By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Kenny Omega responded to the announcement of WWE streaming Evolve’s 10th Anniversary event running opposite AEW Fight For The Fallen on July 13. “If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence?” Omega wrote in a since deleted Tweet. “I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick.”
Omega followed up with a second tweet: “I’ve said my piece and it opened the door to a very toxic environment. It wasn’t a message to fans, or the boys, just the decision makers. I wish everyone wrestling on any show that day all the best. That is all.”
Powell’s POV: If AEW is planning to turn the show into a fundraiser with requests from viewers for charitable donations throughout the show then I can see how this could hurt the charity. If AEW’s plan is simply to donate a percentage of proceeds from the event to charity then that’s a classy move, yet I’m not sure how it hurts the charity. I guess we’ll have to see what they have in mind. The AEW crew are bright guys and I’m sure they know that WWE history suggests they should expect more counter programming from WWE along with other forms of “gamesmanship” now that they are considered competition. As such, I’m surprised to see Omega lash out in this manner, though it will score him and the event some publicity.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and Brian Fritz of the Between The Ropes podcast discussing WWE’s creative and ratings struggles, Bray Wyatt following the Firefly Funhouse, WWE Stomping Grounds, NJPW G1 Opening Night, and ROH’s issues, what would happen if AEW opted to run head-to-head with WWE Raw, and much more.
EVOLVE announced their date before AEW did, btw.
Also, WWE didn’t tell Evolve when they can have their 10 year anniversary so I don’t see how anyone can say this is a response to AEW. WWE has been helping Evolve for years, and 10 years a big milestone.
Plus WWE has been sending out feelers as to whether people want to see indy shows on the network way before AEW was even a thought.
Not disagreeing with what you wrote, but I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that WWE opted to make this the first Evolve show broadcast live on their network. This is how they’ve traditionally responded to business threats and I suspect there’s a lot more than this coming. But that’s the game and AEW had to know it was coming. This is nothing compared to the type of games that they played with WCW and some of the territories back in the day. I feel Omega overreacted and AEW really shouldn’t be bothered by this move because it’s really not that significant beyond being perhaps the first shot fired.
One show in and AEW already feels like it has the superior wrestling product. Time will tell as they need to establish consistency. That being said, Omega came off as a bit insecure considering AEW has had no issues firing shots at WWE. I mean, Cody’s entrance at Double Or Nothing virtually guaranteed the WWE was going to respond.
I love Kenny but he absolutely overreacted. And worse, he didn’t stop to consider that a few members of his roster took Saudi paydays last year. Add in the fact that the Kahn’s have done business with the Saudis and baby, you got a stew goin’.
Lol wwe considers AEW such a threat that they are putting glorified indy show against them. Yeah it’s going to prove a point. That AEW isnt and never will be competing against wwe. Omega has accomplished nothing in American wrestling and in my book has no right to say anything. Getting over in japan is not the same as drawing money in the u.s. his match with Jericho was poor and was very unimpressive