5 Potential Destinations For Jay White
The Raw after WrestleMania may finally be getting its buzz back.
The two are not comparable - they both became massive stars in Japan, however, their star power outwith the country is in no way equal - but Jay White's exit from NJPW shares some similarities with that of a Kenny Omega who, in 2017, took time to reassess his future.
Omega ultimately chose to stay in NJPW but before this, there was a real, genuine belief that Omega could've been WWE-bound. Just one year prior, AJ Styles jumped ship to WWE following his own departure from the Gedo-booked organisation, cropping up at number three in the 2016 Royal Rumble; the 'Cleaner' following suit twelve months after would've received twice the reaction. Audiences were convinced that the soon-to-be IWGP Heavyweight Champion held the often-prestigious number thirty spot in the 2017 Rumble.
He didn't. Roman Reigns did.
Kenny Omega instead stayed in New Japan for another two years, wrote further chapters in his illustrious lore vs. Kazuchika Okada, broke NJPW World records, and, because of that, arguably overtook the 'Rainmaker' when discussing the best all-round professional wrestler.
Jay White's situation is entirely different. His departure isn't a rumour, he isn't leaving at the peak of his significance, and it isn't known where, exactly, he's headed.
So, what's next?
5. NJPW Strong
Jay White vs. Hikuleo was a Loser Leaves Japan match; that sounds oddly specific, given that NJPW has an established branch in the United States. It's been in operation for several years and is due to ramp up further in 2023. Jay White has wrestled for the branch on numerous occasions. He'll do so again on 18 February at Battle In The Valley vs. Eddie Kingston, meaning that he isn't yet finished with his NJPW commitments.
Could he...just not be going away? Perhaps.
But NJPW runs the risk of dividing its audience.
Jay White, already a divisive figure with New Japan diehards, is a major star. At the time of his inaugural IWGP Heavyweight title ascension in February 2019, he was heralded as the greatest heel in professional wrestling. Hyperbolic as it may sound to current-day ears, his case could be argued. White was detested, not because he was an outright boring performer, but because he was a d*ck. A cold, black-souled d*ck who could - and did - do whatever he pleased. It was a style so unnatural to NJPW.
This is precisely why NJPW STRONG is not the answer his career path needs. He's too major a player in current company lore to be restricted to its American counterpart, particularly when that counterpart is given less care and attention than 2020 NJPW.
Probability: 10%.