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Jay White signs with AEW, attacks Ricky Starks on Dynamite
Jay White is All Elite.
At the start of Wednesday’s Dynamite, White’s music played as Ricky Starks was entering the ring for his match against Juice Robinson. Robinson used the distraction to attack Starks, with White joining in. After White gave Starks the Bladerunner, he and Robinson hugged, continuing alliance that stretched back to their days in NJPW’s Bullet Club stable.
Soon after the Dynamite angle took place, Tony Khan confirmed that White had signed with the company.
“Switchblade @JayWhiteNZ is ALL ELITE!,” Khan wrote.
White had made his exit from New Japan Pro Wrestling earlier in the year. He lost a Loser Leaves Japan match at The New Beginning in Osaka back in February to Hikuleo. A week later, he lost to Eddie Kingston in a Loser Leaves NJPW match at Battle in the Valley in San Jose.
White started his career in 2013, then began training in the NJPW Dojo in 2015. Throughout his run in NJPW, he held the IWGP Heavyweight title once and the IWGP World Heavyweight title once.
Report: Jay White not expected to sign with WWE
It does not appear that former NJPW star and former IWGP World Champion Jay White will be heading to WWE.
According to PWInsider, there was “absolutely no discussion” regarding White during the past WrestleMania 39 weekend in Los Angeles and “based on multiple conversations with WWE officials and talents, we are told it does not appear White is WWE-bound.”
In January, it was reported that White was expected to hit free agency when his NJPW contract expired. The former Bullet Club leader lost a loser leaves Japan match to Hikuleo at New Year’s Dash followed by a loser leaves NJPW match to Eddie Kingston at Battle in the Valley.
At one point, both WWE and AEW were reportedly interested in signing the 30-year-old “Switchblade” who left NJPW as their fifth triple crown champion and first grand slam champion.
The New Zealand native has wrestled twice in AEW before, once prior to last June’s Forbidden Door and then in a successful IWGP title defense in a four-way at the PPV.
Filthy Four Daily: The thrill of victory & the agony of defeat
Figure Four Daily with yours truly and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including our triumphant victory and crushing defeat at Black Label Pro this past weekend, and our different sides of the story.
We also talk New Japan Strong with Jay White’s final New Japan match, WWE SmackDown and more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Fight Game: Mercedes is money, Triple H’s WrestleMania booking
John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.
We talked about seeing NJPW Battle in the Valley live, which played heavily into our thumbs up/thumbs down segment.
We also discussed Triple H’s booking for his first-ever WWE WrestleMania as the lead creative voice.
Then, we recapped last Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite as it relates to next Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view in San Francisco, California.
You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.
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Jay White defeated in ‘Loser Leaves NJPW’ match at Battle in the Valley
Jay White is leaving NJPW.
Eddie Kingston defeated White in a Loser Leaves NJPW match at Saturday’s Battle in the Valley pay-per-view, ending this chapter of The Switchblade’s New Japan career.
White seemingly had the match won after hitting his Blade Runner finisher, but Kingston rolled to the floor to avoid a pinfall. Kingston countered with a Northern Lights Driver, but White kicked out.
With the contest at the peak of its drama, Kingston then pulled White to his feet, hugged him, then hit a second Northern Lights Driver to pin White.
After the bout, David Finlay hit the ring and attacked White, laying him out with a shillelagh, then cut a scathing promo, saying that White had squandered the opportunity he was given by NJPW, and that Finlay was putting the wrestling world on notice that he is a force to be reckoned with. White was then helped out of the arena by ringside attendants.
White, 30, joined the NJPW Dojo as a Young Lion in January 2015. He took his international excursion in 2016, then returned to the company’s main unit with the Switchblade gimmick in November 2017.
In the five-plus years that followed, White had an unprecedented run for a foreign-born wrestler in NJPW, becoming the first Grand Slam Champion (four different singles titles) in company history.
Among his many accolades, White headlined Wrestle Kingdom 15 in 2021, as well as Wrestle Kingdom 17 in 2023. He also headlined NJPW’s Madison Square Garden debut in 2019.
White held NJPW’s top title on two occasions, holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for 54 days in 2019, and holding the IWGP World Heavyweight title for 206 days from June 2022 until Wrestle Kingdom 17 this year.
On his way out of the company, White also dropped a “Loser Leaves Japan” match to Hikuleo at last week’s The New Beginning in Osaka event.
Wrestling Weekly: Remembering Jerry Jarrett, WWE & NJPW predictions
On the new Wrestling Weekly, you’ll get a unique perspective on Jerry Jarrett from our own Les Thatcher who was with Jerry at the start of his career.
