Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi AEW return updates

It looks like a Golden Lovers reunion will be happening in AEW when Kenny Omega is able to return.

Both Kota Ibushi and Omega have been out of action due to injury issues. Ibushi underwent ankle surgery this January, while Omega had surgery done in May following a bout with diverticulitis. Omega has not wrestled since December 2023.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of his pro wrestling debut, Ibushi took part in a five-minute exhibition for GLEAT last month. He’ll compete in a six-man tag match for DDT Pro Wrestling on August 25. Though he’s returning to DDT, Ibushi tweeted that AEW is his home and fans will see a “full comeback” with him and Omega.

Dave Meltzer discussed Ibushi’s tweet on Wrestling Observer Radio and noted that Omega’s health is improving.

“Basically when Kenny Omega returns, [Ibushi is] returning,” Meltzer said. “He basically said he’s under contract there and he’s waiting for Omega to return for him to return. I don’t know if there’s even a date of when Omega will return. Put it this way: I don’t think it’s so far away as before when I would talk about it and go like, ‘I don’t even want to think about it. It’s a long ways away.’ He’s getting better, I know that.

“I actually looked up the surgery that he had. Usually for a wrestler, it’s about [a] four-month recovery. A lot of wrestlers push it and probably come back quicker. But that would be like mid-September. But he had a lot — you know, he didn’t just have the hernia problem. I mean, he had a lot of different problems. But like I said, he is coming back. I mean, that’s pretty much the word. And I don’t think it’s like months and months away. I don’t want to say this because I feel stupid saying it — because he has not told me anything in this regard — but just the vibe I have is it’ll be before the end of the year. And before that, it was just like he’ll be back but who knows when.”

When Omega is able to return, he’s expected to resume his feud with The Elite, including a teased match against legendary in-ring rival Kazuchika Okada.