Jim Cornette Reviews Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 17

From Episode 464 of the Jim Cornette Experience
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@Andrewkroesen]

It took a full Sephiroth cosplay for Jim to finally understand Kenny Omega.

[@Rithysak101]

Sephiroth too powerful.

[@TomFoolery350]

🎶SEPHIROTH🎶

[@messey12]

LOL

[@shibammitra6574]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ronmichaels9206]

It really did😂

[@anachronologist2017]

Jim having the grace to give Omega some legit recognition is the Christmas Miracle no one asked but got anyway. Here's to a good year. Peace, love & wrestling!

[@IndieClox]

FACE TURN!

[@bileductable]

Love him or hate him, Jim almost always gives credit where it's due.

[@notoriousphenom]

Kenny vs Osprey was a classic match jim only talks sht because its not mjf or ftr

[@shadycnetwork]

@@notoriousphenom I listen to Jim cornette because I like him. Right now pro wrestling sucks these days. I don't care if somebody has a 10 star match. The ratings are at an all time low for all wrestling companies. I'm going to be honest it's because nobody likes the snowflake crap. Pro wrestling is not supposed to be easily offended. It's supposed to be offensive. People who didn't even like wrestling watched during the attitude era because of the sexy factor. They could do that today but they refuse to because they're catering to easily offended delicate little snowflakes who are so afraid of seeing naked women lol. It's true. The snowflakes really don't like the female form.

[@thekursedone760]

🤣 ... a good year?... a good year? they are starving us, slowly suffocating us, and in some states collecting rain water is becoming illegal. All that leaves is the sun. Once they have/control that. They own the world.. good on you for being a optimist tho 🙃👍

[@tilly888]

Kenny fits japan wayyy more then he fits his own company

[@Hellwolf36]

That was my tought after I saw this and New YEar's Dash. Kenny knew how to attract the Japanese and had NJPW and Gedo's structure to balance his negatives.

[@sionrouge1697]

@@Hellwolf36 By definition NJPW has always been the type of company that supplies the ring and wrestlers provide the match. There's no angles or stories that lead to matches.

[@christianquiles8711]

Facts

[@valentineX1X]

Thats because he's not writing his own shit. There's a reason actors need directors and someone else to write the script.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

Because adults are running New Japan.

[@chikowashere]

This is the Kenny that we need in AEW, just drop the job squad and have him be a solo guy.

[@FreeThinkAlways]

Please no. The countless move after move being kicked out of.. the flips and dives..the no selling.. the fake slow set up moves from high spots urgh its unbearable. Its like watching a bad Street fighter game

[@exiaR2x78]

@@FreeThinkAlways I play street fighter 🤣 its more like a jrpg or shonen anime fight

[@CynicallyObnoxious]

@@exiaR2x78 THAT is where the disconnect comes from me I like wrestling in my pro wrestling Japan has a ton of it but some of the stuff they do doesnt translate to western audiences

[@exiaR2x78]

@CynicallyObnoxious the false finishes being over the top and looking more devastating then the actual finish is a big issue in modern wrestling in general not just limited to Japan. It goes back decades at this point, ever heard that low ki story where he ko's his opponent? I just used games and anime fight sequence as an example cause its more fitting compared to a fighting game.

[@patmoar7242]

He can stay in Japan if he wants.

[@Kono_D._Oda]

It's not even just the match, Kenny's presentation in NJPW compared to AEW is night and day

[@RetroGamerKev]

Never thought I'd see Cornette reviewing a match with an entrance inspired by Final Fantasy VII

[@truthtyperii7727]

Ugh nerds

[@xShoTime83x]

@@truthtyperii7727 Not only nerds, but the weebs.

[@XombieLejon66]

I never thought i'd hear Corny talk about Anime dating Sims like Hatoful Boyfriend, but here we are.

[@BigmanDogs]

@@XombieLejon66 Cornette should play it for charity 🤣

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

Professional Wrestling entrances inspired by video games. What a bunch of fucking geeks.

[@woohoo918]

Jim said years ago that NJPW keeps Omega reasonable and limits the worst aspects of his gimmick whereas AEW and the Japanese indies just let him do, and say, all the ridiculous stuff.

[@marufjaved6551]

Njpw can make anyone look cool.Look at Jonah

[@Hacksaw_HIM_Thuggin]

No lol. Japan is Kenny’s home.

[@clinttigue4726]

They didn't stop them from cosplaying Jasmine from Aladin. But all in all, I love his work at NJPW even the Bucks.

[@cosmorror3907]

@@drewburnettepodcasts no no he’s Canadian but he lived/lives in Japan

[@Hacksaw_HIM_Thuggin]

@@drewburnettepodcasts read the comment below yours

[@anachronologist2017]

I appreciate the fact that despite everything Cornett gave Kenny's entrance a thumbs up because them letting his use the actual Sephiroth theme song was pretty darn cool

[@NemesisDestroys]

You think Tony paid for the use of the song for 1 night?

[@sionrouge1697]

@@NemesisDestroys why would Tony pay for something on a new japan card ? You guys need to think before you reply

[@Kingofthekop1]

@@sionrouge1697 because he’s the money mark bruh

[@sionrouge1697]

@@Kingofthekop1 money mark for who ? Vince is the biggest money mark of all time. 15 million paid out to side puss.

[@drewburnettepodcasts]

@@Kingofthekop1 I don't like him very much. But you're reaching and sounding childish.

[@munee3000]

"The only time where two people were beating the shit out of each other and proving the wrestling business was fake at the same time." Is so hilarious!

[@jonjones9917]

i feel like jims point about them proving the business is fake it's pretty wishy washy at best. like surely he understands at this point that in the "modern match" the jake the snake ddt in the middle of ring is not going to get it done.

