Rocky Romero: Kenny Omega Reaching Out Was A Big Step In The Right Direction Towards An AEW-NJPW Working Relationship

Following KENTA's appearance on AEW Dynamite back in February, it emerged that All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling had formed a working relationship.

Relations between AEW and NJPW had previously been frosty due to The Elite leaving New Japan to found the North American promotion with Tony Khan and NJPW management were particularly upset about Kenny Omega's resignation, who had been IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Jon Moxley being IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion was ultimately key to a working relationship between AEW and NJPW being formed, but Rocky Romero has revealed Kenny Omega reaching out to New Japan was a "big step in the right direction."

"It kind of started with [Chris] Jericho [AEW/NJPW crossover], obviously [Jon] Moxley being a guy who's important to both companies and Moxley always wanting to do something and kind of being that main focal point because obviously, he wasn't really mixed up into the drama of what was going on between AEW and New Japan and wrestlers, whatever and then the third big component I feel like besides Tony [Khan] was obviously Kenny [Omega]," Romero said on the Battleground Podcast.

"Kenny being a part of it and kind of Kenny - Kenny was one of the ones who reached out first and just said, 'Hey, I know Moxley and KENTA have this thing and I'm doing this...' Obviously he had a big rivalry with Moxley as well so you know, Moxley being the focal point... so you know, obviously Kenny and New Japan had their issues as he left New Japan to join AEW and I think - so that was a big step in the right direction and obviously Kenny is incredible at what he does," Rocky continued.

"He's literally one of the best, he's a true pro and obviously to see the grand picture, he was the one that kind of who helped facilitate that amongst, I guess, probably at least the EVPs, you know?"

Since the working relationship was formed, several NJPW talents have appeared in AEW. Eddie Kingston has also made his NJPW debut on Strong, while AEW's Lance Archer defeated Moxley for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship before he dropped the gold to Hiroshi Tanahashi in August.

H/T to POST Wrestling