Interview with Kenny Omega

Interview with Kenny Omega

Here is an interview with a man who is mainly known as a pro wrestler. He headlined New Japan Pro Wrestling´s Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 2017, where he faced champion Kazuchika Okada in an epic match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. But he has another passion as well, and this passion are video games. So enjoy my interview with the current leader of the Bullet Club, Kenny Omega!

Gordman: Hi Kenny! First of all, thank you for taking your precious time for this interview, it means a lot to me. Video games are amazing, no question. But would you call yourself a collector?
Kenny: Very good question... Even though I wouldn't call myself a collector, I love to have physical copies of all my favorite games/systems. I won't buy a game just to have it, but I will actively seek any retro title regardless of price or rarity.

Gordman: How many consoles and/or handhelds do you own?
Kenny: 24 by my last count.

Gordman: How big is your games collection to date?
Kenny: Not monstrous, but it isn't small either. For example, my SNES and PS2 shelves/boxes take up a lot of space because there were a lot of titles/series I loved in those generations. On the other hand I have a Sega CD mainly for just 4 games, (Snatcher, Road Avenger, Popful Mail (yet to buy!) and Rise of the Dragon). So I haven't made an effort to collect entire libraries.

Kenny Omega as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion

Gordman: I´ve noticed your passion for The Terminator (by the way, your entrance at Wrestle Kingdom 11 was awesome^^). Which Terminator games have you played yet and which one is your favourite?
Kenny: I've never tried the DOS games or Bethesda FPS iterations but I've played everything from the NES generation onward. My favorite is easily T2 - The Arcade (for Arcade). For its time, it really made you feel like you were playing scenes from the movie. Great memories playing with friends and my dad in the game center beside my hair salon... For second place, I'd probably say The Terminator for Sega CD. Great run and gun action with action that ties to the first film. Fantastic soundtrack too.

Gordman: Everybody knows how much you love the Street Fighter series. Which SF game is your favourite one and why?
Kenny: Even though I'd started with SFII (like many my age), I was predominantly a MK guy. My first true SF love was Capcom vs SNK: Millenium Fight 2000. I'd spend most of my days in University at the arcade pumping in quarters to compete with the scene there. The most committed I've been to playing at the highest level though, is definitely SFV.

Gordman: On january 29th 2017, I´ve discovered a photo of you standing on a Royal Rumble pinball machine. Apart from the fact that you could easily win the rumble, do you play pinball video games as well?
Kenny: You bet. As a kid, I used to hang out with my dad whenever he went bowling and they'd always have a decent selection of pinball machines that were switched out often. My favorites were probably T2, Addam's Family, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Tales From the Crypt.

Gordman: In summer 2016, you´ve posted a photo on Twitter that shows an amazing Kirby plushie you needed so badly. Is Kirby one of your video game heroes? And who are your other favourite virtual heores and bad guys?
Kenny: Yes, Kirby has been my favorite NES hero for awhile. There are a ton of others though: Ness (Earthbound), Solid Snake (MGS 1/2), Ryo Hazuki (Shenmue), Zack Fair (FFVII: Crisis Core), Mega Man, etc... Baddies are probably Kefka (FFVI), King Dedede, Dr. Wily, Jaquio (Ninja Gaiden), Super Shredder (TMNT 4: Turtles in Time), etc..

Gordman: Let´s talk about wrestling games. Lightning Mike Quackenbush told me some years ago that the games of the Fire Pro series are the best; do you agree with him?
Kenny: I can't say that I agree. They're great for the depth and customization options, but my 2 favorite wrestling games are VPW 2 (JPN N64) and Wrestlefest (Arcade).

Gordman: Do you have a message to all video gamers out there?
Kenny: Have fun and play safe! Hope to catch you guys online!

Gordman: Thank you very much Kenny, I wish you all the best for the future and a lot of fun by playing some more video games!

Special thanks to Teruyuki ´Terry´ Kamohara and New Japan Pro Wrestling. You guys rock!

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