[@yelhsanosnhoj6602]

@@jonjones9917 no his point is all those flips and kicks and flying around and lazy “ring psychology” looks suuuuuper fake we know it’s fake but they can still make it look somewhat real but it’s like they insist on making it look fake as possible

[@stevonwhite8933]

@@yelhsanosnhoj6602hat doesn’t look fake about Hogan overselling getting bear hugged and having his back mangled, but then picking up a dude much bigger than him? The fact is, if you look at much of wrestling with a realistic view, the most realistic version is chain wrestling and catch as catch can wrestling. Everything else if you’re subjective, doesn’t look early as real.

[@stevonwhite8933]

@@JoeChianelli Nope, I love watching Flair vs Steamboat, Steamboat vs Macho Man, The Funks going crazy, Misawa vs Hansen etc. Difference is, I’m not close minded to wrestling no matter the eras.

[@juliotorres3147]

@@jonjones9917 and that makes it fake. What’s so hard to understand

[@Candies69]

We gotta agree that Kenny in Japan is totally different version compared to AEW

[@theaterthug7]

Anyone with a brain can see it dude.

[@robertanderson1690]

I mean you have to agree because the guy that tells you how to think told you so.

[@KOHoxton]

@@robertanderson1690 i mean. As a longtime viewer of NJPW. It seems like it's the only time Kenny cares, I've stopped watching AEW/WWE, so maybe Kenny improved something since, but it seems like he barely gives a fuck in America lol.

[@MP-py1ei]

@@KOHoxton I recon he is told to slow down on tv

[@KOHoxton]

@@MP-py1ei I'd be surprised if anyone in AEW has ever told anyone to slow down. Ngl.

[@phurzzz8101]

new Japan Kenny is WAYYY better than AEW Kenny.

[@juniorkhomari1850]

Infinitely better

[@fhb3]

Can we get NJPW Kenny Omega instead of AEW Kenny Olivier?

[@mrpink99]

True, but isn't that damning with faint praise, like being the tallest midget?

[@truuflight1142]

I’d even put impact Kenny over aew Kenny

[@Fencellisk]

NJPW matches are better simply by slowing matches down and letting everything breathe. That means more emotion, storytelling, and better selling.

[@apostateangel]

Jim is going to loose his mind when he finds out that uncle Dave said they were holding stuff back in this match for the ‘big one’ 😂

[@kamalakannan9389]

😅😅😅

[@BlackBearNE]

Omega vs. Osprey Best of Eleven each week on Dynamite for the next three months.

[@ronmichaels9206]

@@BlackBearNE good one😂

[@Julian-xj6mh]

Lose*

[@FatLadyKiller]

It’s spelled LOSE Jesus Christ why can no one spell that fuckin word?

[@DM72513]

NJPW's camera work is #1 and criticizing it seems perplexing.

[@elitedrigo3400]

As a big FF7 fan I fucking lost it when Jim said “bird wing” when talking about Omegas entrance 😂😂😂

[@mapsgoonthewall5396]

🤣

[@hughmorris2078]

An alternate universe exists where Kenny Omega never screws around on Corny and ¡Delirious! when they booked him for ROH. This Omega is hated by Dave Meltzer, has been wwe champion 3x and bangs Stacey when he visits the castle to talk too Jim

[@averylargecrow]

Ha ha ha

[@donnieburgess8488]

New Japan Kenny Omega is the Omega I wanted in AEW. He’s had good matches in AEW, but he’s a whole different animal in New Japan. He’s more serious, much better matches, way better presentation. This Kenny Omega would make tons of money with CM Punk.

[@Fernando_Tatis_Jr_propaganda]

If Kenny was by himself in AEW he would of done what’s best for business and have Punk back. I get the feeling the real problem is Matt Jackson

[@SR20FTW]

Osprey doesn't get enough credit. The guy has what seems like unlimited talent.

[@twobrosgamers8426]

This is honestly a match that benefits a LOT happening in New Japan instead of AEW

[@henriklarssen1331]

It mostly benefited from Kenny being finaly without injury. He was injured even before he left NJPW.

[@ReservedSpot]

@@henriklarssen1331 Even a virtigo’d Kenny was having this level of match with Naito at the time

[@henriklarssen1331]

@@ReservedSpot I mean first, beside Kenny i would say Okada, Naito and Ospreay are also one of the best 5 or 10 Wrestler in the World. So it helps having one of the best with you in the Ring. Also his injury got worse every Years, o its even a surprise that he had so many great Matches in that state. But from now on i expect him to have alot more great Matches than before.

[@JaculaDudek]

Matches like that is what gave New Japan so much hype during "bullet club era", not mass hysteria like Jim loves to say. Nakamura, Okada, AJ, Omega, Tanahashi, also Goto, Shibata, Ishii, Suzuki, Kushida .... Those people gave a lot of good matches on a more regular basis than Wwe used to give. And more importantly ... Those guys were in their prime (most of them) and it happened 4-6 years ago - there is a reason why japanese wrestlers that show in aew worse than they wrestled during their best.

[@FreeThinkAlways]

Are you saying this was good? Countless move after move being kick out of.. boring pointless tables.. fake looking high spots that take 30 seconds to set up.. no selling.. flips and dives.. urgh its unbearable. 6 stars from Dave for this is embarassing. That clown never gave a Kurt Angle match even 5 stars. Heck this garbage somehow got give more stars than the rock vs hogan.

[@JaculaDudek]

@@FreeThinkAlways good? Better than anything they did in aew. Meltzer stars? Miss me with that nonsense.

[@FreeThinkAlways]

@@JaculaDudek It's the same thing as AEW it's a kenny match. Tables.. dives... 1000 kick outs..silly faces..no selling.. what's different?

[@exiaR2x78]

The mass hysteria is more referring to the bucks. Japan didnt give a fuck about them they were a small part of a faction that was massively over. There role was similar to that of nwo b squad during that era while AJ was the leader. Nakamura vs AJ at wk in 2016 was such a good match made me suspend disbelief

[@maklame3318]

@@JaculaDudek he didnt mention meltzer or stars once. Take your meds.

