Kenny Omega rarely involves himself in wrestling disputes outside of AEW, but he has recently entered a high-profile social media conflict regarding Gail Kim, a retired wrestling legend. This confrontation centers on comments made by Kim about Riho, the first AEW Women’s World Champion, sparking intense debate across the wrestling community in late September 2025.
Gail Kim’s Controversial Social Media Exchanges
Gail Kim, a respected former wrestling star and seven-time TNA Knockouts World Champion, has found herself embroiled in a series of heated disputes on social media platforms this past week. These exchanges notably revolved around deathmatch wrestling and included some sharp remarks aimed at former WWE and TNA colleague Tommy Dreamer. Earlier in the year, TNA’s President removed Kim from her role in Talent Relations and production, replacing her with Dreamer, who took on a smaller creative role.
Kim’s ongoing debates have drawn substantial attention as she clashed with GCW owner Brett Lauderdale and engaged with numerous fans and industry personalities. Support came from well-known figures like MVP and Bubba Ray Dudley, while criticism and fan backlash steadily increased. Many fans questioned Kim’s recent comments about AEW’s women’s division, stirring a polarizing discussion.
Kim Addresses Jim Cornette’s Remarks and AEW Women’s Wrestling
In response to some of the criticism, Kim mentioned her admiration for Jim Cornette, a controversial NWA Hall of Famer known for his blunt style and critical commentary on modern wrestling. She cited Cornette as a mentor figure who taught her much early in her career. However, when questioned about Cornette’s use of problematic terms such as “school girls” and “sexdolls” to describe Asian women wrestlers, fans challenged Kim’s support of him given her history as an advocate for women’s equality in wrestling.
After being directed to multiple clips where Cornette voiced harsh opinions about AEW’s Riho, Kim shared her own mixed feelings about Riho’s portrayal on AEW programming. She expressed discomfort with certain camera angles and how Riho was styled during matches in the promotion’s early days, though she clarified that her discomfort was unrelated to Riho’s talent.
“I listened to this whole clip. Which I said I didn’t want clips, but that’s fine. The only issue that I had was that he made a comment about her teeth. I will say, and I haven’t watched AEW in a very long time, but when I did watch Riho and nothing against her at all bc I am (1/4) The biggest supporter of all women who wanna make it in this business, but I did feel uncomfortable watching her because the camera shots would go up her skirt and she was always dressed like a very little girl and it felt improper (2/4) I am also into very believable Wrestling. Not everyone is especially nowadays. And it was very hard for me to believe a little girl that was being portrayed of that size was fighting the women they had in that division. (3/4) To put it into context, I find Io, Mia, Asuka, Kairi and Lei Ying to be more believable and I don’t feel uncomfortable watching (4/4),” Gail Kim wrote.
Kim emphasized that her comments were based on what she saw years ago during AEW’s early stages and not a general critique of Riho’s abilities or career development.
“OK, I’m not taking anything away from her talent. I’m talking about what I saw years ago and what made me feel uncomfortable. She looked like a very young girl in a frilly skirt and the camera man was up her a*s. It just felt inappropriate to me,” Gail Kim wrote.
Fan Backlash and Clarifications from Kim
The exchanges quickly escalated as many fans misinterpreted Kim’s remarks as disrespectful toward Riho. Kim reevaluated her stance publicly, asserting that her unease stemmed from a combination of factors. She insisted that her intent was never to belittle Riho, who turned 28 years old in June 2025 and has earned acclaim in AEW.
Kim labeled parts of the fan response as troll behavior and pointed out that many industry peers privately agreed with her opinions. She expressed frustration with how social media amplifies disputes and fosters tribalism, stating that wrestlers are compelled to be “accountable for everything [we] say” in an environment filled with anonymous critics.
“I’m not going to comment on the Riho thing again. I have stated my opinion. It was a four part tweet so you can look at that again if you don’t understand what I was saying. It was more than about her size. It was a combination of things. I was asked about it, and I answered,” Gail Kim wrote.
In later tweets, Kim acknowledged having a “feisty week” and urged fans to understand her remarks referred to one specific AEW show years ago, likely during the company’s infancy.
“Ok guys am I speaking English or what? I said Riho looked like that in ONE particular show YEARS ago. What is it that you’re not computing? That was probably when AEW was in its first year or so or early years. Are you guys just wanting a fight or is it just incompetence here?,” Gail Kim wrote.
