WWE News: WWE Officials Said To Be Heavily Pursuing NJPW Star Kenny Omega

This past year the WWE managed to go after and bring in four of the top New Japan Pro-Wrestling stars in AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Luke(Doc) Gallows, and Shinsuke Nakamura. All four were at the top of their game after being involved with the promotion for quite some time. AJ had been there the shortest amount of time, but his impact was tremendous. He was the first of the group to debut with the WWE, but he surely wasn’t the only to make an impression as the three others have done very well. Interestingly, another name was targeted by WWE as well.

While we know WWE went after the other guys, we also found out that Kenny Omega was targeted by WWE in 2015. It was reported that Omega turned down three offers by the WWE. It was said in the same report that Omega claimed he turned them down because he wanted to face his former tag team partner Kota Ibushi when the Japanese star came back from injury. Weirdly enough, Ibushi decided to leave both New Japan and DDT Wrestling when he returned.

While he did work with them a bit more before departing, he officially became a free agent earlier this year, which freed him up to join WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic. With the new Cruiserweight Division, WWE needed to bring in guys like Ibushi after the tournament concluded, and it is being reported that Ibushi has signed a deal. Some believe this may be the catalyst to bringing Kenny Omega to the WWE.

In addition to that, it seems WWE is confident they can sign him in 2017, according to Daily Wrestling News. WWE is reportedly very high on the man known as The Cleaner and would like to bring him whenever possible. It is being said that this is a Triple H move, which means he is higher on Omega than most anyone and would probably be the one trying to talk to him when he becomes available.

NJPW has a strict policy with their contracts that do not permit talent to talk with other promotions while under contract. The way WWE was able to sign the others and at least know of the interest was through people they had with the company that were not under any sort of deal. Usually this would be a friend of the talent or someone not under contract who works with the company.

NJPW apparently knows of WWE’s interest in Kenny Omega and are reportedly quite concerned that they may lose Omega sometime next year. This could also mean more for New Japan as well. The Young Bucks as well as Adam Cole all become available in 2017. The Bullet Club members would be able to sign back on with Ring of Honor and/or New Japan Pro-Wrestling for sure and may get a raise in order to stay.

However, most theorize that WWE could force another mass exodus from Japan when they take Kenny Omega. Omega leaving could convince the Young Bucks to also leave, and Adam Cole may follow because of his WWE interest. The company has reportedly been high on the Bucks and Cole for quite some time. The Bucks have been close to signing with WWE only to stay away. Meanwhile, Cole has been in a similar boat at times and felt that he had more to do on the independent scene before going to the WWE.

If WWE can manage to sway Kenny Omega into leaving NJPW, this could be huge for WWE, but it could change a lot of things for Japan. Even if WWE can just manage to get Omega, this is still a major get. The Canadian born grappler is a former PWG Heavyweight Champion as well as a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Intercontinental Champion. He has also worked in tag teams successfully, whether normal tag or six man, and won gold in both categories. That said, a Kenny Omega signing would be terrific for the business. WWE just hopes they don’t get turned down three times again.

[Image via NJPW]