Update On Jay White’s Status Following NJPW Wrestle Kingdom Appearance

Jay White turned heads when he appeared at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom, but he’s not expected to return to AEW in the immediate future according to a new report. As reported, White was one of the people who appeared to honor Hiroshi Tanahashi after the latter’s final match at this past weekend’s show. That led to some speculation that White may be returning to AEW soon, but Fightful Select reports that is not the case.

White has been out of action since March with a broken hand as well as a shoulder surgery that he had been needing to have happen. While his appearance at Wrestle Kingdom was kept close to the vest, AEW sources have clarified that White is still not cleared to return to the ring.

The report goes on to note that White is not expected to be cleared in the immediate future and is not factored into any AEW creative plans as of now.

White was “banned” from NJPW after he lost his final match for the promotion in February of 2023, which made his return for Wrestle Kingdom 20 particularly surprising for some. No word on when he may be cleared to compete beyond “not imminently.”