Kenny Omega was one of the biggest names missing from AEW Grand Slam Mexico, held August 5 at Arena México. The reigning AEW World Champion also sat out the 2025 edition of the event, despite appearing in promotional materials tied to the shows.
On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez suggested that Omega’s absence is likely tied to the precautions he still needs to take following his serious bout with diverticulitis. Alvarez made clear, however, that this is his own conclusion and not something confirmed by AEW or the wrestler himself.
“I don’t know this 100% but I think it probably had to do with the fact that he almost died of diverticulitis. Maybe spending some time in Mexico might not have been the best idea because people do get sick every time they go there for AEW, even eating in nice restaurants and hotels. So, I presume that’s why. I mean, there’s no other reason.”
Cultaholic Wrestling @Cultaholic Follow https://t.co/1chLwOBxKl 11:42 AM · Aug 13, 2026
Omega went through a dire health situation in late 2023 that kept him out of action for all of the following year. This past April, he admitted he came back too early and still needed to carefully manage his diet, training, and physical recovery.
Notably, Omega hasn’t wrestled in Mexico since July 15, 2023, when he lost to El Hijo del Vikingo in an AAA Mega Championship match at AAA TripleMania XXXI in Tijuana.
His Grand Slam absence doesn’t point to a new hiatus, though. Omega appeared on the August 12 Dynamite in Las Vegas, making the save for Will Ospreay after an attack from the Don Callis Family.
Omega and Ospreay are set to face off for the AEW World Championship at All In on August 30 at Wembley Stadium.