Kenny Omega’s press conference after Strong Style Evolved in Long Beach on Sunday night (Mar. 25) wasn’t exactly what you’d expect from a man who just won a criticially acclaimed main event beside his best friend and Golden Lovers partner Kota Ibushi.
It was what you’d expect from someone who was in the midst of a multi-layered storyline which has a long way to go (including to WrestleMania weekend’s Supercard of Honor XII show where he’ll face Cody Rhodes):
“What’s the takeaway from this? Well, the takeaway is that I fought with all of my heart today, and that’s sort of what I’ve been all about from 2016 onward. You know, telling these stories - from the heart. And now it’s gone to a dark place where I even fight against my friends and my family. I wish I could have stood here with Ibushi - Ibushi’s even concussed from the match. The only one left standing is me. I had this fantasy, perhaps, where all four of us would be standing in the middle of the ring - arms raised. It didn’t matter who the winner was. And even though the Golden Lovers won, that’s not even the part that matters. You know, I suppose if the fans are happy I’m happy. There’ always that part in me - the business man in me is happy. What a great crowd today - you guys were awesome. But I can’t lie. There’s a part of me that feels kind of dead. And, uh, I just... I don’t know where we go from here. I don’t know where we go.
The Golden Lovers are here to stay. No question. I suppose I meant moreso... The Bullet Club. The Elite. I wanted to work things out, and if you can’t work things out with your best friends - someone you’ve known for a decade... I mean, maybe Cody’s right? Maybe I’m not suitable to be leader. I don’t know. All I can do right now is focus on the postive. And the postive is the growing fan base. You know I really feel like, as a worldwide thing, New Japan is doing fantastic and I’m so glad to be put in these matches. But it’s been emotionally taxing and I’m just thankful that Ibushi’s there with me and has my back for all this. But as far as The Elite, The Bullet Club? It feels we’re far from coming to terms with that.”
What’s your takeaway, Cagesiders?