Regressive Booking
Five days ago, New Japan and Kenny Omega collaborated on an adventurous, cutting edge project. It was a twenty minute, sit down interview in which Omega used a mind-bending mix of shoot and work to respond to questions about his then-forthcoming match with New Japan’s world champion, Kazuchika Okada. Dave Meltzer called it, “[a promo that] looks at wrestling in multiple dimensions, with a Jake Roberts delivery.” It was certainly that. Omega would tout his seven new kilos of muscled physique, then mention his six ‘Match of the Year contenders’, all in the same soliloquy. It was a work/shoot medley, almost as if Omega watched the movie ‘Split’ and decided “Yes, I can do what James McAvoy did. I can change personalities on the fly, leaving a puzzle for the audience to re-watch and solve.” Two days later, a very different New Japan personality emerged. For, as risky as Omega’s promo was, the promotion's next big move was decidedly staid. The day after Omega went to a time