Tyson Smith (wrestler)

Infobox Wrestler
name=Tyson Smith
names=Kenny Omega
height= height|ft=5|in=11
weight= convert|206|lb
birth_date = March 1983
death_date =
birth_place = Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
death_place =
resides=Georgia, United States
billed=Waikiki
trainer=Vance Nevada
Mentallo
debut=February 2000
retired=
website= MySpace|kennyomega|Kenny Omega|

Tyson Smith (born October 1983) is a Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ringname Kenny Omega, who primarily wrestles in North American independent promotions such as Jersey All Pro Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, Premier Championship Wrestling, Ring of Honor and World League Wrestling among others. He was signed to a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment in November 2005 and assigned to Deep South Wrestling. He asked and was granted his release in September 2006, in which his departure was on good terms.

Omega's two biggest accomplishments are wrestling for Premier Championship Wrestling and Action Wrestling Entertainment. In PCW, Omega has won the PCW Heavyweight Championship four times and the PCW Tag Team Championship once. He also won the 2005 and 2007 Premier Cup.

Career

Early career and Premier Championship Wrestling

Tyson Smith became involved in professional wrestling after he met local promoter Bobby Jay while working at a local IGA store. After training with Jay for a year, the 16-year-old Smith began working for Bobby Jay's Top Rope Championship Wrestling in Winnipeg, where over the next two years he eventually developed the gimmick of Kenny Omega, a Hawaiian surfer. cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/03/1335752.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling: Winnipeg's Omega signs WWE deal |accessdate= |author=Turenne, Paul |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-12-03 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] The surfer aspect was later dropped and replaced with a "Street Fighter"-esque mentality and moveset, including the usage of the franchise's signature "Hadouken" technique. In December 2001, Smith joined another local Winnepeg-based promotion Premier Championship Wrestling. Appearing on the opening show, headlined by Eddie Guerrero and attended by 1,700 fans, he made an impressive debut against his former trainer Mentallo on March 3, 2002. Later teaming with Mentallo in at PCW's "Boiling Point" in July, their match was named "PCW Match of the Year" by the promotion. By this time, he quickly became a rising star in PCW and the Canadian independent circuit. He was featured in director Guy Maddin's short film "Sissy Boy Slap Party", a teaser for 2003 film "The Saddest Music in the World".

The following year, Omega defeated Adam Knight for the PCW Heavyweight Championship on September 18, 2003. Although successfully defending the title against Chi Chi Cruz, he lost the title to Rawskillz on November 26. While in the Canadian Wrestling Federation later that year, he also won the vacant CWF Heavyweight Championship defeating TJ Bratt in a tournament final on December 29, 2003 before losing the title to Zack Mercury a month later. [ cite web |url=http://www.cwfwrestling.com/history/CWFHeavyweightHistory.htm |title=CWF World Heavyweight Champion History |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=CWFWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] He also regained the PCW Heavyweight title less then two months later, however he was forced to vacate the title on March 18, 2004 after suffering an injury.

Later that year, he teamed with his former rival to defeat Shawn Houston & Chris Raine for the PCW Tag team Championship on August 19. Their reign was brief however as they lost the titles back to Shawn Houston & Chris Raine the following month. On October 17, 2004, Omega appeared at the NWA 56th Anniversary Show where unsuccessfully challenged Petey Williams for the TNA X-Division Championship. In March 2005, he lost to Tommy Knoxville at Millennium Wrestling Federation's "ULTRA" card. [ cite web |url=http://www.bostonwrestling.com/mwfspring2005preview.html |title=The Jackel's MEWF Spring Preview |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-04-20 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=BostonWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Omega won the inaugural 8-man tournament defeating Nate Hardy, Chris Sabin and Amazing Red to win the first Premier Cup on June 2, 2005. He also crowned the first NWA Canadian X Division Champion. On July 30, he made a one-time appearance for TCW Professional Wrestling when he teamed with The Scorpion to face The Axe & Bobby Jay at the Grand Beach Entertainment Center in Grand Beach, Manitoba. [ cite web |url=http://www.prowrestling.com/article/indy/1538 |title=News: Raven, Stro, Sandman |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-06-30 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ProWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

