Kenny Omega represented NJPW alongside Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, and Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Tokyo Sports Awards ceremony.
During his acceptance speech for Match Of The Year, Kenny acknowledged that this was 'goodbye for now', though someday he'd like to be there accepting the MVP award, he will not be on this stage next year.
Later that night, Kenny spoke to reporters about his future; “I can't tell you about my future schedule. As for AEW, I wish them good luck. Keep it up, it's going to be amazing. I am interested, of course, because it's a group of friends. Since I am a friend, I have no choice but to support them.”
"One thing I really like about the group of friends and The Elite group is, no matter what (Kenny) decides to do, if he decides to go to WWE, if he decides to go to AEW, if he continues to only do New Japan Pro Wrestling, he's still part of The Elite. And everyone supports whatever decision that he makes. I obviously want him to be a part of what's happening because, who am I kidding, I'm late to the party that is The Elite. I got added in phase 2, he's an original Power Ranger, if that makes any sense. And I'd really like him to join (AEW) but time, and what's most important to him, will kinda be the factors there."