At AEW All In: Texas, Kazuchika Okada defeated Kenny Omega to become the inaugural AEW Unified Champion, uniting the AEW Continental and AEW International Championships. This historic victory added a new chapter to their long-standing rivalry but ended with debate after outside interference disrupted the match’s conclusion.
Manager Don Callis Sparks Post-Match Reaction
Following the match, Okada appeared alongside his manager Don Callis, who delivered a bold statement praising Okada’s achievement while also taking credit for Omega’s downfall. Callis stated,
“It’s a great night, because we’re all here to bear witness to a man I call the ace of All Elite Wrestling,”
and added,
“Not only did he become the first unified champion… he will go down in history, along with me, as the men who put Kenny Omega down for good.”
When asked about ending his rivalry with Omega, Okada responded through Callis, saying,
“Yeah, I feel good because I finished Kenny… I ended it.”
Outside Interference Prompts Tony Khan to Revise Unified Title Rules
The match finish sparked controversy after Callis pulled the referee away during a decisive pin attempt by Omega, raising questions about fairness. AEW President Tony Khan addressed the incident in a surprise post-show appearance, delivering a firm ruling on future Unified Championship matches.
Khan clarified,
“We fought a match under the unified rules of AEW, where the referee’s decision is final,”
and added,
“If we had been under Continental Rules, Don, I would have fired you for that… So going forward, the prevailing rules will be the Continental Rules. There will never be outside interference again in a Unified Championship match.”
Callis Embraces New Guidelines and Highlights Okada’s International Role
Callis accepted the stricter enforcement, asserting,
“I don’t want any excuses… This is what excellence looks like, and we’re going to show it.”
Furthermore, Callis emphasized Okada’s responsibility to defend the title globally, sharing,
“We’re going to do the world a service by letting people in every remote corner, whether it’s Mexico, Japan — anywhere — see what greatness looks like,”
and praising Okada’s wrestling pedigree,
“This is the best Japanese wrestler I’ve ever seen. Better than Rikidozan. Better than Inoki. Better than Tanahashi. He’s better than all of them.”
Okada’s Reign and Future Implications under Continental Rules
With his new accolades as AEW Continental Champion, AEW International Champion, and the inaugural AEW Unified Champion, Okada’s reign will now proceed under the Continental Rules, strictly prohibiting outside interference. This policy shift aims to ensure integrity for all future Unified Championship defenses and elevate the title’s prestige worldwide.
Fans can expect further developments and details about Okada’s upcoming title defense as AEW continues to chart a new course under Tony Khan’s leadership.
