Jamie White (born October 9, 1992), better known by his ring name Jay White (ジェイ・ホワイト Jei Howaito), is a New Zealand professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Bullet Club sub-group Bang Bang Gang. White also makes appearances at Impact Wrestling. After starting his career in 2013, White joined NJPW the following year as a Young Lion.
White's career gained prominence during his NJPW tenure from 2015 to 2023, where he rose from excursion talent to a top star. Transitioning to AEW, White made his in-ring debut on February 18, 2022, defeating Trent Beretta on Rampage; after signing full-time in 2023, he competed on Dynamite starting April 19, defeating Komander.
Early Life and Training
Jay White was born Jamie White on October 9, 1992, in Auckland, New Zealand. From a young age, White participated in various team and individual sports, including rugby, cricket, rugby league, and tennis, which helped develop his physical discipline and athletic foundation. White completed his secondary education in New Zealand, graduating at age 18 in 2010. Immediately after school, he enlisted in the New Zealand Army for initial pre-training but departed before finishing the program, subsequently taking up a laboring job.
Jay White, born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1992, developed an interest in professional wrestling during his youth while primarily participating in rugby, a more prominent sport in his home country. He kept his passion for wrestling largely private due to its limited popularity in New Zealand at the time. In late 2012, at the age of 20, White decided to pursue his dream professionally and relocated to the United Kingdom.
White's initial training regimen at VPW was intensive and foundational, focusing on basic techniques such as running the ropes, taking bumps, and match fundamentals, marking his first formal exposure to these elements. After approximately one month of preparation, he made his professional in-ring debut on February 19, 2013, for VPW, competing in matches that helped him build experience.
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During his UK tenure, White's path to greater opportunities opened when he encountered Prince Devitt (later known as Finn Bálor) at a VPW event in 2014; Devitt, impressed by White's dedication, provided his contact information and expressed willingness to assist his career. This connection, combined with outreach from fellow New Zealander Bad Luck Fale, led White to join New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) dojo system in January 2015.
As a "young lion" trainee, White endured a rigorous 1.5-year program involving daily chores, extensive physical conditioning like hundreds of squats and push-ups, and learning Japanese strong style wrestling under intense conditions that tested his endurance and adaptability. In June 2016, White received his farewell match before embarking on an overseas learning excursion, facing off against veterans in a multi-man tag.
Early Career and Excursion
White initially trained under The UK Kid at Varsity Pro Wrestling (VPW) in early 2013, and made his professional debut on February 19, working for VPW as well as All Star Wrestling, among other promotions. In early 2014, White met New Japan Pro Wrestling's Prince Devitt and competed alongside him in a tag team match for VPW. After the match, Devitt gave White his card and told him to keep in touch. Shortly thereafter, White was contacted by Bad Luck Fale, who said that Devitt had spoke to NJPW officials about White and that he could get him a place as a young lion in the dojo if he wanted it. White left for Japan on New Year's Eve 2014, began further training as a young lion upon his arrival, and made his debut for NJPW on January 30, 2015, losing to Alex Shelley.
White lost all but eight of his matches in 2015, as is common for young lions in NJPW. In 2016, White began gaining more victories, and on March 27 competed in his biggest match to date when he was defeated by then-reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kenny Omega in a non-title match. White's final match in NJPW took place on June 19, 2016, at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, when he, David Finlay Jr., and Juice Robinson were defeated by Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Manabu Nakanishi.
His excursion took him to the United Kingdom, where he wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), including high-profile matches against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr.
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Upon moving to the United States, White was first based in New Jersey, before moving to Detroit, where he lived with Alex Shelley. White debuted in Ring of Honor (ROH) at the June 25 TV tapings, defeating Kamaitachi by disqualification and teaming with The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) to defeat Kamaitachi and The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian). White and The Motor City Machine Guns eventually formed a stable named "Search and Destroy" with Jonathan Gresham and Lio Rush. On July 8, White defeated Lio Rush. At the next set of TV tapings, White defeated Will Ferrara and wrestled Jay Briscoe to a time limit draw. White debuted for England's Revolution Pro Wrestling on August 12, 2016, defeating Josh Bodom.