[@SairajRKamath]

I think Omega and Ospreay's outfits are so elaborate because video games and anime have more influence in and around Japan than ever before. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if one or both of them or even the company had a tie-in with a video game or anime in this event.

[@Noobie2k7]

I mean in Japan it feels like Entrance attire always plays a much bigger part than over here. Especially when it comes to elaborate robes and coats. Then there's Suzuki who just comes out with a towel on his head and "KAZA NI NARE!!". . .

[@KOHoxton]

NJPW has had a few deals with Tekken. Had BC shirts in the Games, plus their culture as a whole has a lot of connections and love for it.

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

​​@Random Fagget Rikidozan, the founder of Japan's first promotion is literally a national hero. Many of Japanese wrestlers have political careers thanks to their wrestling careers including Inoki, the founder of New Japan.

[@brysoncherry9884]

Omega was rumored for the new yakuza game.

[@micheleperrone90]

Kenny Omega worked years ago with Toby Fox aka the creator of Undertale.

[@theneedfulniche]

Cornette needs to review Ospreay's promo right before the PPV leading into this to get a better idea of the context of the match.

[@kamalakannan9389]

You're right

[@Kyush4]

And the post match interviews of Will and jay

[@MrShinTensei]

Yup yup they were great

[@cesarcayetano530]

Then he wouldn’t be able to say wtf were they doing. Jim is more or less set on what he considers good. Ospreay and Omega killed it.

[@alexatl89]

I really wish Jim would have reviewed Okada vs White. He would have loved that match.

[@sionrouge1697]

That was a horrible match. Mid way both gave up and it showed

[@jonjones9917]

@@sionrouge1697 A story four years in the making, Kazuchika Okada versus Jay White was a match that had an unenvious task ahead of it. Not only was it following the early leading MOTY contender, but it had to put the finishing touches on a storyline that began with promised betrayal and spent nearly half a decade growing into what it currently is. And these two delivered a genuinely outstanding match when they could've easily been the second coming of Randy Orton vs. Triple H having to follow Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker. White may very well be the best counter wrestler in the industry today and Okada simply lives for the big moments. I call that a match made in wrestling heaven. These two beat the hell out of one another while telling an incredible story that was essentially the polar opposite of what we had seen in the match prior. While Ospreay was desperate to prove he had surpassed Omega by doing what he had never done before, White was out to do the same by simply doing what he had done in 80% of his previous tries. Wrestle Kingdom Okada is simply a different type of competitor. For all of his heel tactics, that made White an almost sympathetic figure-until he made us hate him again within half a second of feeling that sympathy. White was 4-1 against Okada in singles competition and has received a fraction of the praise that The Rainmaker receives for leading this company-and that lack of acclaim has driven him mad. The only thing that had driven White even crazier: The fact that, despite being able to defeat Okada, he was never able to break him. Rocky Romero compared White to Triple H on commentary, funnily enough, and I actually find that to be the perfect comparison. He has a counter for everything because he plans his offense around the moves of his opponents rather than his own desire for innovation. And he knows just what buttons to push to get under an opponent's skin. He truly is New Japan's Cerebral Assassin. Unfortunately, Okada is one of the few counterpunchers who can match White-and whatever he may lack in violent inclinations he more than makes up for with sheer determination and will. I think this match was doomed to be under-appreciated-and, in front of a crowd with less energy given what previously transpired, less than elevated by a raucous Tokyo Dome. Plus, I think there will be a bit of a curve when it comes to breaking habits as far as fans who have been attending live shows finally being able to cheer again is concerned. Keep in mind: Those live show viewing habits were learned over a much longer period of time in Japan than in the U.S. Another topic for another day, I suppose. That said, Okada vs. White was a brilliant final chapter in their current story arc and I truly cannot wait to see what is next for both. Wrestle Kingdom was awesome and these two played a massive part in that. from reddit user heelturnsheadlocks

[@sionrouge1697]

@@jonjones9917 I'm not saying it was trash I'm just saying that after watching this sport (I SAID SPORT) For 37 years now you can tell when wrestlers are like HELL NAH. Like JIM said whoever follows Kenny vs Will had a problem. I don't care who it was. It was to athletic and to much of a battle.

[@josiahboatengmyrie]

It was an ok match not great not awful I would have preferred Jay to win but I know why Okada won

[@Squirtketchupallovermyhotdog]

@Jon Jones man submitted an article with that 😆

[@falagarius]

I love the production and camera angles that NJPW uses.

[@Vibe1610]

Best camera work in the business. If only WWE did similar with their angles

[@texasyoshi]

I think they really make the most with their recourses on the camera angles. It really makes it much more of a big deal.

[@UncoloredPageGaming]

I was shocked at how good the camerawork was for this match. The shot of Kenny pulling up Will’s arms as Will goes “f*ck you” was perfect

[@darthtyranous4514]

Bro the legendary Will Ospreay and Ibushi top rope hurricurina counter to landing it was incredible.

[@mapsgoonthewall5396]

It's good but they did totally miss the "Here's Kenny!" moment.

[@Akainu-is-OP]

Clips like these make me wish they had someone they could bring onto the show who actually knows about NJPW. So much stuff goes over their head due to lack of context

[@joshuadaniels4034]

Jim: I have nice things to say about Kenny Omega Me: clutch pearls

[@Epsilonsama]

NJPW really goes out with their production on the Jan 4th Tokyo Dome shows. In fact many of their Big Shows also have some production put in as well and each show looks unique as well. But about WK, yea their shows do look grander than recent WrestleManias. I always love seeing what will NJPW do with their production in the Tokyo Dome each year and WK17 did not dissapoint.

[@kingomar69]

Are you high? I'm not the biggest WWE fan but no one comes close to matching their sense of spectacle and grandeur

[@ctmdarkonestm]

contrast with the last show they did in the US...all of New York City and they use a dingy night club

[@exiaR2x78]

Okada with the raptor entrance was so good!

