beater the second he signed with AEW.

Nevertheless, the job isn't done until the right challenger galvanizes an unquestionable amount of support around their attempt to unseat him. It seems like that time has come as the groundswell of encouragement behind "Hangman" Adam Page has reached a fever pitch.

Page's Road to Redemption

During AEW's inaugural year, Page emerged as an unlikely favorite to become its first world champion. New fans were apathetic at best until he fell short of his dream and transformed into one of the most complex characters on the roster. Now, his journey back to the title picture is the hottest long-term storyline on Dynamite.

Over the last few weeks, the 29-year-old has enjoyed the loudest reaction at live shows. It's unbelievable but it's also a testament to the patience the company has displayed as it crafted his preordained rise to glory.

When the Halifax, Virginia native finally attains his major championship win, it will be rightfully his time.

However, he still has to go through his former tag team partner and friends, The Elite, to do so. In Omega, Page will have to face a man who has won at the highest level and excelled against a caliber of opponents that he hasn't stood among yet.

The Best Bout Machine's four matches with Kazuchika Okada are legendary. But Page hasn't achieved anything that is held in such high regard yet, and that's what makes his underdog story so compelling.

AEW All Out is the site of his greatest failure. In 2019, Chris Jericho bested him to win the vacant AEW World Championship. A year later, he and Omega lost the tag titles to FTR. So, it would be fitting to see him vanquish his demon, as the company returns to the venue where it all started.

Omega's Inevitable Downfall

It's clear that Omega has the right opponent to potentially drop the title to, but is this the right time? It certainly feels like his comeuppance will come swiftly as his list of enemies grows longer and longer and he fights to maintain his position on several fronts.

Life is coming at the triple champion fast, and he's bound to make a mistake. Page could conceivably be his toughest test yet now that he is driven again. The Best Bout Machine is also set to defend his AAA Mega Championship against Andrade El Idolo at Triplemania XXIX on Aug. 14. Additionally, Jay White and Bullet Club have invaded the Impact Zone in search of revenge against their former leader.

Triplemania could start a domino effect as The Collector loses his prized possessions ahead of Bound for Glory in October. The AEW star has held the mega title for over 640 days, but El Idolo could be the one to take the mantle from him, leaving a paranoid and obsessive Omega prone for another big loss in September.

As the adage goes, the only thing harder than getting to the top is staying on top. Many champions have a difficult time retaining one title. So, Omega will have a challenging three months ahead as he tries to maintain his grip on three belts.

As of now, Page seems destined to wrest the AEW World Championship away from him at All Out come September 5.