On August 19, White competed in a fatal four-way match against Kamaitachi, Lio Rush, and Donovan Dijak, which was won by Dijak. The following day, White and Rush were defeated by The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe). White returned to RPW on August 26, defeating Mark Haskins. On September 30, White teamed with Kushida and ACH to defeat The Briscoes and Toru Yano in a quarter final match in the ROH Trios Tag Team Championship Tournament. White, ACH, and Kushida then defeated The Cabinet (Rhett Titus, Kenny King, and Caprice Coleman) in the semi-finals, but were defeated by The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia, and TK O'Ryan) in the final at Final Battle. White competed once again for RPW on January 21, 2017, defeating Martin Stone. On June 6, White received his biggest title opportunity in his career when after winning a Battle Royal he unsuccessfully challenged Christopher Daniels for the ROH World Championship in a triple threat match.
Return to NJPW and Rise to Prominence
On November 5, 2017, at Power Struggle, White returned to NJPW as the mysterious "Switchblade", who had been teased for the past several months, challenging Hiroshi Tanahashi to a match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 12, before attacking him. The following day, NJPW officially announced the match between Tanahashi and White for Wrestle Kingdom 12. On January 4, White was defeated by Tanahashi in the title match. On January 5, Jay teased joining BULLET CLUB; however, White then betrayed Kenny Omega by attacking him with a Blade Runner. A day later he joined the CHAOS faction in order to face off against BULLET CLUB and Kenny Omega, claiming he needed backup in his fight against BULLET CLUB.
Upon return, White aligned with the Chaos stable, mentored by Kazuchika Okada, and quickly rose through the ranks. In January 2018, he captured the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from Kenny Omega at The New Beginning in Sapporo on January 28, holding the title for 160 days before dropping it to Juice Robinson at G1 Special in San Francisco on July 7.
On January 28, at The New Beginning In Sapporo, White defeated Omega to become the second IWGP United States Champion in the title's history. On March 25, he went on to defend the title for the first time against Hangman Page at the Strong Style Evolved event in Long Beach, California. White would make his second successful title defence against David Finlay at Road to Wrestling Dontaku Night 10. White would make his third defense of the title at ROH-NJPW War of the Worlds Night 2, beating Punishment Martinez . At Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, White suffered a pin fall loss in a tag team match to Juice Robinson. Because of this, White defended but lost the title to Juice at the G1 Special in San Francisco.
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His momentum continued into the summer, but tensions brewed within Chaos. As Bullet Club's leader starting in 2018, White adopted the "Switchblade" moniker and became NJPW's premier antagonist, feuding with top stars like Okada, Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi.
White would then compete in the 2018 G1 Climax, finishing with twelve points in Block A, failing to advance. During the tournament, White would score a victory over CHAOS leader Kazuchika Okada, along with defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi. At Destruction In Kobe, following Hiroshi Tanahashi's match with Kazuchika Okada, White would attack Tanahashi. White, turning his back on CHAOS, would then turn his attack towards Okada. This would bring out Okada's former manager, Gedo, who also betrayed him, siding with White by hitting Okada with a chair. At King of Pro-Wrestling, White was defeated by Tanahashi. After the bout, White attacked Tanahashi, however, Okada made the save. This would bring out Jado and the BULLET CLUB OGs, who joined Gedo and White in the attack on Okada. As a result, White, Gedo, and Jado all completed their defection from CHAOS to BULLET CLUB, with White becoming the new leader of BULLET CLUB.
Championship Success in NJPW
On January 4, 2019, at Wrestle Kingdom 13, White defeated Okada. The following month, at The New Beginning In Osaka, White defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
White's second major world title run came in 2022 amid NJPW's post-pandemic restructuring.
After 54 days as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, White was dethroned by Okada at ROH-NJPW G1 Supercard. Throughout July and August, White competed in the 2019 G1 Climax, finishing with twelve points in Block B, advancing to the final. At the final on August 12, White was defeated by Kota Ibushi. The next month, at Destruction In Kobe, White won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship after defeating Tetsuya Naito. White made his first, and only, defence of the title at Power Struggle, defeating Hirooki Goto. At Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night 1 on January 4, 2020, White lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship back to Naito. Following an absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, White returned on NJPW's American show, STRONG, teaming up with Chase Owens in a loss to Brody King and Flip Gordon. White would compete in the 2020 G1 Climax, finishing with twelve points in Block A, failing to advance.
