Omega is responding to the criticism (TG 91 spot) and, in a new interview with
Sports Illustrated, clarifies that the move was performed carefully, but they both understood that it would invoke emotion.
“There are people who want to complain and put themselves on a pedestal by saying what we did was dangerous,” says Omega.
“Well, you think? So I’ve been asked, why did we do it? It made sense in the match and evoked emotion. And we both knew I would end up coming out of the move unscathed. Is there a risk? Sure. There’s always a risk.
“Look at the way Mike Tyson boxed. His style was so dangerous, he stayed so close to his opponent," continues Kenny.
"What was he doing boxing in-style? Shouldn’t he have fought more stick-and-move and waited for the counterpunch? Wouldn’t that have been better for his brain? Didn’t he understand how dangerous it was? But that’s what made him Mike Tyson.”
Kenny Omega would further say that people should not tell him how to wrestle and should just shut up.
“Don’t tell me not to wrestle the way I know how to wrestle,” says Omega.
“Is there a risk? Was there a risk when Mike Tyson was fighting within inches of space between another championship-level boxer throwing power punches? Of course. But Tyson was confident in his abilities, and he knew he was the best. So don’t tell Mike Tyson how to box, and don’t tell Tyson Smith how to wrestle. You aren’t even close to being qualified. Just shut the f--- up.”