In August 2005, Omega attacked Christopher Daniels and challenged him to a match although Daniels declined. After losing the NWA Canadian X Division title to Rawskillz on September 15, Omega attended the Pro Wrestling NOAH Camp in Harley Race's World League Wrestling in Missouri. He later lost to "Big" Keith Walker at a WLW show in Eldon, Missouri which was later aired on Japanese television. [ "NOAH Meets WLW." NOAH TV. Pro Wrestling NOAH. 9 Oct. 2005.] In October, Omega was sent to Deep South Wrestling, a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment, to be evaluated by Bill DeMott and other talent scouts. As a result of his performance, which included try-out matches observed by Johnny Ace and Kenta Kobashi, Omega was offered a WWE developmental contract and assigned to Deep South Wrestling on a full time basis.

After facing Johnny Devine at an Action Wrestling Entertainment event on November 26, Omega made his final PCW appearance after announcing his deal with the WWE and made a farewell speech to the crowd on December 1, 2005.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Deep South Wrestling

On May 4, 2006, Omega made his DSW debut teaming with Heath Miller to lose to Team Elite (Mike Knox & Derrick Neikirk). [ cite web |url=http://derickneikirk.com/resume.html |title=Derik's Bio |accessdate= |author=Neikirk, Derik |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=DerickNeikirk.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Losing to Matt Striker, Eric Perez and Sonny Siaki during the next few weeks, he scored his first victory defeating Oleg Prudius by countout in a dark match on June 1. Although he and Antonio Mestre lost to Urban Assault (Eric Perez and Sonny Siaki) in a dark match on June 15, he defeated Heath Miller in another dark match several days later.

Losing to Urban Assualt with Onyx in June 29, he also lost to Danny Gimondo on July 6. Following the match, he was knocked out by Gimondo. Defeating Francisco Ciatso on July 13, he and Antonio Mestre fought to a no-contest before losing to Oleg Prudius on July 27.

He briefly teamed with Tommy Suede and, although unsuccessful against Urban Assault on August 3, they defeated Matt Striker and Cru Jones a week later. The following night, he defeated Shamus McCarthy at an DSW event at Six Flags on August 11. On August 17, Omega lost to Oleg Prudius and, after defeating Cru Jones several days later, he requested his immediate release from his contract to return to Premier Championship Wrestling.

In March 2007, Kenny Omega stated in an interview with Gerweck.net that his time spent with DSW was poor and was particularly critical of promoters Bill DeMott and Jody Hamilton. cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/kennyomegainterview.htm |title=Interview with Kenny Omega |accessdate= |author=Gerwick, Steve |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-03-14 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Gerweck.net |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Return to PCW

On September 14, Omega made his return to PCW, defeating Rawskillz to earn a match with A.J. Styles, whom he also defeated in the main event the following week. He defeated Mike Angels and Rawskillz among others during the next several weeks before losing to A.J. Sanchez on February 15, 2007. Losing to Ozz on March 1, he and Nate Hardy lost to Team Impact (Robby Royce and Ozz) later that week. During the next few weeks, Omega won victories over Kraven and Nate Hardy before entering the 3rd annual PCW Premier Cup tournament. Omega defeated Nate Hardy, AJ Sanchez and Petey Williams to win the tournament for a second time.

