Kenny Omega Talks Comeback, Facing MJF At AEW Dynasty

The 'God of Pro Wrestling' discusses his return from a life-threatening illness and his upcoming title match.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the intense physical action and competitive spirit of a wrestling match, with the figures of the two wrestlers broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant, energetic colors.Omega's hard-fought comeback culminates in a dynamic title clash with MJF, two of AEW's most captivating stars colliding in a visually striking display of athletic prowess.Vancouver Today

Kenny Omega, one of the defining performers of his generation and a cornerstone of AEW, suffered a life-threatening diverticulitis attack in 2023 that kept him out of the ring for over a year. Now, Omega is making a comeback, leading him to face MJF for the AEW World Championship at Dynasty on Sunday, April 12, in Vancouver. Omega spoke candidly about his road back, why he's surprised he was able to return to singles competition at all, and what makes this match with MJF different the second time around.

Why it matters

Omega's return to the ring after a serious medical scare is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport. His match against MJF for the AEW World Championship will be a highly anticipated event, as the two top stars of the company face off for the prestigious title.

The details

In 2023, Omega suffered a life-threatening diverticulitis attack that resulted in surgeons removing 20 inches of his intestines and colon, keeping him out of the ring for over a year. Omega was initially shocked that he was able to return to singles matches at all, as he was concerned about the possibility of his condition causing issues during a match. However, after a successful return match in the Tokyo Dome, Omega has continued to work on his recovery and longevity, adjusting his training, diet, and recovery methods. Now, Omega is set to face MJF for the AEW World Championship, a match that he believes will be different from their previous encounter due to the growth and changes both wrestlers have undergone.

  • Omega suffered the diverticulitis attack in 2023.
  • Omega returned to the ring in 2025.
  • Omega will face MJF for the AEW World Championship on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Kenny Omega

A veteran pro wrestler and one of the defining performers of his generation, known for his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling and as a cornerstone of AEW since its inception. Omega suffered a life-threatening diverticulitis attack in 2023 but has made a successful comeback to the ring.

MJF

The current AEW World Champion, known for his exceptional promo skills and as one of the top stars in the company. Omega and MJF have faced off before, and this match will be a highly anticipated rematch for the prestigious title.

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What they’re saying

“When you feel like there's a clock ticking and there's not much time left, or at any point something may just show up and say it's over, it's done, you want to be, if you can, satisfied with how things end. A lot of times you don't get to choose how things end. So as best as you can, you just want to be proud and happy with how you've lived your life up until that point.”

— Kenny Omega

“I'm actually shocked in myself that I started to do singles matches at all. It was really difficult. I didn't want to feel like, when you step in the ring with me, there's a possibility something may go off the rails and the match may end out of nowhere because of my medical condition, or because of something underlying that we didn't know about, or that may still be there.”

— Kenny Omega

What’s next

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The takeaway

Omega's comeback from a life-threatening illness and his determination to return to the top of the sport is an inspiring story. His match against MJF for the AEW World Championship will be a highly anticipated event, as the two top stars of the company face off for the prestigious title.