A review of Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story Documentary
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TSN, Canada’s largest sports network, recently aired the documentary Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story as part of their Engraved on a Nation series—an anthology that spotlights Canadians who’ve made a global impact.
For those unfamiliar, Kenny Omega—real name Tyson Smith—hails from Winnipeg, the same hometown as Chris Jericho. When TSN began promoting the mini-documentary, I was immediately intrigued and made it a point to watch. Here are my thoughts on Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story:
A Glimpse Into Kenny’s World
The documentary opens with Kenny introducing himself, and right away you can sense the awkwardness in his voice—it’s clear he’s more comfortable in the ring than on camera. He briefly discusses his early days, wrestling at a local bar at just 17, and how three things shaped his youth: wrestling, hockey (naturally, he’s Canadian), and video games.
Running just 48 minutes, the documentary covers some key moments in Kenny’s career. It highlights his decision to turn down WWE as a young talent, his move to Japan, the origins of the Golden Lovers, his role in Bullet Club, the legendary feud with Kazuchika Okada, and closes with the All In event. But more than anything, the film focuses on one core theme: his relationship with Kota Ibushi.
The Golden Lovers: Wrestling’s Most Intimate Bond
As the title suggests, this is a love story—not just a wrestling one. The documentary dives deep into the bond between Kenny and Kota, explaining the Golden Lovers’ journey in detail. It’s clear that TSN geared this toward a broader audience, especially those unfamiliar with pro wrestling. They do a great job breaking down the tag team’s origin, showing training clips, and highlighting how culturally different Kenny and Kota are—one grew up in Canada, the other in Japan—yet they function almost as one in the ring. Their in-ring chemistry is incredible, and much of it was purely natural.
What really stood out was how well the documentary communicated the emotional weight of their story. It didn’t just focus on the narrative, but on its impact. There are clear undertones suggesting a romantic connection between Kenny and Kota—something neither has ever confirmed nor denied. But that ambiguity resonated with many fans, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Wrestling hasn’t always handled storylines like this with care. But, the Golden Lovers managed to walk that line with respect and authenticity. That’s a big deal.
The film also explores the real-life complexities of their separation and eventual reunion. Kenny shares how, during their feud, he and Kota had to avoid each other in real life—no traveling, no meals together, nothing—because kayfabe is so deeply respected in Japan. It reminded me of Bret and Owen Hart staying apart during their feud to keep the illusion alive.
I really appreciated that the documentary focused on Tyson Smith, not just Kenny Omega. It included interviews with Kota Ibushi, Don Callis, Chris Jericho, Dave Meltzer, and even Kenny’s parents. It also provided a fascinating look at Japanese wrestling culture, portraying it almost like a real-life anime—unique and deeply passionate.
Minor Flaws, Major Impact
I did have a few minor gripes. While the production quality was excellent and the behind-the-scenes footage (especially from All In) was top-notch, one thing bugged me: the narrator. It sounded like a described video, constantly stating the obvious—“Kenny poses for the crowd”—which got on my nerves. Also, one of the main talking heads was described as a “culture critic.” While I have no issue with her personally, I think having a seasoned wrestling personality in that role would’ve added more depth and insight.
Still, if you’re in Canada and have access to TSN, I highly recommend checking out this documentary—whether you’re a wrestling fan or not.
Final verdict: 4/5 stars. A few minor flaws, but overall, a beautifully crafted documentary that captures the heart of Kenny Omega’s journey and his incredible bond with Kota Ibushi.
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