'Switchblade' Jay White Set To Leave New Japan Pro Wrestling And Sign For...

By Michael Hamflett / January 11, 2023

Jay White's NJPW contract is up "relatively soon" and he will depart the company for the either WWE or AEW per reports from Fightful Select;

"[White] 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."

'Switchblade' is booked to work a Loser Leaves Japan match against Hikuleo on February 11th, fuelling the speculation about his future. The story took another turn with Fightful also reporting the following about his opponent;

"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."

More on this as/if it develops.