NJPW News: 'Switchblade' revealed to be Jay White, challenges Hiroshi Tanahashi
Jay White returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Power Struggle, revealing himself to be 'Switchblade' before challenging Hiroshi Tanahashi to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 12. The 'Switchblade' vignettes had been playing for months, with many fans assuming the persona would see Sami Callihan make his debut in NJPW.
Those predictions were incorrect however, as Jay White made his grand return to the company as the mysterious figure. White's last match in New Japan took place in June 2016, and the New Zealander has been on excursion ever since. Before leaving, White promised the New Japan fans that he would return to the company in the future and would do so as a heavyweight.
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Hiroshi Tanahashi successfully defended the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Power Struggle against Kota Ibushi, before celebrating after the match in his usual style. The former Ace went through a number of air guitars before wishing the crowd good night, only for the arena lights to go dark for the second time of the night.
The 'Switchblade' video played on the screen, only for the vignette to run on and finally reveal the wrestler behind the videos - former NJ young lion, Jay White. The man from Auckland then came out to the ring to confront Tanahashi, challenging him to an IWGP Intercontinental Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
The two soon came to blows with White getting the best of it, hitting Tanahashi with his version of Bray Wyatt's Sister Abigail. White left his switchblade pendant on Tanahashi's chest, before walking to the back with the Osaka crowd in shock.