Fighting to a no-contest with Mike Angels on June 30, he defeated AJ Sanchez on July 19 and defeated Mike Angels, AJ Sanchez and Adam Knight in a "Fatal Fourway" match on August 23 for a match against Samoa Joe on September 27. Feuding with Danny Demanto in Pro Wrestling Syndicate and Jersey All Pro Wrestling, he finally lost his scheduled match to Samoa Joe in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In October, Omega appeared in "Starting Point", the first PPV for Wrestling Fan Xperience, wrestling Último Dragón in a match lasting 25 minutes. [ cite web |url=http://www.davidsonsrandomrants.blogspot.com/ |title=A week late, but better then never |accessdate= |author=Davidson, Mike |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-10-07 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Random Rants by Mike Davidson |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Defeating Rawskillz on October 25, he teamed with him to beat Mike Angels & Mentallo on November 15. In early December, Omega lost to back-to-back matches against "The Black Machismo" Jay Lethal in Jersey All Pro Wrestling and Davey Richards in Pro Wrestling Syndicate. On December 13, he and Mike Angels fought to a draw. Omega also teamed with Mentallo and Chris Stevens to defeat Mike Angels, A.J. Sanchez and Epic in a 6-man tag team match on January 3, 2008.

Jersey All Pro Wrestling

Four days later, Omega defeated Low Ki for the JAPW Heavyweight Championship in Jersey City, New Jersey. On February 16, he lost to Teddy Hart in a three-way match with Xavier at a Jersey All Pro Wrestling show. cite web |url=http://www.nyprowrestling.com/results/2008.html |title=Results: 2008 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2008 |month= |format= |work=NYProWrestling.com: Results |publisher=NYProWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/1232008articles/204930021.shtml |title=Jersey All Pro Wrestling returns to Rahway, NJ for WILD CARD IV |accessdate= |author=Radbourne, Julian |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-02-13 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingEpicenter.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] On March 8, he was one of several wrestlers in attendance at WSU's first anniversary show in Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey. Others at the event included Steve Mack, Danny Demanto, Ian Rotten, Kevin Matthews, Vicious Vinny, Inferno, Don Johnson. [ cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlingdaily.com/2008/03/11/wsu-38-recap-first-anniversary/ |title=WSU (3/8) Rec
accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-03-11 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ProWrestlingDaily.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://www.womenswrestlingxposed.com/2008/03/10/christiane-plante-talks-hogan-affair-dawn-marie-awesome-kong-lacey-von-erich-wrestle/ |title=Christiane Plante Talks Hogan Affair, Dawn Marie, Awesome Kong, Lacey Von Erich Wrestle |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-03-10 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WomensWrestlingXposed.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] That same day, he defeated Low Ki in a rematch for the title in Jersey City.

On March 22, Omega was one of 12 independent wrestlers selected to compete at the first "Majestic Twelve Tournament" hosted by Pro Wrestling Syndicate at the supercard "Majestic Mayhem" in Yonkers, New York. [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/1232008articles/203304544.shtml |title=Independent Wrestling Update for 1/25/08 |accessdate= |author=Walsh, James |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-01-25 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingEpicenter.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] At the event, Omega teamed with Jerry Lynn to face Kevin Matthews & Tommy Suede. After defeating Jerry Lynn in the semi-finals, Omega fought to a no-contest with Devon Moore when they forced Jack Evans to submit at the same time. [ Pro Wrestling Syndicate: Majestic Mayhem. Perf. Kenny Omega, Jerry Lynn, Kevin Matthews and Tommy Suede. 2008. DVD. RF Video.] At the "Spring Massacre" Champions Challenge, he faced Frankie Kazarian in Rahway, New Jersey on April 19. [ cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlingdigest.com/?p=3179 |title=Jersey All Pro Wrestling (3/22): Fresh Hot News! |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-04-02 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ProWrestlingDigest.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] On May 17, Omega lost a 3-way match with PWS Heavyweight Champion Devon Moore and Danny Demanto at the Holy Cross High School in Queens, New York. He defended his title against Danny Demanto and Grim Reefer during the next few weeks. During his match with the Grim Reefer, Omega's opponent was injured at the start of the match was nearly stopped by the referee twice when Reefer had difficulty breathing. [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1214763829.shtml |title=Al Snow/IWF, Booker T/Daivari in UK, DWF report, OSCW, JAPW, ROW |accessdate= |author=Martin, Adam |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-06-29 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestleView.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