We also give our predictions for WWE Elimination Chamber and NJPW’ Battle in the Valley — both happening this Saturday.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
Jay White & Eddie Kingston agree to Loser Leaves NJPW stipulation for Battle in the Valley
The stakes have been raised for Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston.
White and Kingston were both guests on Thursday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Live with our own Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive. During the segment, Kingston and White agreed to a “Loser Leaves NJPW” stipulation for their match at Battle in the Valley on Saturday.
Kingston said to White:
How about we just finish it? If I beat that a**, which I will, if I beat a former IWGP Champion, and you’re supposedly putting me on the map, right? How about you never wrestle for New Japan again? When I beat you, you never wrestle for New Japan again.
White responded:
I see what you’re putting out and you know Eddie, I don’t have much else left to lose other than that. I’m all about making the stakes higher because nobody performs under pressure like myself. So, you know what, Eddie? That sounds just great to me but I’m going to need you to put up something as well. So, how about I’ll agree to that if you, Eddie, you agree to do the same. When I beat you, teach you your lesson and give you your moment, you can never compete in a New Japan ring or against or with any New Japan talent ever again.
And how about we put in a little fine print in that? You can do that on one condition, you have to come and get permisson from me.
White would clarify that Kingston would not be able to work with any New Japan talent or in an NJPW ring “unless he comes to Switchblade Jay White, gets on his knees, looks up to me, and begs me and then maybe I’ll give him permission.”
Kingston continued:
It’s a deal. Let’s do it, dog, I got no fear. And let me tell you something, though, when you’re done with New Japan, don’t come to AEW. I’m telling you that right now cause you’re not one of the favorites, you’re not one of the pillars, so that means you’re going to be stuck with me and I’m going to beat that a** there too, so do not come to AEW.
WOL: Eddie Kingston and Jay White have agreed to new terms in their match at Battle In The Valley.
Loser can no longer wrestle for NJPW.
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Watch LIVEhttps://t.co/mYdKSjV7fmhttps://t.co/UKafFgNEyahttps://t.co/P8FoqU7X4a pic.twitter.com/p50ftkeyrK
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) February 16, 2023
White is already unable to wrestle for NJPW in Japan after losing a “Loser Leaves Japan” match to Hikuleo at The New Beginning in Osaka.
NJPW Battle in the Valley, Saturday, February 18, 10 p.m. Eastern time on FITE TV PPV —
- IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI (c) vs. Mercedes Mone
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser (c) vs. KENTA
- NJPW Strong Tag Team Championship: Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. World Class Wrecking Crew
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Clark Connors
- Eddie Kingston vs. Jay White
- Filthy Rules: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide
- Mascara Dorada, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest, and Rocky Romero vs. KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, Volador Jr., and The DKC
Wrestling Observer Live: Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston, plus Dynamite and more
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including a full recap of AEW Dynamite, a look at the Revolution PPV coming up in March, and all hell breaks loose with Eddie Kingston and Jay White. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Live: Does WWE really listen to their fans?
It’s Saturday and that means Wrestling Observer Live with yours truly.
Hikuleo defeated Jay White in a loser leaves Japan match Friday in NJPW, so what does this mean for White’s future? With both JONAH and White leaving, does it say something about NJPW?
WWE SmackDown laid the groundwork for this month’s Elimination Chamber while AEW Rampage built to this Wednesday’s Dynamite and next Friday’s “Slam Dunk” edition of Rampage.
Who will go into the WWE Hall of Fame in Hollywood this year? I think it’s got to be people who are big stars, WWE talent and very pretty. Let’s discuss.
WWE says they listen to fans, but do they really? All that and more on today’s WOL.
Jay White loses ‘Loser Leaves Japan’ match at NJPW New Beginning in Osaka
Jay White’s future is in question after dropping a “Loser leaves Japan” match to Hikuleo at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka.
Hikuleo defeated White by pinfall with a chokeslam at Saturday’s show, seemingly ending White’s run as part of NJPW’s main unit. White is still scheduled to face Eddie Kingston at next Saturday’s Battle in the Valley pay-per-view in San Jose, California.
A report last month indicated that White was expected to leave NJPW when his contract expired, which was believed to be “relatively soon.”
Prior to the chokeslam and pin, Hikuleo and White executed the “too sweet” gesture, a callback to Hikuleo’s time as part of Bullet Club with White, as the two were frequent tag partners on NJPW Strong.
.@Hiku_Leo 🤘🤘@JayWhiteNZ
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CcdQ1XamUA#njpw #njnbg #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/q0RQUixsdr
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2023
On his way out of the arena, White gave a fist bump to NJPW stalwart Hiroshi Tanahashi as Tana provided commentary for the event.