[@ucey-mi2wr]

wwe packed 70,000 into a stadium to watch a very good ppv with fans that are actually reacting to what they’re seeing, and you choose to compare it to njpw 😂

[@Epsilonsama]

@@kingomar69 WWE looks too polished and clean. NJPW while looking grand still looks like an MMA or Boxing event. It's the way it's shot and produced. I feel that NJPW is how wrestling in general should look.

[@john_blues]

The dunk contest analogy was a pretty good one.

[@edwardfarnsworth5915]

You took the words out of my mouth. That was a great comparison.

[@josevillarreal5955]

Right lol. Or it's like going to an NBA game, and both teams just go back and forth down the court, taking turns doing spectacular dunks. It'd be kinda cool for the first 2 minutes. But after awhile it's like, what's the point? They're not playing basketball. And then to have some weirdo, delusional analyst after the show try and tell us it's the greatest style of basketball ever. Its ridiculous.

[@john_blues]

@@josevillarreal5955 Like if every game was the All Star game.

[@DaveP81]

The Tokyo Dome does not hold 60k. They have 42k stadium seats and they allow up to 4k for standing room only for the Tokyo Giants baseball games. Floor seating for wrestling is 7k max.

[@jasonmccrank4981]

Danielson and Omega need to be the two main event rivals in AEW. It's been well over a year and they've only met once and it's still AEW's finest match... granted, that's probably because Kenny got seriously injured.

[@sionrouge1697]

Have to go easy with Brian. He's very fragile. Concussions are all too real for him. One V trigger or an onward landing on the OWA and that could be it.

[@travismckoy2564]

thank you! I've been saying that to my friends for the longest time ,yes I'm bias because I was at the building for that match but man your so right

[@ronmichaels9206]

They only fought once?

[@JusRed48]

@@ronmichaels9206 Yeah they had that hype match that went to time limit

[@JusRed48]

It's really weird to me how Tony picks what matches/feuds to pull the trigger on instantly and which he wants to let slow cook. I know there have been injuries and stuff but Bryan and Omega feels like it should've had a runback by now.

[@danielcraig4974]

I see what crafty Corny is up to. If he can convince Omega he is better in Japan he might stay there lol. Good one Jim.

[@fatalsniper3413]

Big slick Jim

[@aniketpaul01355]

As if Kenny gives two shits about what some homophobic cunt may or may not think about him

[@wilhawkins8245]

He had positivity for Omega, I almost passed out.

[@dustypirate28]

Everything Jim mentioned at the start about WrestleKingdom is why I love it more than Mania. Suzuki’s entrance with the previous version of his theme is amazing with the light production and audio.

[@texasyoshi]

One year there was a live rendition of his theme and it was a pretty cool entrance.

[@OWlsfordshire]

The entrances at WK bigger, buy only because WWE has mega cheaped out on music, titantron vids, Pyro, and the stages. The ugly generic giant LED screen really kills the show. WWE could slaughter NJPW with both presentation and star power if they cared to.

[@Ivan_against_Cuisine]

I feel like once Shawn Michaels kicked out of piledriver at Wrestlemania 25, all younger wrestlers got obsessed with that spot and keep trying to replicate this moment of underdog defiance to this day. Unfortunately, people forgot the main detail - Shawn Michaels kicked out of a big move once. At Wrestlemania. Now it happens everywhere on almost every show. Cool moves are fun to watch, but it is hard to care about the outcome when guys in the match act invincible.

[@DillyDilly13]

I shit you not, I JUST said this on the latest video.

[@kaustavkakati1829]

Finally someone said it finally

[@YeTism]

Kenny is legitimately talented. I just wish he was more serious

[@george.vasilev.reyner1916]

5:28-6:17 BOOM! goes the dynamite! This is what the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega's whole thing has ALWAYS been.

[@stephenzevetchin]

But it's gay and infantile

[@wh5601]

Exactly the same with Bray Wyatt and all his spooky stuff. Guy wants to be a Hollywood horror director/actor and uses wrestling to live out his dream

[@Yogaflame911]

@@wh5601 not even close but nice try

[@maklame3318]

@@Yogaflame911 it actually makes more sense in the context of wyatt

[@vitari]

Compliments for Kenny Omega......it truly is a New Year.

[@oN3xShOtxkilL]

I’ll say this, as a guy who grew up on FF7 I popped hard for that sephiroth theme playing and the entrance

[@burkinatorousable]

I enjoy that Jim wants some defense in the Slam Dunk contest.

[@Will_kid_cortez]

Would make it more interesting lol

[@mlo009]

Big guy gets dunked on makes it better.

[@shopjessemarket]

"Who's the babyface? Who's the heel? Ppl were just cheering for moves."

[@leeberry689]

Just saw this on AXSTV and DAMN, it was high impact and brutal. Kenny should be more like this in AEW. Ospreay took a beating.

[@alexchapman8927]

They aired this on AXS?

[@leeberry689]

@@alexchapman8927 yes they did right after Impact this week.

[@The_Black_Market]

I wonder if Jim is aware or not that the whole one-winged angel gimmick is actually 100% based on a video game character 🤣

[@robertanderson1690]

He literally said that was his assumption?

[@messey12]

I can hear him now: "why in the hell is there more than ONE 'Final Fantasy'?"

[@joeclarke7982]

@@messey12 lmao

[@DropkickNation]

Who cares?

[@The_Black_Market]

@Dropkick Nation Clearly you care a lot about this channel. 113 comments on this channel alone, most of which are filled with negativity and combativeness. YOU CARE, dick breath.

[@klawstecno2083]

Jim would loved the promo on the Wrestle Kingdom Press Conference that Ospreay did,it was very good!

