After only six years in the wrestling business and four years in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Jay White has become the fourth youngest man to ever win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Why is This Important?
The IWGP Heavyweight Championship has a long, prestigious history dating back to the mid-80’s. It was conceived by the founder of NJPW and he was the inaugural champion. Since then, including Jay White, only 29 men have ever held the championship.
Many people consider the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to be on the same pedestal as the WWE championship, especially nowadays.
White is from New Zealand, which makes him a Gaijin (foreigner). Only a handful of Gaijin wrestlers have ever held the championship and at only 26 years old, is the youngest to ever hold the title.
What happened?
Jay White defeated the Ace of New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, an 8 time IWGP Heavyweight champion is his own right. White defeated Tanahashi in the final New Beginning show last night in Osaka, Japan. ‘The shocka in Osaka’ is something Kevin Kelly would say right now.
White was not supposed to win this fight. Tanahashi, only a month earlier, finally triumphed over Kenny Omega in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13 to win the title for the 8th time. It was the Ace’s big moment; no one thought at the time Tana was going to be a transitional champion.
How Did We Get Here?
Jay White wasn’t exactly a huge wrestling fan growing up. After winning tickets to go to Wrestlemania 27 in 2011, White knew he wanted to be a pro wrestler. He wrestled around New Zealand for a couple years before joined the New Japan Dojo, becoming a young lion.
Only one year ago, Jay White returned from his young lion duties to New Japan from his overseas excursion to Ring of Honor in the U.S. He was booked in a huge match at Wrestle Kingdom 12 against Tanahashi in a losing effort. The two traded wins and loses throughout 2018 while at the same time causing chaos in the New Japan faction, Chaos. He eventually joined the Bullet Club, aligning himself with Gedo and became their leader.
After Tana won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Jay White attacked him the next day at New Year’s Dash. White challenged Tana then and the rest will live on in New Japan Pro Wrestling history forever. Jay White wins the title and Bullet Club is once again back on top of the wrestling world!
What’s Next?
The New Japan Cup will take place next month and it would be safe to assume his 1st defense will come to the winner of that tournament. With that being said, it is unheard of to see the IWGP Heavyweight title change hands twice in a month let alone three times in a single year.
White will defend his belt against the winner of the New Japan Cup. After, White will go on to main event the G1 SuperCard in Madison Square Garden over WrestleMania weekend.
Jay White’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship win is huge and should be treated as such. He was a star the second he came back to New Japan Pro Wrestling and will be the top Gaijin in New Japan for a very long time.
