Jay White‘s time with New Japan Pro-Wrestling is reportedly expected to end in the near future.
White has been one of the company’s top stars in recent years. He has been the leader of Bullet Club, and on January 4, he headlined Wrestle Kingdom 17 against Kazuchika Okada. “Switchblade” dropped the gold to Okada in the Tokyo Dome, leaving his path forward up in the air.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, White’s contract will be up soon, and he is expected to leave NJPW, according to company sources. Sapp cited sources who believe that WWE and AEW are both interested in him. The report notes that WWE sources “seemed confident” the company would get him, but that is not official whatsoever, as WWE can’t officially contact White until he is a free agent. For that matter, there is currently no guarantee that White will leave NJPW. That being said, Sapp also cited NJPW sources who believe that White wants to be in the United States for now.
Additionally, Sapp reported that WWE has “heavily recruited” White, and the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion confirmed as much in a previous interview with Fightful. A previous report stated that White was signed until 2025, and AEW had interest in him, but White reportedly told Fightful that the rumors about AEW approaching him, and his contract being that long, were false.
Sapp also wrote that, as of now, no deal is finalized, as White is still under contract with NJPW.
White will face Hikuleo in a Loser Leaves Japan match at The New Beginning event on February 11. WWE has also reportedly been interested in Hikuleo.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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