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Kenny Omega has been absent from in-ring competition since December 2023. The Best Bout Machine has been on the shelf due to a life-threatening illness, and fans have no information regarding his eventual comeback to the squared circle.
The Cleaner made a one-off appearance on AEW television in May 2024. It ended up being a rough night for The Cleaner, as he found himself at the receiving end of a beatdown by The Elite and Jack Perry.
While Omega could not fend off The Elite at that moment, the former AEW World Champion would be eager to punish the villainous stable once he returns to the squared circle.
Kenny Omega was recently clicked with his longtime friends, Kota Ibushi and Michael Nakazawa, in Japan. The Golden Lovers could be seen participating in an in-ring Sparring session, which has amplified the possibility of The Cleaner's eventual return to the squared circle.
If the former AEW World Champion is indeed on his way back to All Elite Wrestling, a feud with The Elite seems inevitable. In this article, let's look at four stars who could join Kenny Omega to face The New Elite:
#4. Darby Allin could join forces with The Cleaner
Darby Allin has been feuding with The Elite for months. At Double or Nothing 2024, the tyrant group inflicted severe damage on the former TNT Champion.
However, Allin eventually got his redemption at AEW Dynamite: Blood & Guts, where he handed a crushing loss to The New Elite. If the faction tries to create further chaos in the Tony Khan-led company, the daredevil star could once again emerge as a thorn in their way.
Kenny Omega would require some allies on his side if he hopes to put an end to the chapter of The Elite. With Darby Allin already having issues with the heel group, the Invisible Man could emerge as a trustworthy ally for The Best Bout Machine. The duo could join forces to decimate The New Elite, putting an end to their reign of terror.
#3. Konosuke Takeshita could unite with his arch-nemesis
Konosuke Takeshita has seemingly set his sights on Kazuchika Okada's Continental Championship. The two stars have competed against each other in multi-man matches, but they have yet to engage in a one-on-one contest.
If The Alpha hopes to dethrone The Rainmaker, he might need to run through The New Elite first. Takeshita's willingness to take down Okada could result in him allying with Kenny Omega.
Omega and Takeshita are no strangers to each other. The two performers were involved in a fierce rivalry in the summer of 2023. Interestingly, The Alpha hung up a couple of losses on The Cleaner's name during their violent feud.
The Best Bout Machine might agree to keep his issues with the Japanese star aside once he makes his return to in-ring competition. They could look beyond their past differences to form a strong alliance against The New Elite.
A temporary alliance with The Cleaner could prove beneficial for The Alpha, as it would increase the probability of him winning the Continental Championship.
#2. Adam Copeland could go after The New Elite
Adam Copeland has not been seen in the squared circle since Double or Nothing 2024, where he sustained a horrific leg injury. The unfortunate accident forced The Rated-R Superstar to relinquish his TNT Championship.
At Forbidden Door 2024, Jack Perry won a high-stakes Ladder Match to become the new TNT Champion. While Adam Copeland is yet to interact with The Elite, his desire to reclaim the prestigious TNT Title could put The Ultimate Opportunist on a collision course with the heel faction.
Once he is ready to return, Adam Copeland could specifically target Jack Perry, who has been running rampant in AEW for months. The former WWE Champion could align himself with a returning Kenny Omega, who would be eager to exact revenge on Kazuchika Okada and The Young Bucks.
The two Canadian stars could stand up against The Elite's tyranny and punish them for creating chaos in the Tony Khan-led company.
#1. Kota Ibushi could stand in Kenny Omega's corner
Kota Ibushi recently returned to DDT Pro Wrestling after a seven-month hiatus from in-ring competition. Although Ibushi is an official member of the AEW roster, The Golden Star has yet to be recalled by Tony Khan.
As per recent reports, The Hard Hit Prince is expected to return to All Elite Wrestling once Kenny Omega fully recovers from his recent health issues. Now that Omega has finally resumed his training routine, fans may not be very far away from a Golden Lovers reunion.
After getting betrayed by The Young Bucks, The Best Bout Machine could turn to his best friend in Kota Ibushi to help him in the war against The New Elite. The duo could emerge as legitimate threats to the villainous faction, and try to put an end to the group's dominance over AEW.
