Before becoming an executive vice president and co-founder of All Elite Wrestling, Kenny Omega was a major figure in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). On Tuesday, Omega took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to highlight his 2016 G1 Climax 26 tournament semi-finals match against Tetsuya Naito as one of his all-time favorite singles bouts. This match is especially notable for its impact on his wrestling career and personal growth within NJPW.
Omega shared a clip of the encounter and described it as a crucial moment, saying,
“It doesn’t get talked about much, but to me, this match was one of my favorite singles performances ever. The lead in, the stakes, the match itself, and then what followed after all became a big turning point for me.”
—Kenny Omega, Professional Wrestler
Significance of the 2016 Battle and Omega’s Rise
The 2016 match between Omega and Naito was their first one-on-one competition. At the time, Omega had recently taken over as Bullet Club leader after defeating AJ Styles and was eager to prove his abilities both to fans and to his faction. The intense, nearly 30-minute match ended with Omega securing victory by executing his finishing move, the One-Winged Angel.
This victory propelled Omega forward, as he went on to win the G1 Climax 26 final against Hirooki Goto, earning a contract that guaranteed a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 11. That event also marked his debut singles match against Kazuchika Okada, sparking one of NJPW’s most legendary rivalries. Although Omega did not capture the title at that time, he eventually won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in June 2018.
The 2017 Rematch Between Omega and Naito in the G1 Climax Final
The rivalry continued a year later during the G1 Climax 27 finals, where Omega and Naito faced off once again. This time, the match extended beyond their previous encounter, with Naito emerging victorious by pinning Omega after delivering his finishing move, the Destino. Despite Naito’s win, both wrestlers faced setbacks in their pursuit of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship that year, as neither was able to defeat Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
In contrast to his title loss, Omega successfully defended the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 12 against Chris Jericho, showcasing his continued strength as a champion. Meanwhile, Naito maintained his NJPW presence until his departure in spring 2025, after which he began wrestling for RevPro.
The Lasting Impact of the 2016 Contest on Omega’s Career
Kenny Omega’s 2016 match against Tetsuya Naito remains a defining moment highlighted by his own reflections as a crucial turning point in his career. The contest not only affirmed his standing within NJPW but laid the groundwork for his future success and legendary rivalries. Now with AEW, Omega continues to be influential in professional wrestling, demonstrating the significance of that pivotal match from years earlier.