[@pleaseshutup7053]

No

[@EliC09]

Too many curse words cheapened Will’s promo

[@ElmoKnowsWhereYouLive5150]

@@EliC09🎯

[@sionrouge1697]

@@EliC09 ALL THE TIME. Fuck is his favorite word and that's all he knows how to say. It's horrible. His accent is horrible and his promo is horrible.

[@Sky_Blaze]

He said c*not a hundred times it sucked

[@wildwine6400]

Kenny Omega is a live action anime character

[@ronmichaels9206]

Exactly. A video game/anime character that happens to be a wrestler

[@john_savage]

Hogan actually worked matches in Japan. What he did in the US was basically phoning it in for 20 years, but when he went over there, he showed he knew how to work.

[@Julian-666]

NJPW takes wrestling as a sport more serious than the American companies. But the japanese indy shows are completely nuts... literally unwatchable

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

Hogan didn't "phone it in" when he was in States. He worked with a limited moveset in the states because his gimmick didn't require him to be Bret Hart to be over. Kids and adults back then didn't care nearly as much about someone being a technical wizard like the ppl who obsess over someone's workrate today.

[@john_savage]

@@decepticonxhunter4850 You sound young. Even then, we all knew Hogan was a fraud. The super young kids fell for Hulkamania, teens and adults made fun of him.

[@KillingSpreeXLWDGNG]

@@john_savageullshit, if that were the case hogans pops would sound hi pitched like Cena’s. Hogan pops were universal, man woman and child. Maybe you and your precursor to the internet buddies were iwc nerds and thought you were cool by making fun of him but Hogan was universal with casuals.

[@MrFoxxx47]

Jim is way off when he says Ospreay has no personality, you can't make that statement off of just seeing one match of his lol.

[@GregHuffman1987]

The best part was when Kenny lifted Ospray onto his shoulders and said "thats it, its Omegin' Time!" And did two front front flips into the 1 Wing Angel. As the ref goes to count the 3 ,the camera pans so you see the look on Dave Meltzer's face as he meltz in his pants.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Damn, hook me up with your supplier. Imagination that good only comes with chemical assistance.

[@reazuddinkazi6716]

The guy who played Street fighter when he was 14 vs the guy who played Assassins Creed when he was 14.

[@theothesir]

Accurate assessment.

[@ahyashrawchaa1310]

That's spot on

[@ronmichaels9206]

True

[@greensrusal]

This is Jim putting Kenny over, as well as he will ever be able to do

[@MJfp6lx]

Why does Jim keep calling Kenny's style "video game wrestling". Did he not watch triple H and William reagle use flying Knees? Does he know that electric chair slams have been a thing in wrestling since the 80s? Or the snap dragon suplexes,dropkicks,piledrivers are all moves that have been used for decades?.

[@StuntmanXX24]

They just used to wwe style of wrestling

[@stonetic2515]

Official Observer Ratings Math: Took place in Japan: +3 stars minimum Had Kenny Omega in it: +4 stars minimum Went more than half an hour: +2 stars minimum I can only conclude that this is at least a 9 star out of 5 match.

[@Hellwolf36]

Memeltzer's creaming in his pants!

[@EliC09]

Made Meltzer cream his pants: +4 stars

[@JamesJohnson-tr1gu]

Meltzer gave the damn match almost 7 stars...he gave it like 6 1/2 or Six and three quarters stars...something absurd like that

[@josevillarreal5955]

I watched a highlight reel of this match. It looked like 2 guys randomly interlocking limbs, jumping up and crashing down in unison, then flopping around overselling. It was so fast, so many convoluted looking "moves" It literally didnt look like anything. Just two people having oddly choreographed seizures. In no way in any universe is that match "better" than anything that Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels or Randy Savage (i could go on and on) have ever done.

[@yoholmes273]

Meltzer popped a Viagra prior to the match, guaranteed.

[@Nediablo]

This match reminded me of why I actually used to enjoy Omega. I have not enjoyed much of anything in AEW but this match shows to me that it wasn't just Okada carrying him. And Osprey was just bloody fantastic.

[@latinonoir]

"I have not enjoyed much of anything in AEW " I really don't get that level of hatred for the company.

[@Nediablo]

@@latinonoir I don't hate it at all! There's things I've enjoyed but it's usually overtaken by stuff I just don't like about pro wrestling. Mainly the way the stories are planned out (usually not at all) by Tony. WWE is not free from this sin! Rollins and Fiend in the Cell anyone? Rey having his eye taken out?! Horrible stuff. With AEW, it was sold as a sports based presentation but is so far from it. Orange Cassidy doing the same old same old. Wrestlers not being used (FTR). When they are used, Tony doesn't know what to do (Wardlow). And pretty much anything with the Bucks. They are awful to me in everything they do that we see and what we don't, they sound even worse. There's good there. A lot of talented people! But when the EVPs put their ego above what people want to see? There's far more bad at the moment sadly.

[@NerdieTurtle]

NJPW Omega > AEW Omega

[@andrewbryce2707]

When is Jim gonna understand that Japanese Pro-wrestling doesn't sign up 100% to the ridiculous heel can only fight vs a face. You don't see that any other combat sports so why should pro-wrestling be any different. The Japanese fans can be invested in heels and faces without the Circus nonsense. strange thing is that Jim knows this as he has seen Hansen, Brody, Vader etc etc in Japan. These guys were heels at certain points but got huge support and cheers. Some of the biggest and greatest matches of all time from Japan has had two faces fighting each other and the crowd is super hot!

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

He's stuck in the 80's that's why, he wants to see good guy vs a bad gaijing

[@ayyotee9908]

I’m telling you, the Young Bucks are holding Kenny back. “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega is who he has to be to get over.

[@josephspeak6366]

Absolutely, new Japan murder Kenny is the best Kenny.

[@d4rkaraik]

The story and the buildup was amazing and so was the match. I was a complete newbie when it came to NJPW and I am hooked after WK17. The Kenny you get in NJPW is so different I want to cheer for him. In AEW he is very meh. In saying that I have become a Will "Ostrich" mark after that match.

