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.