Kazuchika Okada has high praise for his Wrestle Kingdom 13 opponent Jay White.
Jay White quickly became one of the hottest stars in NJPW in 2017 when he returned from excursion to challenge Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 12. While White came up short in his effort to dethrone the reigning Ace, it didn't stop him from making waves in 2018. White turned down Kenny Omega's offer to join the Bullet Club at New Year Dash!! and instead aligned himself with Okada and CHAOS. White made it clear from the jump that he was only in CHAOS because it benefited him and had no plans of following the orders of Okada.
Later in the year, White, along with Gedo, stabbed Okada and CHAOS in the back, officially taking over the Bullet Club as they separated from The Elite. White's turn on Okada set up a showdown between the two this Friday at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
Speaking to NJPW.com, Okada raved about White, putting him over huge leading into their bout.
"I don?t think I?m on an island here. The fans as well are now thinking ?holy shit, this guy is something else?. He?s very impressive and only 26. He?s going to grow from here. It?s scary, honestly," said Okada. "He?s got a big chance to make his name off of me. But I want to remind him, making your name off of me isn?t such an easy task. It?s all going to make for a hell of a match at the Tokyo Dome. I feel that Jay White is the toughest foreigner in New Japan right now. I really do. Tougher than Jericho, tougher than Omega. It?s more than potential. I think he?s the toughest right now. The world might not know it yet, but they just might after he faces me January 4th."
White and his Bullet Club stablemates got the better of Okada, Tanahashi, KUSHIDA and Rocky Romero in multi-man tag team action during the recent World Tag League tour. The war between White and Okada will be settled on Jan. 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 13.