One of AEW’s founding fathers has returned to re-establish his reputation as the “Best Bout Machine.”

Kenny Omega closed last night’s Dynamite episode by talking about his year-long, nearly fatal battle with diverticulitis.

Omega attacked the interrupting Don Callis, who was saved by his family members (Brian Cage, Lance Archer, and Kyle Fletcher). Will Ospreay came to Omega’s rescue.

Omega will return to AEW action on next week’s Dynamite against Cage.

“The Cleaner” already came back to New Japan with a highly praised match against Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty on Jan. 5 at the Tokyo Dome.

GAUNTLET MATCHES

Powerhouse Hobbs won the Casino Gauntlet match to earn a shot at Jon Moxley’s AEW World title next week.

Ten of the possible 21 wrestlers entered the match before it ended with Hobbs (No. 7) pinning Kyle O’Reilly (No. 10) after a spinebuster.

Kris Statlander earned the No. 1 spot in next week’s women’s Casino Gauntlet match. She pinned Toni Storm in a three-way that also included Willow Nightingale.

AN OFFER YOU CAN REFUSE

Jeff Jarrett was unable to win the match and target the World title. MJF came about and noted that Jarrett’s final wrestling contract is only a one-year deal.

MJF offered to help Jarrett win the championship, as long as he could get the first title shot. Jarrett said no.

MAKE IT HURT

The Hurt Syndicate interrupted Private Party’s celebration of retaining the tag team belts on Collision. Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin are positioning themselves as the next challengers.

Lashley beat Mark Briscoe in a singles match with the Hurt Lock full nelson to emphasize that the Syndicate is a dangerous faction.

Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews in the opener. After the bout, Ospreay showed respect to Buddy and his House of Black teammate, Brody King.

Next week, in addition to the Moxley-Hobbs title bout and the women’s gauntlet match, Christian Cage will wrestle Hook in a grudge match.