AEW’s working relationship with other companies through the “Forbidden Door” has brought about some fun moments and entertaining cameos over the last few years, one of those being the recent shocking appearance of NJPW’s Jay White, who showed up on a recent episode of AEW Dynamite, seemingly aligning with Adam Cole. However, White can’t be used as just a tool to support the likely upcoming feud between Cole and Kenny Omega, and he should be a much bigger player in the weeks and months to come.
Jay White Is One Of NJPW’s Biggest Stars
Over the last few years, Jay White has become one of, if not the biggest American name in NJPW, taking the reins from the likes of Kenny Omega and AJ Styles, and thriving under the spotlight. White is a hugely accomplished performer at just 29 years old, becoming the first Grand Slam Champion in the company’s history, winning the IWGP Heavyweight, United States, Intercontinental, and NEVER Openweight titles.
He is currently the leader of The Bullet Club, which was formally led by Omega before White usurped him from the faction. Having someone with this star power as a crossover name is a big deal and should be treated as such. However, White’s debut in AEW was a little understated, with it being in a backstage segment, and his first match was on Rampage, with fewer eyes watching. Right now, it seems as though White is being used to add layers to the current turmoil within The Elite, but he should be in a much more prominent position given who he is.
AEW Haven’t Utilized The Forbidden Door As Effectively As They Should
The “Forbidden Door” has been a major talking point within the wrestling world since AEW began, with the company striking up relationships with multiple other promotions such as AAA, NWA, and Impact. When it comes to names appearing in AEW, it has mostly been as fun cameos, but nothing too significant. The likes of Minoru Suzuki and KENTA have appeared sporadically, but only for a few appearances, and then they’ve headed back to Japan.
When it comes to Impact, the only true crossover of note was the team of Anderson & Gallows appearing alongside Omega and The Elite, but they were mostly used as muscle and lackeys, with not much exposure for their own promotion. Things like this likely led to the partnership between AEW and Impact coming to an end. If AEW doesn’t paint these incoming NJPW stars in a big light, then it runs the risk of the same thing happening.
Though the focus shouldn’t be taken away from AEW’s full-time roster, having big names and not capitalizing on them is a huge mistake. When it comes to someone like White, who is one of the in-ring performers in the world, who will likely be assessing his options in the next few years after his lengthy NJPW contract runs out, he is probably on AEW’s radar. However, if he is treated as just another guy within this story, then it may make him not want to sign in the future, or even come back for more cameos over the next couple of years.
The Feud Between Adam Cole & Kenny Omega Doesn’t Necessarily Need Jay White
When it comes to the allegiances between Cole and Omega, The Bullet Club is a huge feature in their history, and White being the current leader and man who turned on Omega, should be a big talking point. Cole bringing in White to AEW should have caused much more outrage from the Young Bucks, who only seemed mildly annoyed at the situation. With Omega being their friend, more conflict should have been created during that moment.
White, being the major name that he is, can’t just be “another guy” – he needs to be someone with a clear agenda, and if that is getting another one over on Omega, then it must be made apparent. There is even potential for a big Bullet Club crossover or invasion angle if the two companies can work together closely, but right now, it seems as though White is playing a cameo role.
Whilst he does add to the looming feud between Cole and Omega, he doesn’t feel like a necessary addition right now, and if he wasn’t there, not much would have really changed. Cole aligning with White is just building the same story as him aligning with Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly, with him bringing in these names behind his friends’ backs. Of course, there is plenty of time for it all to play out, and White could well come to a much bigger factor in the grander picture, but as of right now, AEW hasn’t really presented him like the star he has proven himself to be in NJPW.