At Power Struggle, White defeated Kota Ibushi, winning the G1 Climax briefcase from Ibushi, allowing White to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at Wrestle Kingdom 15. On January 5, 2021, at Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom, Ibushi defeated White to retain the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. Following Wrestle Kingdom 15, White announced he wanted to quit NJPW after New Year Dash. At New Year Dash, White was pinned by Tomohiro Ishii in a Ten Man Tag Team Elimination Match. After a month long absence following New Year Dash, White would return at Road To New Beginning Night 10, attacking Ishii. In March, White competed in the 2021 New Japan Cup, defeating Toa Henare in the first round, before eliminating Hiroshi Tanahashi in the second round. In the quarter-final, White was eliminated by David Finlay.
At Wrestling Dontaku Night 1, White defeated Tanahashi to win the NEVER Openweight Championship. White made his first defence at Resurgence, defeating David Finlay. Three months later, at Battle In The Valley, White was dethroned by Tomohiro Ishii. On May 1, 2022, White returned to Japan at Wrestling Dontaku, attacking IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. At Dominion 6.12, White defeated Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
White went on to take part in the 2022 G1 Climax, finishing with ten points in Block B, failing to advance due to his loss to former BULLET CLUB member Tama Tonga. As a result, White defeated Tonga to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Declaration of Power. At Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023, White lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to 2022 G1 Climax winner Kazuchika Okada. After losing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, White would blame his loss on former BULLET CLUB member Hikuleo.
By early 2023, internal Bullet Club strife intensified, particularly with half-brother Hikuleo.
At New Year Dash on January 5, White would challenge Hikuleo to a Loser Leaves Japan Match, which was accepted. The bout took place on February 11 at The New Beginning In Osaka, where White would lose, forcing him to leave Japan. White was scheduled to face Eddie Kingston at Battle In The Valley on February 18, however, a Loser Leaves NJPW stipulation was added.
Impact Wrestling Debut
White made his unannounced debut for Impact Wrestling at the Slammiversary pay-per-view event on July 17, 2021, interrupting the post-main event celebration of Impact World Champion Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) by attacking David Finlay of the tag team FinJuice. This appearance stemmed from New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) working relationship with Impact, allowing White-then the leader of NJPW's Bullet Club faction-to expand his presence into the American promotion.
White's initial in-ring matches came during TV tapings later that month.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
White first appeared in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the February 9, 2022, episode of Dynamite, where he assisted Adam Cole and The Young Bucks in attacking Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero). Following his departure from NJPW in early 2023, White made his official full-time debut for AEW on the April 5, 2023, episode of Dynamite, interrupting a match between Ricky Starks and Action Andretti alongside Juice Robinson, and attacking both competitors. This segment marked the reformation of their alliance from NJPW days, positioning them as heels aligned with the Bullet Club legacy.
White competed in his first official singles match for AEW on the April 19, 2023, episode of Dynamite, defeating Komander via submission with the Blade Runner. In July 2023, White aligned with Austin and Colten Gunn, rebranding the group as Bullet Club Gold (later renamed Bang Bang Gang in 2024), expanding their influence in AEW's tag and trios divisions. In 2024, the group won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship on April 21 at Dynasty against The House of Slaughter. Earlier that night on the Zero Hour pre-show, they defeated Death Triangle to win the vacant AEW World Trios Championship, unifying the titles and becoming the inaugural Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions.
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Championships and Accomplishments
Jay White has held several major championships throughout his career, most notably in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) where he achieved Grand Slam status by winning the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, NEVER Openweight Championship, IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and IWGP Heavyweight Championship. His reigns as IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion established him as a top singles competitor, while his time as part of the Bang Bang Gang in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) culminated in a unified world trios title run.
White's major singles title reigns began with the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, which he won on January 28, 2018, at The New Beginning in Sapporo by defeating Kenny Omega, marking his emergence as a top contender. He held the title for 160 days, making several defenses including against Hiroshi Tanahashi at 45th Anniversary Event on March 6, 2018, before losing it to Chris Jericho on July 7, 2018, at G1 Special in San Francisco.