On July 7, it was announced by Jersey All Pro Wrestling that Omega and several other wrestlers will take part in a fundraising event for the Beachwood Pine Beach Little League. Among those scheduled to appear include Rhyno, LAX, Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, Dan Maff, The Heavy Hitters (Monsta Mack and Havok) and NJ State Champion The Grim Reefer. The event is to be held at the Toms River Intermediate South Middle School in Beachwood, New Jersey on September 19, 2008. [ cite web |url=http://www.impactwrestling.com/Content.aspx?ID=18905 |title=Pro Wrestling Fundraiser Event |accessdate= |author=Iadevaia, Frank |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-07-07 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ImpactWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] On July 10, Omega successfully defended his title against Jon Cutler in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Cutler had previously won a tournament defeating "Outlaw" Adam Knight, Antonio Scorpio, Jr. and Mike Angels to win a title shot against Omega. [ cite web |url=http://www.joncutler.com/journalentry40.htm |title=Journal Entry #40 |accessdate= |author=Cutler, Jon |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-07-11 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=JonCutler.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

On July 25, Omega lost to Delirious at an event for Ring of Honor in Toronto, Ontario. [ cite web |url=http://www.angrymarks.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=4444 |title=07/22/08: ROH Newswire Update |accessdate= |author=Jon, Stevie |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-06-22 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=AngryMarks.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] The following night, Omega made his Detroit debut at Ring of Honor's PPV show losing to Silas Young. [ cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/07/26/6273151.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling: The Ring of Honor breaks in Detroit, literally |accessdate= |author=Schramm, Chris |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-07-27 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] In early-August, Omega began touring Japan with Dramatic Dream Team and, as of August 3, he is scheduled to face Kota Ibushi. [ cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/81820/The-Navigation-Log-8.03.08:-New-Japan-vs.-All-Japan,-New-Japan-vs.-ZERO1,-and-Shingo-Rules-Dragon-Gate.htm |title=The Navigation Log 8.03.08: New Japan vs. All Japan, New Japan vs. ZERO1, and Shingo Rules Dragon Gate |accessdate= |author=Short, Matt |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-08-03 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=411mania.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*"Aoi Shoudou" (Cross-legged fisherman buster) :*"Croyt's Wrath" (Electric chair german suplex):*Sitout scoop slam piledriver:*"Dragon Rush" (Flipping release half nelson suplex):*"Hadouken" (Double palm strike to the opponent's chest):*"Kotaro Krusher" (From behind, Omega performs a leapfrog over the opponent's shoulders and hits a diving one-handed bulldog):*"Roaring Elbow" (Discus elbow smash):*Spinning wheel kick:*Two punches followed by a European uppercut and finished with a roundhouse kick:*Dropkick, sometimes from the top rope or while springboarding:*Arm drag:*Running double high knee strike a cornered opponent's chest:*Monkey flip:*Northern lights suplex rolled through into a crucifix armbar

Championships and accomplishments

*Canadian Wrestling Federation :*CWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Jersey All Pro Wrestling :*JAPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current) [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/htjapw.html |title=JAPW Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2008 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*Main Stream Wrestling:*MSW Canadian Unified Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times)

*National Wrestling Alliance
*National:*NWA Canadian X Championship (1 time) (First)

*Premier Championship Wrestling :*PCW Heavyweight Championship (4 times, current) :*PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rawskillz :*PCW Match of the Year (2002) vs. Mentallo :*PCW Premier Cup Tournament Winner (2005, 2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/k/kenny-omega.html Profile at Online World of Wrestling]
* [http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/kennyomega.html Other Superstars - Kenny Omega]
* [http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=2906&gimmick=Kenny+Omega CageMatch.de - Kenny Omega] ger