Don Callis Says MJF Has His Work Cut Out For Him in Kenny Omega, Talks MLP’s TV Deal

Don Callis hasn’t been shy about trashing Kenny Omega since turning on him back in 2023, but he acknowledges that Omega is going to be a tough challenge for MJF. Callis famously the Edmonton Journal for a new interview and after taking some shots at his home country, he weighed in on Omega rising back to the top in AEW as well as Maple Leaf Pro’s new TV deal with TSN in Canada. You can see highlights below:

On Being Back in Canada:

“It’s horrible [in Winnipeg]. There’s a snowstorm today, and it reminds me of all the reasons I never wanted to be here in the first place… I actually don’t mind Edmonton, but I just find Edmonton is like a poor man’s Calgary. Edmonton has some nice people, but Calgary has classy, classy people, western culture, they’ve got all the mountains, you don’t have any of those. You guys have weather like Winnipeg, Calgary gets the chinook.

“Having said all that, I find the building in Edmonton is one of the nicest buildings I’ve ever been in North America. I actually love working in Daryl (Katz’s) venue there. Connor McDavid has already reached out to me to go grab a bite to eat, but I told him I’d have to get back to him because I’m very busy.”

On MLP’s New TV Deal:
“I think MLP getting a national television deal in Canada is gigantic news. It’s the first time since, I think, ’86 or ’89, since anyone has had national television in Canada in terms of a quote, unquote, independent (promotion). Of course, AEW is also on TSN, so I think it’s a great partnership. I’m excited for Canadian fans that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is back. I think Canada has great wrestling fans — I don’t want to speak or interact with them — but they are intelligent in terms of pro wrestling.”

On the Don Callis Family:

“I don’t run my faction like a wrestling faction, but like a family and like a professional sports franchise. The future of All Elite Wrestling is in the Don Callis Family. Much like the Edmonton Oilers, I’ve got my Connor McDavid, I’ve got my Leon Draisaitl, I’ve got my Zach Hyman, go up and down the lineup, I’ve got all the talent, and it’s almost unfair.”

On Kenny Omega:

“I know I have my issues with Kenny Omega, obviously, but for the first time in three years, Kenny Omega is the Kenny Omega that I remember. He’s been the best wrestler in the world for all of 2026. This is like seeing Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky in their prime — Kenny Omega is phenomenal. And I think that MJF is a very smart guy and is a great wrestler, but he’s got his work cut out for him.”