Longtime New Japan commentator Kevin Kelly spoke recently about what to expect from Jay White now that “The Switchblade” has left NJPW. White lost a “Loser Leaves Japan” match to Hikuleo at NJPW’s recent ‘New Beginning’ show. Online rumors have been swirling about White potentially moving over to WWE. Highlights of Kelly’s comments are below, via the Shining Wizards podcast:
On the Loser Leaves Japan match: “None of us were happy about it. It was a lose-lose situation. It was either gonna be Switchblade Jay White, the current top guy, or Hikuleo, the future top guy. Do I want to give up my All-Pro wide receiver, or do I want to give up my number one draft pick, who in a couple of years is gonna hopefully top all the records that the All-Pro set?”
Kelly’s thoughts of Hikuleo: “I think it speaks to the level of talent that Hikukeo has that he was in that spot. Let’s say Ken Patera wanted to leave the WWWF. He wouldn’t wrestle a Jose Estrada in a Loser Leaves the Company match. He would wrestle a Chief Jay Strongbow, a top guy. He would wrestle a Pedro Morales, and the Intercontinental Title would be on the line. That’s what you’d have. So Hikukeo is in that conversation with Jay White, although Hikukeo hasn’t done what Jay White has done yet.”
On Jay White potentially staying with NJPW: “I don’t think so. I think this is just what he’s doing. What else is there for him to do except conquer America? Where in that is written that he can’t do that under the New Japan banner? I don’t know, we seem to have some operations that are based in the US.”
Jay White’s next (and final) scheduled match under the NJPW banner will take place at Battle In The Valleythis weekend against AEW’s Eddie Kingston.