[@Eperdomo86]

wow Jim Cornette enjoyed a Kenny Omega match, Hell has frozen over

[@novideostoday]

Enjoyed? I'm 25 minutes into the video and all he does is complain how unrealistic the match was and how it made no sense.

[@Eperdomo86]

@@novideostoday you didn't notice the backhanded compliments?

[@mattcornford1]

Will is really great, and yeah I hate all the gymnastics too, but funny how people forget, last year Osprey faced Dax in a very very good wrestling match on AEW. The man can do it all, and when he wrestles he’s fantastic, just doesn’t do it enough. Jim also needs to see his promos

[@darthtyranous4514]

@@NhBleker true I realized that after he got a personality shift like 2020-ish. He can go…

[@stevonwhite8933]

I wish mfs would stop disrespecting Lucha Libre, by calling it gYmNaStiCs. If you got a bias, that’s fine. But don’t disrespect whole arts of wrestling, that defers from what you grew up watching.

[@kilo2492]

Do Jim and Bryan realize all the names of Kenny's moves come from video games?

[@RichLuciano1]

Of coarse not. This is wrestling.

[@drewski103]

"Ominous music" The Sephiroth theme is amazing

[@therealnmg]

Kenny has his faults, however his in his element in Japan. I just wish he stays there.

[@UpUpBobby]

"The Cleaner" has to be the lamest nickname of all time.

[@UnexpectedDanger]

In what way. Can I introduce you to the boogieman? sexual chocolate?

[@holo0667]

jim's analysis is the equivalent of somebody looking at a painting of a bridge, pulling a blueprint for an actual bridge and asking why it's so different.

[@CrystalFissure]

Absolutely nailed it. He is talentless as an analyst, genuinely.

[@meganzor-el3601]

i loved the sephiroth entrance

[@iHateStevenRice]

That entrance was fire

[@TNTGFX]

You know it was a good match when Cornette of all people starts praising Ospreay and Omega.

[@SamsarasArt]

5:27 pretty much. He's trying to be Sephiroth from final fantasy 7. The wing, the outfit, the name of his finishing move are all references to that character

[@MegaMijit]

"hitting eachother for real, but proving the business is fake" lol

[@DillyDilly13]

Such a Cornette sentence

[@MegaMijit]

@@DillyDilly13 ikr and he has a point

[@UnexpectedDanger]

while corney exposes the business every week on his podcast

[@znalniaskas]

That's the thing with Omega, you can get something out of him in a serious enviorment with a serious guy. He's a decent dance partner who can work in a legit enviorment.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

As The Backstreet Boys manager once said "Boys, there's a reason why we don't let you write the songs..." If Omega would listen to Corny and the other legends who made the business, he could be great. Problem is, he won't listen.

[@ennbee2051]

@@bipolarminddroppings (Sigh) As usual Bruce, you are right. Though I hate to admit it, because I just wanna fight.

[@alazkaalazka6087]

Omega vs Danielson perfect example

[@zlinedavid]

@@alazkaalazka6087 That’s the absolutely perfect example. That actually looked like wrestling. Like a combat sport. If we could turn back the clock 35 years, put Omega in the ring with Steamboat or Flair and you’d get gold. Omega vs 1987 Randy Savage would be an all timer….just so long as Omega wasn’t the one calling/planning the match. He’s a good enough athlete and looks like a good enough athlete that he can pull it off. You can’t say that about his little buddies the Hardly’s. Omega vs Savage….Randy would get him in size but it’s believable enough. The Bucks vs the Road Warriors? Or the Steiners? Please.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

Omega having the best matches of the last 10 years Jim Cornette dickriders : he's a decent dance partner

[@Manvsbeargettinfood]

Jim complimenting Kenny. What a world

[@patale1640]

I like when NJPW go wide and they zoom in chaotically to the two combatants in the ring.

[@jesterr7133]

Lol. Listening to Jim's description of this match, it is exactly what I expected it to be.

[@Noobie2k7]

I feel like after this Kenny will realise that he should just return to Japan full time. Omega is a showy wrestle who loves the big matches and entrances and being on weekly TV on AEW does nothing but weaken him as a talent. Kenny has always been nothing more than a big match wrestler. Same with Okada, if Okada was appearing on a show every week wrestling job guys then hid entire appeal would very quickly fizzle out.

[@misterf7299]

Kenny making that “funny face” made me smile so hard, it was great.

[@AdityaSingh-gb2lk]

Guys this was actually Jim's brother Kim Jornette reviewing this match

[@RandallBalls]

Him calling Will "ostrich" just reeks of envy. I hate Corny. What kind of Southerner is a hardcore liberal?

[@NoBadsign]

Cornette being positive about an Omega vs Ospreay match in Japan!? Someone pinch me!

[@aerodynamicsalamander]

Omega in Japan: bret hart Omega in America: orange cassidy with a deeper move set

[@haadtheevision]

Bret Hart knew how to throw a fucking punch and do believable kicks

[@DropkickNation]

Not even close to Hart in any way.

[@aerodynamicsalamander]

@@DropkickNation it’s an extreme to show how much better he is in Japan, but IWC is ignorant and takes everything literal

[@aerodynamicsalamander]

@@haadtheevision know shit it’s an extreme

[@sstrykert]

Don't ever sully any Hart with an analogy like that again. Thanks.

