Top AEW star's return was "three levels up" from Shawn Michaels' comeback match in WWE, says veteran wrestling personality

A top AEW star made his return to the ring this weekend. A wrestling personality has compared his comeback to Shawn Michaels’ return to in-ring duties in WWE in 2002.

Kenny Omega was out of action for over a year due to diverticulitis. However, he made a surprise appearance at NJPW Power Struggle and stated that he wanted to return to the promotion for Wrestle Dynasty. Following this segment, The Best Bout Machine was attacked backstage by Gabe Kidd, kickstarting a feud. The Cleaner then challenged Kidd to a match at Wrestle Dynasty.

This weekend, the rivals finally locked horns in a brutal match that lasted more than 30 minutes. Despite being out of the ring since December 2023, Kenny Omega delivered a brilliant performance and ultimately defeated the NJPW star.

Dave Meltzer spoke about Omega’s comeback on his Wrestling Observer Radio podcast. He said that The Best Bout Machine’s comeback was better than Shawn Michaels’ return to the ring in 2002. HBK suffered a near career-ending back injury in 1998 and was out of action for four years. He returned to the ring at WWE SummerSlam 2002, defeating Triple H in an Unsanctioned Street Fight. Meltzer even called for Omega to be the next AEW World Champion.

“I remember when Shawn Michaels came back against Triple H, and he had a hell of a match, too. He had a hell of a match. But this was like three levels up from that one. I mean, it’s unbelievable, the emotion and everything that he was able to pull into that match, and the stuff that he did,” he said.

Meltzer added:

”I watched this, and it was just, like, ‘Dude, just make this guy AEW Champion.’ I don’t know if that’s really the right idea, but that was, like, I’m watching this, going, ‘This guy should just be the God of Everything.’ It was an unbelievable performance!” [H/T: Inside The Ropes]

Dave Meltzer also commented on AEW star Kenny Omega’s illness

At one point last year, it looked like Kenny Omega might never return to the ring due to his medical condition called diverticulitis. The Canadian X had to undergo surgery and spent the past year recovering. Before his battle with Gabe Kidd this past weekend, The Cleaner’s last match was against Ethan Page on the December 5, 2023, edition of Collision.

Hence, fans were excited to hear about his in-ring return at Wrestle Dynasty after a life-threatening illness. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that the former AEW World Champion was ”a day or two from dying,” revealing that Omega had two feet of his intestine removed.

“He may have been a day or two from dying; that’s how bad it was, and then he had surgeries. He had two feet of his intestine removed. Came back and looked in great shape; incredible match. I mean, there were so many times in this match where I’m watching him sell and I’m going, like, ‘Oh, f**k, you just ended your career. I can’t believe you did this.’ And he was selling every time; his selling was unbelievable!” he said. [H/T: Inside The Ropes]

It will be interesting to see what’s next for the former AEW World Champion now that he has returned to the ring.