Kim’s Support for Other Female Wrestlers and Industry Reflection
While involved in the debate, Kim expressed admiration for AEW’s Toni Storm and the newly crowned AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander. She voiced a desire to see more focus placed on Deonna Purrazzo, another prominent figure in the women’s division. Kim also dismissed claims that she holds widespread animosity in the wrestling community, suggesting that such impressions might come only from AEW fans who misconstrue her comments.
When confronted about her chances of receiving a WWE Legends contract, Kim delivered a blunt reply stating she is proud of her career regardless of any possible WWE honors, underscoring her independence from such recognition.
“FULL STOP. I don’t give a rats a*s about a Legends contract. I’m proud of what I have done,” Kim stated in response to fan comments.
Kenny Omega’s Response Criticizing Gail Kim’s WWE Connection
Kenny Omega, AEW’s Executive Vice President and a longtime friend of Riho, publicly responded to Kim’s remarks, entering the intense discussion with a dismissive tweet targeting Kim’s status. He mocked Kim’s attempts to remain relevant and insinuated she was angling for rewards from TKO and WWE by appearing on social media.
“Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket… 🥱,” Kenny Omega wrote.
Known as “The Cleaner,” Omega and Riho have a long history including tag team championships in Japan and close friendship rumors. Omega’s criticism adds another layer to the escalating feud involving former WWE stars and AEW talents. Notably, Jim Cornette, long a vocal critic of Omega and AEW’s roster, is part of this broader backdrop, as Kim previously expressed support for Cornette despite their opposing views on Omega.
Current Status of Riho and Kenny Omega
Riho returned recently to AEW after a prolonged absence, competing for the TBS Championship at AEW’s All Out pay-per-view but falling short against champion Mercedes Moné. Meanwhile, Kenny Omega is currently sidelined due to injury, with expectations for his return slated for early 2026. Neither Riho nor other AEW representatives have yet publicly commented on this developing controversy.
Potential Repercussions and Future Developments
This prolonged feud highlights the ongoing tensions within the pro wrestling community, especially between wrestling legends and current stars across competing promotions like WWE, TKO, and AEW. Kim’s candid social media appearances and Omega’s direct criticism underline how quickly wrestling discourse can escalate into widely publicized conflicts, fueled by strong fan reactions and industry solidarity or opposition.
With Omega expected back in early 2026 and AEW’s women’s division continuing to grow in prominence through talents like Toni Storm and Kris Statlander, the public wrestling feud may affect backstage dynamics and fan perceptions. Additionally, it may influence how veterans like Kim navigate their legacies amid changing industry landscapes and fan expectations about social commentary in wrestling.
From Extreme Championship Wrestling to Extreme Ass-Kissing… truly an innovator 🤣🤣😘 https://t.co/CGj8Egi1VJ
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 20, 2025
I listenedto this whole clip. Which I said I didn’t want clips, but that’s fine. The only issue that I had was that he made a comment about her teeth.I will say, and I haven’t watched AEW in a very long time, but when I did watch Riho and nothing against her at all bc I am (1/4) https://t.co/R3i2ARS60a
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
To put it into context, I find Io, Mia, Asuka, Kairi and Lei Ying to be more believable and I don’t feel uncomfortable watching (4/4) https://t.co/R3i2ARRyaC
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
OK, I’m not taking anything away from her talent. I’m talking about what I saw years ago and what made me feel uncomfortable.She looked like a very young girl in a frilly skirt and the camera man was up her https://t.co/nVhseDTLE4 just felt inappropriate to me. https://t.co/5iSk2KCvkQ
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
I’m not going to comment on the Riho thing again. I have stated my opinion. It was a four part tweet so you can look at that again if you don’t understand what I was saying. It was more than about her size. It was a combination of things. I was asked about it, and I answered.
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 23, 2025
Ok guys am
I speaking English or what? I said Riho looked like that in ONE particular show YEARS ago. What is it that you’re not computing? That was probably when AEW was in its first year or so or early years. Are you guys just wanting a fight or is it just incompetence here?— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 24, 2025
Yes I said that particular day years ago I felt that way for one match. Doesn’t mean I think that way now. Did I say that?And in regards to this legends contract you speak of,I really dont give a rats ass about it if we are being honest. I’m proud of the career I had. FULL STOP https://t.co/74yIogcjtH
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 24, 2025
Another day and another “legend” doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket… 🥱
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) September 24, 2025
