Report: Update On Jay White Following Loser Leaves Japan Match

The world is Jay White’s oyster, well, aside from Japan, as ‘Switchblade’ lost a ‘loser leaves Japan match’ against Hikuleo at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka, amidst a backdrop of rumour and speculation as to White’s future with New Japan.

Since dropping the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, White has been increasingly linked with a move away from NJPW, with the loss to Hikuleo only compounding matters. However, a report from Fightful Select suggests that nothing is confirmed as to White’s future, and whilst it is assumed that White will be making a move to the United States, it is not known where he will ply his trade full-time.

New Japan are hoping to retain White’s services, with NJPW's US expansion set to ramp up even further heading into 2023, with their upcoming Battle in the Valley event on February 18 highly anticipated. As for Battle in the Valley, White is scheduled to face Eddie Kingston on the show, and Fightful’s report suggests that White’s NJPW contract is up sometime between BITV and WWE WrestleMania 39.

Whilst NJPW would “love to keep him”, WWE are the elephants in the room, having been heavily touted with making a move for the Bullet Club leader. White was strongly rumoured for a Royal Rumble appearance last month, but with White still under contract to NJPW, the chances of him appearing in the Rumble were slim. Heading into Mania season the rumours have started circulating once more, but whilst WWE were at one point confidant of procuring White, nothing is guaranteed, and WWE have gone quiet on all things Switchblade for the time being.

The possibility of White ending up in either AEW or IMPACT can’t be ruled out either, with White having wrestled for both companies in the past, forging good relationships in the process. If White does stay with NJPW, then it is plausible he could split his time between NJPW USA, AEW, and even IMPACT, due to the working relationships between the three companies, although that is conjecture at this point.