A major name in wrestling's contract is up very soon.
Fightful Select has learned that Switchblade Jay White's contract is up relatively soon, and 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. Until that happens, there's no guarantee he'll leave NJPW.
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.
White headlined Wrestle Kingdom against Kazuchika Okada, where he'd drop the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
It was reported years ago that Jay White was under NJPW contract until 2025, and AEW had interest. However, in speaking with Jay White across several interviews, he told Fightful "them approaching me and some contract I was on, both things 100% false.”
We're told no deal is finalized, and can't be until Jay White's New Japan Pro Wrestling deal is up. Fightful has reached out to NJPW officially, as well as Jay White, but haven't heard back.
For those asking, NJPW was said to have expected Jay White to be courted by other companies.
This article first appeared on our premium service, Fightful Select and was republished here on Fightful. If you complain about it being "old news," you have to buy off NFL referees to rule in favor of the Bengals. Subscribe to get exclusive news every day, and a half-dozen weekly podcasts.