.@tanahashi1_100 🤜🤛@JayWhiteNZ
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CcdQ1XamUA#njpw #njnbg #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/XVLISVf3R6
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 11, 2023
White issued the Loser leaves Japan challenge to Hikuleo at New Year Dash last month, a day after he lost the IWGP World Heavyweight title to Kazuchika Okada in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 17.
In his NJPW career, White became the first grand slam champion in NJPW history, capturing four different singles titles — the IWGP Heavyweight title, IWGP Intercontinental title, IWGP United States title, plus the NEVER Openweight title. Hiroshi Tanahashi is the only other NJPW wrestler to accomplish the feat.
In all, White held the top title in NJPW twice — the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP World Heavyweight titles, in addition to holding the NEVER, IC, and US titles one time each.
White’s loss came four years to the day of his IWGP Heavyweight Championship win at The New Beginning in Osaka 2019.
Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston set for NJPW Battle in the Valley
Jay White and Eddie Kingston will meet at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley event next month in San Jose.
On the episode of NJPW Strong that aired Saturday night, the two got into a confrontation, with Kingston challenging White to a match at Battle in the Valley on February 18. White eventually accepted, telling Kingston it was about time that he proved how insignificant Kingston actually was.
A MONUMENTAL challenge!
@madking1981 vs @jaywhiteNZ at Battle in the Valley February 18, LIVE on @fitetv!#njpwSTRONG #njbitv pic.twitter.com/wkuS30BXVu
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 15, 2023
The two have been feuding on NJPW Strong for months. The two last met at NJPW Rumble at 44th Street on October 28, where Jay White and Juice Robinson teamed together to defeat Kingston and Kazuchika Okada.
Another match, Homicide vs. Tom Lawlor, was also made on the show. The match will be held under “Filthy Rules”, meaning that there will be no ring ropes and no rules.
Here is the updated lineup for Battle in the Valley:
NJPW Battle in the Valley, Saturday, February 18, 10 p.m. Eastern time on FITE TV PPV —
- IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI (c) vs. Mercedes Mone
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada or Shingo Takagi will defend the title
- Eddie Kingston vs. Jay White
- Filthy Rules: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide
NJPW Battle in the Valley pre-show, Saturday, February 18, 9:20 p.m. Eastern time, free on YouTube and FITE TV —
- David Finlay vs. Bobby Fish
- JR Kratos vs. Alex Coughlin
Wrestling Observer Radio: Stephanie McMahon resigns, WWE sale rumors
It’s an emergency edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Dave and I talk about Stephanie McMahon resigning from her position at WWE, Vince McMahon getting elected back into his Executive Chairman role, and all the WWE sale rumors and the implications.
We also talk about the Jay White situation as well as the passing of Black Warrior.
Report: Jay White expected to leave NJPW when contract expires
One of NJPW’s top wrestlers could be bound for either WWE or AEW.
Fightful Select reported on Tuesday that Jay White is expected to leave NJPW when his contract expires, which is “relatively soon.”
Fightful’s report states that those they’ve spoken to believe that both WWE and AEW are interested in signing White. WWE sources that Fightful spoke to “seemed confident that they would land him,” but that’s not official and no company can officially reach out to White until his NJPW contract is up.
The report also says that members of the NJPW roster are of the belief that White wants to be in the United States for the time being.
White lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Kazuchika Okada in the main event of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 earlier this month. NJPW has announced that White will face Hikuleo in a “Loser Leaves Japan” match at the New Beginning in Osaka on Saturday, February 11.
White is a two-time World Champion for NJPW. He’s also held the IWGP Intercontinental title, IWGP United States Heavyweight title, and the NEVER Openweight title.
White wrestled for AEW on an episode of Rampage last February. He also defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view. White appeared for Impact Wrestling for a period of time in 2022 as well.
Jay White challenges Hikuelo to loser leaves Japan match at NJPW New Year Dash
Jay White has challenged Hikuleo to a loser leaves Japan match.
At Thursday’s NJPW New Year Dash event, Jay White, El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, and KENTA lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hikuleo, Tama Tonga, and Master Wato by DQ when ELP used a belt to attack Tama Tonga. Bullet Club then laid out their opponents, with Jay White pummeling Hikuleo repeatedly with steel chair shots.
White then cut a promo, blaming Hikuelo for his loss against Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 17, saying that he and Tama Tonga’s defection from the Bullet Club in the last year has caused him to reach this point. He then issued the challenge for a match where the loser must leave Japan. It wasn’t made clear when this match would take place.
Hikuelo left the Bullet Club late last year, turning against Jay White and Bullet Club and joined forces with his brother Tama Tonga, who defeated Karl Anderson at Wrestle Kingdom to win the NEVER Openweight title for a second time.