Jay White's Contract Expiring - Coming to the US

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

From Fightful:

A major name in wrestling's contract is up very soon.

Fightful Select has learned that Switchblade Jay White's contract is up relatively soon, and is expected to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling, per those in the company. Those that we've spoken to believe both WWE and All Elite Wrestling are interested in getting the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, however, WWE sources seemed confident they would land him. However, that's far from official as it was noted from sources within multiple companies that they can't officially reach out to him until his deal is up. Until that happens, there's no guarantee he'll leave NJPW.

White is booked in a "loser leaves Japan" match in Osaka, Japan on February 11 against Hikuleo. WWE has also long expressed interest in Hikuleo, which puts the result of the match in doubt. Those on the NJPW roster are of the belief that Jay White wants to be in the United States for the time being.

We're told that WWE was has heavily recruited him, which White himself confirmed to Fightful happened in early 2021, and we're told had only accelerated. White worked IMPACT Wrestling and AEW during his NJPW run, but wasn't under contract to either, and he'd told us prior to 2021 he'd never been approached by AEW, but has since enjoyed his experiences there.

White headlined Wrestle Kingdom against Kazuchika Okada, where he'd drop the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.

It was reported years ago that Jay White was under NJPW contract until 2025, and AEW had interest. However, in speaking with Jay White across several interviews, he told Fightful "them approaching me and some contract I was on, both things 100% false.”

We're told no deal is finalized, and can't be until Jay White's New Japan Pro Wrestling deal is up. Fightful has reached out to NJPW officially, as well as Jay White, but haven't heard back.

[Chiral]

I wonder which would be better for him of the big two. If HHH's booking on WWE had a brighter future I'd maybe say there, but with Vince looming over creative again IDK.

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

Jan 10, 2023 14:20:46 GMT -5 Chiral said:

I wonder which would be better for him of the big two. If HHH's booking on WWE had a brighter future I'd maybe say there, but with Vince looming over creative again IDK.

Even with Hunter in charge...with how often people compare White to prime HHH, I wonder if he'd take over Karrion Kross's role as Hunter's author avatar.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

I hesitate in calling anyone a can't-miss signing, considering how seemingly can't miss guys have been misused in both companies before, but Jay White is such an all-around great it's hard to think of him as anything but a can't-miss signing.

[Bo Rida]

I think there's a gap for him to fill as WWE's top heel for years to come. I can imagine him opening every raw with a long promo and being HHH's favourite.

Don't think aew can offer the same guarantee but there's other benefits and fewer drawbacks/uncertainty.

He's made either way.

[Fake Jesus]

WWE definitely makes more sense. They're gonna need a new top heel probably in the next year or so, which is a position MJF could also fill - but it looks like White will get there first

[kingoftheindies]

Not surprising, Jay is based out of Florida now.

Would love to see him in AEW but also if we're being honest, the path to main event is easier in WWE.

I think he's going to go get his bank either way

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Jan 10, 2023 14:29:59 GMT -5 Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby said:

Jan 10, 2023 14:20:46 GMT -5 Chiral said:

I wonder which would be better for him of the big two. If HHH's booking on WWE had a brighter future I'd maybe say there, but with Vince looming over creative again IDK.

Even with Hunter in charge...with how often people compare White to prime HHH, I wonder if he'd take over Karrion Kross's role as Hunter's author avatar.

We can only hope.

Can you imagine someone getting that Kross push but it’s a guy that doesn’t suck?

[HMARK Center]

Jan 10, 2023 16:01:02 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

Not surprising, Jay is based out of Florida now.

Would love to see him in AEW but also if we're being honest, the path to main event is easier in WWE.

I think he's going to go get his bank either way

Honestly, if he goes to AEW I think he's ticketed for the main event level right off the bat. Adam Cole was there from the get-go, and White would enter the company with an even bigger resume.

All of this assumes that Jay isn't working the sheets ahead of the Loser Leaves Japan match, but if this is legit then he can basically name his price and let WWE and AEW fall over trying to please him best, he's that damn great.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I think he could go to either WWE or AEW and be pushed very well tbh. He has an established footing in AEW off the bat, WWE I feel he'd be at or near the top of the card off the bat, but with Vince now mucking things up? I don't know, Jay signing a 3ish year deal with AEW wouldn't kill him if he wanted to wait and see what happened with WWE. He's 30, time's on his side.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

If I were a betting man, if Jay White's leaving New Japan for one of the big American 2... he's gonna go to AEW right now lmfao

It would be the smart thing to do, WWE's in disarray, might get sold, Vince is back as chairman? You have no way of trusting anything. Dude absolutely should sign with AEW, get paid, be an upper carder if not a future world champion, and let shit play out.