Felix Upton on September 24, 2025
The online tension between WWE and AEW supporters just got reignited—this time with Gail Kim at the center and Kenny Omega jumping into the fray.
It all started when Gail Kim responded to a fan on X/Twitter asking her thoughts on Jim Cornette’s controversial takes on Asian female wrestlers. She requested examples and was sent a playlist of Cornette’s commentary on AEW’s Riho. After reviewing some of the clips, Kim shared her stance.
She explained that her issue wasn’t with Cornette’s views on wrestling style, but rather his personal attacks. Still, she admitted she found Riho’s overall presentation difficult to watch.
“The only issue that I had was that he made a comment about her teeth. I will say, and I haven’t watched AEW in a very long time, but when I did watch Riho… I did feel uncomfortable watching her because the camera shots would go up her skirt and she was always dressed like a very little girl and it felt improper.”
Kim went on to clarify that she prefers a more grounded presentation of in-ring work and finds certain wrestlers more believable than others.
“I am also into very believable wrestling… and it was very hard for me to believe a little girl that was being portrayed of that size was fighting the women they had in that division. To put it into context, I find Io, Mia, Asuka, Kairi, and Lei Ying to be more believable and I don’t feel uncomfortable watching.”
That opened the door to online backlash, especially given Kim’s legacy and her work backstage. Some fans questioned why she didn’t raise believability issues when she faced Awesome Kong or helped book Tessa Blanchard as Impact World Champion. Kim didn’t back down from that either.
“There are times when there are tiny wrestlers who don’t look believable against bigger wrestlers at times. That’s just the nature of our business so get over it.”
Critics also raised concerns over Kim commenting on Riho’s “schoolgirl” presentation despite the wrestler being 28 years old at the time. Kim clarified that her opinion was based on what she saw during “a few shows” and emphasized it was just that—her opinion. Still, Kim made sure to show support for AEW’s women’s roster as a whole.
“I love Toni Storm. I think she’s doing the best work of her career; I like Kris Statlander; but I do want to watch more. I have a bias with Deonna [Purrazzo] so I wish they would do more with her too.”
But the drama didn’t end there.
On Sept. 24, AEW’s Kenny Omega took what appeared to be a shot at Kim with a cryptic post referencing tribalism in wrestling.
“Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket…”
Although he didn’t name Kim, fans immediately connected the dots. Riho, who has stepped away from social media due to online bullying, has been one of Omega’s longtime allies from his days working in Japan and forming ties with the joshi scene. Omega has also publicly clashed with Cornette before.
Kim fired back, clearly believing Omega was aiming at her.
“If you’re trying to beat around the bush and misinterpret things like the rest of the yahoos, let me clarify that you are wrong.”
She also said she would apologize if Omega wasn’t referring to her, adding:
“With all the tribalistic crazies out yesterday misinterpreting things, I was yes, assuming so.”
For those keeping score at home, Gail Kim has never been shy about her issues with WWE, was once fired from TNA under current president Carlos Silva, and is married to celebrity chef Robert Irvine. She doesn’t exactly need clout or cash.
In the end, the war of opinions is just more fuel for the ever-burning tribalism between wrestling promotions. Whether you agree with Kim, Omega, or neither—this back-and-forth lit up the timeline like only pro wrestling drama can.
Where do you stand on Gail Kim’s comments about Riho and the current AEW women’s roster? Do you think Omega was out of line, or just defending a friend? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
September 24, 2025 7:37 pm
Disqus Comments Loading...