Kenny Omega Says Gabe Kidd Match at Wrestle Dynasty Would’ve Been a Perfect Final Bout

Kenny Omega has opened up about the possibility of retirement—and revealed that his match against Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty earlier this year could have marked the end of his career.

In a reflective interview with Hiroshi Tanahashi on NJPW WORLD, Omega admitted that stepping into the Tokyo Dome in January 2025 felt like a potential final chapter following his battle with diverticulitis. The bout saw Omega go one-on-one with Gabe Kidd in the semi-main event of the joint NJPW, AEW, STARDOM, ROH, and CMLL super show.

“Honestly, I’ve been thinking about retirement since my illness. Like, how would I want things to end,” Omega said. “If my stomach was really bad, I think that Wrestle Dynasty Gabe Kidd match honestly would have been a good end. But I won, and I was happy with the performance. It would have been a good last match, but I felt I could still go, so it’ll be a little while yet (before I retire).”

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion acknowledged that the crowd’s energy helped spark his own realization that he wasn’t quite finished just yet.

Hiroshi Tanahashi—who was on commentary for the match—shared how emotionally powerful the match was for him personally.

“That match was very emotional for me. Japan and U.S., you’re a top guy,” Tanahashi said. “But Gabe is still on the rise, but he’s a great wrestler.”

Omega echoed the sentiment and praised Kidd’s ability to create real emotional moments in the ring.

“Hungry, passionate, and he makes you feel, you know?” Omega replied. “I really felt the emotion of the people in that match…”

Tanahashi even admitted, “I was really moved. I cried a little.”

Tanahashi’s own retirement match is just months away. He’s scheduled to step away from the ring in January 2026 at Wrestle Kingdom 20, though his opponent has yet to be revealed.

Kenny Omega’s future might still be uncertain, but one thing is clear—Wrestle Dynasty reminded him that his story isn’t over just yet.

Do you think Kenny Omega still has a run left in him before hanging it up for good? Or should that match with Gabe Kidd have been his curtain call? Drop your thoughts below.