Kenny Omega has nothing but praise for MJF after failing to capture the AEW World Championship on Collision.
The epic first-time bout was Omega’s last chance to stop Maxwell Jacob Friedman from surpassing his record as the longest-reigning World Champion in AEW history.
Both men gave it their all in a highly-praised match that is a contender for the best seen on AEW TV. Omega looked to be on the verge of victory after hitting two V-Triggers and setting up for the One-Winged Angel, but Don Callis came to the ring, providing enough of a distraction for MJF to escape the move.
The Salt of the Earth was finally able to put Omega away with a Panama Sunrise and Heatseeker to retain his title and put him on course to surpass The Best Bout Machine’s 346-day reign on the November 1st edition of Dynamite.
Kenny Omega thinks MJF can lead AEW to “the promised land”
Following the show, AEW released exclusive footage of Omega after the match. The star admitted that his condition “isn’t what it used to be” and that he had been concerned there was nobody to take his place when his career was over.
However, that has all changed since he got in the ring with Friedman.
“I’ve got to be honest, and this may be partly a sad story, but trust me it has a happy ending.
“For a lot of us time is not our friend the more time that goes by the more we have to say goodbye to things my condition isn’t what it used to be I’m not even sure if I could call myself the best belt machine anymore.
“For a pocket in time that was a very sad reality because there was no one left to take my place but now I can say goodbye to these things with a smile because we do have people like MJF that are willing to not only take the ball but run with it and run with it further than I ever could.
“So, though I thought I’d be a little salty with you breaking my record, now I can be proud that the championship belt is in the right hands”
Turning to MJF’s next defence, which will see him take on Jay White at Full Gear, Omega said he will be cheering the champ on despite his history with The Switchblade.
“So MJF, yes Jay White and I go a long way back. Jay White may not be willing to tell you but there was, once upon a time, when he used to wash my dirty laundry. So, you’d think I’d be able to look upon him with some kind of fondness, but rest assured I am cheering for you to get your belt back, I am cheering for you to lead this company into the promised land, and I’m cheering for you to represent AEW and all these wonderful people for years and years and years to come.”
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