[@theonetheonlyjoey]

Always great to hear your thoughts Jim and Brian, just thought it was worth pointing out that from watching promos in the lead up to this match Omega was clearly the heel and Ospreay was the babyface But I guess Omega got a favourable reaction too because he's something of a hero in Japan and it was his first time wrestling there in quite a few years

[@dontlikenobody2306]

I didn’t watch any of it the promos. But the commentators easily made it known that Ospreay was the face

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

He's a heel to Ospreay but not to the crowd

[@IndieClox]

This is the best thing on the internet right now. I agree with you so much so often but also disagree but now.... you seem to have actually watched the match, enjoyed it and really attempted to get it, i cant get over this. so good man

[@Matt-cr4vv]

His analysis as I listen to this is how I wish he always approached these guys like the Elite. I like when Jim is willing to recognize that there may be rationale for whatever they’re choosing to do because of a different crowd or style etc. I think recognizing that they may do things you dislike and disagree with sre being done because this or that segment of people like it adds a lot of credibility to your analysis and keeps people listening to it. For instance when Jim basically evisorates people like Kenny as having no talent and the like largely because he dislikes what Kenny does it takes away from what he’s saying and gives people who don’t want to listen an excuse to brush him off as being a hater. Kenny and those like him aren’t my style at all and so I don’t consume what they put out. But at the same time just because I don’t like their style doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re talented at what it actually is that they do. And I recognize also that their product just isn’t for me but there are others who enjoy it and consume it and that’s ok. But despite it not being my taste on occasion I enjoy watching it because the athleticism is entertaining if immoderation for me. An example is I went to a live dynamite right before the pandemic shut everything down. Kenny had an iron man match with PAC that had a spot where there was a shooting star through a table for example. Not something I’d usually enjoy but it was really neat to see live and entertaining. The one thing I guess I wish would change with those like omega is possibly not going so wild on false finishes and the like so often. It would be better to me if it was rare so a match like this with a shit ton of them would be a bigger deal.

[@getschwifty9531]

@@Matt-cr4vv shut up lol

[@buttscarlton1490]

Comparing modern wrestling to the NBA dunk contest is no joke the most acute observation Jim has ever made

[@smackdowngod]

if you can get Kenny Omega away from the Young Bucks and AEW then he's GOLD!

[@via_negativa6183]

His singles matches with Pac early on and Daniel Bryan remain the best matches aew have ever put on.

[@erickmack4131]

Him vs Christian was underrated

[@daveborder7751]

Bucks & Jericho. He has had very good-great matches in AEW when he is in against serious opponents. Even at the start of the Full Gear PPV six man he was actually wrestling, then the Bucks came in & started doing their gymnastics garbage show & then he started joining in-although still to a lesser extent than them & the opposition.

[@pokehybridtrainer]

The more I look at NJPW matches with Kenny and Osprey, the more I agree with this.

[@sigmablock]

I and many others who follow Jim clearly DID NOT EXPECT Jim to review a “Wrestle Kingdom” match, a match on Japanese PPV!!! What a time to be alive folks this will be worth a listen. Edit: After listening, Jim had both praises and criticisms to both the performers and the match itself. Really worth a listen.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

99% of his criticisms were not valid, really not worth a listen, it was 30min of Jim Cornette exposing himself as being completely out of touch

[@kywo209]

@@Kr4ShSkeL So out of touch that everyone has to listen to him.

[@RichTeaChannel]

Wrestlers are the closest thing we have to real-life superhero/supervillains and Kenny embodies that fully. Every fan is asked to suspend disbelief in these post kayfabe times and to that point, Kayfabe being dead is the industry's own doing so it would be ridiculous to expect modern performers to make it look like a shoot all of the time... yes, part of me might prefer that but it's not the reality we live in so you either enjoy the modern style or don't watch. Had high expectations going into this match and they were blown out of the water. Amazing match, super engrossing with both guys representing their characters and the story perfectly. Time passed very quickly and it could easily be MOTY for 2023. Omega is the best in the game and Ospreay was with him every step of the way. 10/10

[@rjbonacolta]

Jim big mad that kenny is more over than anything he's done, but him saying someone got into wrestling to wear cool outfits is hilarious

[@kywo209]

Delusional.

[@jmnyc212]

Cornette actually praises Omega's wrestling in any capacity. What universe did I wake up in?

[@Dodong0]

When Omega has a good dance partner, Corny is fine giving him a compliment here or there.

[@williamking256]

He also said he had a great match with Danielson when he came to AEW.

[@ICON359]

@@Dodong0 omega shoe >>>> entire wwe

[@mahakalavanilla6263]

In fairness, Jim’s always said he’s a good athlete and in shape. He just has no grasp of wrestling psychology. Though he’s proven he can when he’s serious and is working with someone better than him. The Danielson match is maybe my favourite AEW bout

[@ICON359]

Even KENNY haters & aew marks can't able to deny the fact KENNY is one the best wrestler in today pro wrestling!

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

This video perfecty represents how Jim Cornette is completely out of touch and still think we're in the 80's, this match was great

[@UnexpectedDanger]

I watched this with a friend who's very new to wrestling, and my roomie who started watching 2-3 years ago, and all 3 of us enjoyed this match more than anything on the card. This was effortlessly the most interesting and exciting match. Jim has no idea what fans want; it's why he never had much success in the business.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

@@UnexpectedDanger he's just stucked in the 80's 🤷🏻‍♂️ In the 90's he was already stuck in the past when he worked for WWE, so imagin now in 2023......

[@kywo209]

@@Kr4ShSkeL Delusional.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

@@kywo209 What ? You are the delusionnal fanboy here

[@kywo209]

@@Kr4ShSkeL Keep crying and telling yourself that.

[@juniorkhomari1850]

There exists 2 types of Omegas. New japan and AEW Kenny who doesn't seem to give a shit about anything. Goddamn I loved this match. It was brilliant. People are saying this might be the best NJPW match ever and they might have an argument. But this was awesome. Also, no one. Absolutely no one in the wrestling business does it new japan. They are the UFC of pro wrestling in terms of filming a pro wrestling match. They are brilliant at it. Brian says he doesn't like the floor camera that much I'd argue that's how a match should be filmed

[@danielcasteel3426]

I've been listening to Corny for a long, long time. This is the nicest things he's ever said about either of these guys. And his closing segment, I mean.. I think both parties should heed Jim's words in the final 3 minutes. Ospreay & Omega are killing their bodies. Yet, the match was incredible. Even Jim Cornette agrees.

