As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s The New Beginning in Osaka 2023 event on Saturday featured Hikuleo defeating Jay White in a “Loser Leaves Japan” match. White’s contract with NJPW is currently expected to be expiring soon and he is currently expected to leave NJPW and likely heading to either WWE or AEW.
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that White is currently planning to move to the United States but these plans are not set in stone at the moment.
It was reported that while multiple notable companies are currently interested in signing White once he enters free agency, it is not guaranteed that WWE will be the one to sign him despite them feeling confident the most in doing so.
It was also reported that WWE officials never had any actual plans for White to make a surprise appearance at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2023 event due to his contract with NJPW was still active. NJPW talent reportedly currently believe that White’s contract expires “sometime between NJPW Battle in the Valley and WrestleMania” but details regarding his contract situation is currently not known.
It was also reported that while WWE is currently very interested in potentially signing White, any details regarding their potential plans for him are currently being kept very quiet in the company. Those spoken to within NJPW stated that they would love to keep White in the company. White reportedly also made positive relationships with Impact and AEW during his time with both companies last year.