NJPW: Jay White Proves He’s Ready for the Main Event Scene
After a solid run as IWGP United States Champion, and a spectacular performance at the G1 Special in San Francisco, Jay White is ready to move on to bigger and better. So where exactly does the Switchblade fit into NJPW’s fantastic main event scene?
New Japan Pro Wrestling, year in and year out, are constantly showcasing the best wrestling from across the world. In the past year or so, “Switchblade” Jay White has become one of the company’s most interesting attractions. Since coming back to NJPW repackaged with the Switchblade gimmick, White has been on a tear through the promotion’s midcard. After taking the title from now-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega, White has seen his stock within NJPW skyrocket as a heel.
Right now, White has it all. Tremendous heel heat, a great look for his character, a stylized moveset, and up until a few days ago, a title to go with him. White suited the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, and was at just the right place on the card. The operative word there is “was,” as Jay White has shown over his past few appearances that he is ready to move on.
Fortunately for him, NJPW saw the same potential, and he now has an opportunity to move higher on the card. In the penultimate bout of the G1 Special in San Francisco, White dropped the belt to Juice Robinson after a 160-day reign to a thunderous reception.
Robinson is one of the hottest midcard performers in Japan right now, and NJPW pulled the trigger at just the right time. Now belt-less, Jay White is ready to move on. The IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship has become something of a stepping stone, with first champion Kenny Omega having gone onto greatness. Although White doesn’t hold the same star power as Omega yet, it’s time for him to move on as well. So, where does he fit into the main event scene for New Japan Pro Wrestling?
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The somewhat-obvious solution here is to have him face IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega. White and Omega seem intertwined at this point, as White took the United States title off of Omega in his fifth defense. Additionally, White teased joining the Bullet Club before turning on Omega and aligning with Kazuchika Okada and Chaos. It would be a perfect full-circle storyline if the two met once again in the main event. After all, New Japan’s strength is long-term storytelling with a satisfying payoff. For all we know, they might already be putting the pieces in place for this storyline.
The less obvious, but likely just as entertaining option, is for White to turn on Okada and Chaos. NJPW already has one faction in turmoil in Bullet Club, so to have two of their five main groups in civil wars could mean massive changes in the landscape. Kazuchika Okada, without his title, is a desperate and broken down man. Yes, he is still the Rainmaker, but his facial expressions and mannerisms show that he is not the same man without the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This presents a perfect opportunity for White to take over the faction from Okada, and launch himself into the main event.
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No matter what NJPW chooses to do with White, it’s more than likely that they will nail it. New Japan Pro Wrestling has the best wrestling and storytelling of any promotion, and they know exactly what to do with their wrestlers — just ask Mark Cuban. Now that the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship is in the hands of another up and comer, Jay White is free to enter totally new storylines. Watch for the Switchblade in the second half of 2018 and beyond, as he will almost certainly be one of NJPW’s most intriguing acts.