Kenny Omega

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kenny Omega's journey to becoming a cornerstone of All Elite Wrestling began long before February 2019. Born Tyson Smith in Winnipeg on October 16, 1983, he developed an early passion for professional wrestling while watching Saturday Night's Main Event and playing ice hockey as a goaltender. After leaving university in his first year to pursue the sport, he trained with Bobby Jay at Top Rope Championship Wrestling, debuting in 2000 under the name Kenny Omega. His career trajectory shifted dramatically after catching the attention of NJPW and DDT officials, including Tatsutoshi Goto, who scouted him based on his independent work. This led to an invitation to Japan, where he formed the Golden☆Lovers tag team with Kota Ibushi and captured multiple titles, including the KO-D Openweight Championship. His tenure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 2014 to 2019 cemented his status as a global star, where he held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice and led the Bullet Club stable. This foundation of technical prowess and high-flying ability made him an ideal co-founder for AEW upon its inception.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere in Osaka-jo Hall was electric on June 9, 2018, as Kenny Omega faced Kazuchika Okada in a two-out-of-three falls match at Dominion. This bout would eventually receive a seven-star rating from sports journalist Dave Meltzer, the highest rating he has ever awarded to a professional wrestling match. It was one of three times Omega earned Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year distinction. The crowd witnessed a masterpiece that solidified his reputation as an elite performer. Later, during the spring and summer of 2021, Omega achieved a historic feat by holding the AEW World, Impact World, and AAA Mega titles simultaneously as a triple champion. His dominance continued into 2025 when he won the International Championship in March, becoming AEW's inaugural Grand Slam champion after previously securing the Triple Crown in September 2022 with the World Trios title.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking to understand Kenny Omega's career should note his extensive history across independent and major promotions. He began on the Canadian circuit, winning the PCW Heavyweight Championship in 2003 and the PCW Tag Team Championship in 2004. After a brief stint in WWE's developmental territory Deep South Wrestling (DSW) from 2005 to 2006, he returned to the independent scene, capturing the JAPW Heavyweight Championship in March 2008. His international success includes holding the Impact World Championship and AAA Mega Championship while performing for Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. In AEW specifically, his accomplishments include two reigns with the AEW World Championship, one AEW World Tag Team Championship with "Hangman" Adam Page, and two AEW World Trios Championships alongside Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. His accolades extend beyond titles; he was named Sports Illustrated's Wrestler of the Year in 2017 and topped Pro Wrestling Illustrated's top 500 male wrestlers list in both 2018 and 2021.

Did You Know?

• Kenny Omega received a seven-star rating from Dave Meltzer for his match against Kazuchika Okada at Dominion 6.9 in 2018, though Meltzer has since awarded higher ratings (e.g., 7.5 stars) to other matches.
• During the spring and summer of 2021, Omega held the AEW World, Impact World, and AAA Mega titles simultaneously as a triple champion.
• Before joining AEW, Omega spent five years in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2014–2019) after being scouted by NJPW and DDT officials based on his independent work.
• Omega was named Sports Illustrated's Wrestler of the Year in 2018 and topped Pro Wrestling Illustrated's top 500 male wrestlers list in both 2018 and 2021.

Kenny Omega's Championship Triumph

As of February 2019, Kenny Omega is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he serves as an active wrestler and executive vice president. He is the leader of The Elite stable and holds the AEW World Championship in his second reign.

Willow Nightingale's Historic Triple Crown

It explicitly states that Kenny Omega became AEW's inaugural Triple Crown winner in September 2022 after winning the World Trios title, and subsequently AEW's inaugural Grand Slam champion by winning the International Championship in March 2025.

The Painmaker's No Holds Barred Vendetta

However, it confirms that during the spring and summer of 2021, Kenny Omega held the AEW World, Impact World, and AAA Mega titles simultaneously as a triple champion.

AEW's Expansion into Montreal

The source states that Tyson Smith was born in Winnipeg on October 16, 1983, and grew up in the city's Transcona suburb. It does not contain information regarding AEW's expansion into Montreal.