Kenny Omega recently shared insights into his motion capture work for the video game Street Fighter 6, where he performed as the character Alex. During the capture, Omega executed his signature move, the ‘One Winged Angel,’ adapted as the ‘Omega Wing Buster’ in the game. The session took place earlier this year, highlighting the physically demanding nature of the process and its challenges.
Omega revealed that fellow AEW wrestler Michael Nakazawa was repeatedly on the receiving end of the move during the mocap session, to the point where Nakazawa had to take a break due to the strain. Omega described how the setup involved minimal padding mats, which made the impacts feel more real but added difficulty in maintaining balance and safety.
Struggles and Substitution During the Mocap Process
According to Omega, the lack of cushioning required him to deliver the move convincingly, despite the physical toll on Nakazawa. He explained the balance between realism and safety, avoiding large crash pads to preserve authenticity in the animation. Nakazawa’s resilience was notable, as Omega described him as someone who rarely complains about physical hits or falls. However, the repetitive nature of the moves eventually wore him down.
Nakazawa, he’s not a complainer. He’ll take anything. He won’t complain about strikes, he won’t complain about taking any bumps, but when you have to do a thing fifteen or twenty times, it catches up with you, so we had to sub him out.
?Kenny Omega, Wrestler
After Nakazawa needed to step aside, a contortionist from the mocap team took over the role for the remaining takes. Omega expressed sympathy for the substitute, who was not a wrestler but had to endure the physically intense moves. Despite the difficulty, Omega believed the contortionist’s performance resulted in his most powerful One Winged Angel yet, which was ultimately used in the game.
So, I felt bad for him, but he was, in the end, happy that that was the take that they used.
?Kenny Omega, Wrestler
How Kenny Omega Became Involved with Street Fighter 6
Omega also touched on how he became part of the Street Fighter 6 project, noting that his involvement came about due to a misunderstanding on his end. Although he is featured as a key character in the video game, other wrestling stars such as Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns will appear in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie set for release later this year. This distinction between the game and film adaptations caused some initial confusion for Omega.
The Wider Context and Its Impact on Fans
Kenny Omega’s participation in Street Fighter 6 illustrates the crossover appeal between professional wrestling and video gaming fans. His presence as Alex, combined with his famous finishing move, brings added excitement for followers of both arenas. Despite the physical challenges and setbacks during the mocap sessions, Omega’s dedication demonstrates the commitment needed to deliver authentic in-game animations that resonate with players.
With the Street Fighter franchise growing through collaborations with wrestling personalities, fans can expect continued intersections of these entertainment worlds. Omega’s revelations further humanize the intense effort behind these productions, highlighting the physical demands wrestlers face even outside the ring. As the game launches and the movie premieres, the influence of figures like Omega, Rhodes, and Reigns will likely expand Street Fighter’s audience and impact.
