The shadow of the past
The rumor mill is spinning toward an Omega return at All Out 2026, but let's be honest about the reality. Kenny Omega hasn't been the same machine since the diverticulitis diagnosis derailed his momentum in late 2023. We are talking about a performer who built his entire reputation on a grueling, high-impact style that demands 100 percent physical output.
You remember the classic iron man matches against Bryan Danielson or the grueling Tokyo Dome bouts with Kazuchika Okada. Those weren't just matches; they were physical tax returns that Omega paid in full. Expecting a 42-year-old Omega to replicate that level of intensity in a marquee spot at the Sears Centre is setting the stage for disappointment.
The booking dilemma
AEW has spent the last two years successfully building the next tier of main event talent. Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay, and Jay White have effectively filled the void left by the Elite's internal fracturing. Dropping Omega back into a top-billing slot at All Out 2026 feels like a nostalgic crutch rather than a forward-thinking move.
If he returns, the fans will demand the V-Trigger, the One-Winged Angel, and the 30-minute epic struggle. Anything less than that level of spectacle will be viewed as a failure. This is exactly what happened when CM Punk returned to the ring after his long hiatus; the weight of expectation eventually crushed the reality of the performance.
The physical reality
We need to look at the stats. Omega’s strike-heavy offense relies on explosive kinetic energy. A knee injury or a lingering issue in the midsection removes his primary weapon. If the match at All Out 2026 forces him to dial back his moveset, the crowd will turn quicker than they did during the Cody Rhodes exodus. Reports on his recovery process have been optimistic, but the ring is the only true barometer for health.
There is also the matter of his longevity as an active competitor. If he pushes too hard for a singular moment in Chicago, he risks another hiatus, or worse, a permanent retirement. A legend like Omega deserves a better ending than a blown-out return match that doesn't live up to the legacy of his 2018 run.
A different path forward
Instead of a solo main event, why not utilize Omega as a special attraction or a mentor figure? We saw the value of his presence in the tag team division when he teamed with Chris Jericho to form the Golden Jets. That run kept him relevant without requiring him to shoulder the physical load of a 40-minute singles match.
If Tony Khan insists on a singles match, it should be a technical showcase against a younger star like Konosuke Takeshita. A match built on psychology rather than high-risk maneuvers would be safer and potentially more rewarding. It would allow Omega to work smarter, not harder, preserving his body for future cameos.
Ultimately, AEW needs to stop relying on the ghosts of its inception. The company has evolved significantly since the inaugural All Out. While the Best Bout Machine remains one of the greatest to ever step through the ropes, his greatest contribution to the promotion might now be his ability to elevate others from the sidelines. Bringing him back for a headline spot at All Out 2026 is a gamble on a past that no longer exists.
