NJPW's Jay White Denies AEW Approached Him In 2018

After Jay White said he was done with New Japan Pro-Wrestling following his loss to Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 15, reports noted that WWE were "making a strong play" to sign the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. 

Further question marks were then raised over White's NJPW future following a report from Dave Meltzer which claimed White told AEW officials in 2018 that he had just re-signed with New Japan on a seven-year deal. 

White ultimately returned to NJPW on February 1, ending speculation about his future, and he is currently the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion.

Speaking to Fightful Select ahead of defending the gold at Battle In The Valley on November 13, White denied he had ever been approached by AEW, but he did confirm WWE were interested in signing him. 

"I was never or have never been approached in regards to AEW. Especially when they were starting up. I don't know where that rumour came from. It's just like everything else to do with wrestling in regards to wrestling, people just like to push sh*t out there as if it's true and everyone just eats it up. No, I was never approached in regards to AEW. I don't know where that came from," White began.

"It just hurts my brain. The only part of that where there was any truth is the very first part of it, talking about the start of this year and about (WWE). Anything after that, none of that is true. It's completely false. People, I'm sure, they're probably going to respond and say, 'Oh, he's just saying that because he's not into telling the truth.' But I'm doing you a favour and telling you the truth here - them approaching me and some contract I was on, both things 100% false."

Fightful also noted that White at one point in the interview said, "I could very well be lying to you about everything," but he appeared to be frustrated by reports of an AEW approach and seven-year contract.

White is scheduled to defend the NEVER Openweight Title against Tomohiro Ishii at Battle In The Valley. If The Stone Pitbull loses, he will never be able to challenge for the championship again.