There are a lot of top-level performers on the AEW roster. So many, it is easy to forget those who could thrive in the main event if they were given the opportunity. One such person is Jay White. As rumors build about a potential return, fans are continuing to opine about his tenure in All Elite Wrestling and a run at the top is on a lot of their Christmas lists.
Jay White hasn’t had the best of luck since joining All Elite Wrestling in 2023. He’s missed substantial time due to injury. For example, he’s only taken part in six matches this year. Before that, he had 27 in 2024 and 38 in 2023. That came after 2022 when he had 62 matches in what has been the best run of his career.
When White joined AEW in 2023 as a full-time performer, many expected that he’d be an easy choice for a future title run. While the injuries cut into those expectations, White also found himself in the position of being another name on a packed roster. Individuals like Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight and others joined AEW and quickly carved out key space on television. There’s a finite amount of time to go around and Jay White was one of the many who found themselves with less than many expected.
What does Jay White’s future look like?
Now, that is a tough question. The last update on his status came back in October, when Fightful Select mentioned during a question and answer session that White was dealing with hand and shoulder injuries that may take a “considerable amount of time to heal before he can return to the ring.” It’s been a few months, but there’s still no true update on when he’ll be back in the ring.
AEW World’s End is set to be headlined by a four-way title match between Samoa Joe, “Hangman” Adam Page, MJF, and Swerve Strickland. Expectations are that MJF is going to walk out with the title after his big return. However, a MJF title win would seemingly put any thought of a Jay White title run happening soonish to bed. MJF is one of, if not the biggest star in the AEW men’s division. His next title run is going to be a lengthy one. Maybe not as along as his record-breaking run, but a long way in its own right. Jay White fans shouldn’t want to see him in the main event at that time, because it’s going to be a clear loss once again.
There’s another interesting question about Jay White’s time in AEW as well. How much longer will he be in the company? Early estimates are that his contract would be set to end in 2026, but there’s a possibility that injury time could lengthen that. Before White joined AEW, there were rumors that WWE had a strong interest in his talents. Business dealings based on the WWE sale put a hold on that, causing White to sign with AEW. Now, things are different and WWE hasn’t hesitated in signing away big names from AEW. White’s run in AEW and his injury issues may have even pushed his price down, creating even more incentive for WWE to make a major push to sign him when his contract ends. Do not be surprised if there are rumors about WWE having big interest in his talents at some point in the next 12 months.
Jay White is talented. He’s a multiple-time champion, with several big wins on his resume. Fans are drawn to his character and his in-ring abilities deliver. There’s a reason why so many fans want to see him in the main event, but that may not happen in All Elite Wrestling. 2026 will be a big year in seeing what his future with the company looks like.