Felix Upton on July 4, 2025
Tony Khan isn’t holding back when it comes to hyping up AEW’s biggest match on American soil yet—Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada to crown the first-ever Unified AEW Champion.
The AEW President spoke to TMZ Sports this week and made it clear this is more than just a title match—it’s the realization of a dream years in the making.
Khan reflected on how far AEW has come, especially in building the partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling, which made this dream match possible.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to have Kenny Omega, the AEW International Champion, versus Kazuchika Okada, the AEW Continental Champion, in this unification match to crown the first-ever unified AEW Champion. It is years in the making, and the rivalry between Kenny Omega and Okada — it is truly special. It’s one of the greatest rivalries in wrestling, and I believe in sports. And as a fan, I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait for Omega versus Okada. When we launched AEW, I couldn’t even dream that we’d be in this position.”
Khan admitted that back when AEW first launched in 2019, they didn’t even have the rights to show footage of the classic Omega vs. Okada matches from NJPW. But now, thanks to their growing partnership, that footage is front and center in the build to this unification bout.
“And the partnership we’ve been able to build with New Japan Pro Wrestling — it’s very special. At the beginning, we didn’t have all this footage. When we put the six-minute video package together with the history of Omega versus Okada, and all the great footage of their matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling, that was so special to me. We didn’t have any of that footage when we launched AEW. And I dreamed of someday being able to show those matches and build to Omega versus Okada for the first time ever on American soil.”
The July 12 showdown at AEW All In: Texas will mark the first time Omega and Okada clash in an AEW ring in the U.S.—with both men putting their championships on the line to crown the first-ever Unified AEW Champion.
“It’s going to happen, and it’s going to be to crown the first-ever unified AEW Champion — Kenny Omega versus Kazuchika Okada. It is one of the greatest rivalries ever in wrestling, and we’re bringing it to pay-per-view in America for the first time ever next weekend, next Saturday afternoon, July 12th. You can be there in person, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas — one of the greatest wrestling markets in the world.”
AEW’s All In: Texas card is already stacked with major title matches and huge stakes, but it’s clear Omega vs. Okada is the one Khan—and most fans—see as history in the making.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
What’s your take—is Omega vs. Okada the biggest AEW match ever on U.S. soil? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
July 4, 2025 7:28 am
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