[@angelastive8970]

He said nicer things to Omega when he wrestled Danielson

[@kamikoto1558]

From what I've heard before he thout will waspretty good unless he's against someone who'll want to do flip central like the young bucks.

[@AnimeCapitalist]

Crazy how Cornette is right on the money about Omega trying so hard to be a video game character but that's exactly the case. From trying to look like Sephiroth(the outfit omega wore is a direct reference) to making his finisher the fucking characters epitaph, or moniker whichever may be. Point being, Omegal is something of a huge LARPer, and it's a shame it's indicative of how and who he is in the business.

[@robertm.3520]

Omega is an embarrassment. He's a prime example of what happens when you let the nerds take over the wrestling business.

[@badladyami]

@@robertm.3520 Nerds ruin everything they touch through a combination of the obsession and their refusal to engage criticism.

[@joshuaDstarks]

Omega’s gimmick is an Otaku. Are people still unaware of this?

[@joeclarke7982]

Every wrestler plays a character, Omega isn't doing anything different.

[@AnimeCapitalist]

@@joshuaDstarks I think it's been more appropriate to call him a weaboo, since he seems to like these things like anime or jrpgs on a very casual level

[@youssefkourime6598]

The fact that this guy went to this match not knowing anything about what was happening, who was the baby face and the heel in this situation and criticizing that he couldn’t tell which is who even after the « here is kenny » spot shows just how much he just likes to hate

[@claycowartisamazing]

If you go back and watch, Ospreay got hit with an Omega potato and unleashed like 7 live rounds as receipts on Omega (near the barricade).

[@stephenrogers4537]

Brian said he didn't like the floor camera work, that's where most of work is on the floor not in the ring.

[@Dysfunxion.]

Will Ostrich…this shows the level on brain capacity of Jim Cornett to make weak play on names for people who don’t like.

[@lindajiron2557]

Or lack of brain capacity. Sound like a juvenile who lives in his mom's basement. You know he was a Mama's boy.

[@joshdamage]

Why do a 40 minute review for a wrestler you HATE?

[@UnexpectedDanger]

It's the only way he can get attention. Guys like me show up to listen and laugh at the old guy who doesn't understand wrestling. He's riding Omega's coattails for crumbs.

[@scpjack7856]

As strange as it may be to compare Kenny Omega to Hulk Hogan, this match reminded me of how Hulk worked in Japan. He was a better mat wrestler than Western audiences knew because he had to work harder in Japan. Omega is the same, especially because his love from the AEW fanbase is unconditional but he has been needing to regain respect in Japan after how his split from NJPW originally went (plus his reputation from the Okada Four).

[@sionrouge1697]

People forget Hogan was trained by Matsuda a no non sense type of guy. I've always told people Hogan can WRESTLE. Vince just dumbed him down.

[@jasonmccrank4981]

@@sionrouge1697 Hogan was probably immensely grateful that McMahon wanted that style in WWF. The big leg drop screwed his back up, but any other level of work would have ended his career sooner.

[@sionrouge1697]

@@jasonmccrank4981 He was at home in New Japan. He was a Mat based/ Power Tech. Had He stayed in NJPW He would be able to walk today

[@BigmanDogs]

@@jasonmccrank4981 his Japanese finisher was a clothesline so I think he would have been ok

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

@@sionrouge1697 Vince didn't dumb him down. He just knew that packaging Hogan as a musclebound superhero that could overcome all odds was more profitable for the company. If anybody thinks that the Japanese Hogan would've gone over just as well as the Hulkamania Hogan did, they're kidding themselves.

[@bigsteve8921]

The floor camera thing is the tom cruise trick. Makes everyone look taller

[@ydin9]

Thanks Jim, for taking the time, being actually somewhat open to the idea of seeing Kenny outside of AEW, the context of his previous matches and comedy antics that soured you on him. It was refreshing and entertaining to hear you go through the "why" of not liking the style of wrestling rather than just focusing on the person and letting that part of it overshadow the conversation. I was entertained by this match, but I agree on that "power creep" in wrestling, these guys are so concerned with looking strong winning and exiting that it overrides logic. Lesnar didn't tractor the ring in the first match for a reason, to put it plainly.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

Thanking him for doing such a stupid review is ridiculous I swear to god if cm punk did the exact same match he would say that it was amazing And you clearly didn't know anything about the story of the match if you expected less "power Creep"

[@llydrsn]

The Slam Dunk contest comparison is quite good actually. I would go on so far as compare it with the entire All Star weekend. It's a spectacle in and of itself and it's something to definitely look forward to. But it is something that can not be sustained on a year round basis (heck, look at the NBA Dunk Contest now! It seems everything that the dunkers do has been done already previously! What more if that was done more than once a year?). I think the WWE would be the regular season in the NBA. There are stories here and there, some games are watchable - some you can easily skip, when the stars has a game then you can choose to watch. Then everything comes down to the playoffs towards the NBA Finals - in the WWE that could be the road starting from the build up to the Royal Rumble all the way to Wrestlemania which would be the one (or two) night of the year when even casuals would come in and watch. Also this Cornette line is just great: "it's amazing they both beat the sh*t out of each other for real and managed to make everything fake at the same time!"

[@adobocholo6059]

A guy that spent his whole life training to be a wrestler doesn’t care about wrestling. Says the guy that doesn’t wrestle and doesn’t work actively in the industry

[@dariussparkes7080]

God forbid anyone else be critical who isn't actively working in the industry if Cornette doesn't even qualify. Please think before you post.

[@420MrReefer]

Jim's just figured out Kenny's gimmick lol

[@ASCUMBAGWh0re]

An otaku weoubiauea character

[@ronmichaels9206]

After like 8 years he finally figured out he's a video game character that wrestles 😂😂😂😂

[@yoholmes273]

"Yeah but how's his Merch sales? - Super Shredder