Kenny Omega has offered emphatic praise for AEW official Paul Turner following his main event match with Will Ospreay at All In 2026.
Speaking during an appearance on The Anime Effect Podcast, the former AEW World Champion looked back on the high-profile Ospreay bout and made a point of recognizing the referee’s contribution. Omega described Turner as a trusted presence in the biggest situations and said the official’s work is an important part of holding together matches that carry substantial pressure, pace, and expectation.
“It was incredible all around. Even our referee, Paul Turner. What a main event referee job he’s done for us. I trust him with all of my being. For a guy that’s doing the main events… he’s the main event referee, to me anyway, and for the chaos type of matches, I mean, you gotta give it up to (Rick) Knox. Knox knows how to be exactly where he needs to be when everyone’s flying everywhere because he’s got that PWG experience.”
Omega’s comments put a spotlight on a role that can often be overlooked once a major match is over. Referees are central to the rhythm and credibility of a wrestling contest, particularly in a main event setting where performers may be working through a complex sequence of momentum swings, physical drama, near falls, and carefully timed exchanges. Their work is rarely supposed to become the story, but it is frequently essential to making the story land.
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Omega places Turner at the top of AEW’s referee group
There was no ambiguity in Omega’s assessment of Turner. Calling him “the main event referee” reflects the confidence Omega has in the official when the stakes are highest. It also speaks to the relationship required between referees and wrestlers who work at an elite level.
In-ring trust does not simply mean knowing when to count a pinfall or raise a wrestler’s hand after a decision. In a match built around major sequences and emotionally charged reversals, an official has to maintain positioning, protect the competitors as much as possible, communicate when necessary, and preserve the urgency of the action. A referee can also help ensure that the visual language of a match is clear to everyone watching, whether that means being in place for a decisive count or avoiding a key camera shot at the wrong moment.
For Omega, Turner has evidently established the kind of reputation that makes him a natural choice for those circumstances. The praise is particularly notable because it came while discussing a main event against Ospreay, a performer widely associated with an athletic, fast-moving style that can demand precision from everyone involved in a match.
Omega did not identify a specific moment in the All In 2026 match that prompted his remarks. Instead, he framed Turner’s work as part of an overall excellent presentation. That distinction matters. Rather than focusing on one memorable count or one individual decision, Omega credited Turner’s broader ability to oversee a major contest from beginning to end.
The importance of a referee in a major match
Professional wrestling referees have responsibilities that extend far beyond the visible structure of enforcing match rules. They must react in real time to the pace of the match while staying alert to the performers’ condition and adapting to changing circumstances. In the biggest matches, those demands can increase considerably.
A main event referee needs to understand the intended tone of the contest. A slower, highly dramatic encounter calls for different timing and body language than an explosive match driven by rapid offense. The official has to give a pinfall attempt enough room to feel suspenseful while also avoiding any hesitation that would undermine the action. They need to be close enough to sell the importance of a count, but not so close that they block a crucial exchange or create a distraction.
That balance becomes even more difficult in a match between two wrestlers capable of moving at the speed Omega and Ospreay are known for. The referee has to anticipate where the action may go next while still responding naturally to what is unfolding in front of them. Being one step behind can affect the perception of a sequence; being in the wrong place can create risk for everybody in the ring.
Omega’s reference to trusting Turner “with all of my being” therefore carries weight. Wrestlers place their bodies and their stories in the hands of the people working around them. Trust is earned over time through consistency, communication, composure, and a demonstrated understanding of the demands of a particular match style.
Omega also credits Rick Knox for managing chaos
While Turner received Omega’s strongest endorsement as AEW’s main event referee, Omega also made sure to acknowledge Rick Knox. He specifically connected Knox’s skill set to chaotic matches where wrestlers are “flying everywhere,” noting Knox’s experience in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
That comparison highlights how different officiating assignments can require different strengths. A match involving multiple competitors, rapid dives, ringside activity, and action moving in several directions can be especially challenging to referee. The official is asked to maintain awareness of what is legal within the match, where each wrestler is positioned, and whether they can safely move to the next required spot.
Knox’s PWG background has given him experience in a wrestling environment associated with fast-paced, high-energy action. Omega’s comments suggest that this background is valuable when AEW presents bouts that lean heavily into disorder, athleticism, and an unpredictable visual pace.
In praising both Turner and Knox, Omega did not treat refereeing as a one-size-fits-all job. Turner was presented as the official Omega associates with the magnitude and responsibility of a main event, while Knox was recognized for knowing how to navigate matches where the action can become especially frenetic. Both forms of expertise are valuable within a promotion that features a wide range of match formats and in-ring styles.
All In remains a major stage for AEW performers
All In has become one of AEW’s most significant settings, making a main event appearance on that stage particularly meaningful. A match involving Omega and Ospreay naturally arrives with major expectations because of the caliber of both wrestlers and the attention their meetings command.
Omega’s reflections emphasized that the match was not only about the two names competing. His willingness to credit Turner reinforces the collaborative nature of professional wrestling. A major match is built through the efforts of the wrestlers, referees, production crew, medical personnel, and others working behind the scenes, even though the performers in the ring are the faces most directly associated with the final product.
Referees can be at their best when their work is felt without becoming intrusive. A well-positioned official helps a match retain its flow. A confident count can elevate the drama of a near fall. Smart movement can keep the ring visually open. Calm judgment can help steady a match when the pace intensifies. Omega’s praise indicates that Turner delivered those qualities in a setting where small details matter greatly.
No timetable stated for Omega’s AEW return
Omega’s discussion of the Ospreay match offered fans another look at how he views the people around him in AEW, but it did not provide an update on his next appearance for the company. There is currently no stated timetable for when Omega will return to AEW programming.
For now, his remarks stand as a significant endorsement of Turner’s work. Omega has competed in some of the most demanding matches of his generation, and his opinion on the mechanics of a high-level main event carries obvious credibility. By identifying Turner as AEW’s “main event referee,” Omega gave the official a rare and meaningful public acknowledgment.
He also used the moment to recognize Knox’s distinct strengths, offering a reminder that excellent officiating comes in different forms. Whether a match demands measured control on the grandest stage or rapid awareness amid all-out chaos, AEW’s referees remain a vital part of making the in-ring action work.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.