Mike Bailey revealed he has been following in Kenny Omega’s footsteps for a decade during a recent interview appearance. The high-flying performer discussed his journey toward potentially facing the AEW International Champion.

Bailey made his AEW debut on the March 12 episode of Dynamite, defeating The Beast Mortos to advance in the AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament. If successful in the tournament, he would earn a title opportunity against Omega at AEW Dynasty.

During his conversation with Sid Pullar III for The Takedown on SI, Bailey explained the long connection he feels with Omega through their shared history in Japanese wrestling.

Eventually, I started wrestling for DDT, which is the same promotion in Japan that Kenny Omega came up with, trying to follow in his footsteps. And I mean, that’s been the journey, that’s been the goal for me, that’s where I been looking at. In 2015, I was in PWG with all the best wrestlers in the world and it took me another 10 years to finally make it and officially be “ALL ELITE”, officially be back “Where The Best Wrestle” with those very same people. But yeah, I mean I’ve been literally chasing Kenny Omega for 10 years.

Bailey also discussed their shared appreciation for video games, particularly Final Fantasy 7, which has influenced his finishing move.

Final Fantasy 7 is one of my favorite games, I play it so often, but Sephiroth who is the main bad guy and ‘The Ultimate Weapon’ is a sword that Cloud, the main character uses and the final cut scene after you beat the last boss. There’s just a little battle but it’s like a one-on-one little cutscene, you basically win automatically, but it’s basically the main character using ‘The Ultimate Weapon’ to deal the final blow to Sephiroth, ‘The One Winged Angel’ and that is the image that led me to naming my finish, ‘The Ultimate Weapon.’

Bailey expressed his desire to make this video game reference a reality in the wrestling ring by potentially defeating Omega, who uses “The One Winged Angel” as his finisher and nickname.

So I’m hoping to be able to finish that 10 year chase of Kenny Omega and make that (Final Fantasy 7) image a reality at Dynasty of all events and that’s what I’m looking forward to, I think that’s the rematch I been wanting for a long time and it doesn’t get any better than that.

Bailey’s AEW debut on March 12 marked his official entrance into the company after previously wrestling in promotions including Impact Wrestling and various independent organizations.

Mike Bailey confirmed that his visa renewal process was responsible for delaying his long-awaited AEW debut until the March 12 episode of Dynamite.

Bailey addressed the situation during an interview with Sid Pullar III for The Takedown On SI, explaining he spent several months in his home country while handling the documentation.

During the whole time I was off, I was in Canada getting my visa renewed between December and March

The high-flyer disclosed that he utilized this period away from American wrestling to focus on training and improving his skills at a wrestling school in Montreal.

I spent a lot of time there several hours every week in the IWS dojo, which is a wrestling school in Montreal training and teaching there, and I’ve been working on that kick extremely hard every chance I get for the last three months

Bailey finally made his debut for AEW on the March 12 episode of Dynamite, following months of speculation about his future after concluding his time with TNA Wrestling.

Bailey had reportedly wrapped up with TNA at their post-Bound For Glory tapings in October, remaining under contract for the rest of 2023 before becoming available to sign elsewhere.

In the same interview, Bailey reflected on the significance of finally joining AEW after his extensive career journey.

You talk about a wild ride, but it’s been 20 years of a professional wrestling career that’s led me up to this moment, up to this debut on AEW Dynamite, finally making it here

Bailey also expressed gratitude to his supporters during the interview, acknowledging the fans who have followed his career through the years.

And I mean I want to say thank you to every single person that has watched a Speedball Mike Bailey match over the last 20 years, that’s been on my side, on my team that’s been supporting honestly

Tony Khan confirmed Bailey has signed with AEW following his debut appearance on the company’s flagship program.

AEW has officially formed a new masked tag team to replace The Lucha Brothers following Penta’s WWE debut and Rey Fenix’s rumored upcoming departure from the company. The high-flying duo named The Lucha Stars consists of Komander and Hologram.

The Lucha Stars made their official debut through a vignette aired on AEW Collision, with former Lucha Brothers manager Alex Abrahantes introducing the team. Abrahantes highlighted their intentions to target La Facción Ingobernable members Rush, Dralistico, and The Beast Mortos.

Komander and Hologram have already begun establishing themselves in AEW’s tag team division. Their recent match on Collision saw Hologram team with Top Flight to defeat Shane Taylor Promotions. Following this victory, Dralistico confronted Hologram to continue building their rivalry.

Backstage during the same show, The Beast Mortos taunted HarleyGram, also known as Harley Cameron, adding another layer to the developing feud between the two factions.

Komander, who currently holds the ROH World Television Championship, has been with AEW since March 2023. Hologram is a newer addition to the roster, having debuted in July 2024. The pair first teamed together at Revolution 2025, where they defeated Lee Johnson and Blake Christian.

The formation of The Lucha Stars comes as AEW adjusts to the departure of The Lucha Brothers, who were prominent figures in the company for years. Penta and Fenix, known for their high-flying style and charisma, were original AEW talent who debuted during the company’s first year.

During their AEW tenure, The Lucha Brothers achieved significant success, capturing the World Tag Team Championships once and the World Trios Championships once alongside PAC. Fenix also held the International Championship for a period before leaving the company.

Penta departed AEW last year and made his WWE debut in January 2025. Reports indicate Rey Fenix will soon join his brother in WWE, completing the dissolution of the popular tag team in AEW.