16 Ups & 9 Downs For NJPW In 2018

3. Jay White's Reintroduction

Jay White Switchblade NJPW
njpwworld.com

We'll have more on Jay White's rollercoaster 2018 later, but he endured a difficult start to the year, starting with a disappointing Tokyo Dome clash against the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Not even New Japan's Ace could help the former Young Lion to a career-making bout. Though fundamentally sound, their clash couldn't captivate the Wrestle Kingdom crowd, with 'Switchblade' still growing into his role as an edgy agitator. It convinced nobody of his prospects as a potential main eventer, and with his defeat of IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega playing out to cricket chirps a few weeks later, White was on the verge of bombing.

Overcoming these growing pains wasn't easy for the New Zealander, and neither was watching him struggle from one laboured performance to another. It took months before White looked comfortable in his new skin. Even now, as he stands within touching distance of the main event scene, Jay is still a work-in-progress, though he's lightyears beyond the weird basement-dwelling incel he looked at the start of the calendar.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.