Wrestling: Ten Potential Breakout Stars In 2018

“Switchblade” Jay White

Yes, I know that White disappointed many fans and critics with his performance in his IWGP Intercontinental Championship match against Hiroshi Tanahashi. I’m willing to look past that since it was his first match since debuting the new gimmick. New Japan apparently feels the same way.

They are doubling down on this push, as White joined CHAOS shortly after emphatically turning down Kenny Omega’s offer to join the Bullet Club, which is clearly leading to an IWGP U.S. Heavyweight title match between the two. If White can’t have a great match with Omega, who could probably carry that blow-up doll he wrestled years ago to a five-star classic today, his singles run might be in trouble.

Fortunately, White is very talented between the ropes. He already has the character aspect of his Switchblade schtick down, he just needs more time to incorporate the gimmick into his workrate, kind of like the Velveteen Dream.

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This is something that will take time, but White will get plenty of chances to prove that he can either make the character work or he can’t. If he can, New Japan will have yet another star that can aid them in their quest to expand their reach further west. Given White’s immense talent, I would bet on him making this work.