16 Ups & 9 Downs For NJPW In 2018

3. Jay White's Bullet Club Takeover

Jay White Bullet Club OGs Firing Squad
NJPW

As dismal as Jay White's early-year form was, the 'Switchblade' is now New Japan's most compelling villain. He hasn't so much 'improved' as done a complete U-turn, and he now walks into Wrestle Kingdom 13 among the most electric stars in the company - something only an insane person would've predicted prior to his G1 Climax run.

King Of Pro Wrestling saw White unveiled as the mastermind behind 2018's Bullet Club civil war. Having already persuaded Gedo to split from long-time ally Kazuchika Okada, White, Jado, and the NJPW booker faced off with the Bullet Club OG group following Jay's loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi. It a setup. White and his stooges completed their defection from CHAOS to the Club in a move every bit as shocking as Gedo's Destruction betrayal, and now, 'Switchblade' is among the most powerful men at the company, with an army of ne'er-do-wells at his command.

That this angle came off so well speaks to White's improved performances and presentation. It would've bombed like his IWGP United States Title win had these problems not been addressed. Now, White stands on the edge of greatness, and while he still has a few rough edges to iron, he's far closer to the performer NJPW expected to become after facing Tanahashi on 4 January. It took a while to get there, but the journey proved worth it.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.