His next major title was the NEVER Openweight Championship, captured on May 3, 2021, at Wrestling Dontaku by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi in a 39-minute match, completing his Grand Slam as the first wrestler in NJPW history to hold all four premier singles titles. The 194-day reign included defenses against Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo on July 25, 2021, and Minoru Suzuki at Battle in the Valley on January 23, 2022, emphasizing White's adaptability to the hardcore style of the division.
White's first world title came with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on February 11, 2019, at The New Beginning in Osaka, where he cashed in his contract immediately after Tanahashi defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the title. This opportunistic victory lasted 118 days, with defenses against Juice Robinson at The New Beginning USA on February 21, 2019, and Taiji Ishimori at G1 Supercard on April 6, 2019, before losing to Okada at Dominion 6.9 on June 9, 2019.
White captured the IWGP Intercontinental Championship on September 22, 2019, at Destruction in Kobe by defeating Tetsuya Naito, holding it for 104 days without successful defenses before losing back to Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4, 2020.
White's most prominent singles run came as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, which he won on June 12, 2022, at NJPW Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall by defeating Kazuchika Okada with his signature Blade Runner, ending Okada's 2022 reign. This victory came after White's dominant performance in the 2022 G1 Climax tournament, where he finished first in his block with key wins over Okada and Will Ospreay. During the 206-day reign, White made six successful defenses, including a 4-way match against Adam Cole, Hangman Page, and Okada at Forbidden Door on June 26, 2022; against Tomohiro Ishii at Royal Quest United Kingdom on August 14, 2022; and against Tama Tonga at Declaration of Power on October 10, 2022, often with Bullet Club interference ensuring his dominance.
In AEW, White transitioned to a prominent role in the trios division as the leader of the Bang Bang Gang (with Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and initially Juice Robinson). On April 21, 2024, at AEW Dynasty, the group-competing as Bullet Club Gold-defeated The Acclaimed (Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, and Billy Gunn) to win the AEW World Trios Championship, unifying it with their existing ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (won January 17, 2024, from Mogul Embassy) for a prestigious 83-day reign as Unified World Trios Champions. White participated in defenses during this period, including a successful title retention against Death Triangle (Pac, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix) at Double or Nothing on May 26, 2024. The titles were vacated on July 13, 2024, due to Juice Robinson's injury, ending the reign amid internal group tensions but underscoring White's influence in elevating the Bang Bang Gang to main-event status in AEW.
Championship Summary
| Championship | Reign Dates | Duration | Key Defenses/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship | January 28, 2018 - July 7, 2018 | 160 days | Won from Kenny Omega at The New Beginning in Sapporo; defended vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (Anniversary Show); lost to Chris Jericho at G1 Special in San Francisco. |
| NEVER Openweight Championship | May 3, 2021 - November 13, 2021 | 194 days | Won from Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestling Dontaku; defended vs. Tomohiro Ishii (Wrestle Grand Slam) and Minoru Suzuki (Battle in the Valley); lost to David Finlay at Battle in the Valley. Completed Grand Slam. |
| IWGP Intercontinental Championship | September 22, 2019 - January 4, 2020 | 104 days | Won from Tetsuya Naito at Destruction in Kobe; lost to Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night 1. No successful defenses. |
| IWGP Heavyweight Championship | February 11, 2019 - June 9, 2019 | 118 days | Won via cash-in on Hiroshi Tanahashi at The New Beginning in Osaka; defended vs. Juice Robinson and Taiji Ishimori; lost to Kazuchika Okada at Dominion 6.9. |
| IWGP World Heavyweight Championship | June 12, 2022 - January 4, 2023 | 206 days | Won from Kazuchika Okada at Dominion 6.12; six defenses including 4-way vs. Cole/Page/Okada (Forbidden Door), vs. Ishii (Royal Quest UK), vs. Tonga (Declaration of Power); lost to Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 17. |
| Unified AEW World Trios / ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (w/ Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, Juice Robinson) | April 21, 2024 - July 13, 2024 (vacated) | 83 days | Won from The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn at Dynasty (unification match); defended vs. Death Triangle at Double or Nothing; vacated due to injury. |