In a crossover appeal that bridges professional wrestling, fighting games, and voice acting, All Elite Wrestling star Kenny Omega has publicly endorsed Street Fighter’s powerhouse Alex for inclusion in the next installment of Nintendo’s flagship crossover series, Super Smash Bros. The call comes fresh from Omega’s own involvement in the fighting game community, having recently provided the English voice for Alex in Street Fighter 6. This unique perspective from a performer who is both a celebrated gamer and now intrinsically linked to the character adds significant weight to the fan campaign for Alex’s potential debut.
The Voice Behind the Fighter: Kenny Omega’s Unique Credibility
Kenny Omega is not a typical celebrity endorsing a video game character. Beyond his fame in the squared circle of AEW, Omega has long been recognized as a hardcore gaming enthusiast and a skilled competitor in titles like Street Fighter and, of course, Super Smash Bros. His credibility within the gaming sphere is well-established, making his advocacy more than a simple preference—it’s an informed opinion from an insider. His recent role in Street Fighter 6, where he helped define Alex’s personality and fighting spirit through voice acting, has given him an intimate understanding of the character’s mechanics, lore, and potential.
This firsthand experience allows Omega to articulate a vision for Alex that goes beyond surface-level appeal. He doesn’t just see a muscular fighter; he sees a moveset, a personality, and a fighting style that could be uniquely adapted to the chaotic, platform-based battles of Smash Bros. In interviews and social media comments, Omega has highlighted how Alex’s raw power, grappling-based offense, and straightforward demeanor could translate into a heavyweight fighter with a distinct niche, potentially filling a role similar to characters like Incineroar or Donkey Kong but with a Street Fighter flair.
Alex’s Street Fighter Legacy and Smash Bros Potential
From Third Strike to Modern Gaming
First introduced in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Alex was positioned as the new protagonist intended to carry the torch from the legendary Ryu. A mixed martial artist from New York, his design combined wrestling throws, power bombs, and brutal strikes with a surprisingly relatable, everyman personality. While he didn’t immediately achieve the iconic status of Ryu or Chun-Li, Alex developed a dedicated cult following over the decades, praised for his hard-hitting style and his role in one of the most technically revered fighting games ever made. His return and prominence in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6 have reintroduced him to a new generation of players, solidifying his place in the franchise’s modern pantheon.
Designing a Smash Bros Moveset for a Grappler
The core challenge and excitement of introducing any fighting game character into Super Smash Bros lies in adaptation. How do you distill a complex, combo-heavy 2D fighter into the simplified, yet deep, mechanics of Smash? For Alex, the blueprint is rich. His special moves, like the Flash Chop (a quick, armored forward chop) and the Power Bomb (a devastating command grab), are tailor-made for Smash’s system. His Hyper Bomb, a running suplex, could function as a potent side-special or final smash. Omega has pointed to Alex’s “Slash Elbow” and “Air Knee Smash” as perfect candidates for standard and aerial attacks, suggesting a moveset that emphasizes close-range power and punishing grabs over projectile spam.
Furthermore, Alex’s signature mechanic in recent games, the “Overhaul” system or his focus on charging his power, could be innovatively translated. Imagine a character whose neutral special charges a temporary damage or armor buff, rewarding careful play before unleashing a powered-up state—a mechanic that would feel fresh in the Smash Bros ecosystem. His stage presence, complete with his signature green tank top and blonde dreadlocks, would offer a visually distinct and immediately recognizable silhouette on any battlefield.
The Evolving Roster: Why Third-Party Characters Like Alex Matter
The inclusion of third-party characters has been a cornerstone of Super Smash Bros.’ success since Sonic and Snake debuted in Brawl. Each new fighter from an external franchise is an event, a celebration of gaming history and a nod to passionate fanbases. The Street Fighter series already has a foothold with Ryu and Ken, whose implementations are considered among the most faithful and well-designed in the game. Adding Alex would not only expand Street Fighter’s representation but would do so with a character who represents a different era and style within the same universe.
Broadening Representation Beyond the Shotos
Ryu and Ken are “shotos,” characters defined by fireballs, dragon punches, and hurricane kicks. Alex represents the “grappler” archetype, a fighter who excels in close-quarters, command throws, and trading blows. His inclusion would showcase the mechanical diversity within the Street Fighter franchise itself, teaching Smash players about different fighting game archetypes. For the developers, it represents an opportunity to explore a new weight class and playstyle while staying within a beloved and already-integrated universe, potentially simplifying licensing and development pipelines compared to a wholly new franchise.
Community Impact and the Power of Celebrity Advocacy
Kenny Omega’s endorsement has galvanized existing support for Alex within the Smash Bros speculation community. Online forums, social media platforms, and content creators are revisiting the character’s merits with renewed vigor. While fan demand has always been a factor—with characters like Banjo-Kazooie and Sora proving its power—having a high-profile, credible advocate like Omega adds a new dimension to the campaign. It signals to Nintendo and series director Masahiro Sakurai that interest in Alex isn’t confined to a niche segment of Street Fighter fans; it resonates with influential figures in adjacent entertainment industries.
This phenomenon underscores the modern reality of game roster speculation, where voices from esports, content creation, and even other sports can shape the conversation. Omega’s unique position as a wrestler, gamer, and now voice actor gives his opinion a multifaceted authority that pure gaming journalists or influencers might not possess. It lends the idea an air of practical insight, as if coming from a fellow creator who understands the intricacies of character design and audience appeal.
The Practical Hurdles and Future Possibilities
Of course, roster selection for a hypothetical next Super Smash Bros game involves countless factors beyond popular demand. Licensing agreements with Capcom, development resources, and the overall thematic direction of the new game will be the ultimate deciders. However, the precedent is strong. Capcom and Nintendo have an excellent working relationship, with Monster Hunter, Mega Man, and Street Fighter characters already appearing across Nintendo platforms and in Smash. Alex’s recent prominence in Street Fighter 6, a critically acclaimed and commercially successful title, makes him a relevant and contemporary choice, much like how Joker from Persona 5 was selected following that game’s success.
The convergence of a character’s revived relevance, a pre-existing corporate partnership, and a compelling celebrity-backed design pitch creates a surprisingly strong case. It transforms Alex from a mere fan request into a legitimate, well-argued candidate. While the final decision rests in the hands of developers, the discussion sparked by Omega’s comments enriches the community’s dialogue about what the next era of Smash Bros could look like—a roster that continues to celebrate gaming’s past while embracing its evolving present. The dream of seeing Alex perform a Power Bomb on the likes of Mario or Pikachu remains just that for now, but thanks to advocates like Kenny Omega, it is a dream articulated with a clarity and passion that is hard for fans, and perhaps even developers, to ignore.
