Big card set for San Jose
The full card is set for Battle in the Valley in the San Jose Civic. NJPW’s first US event of 2024 will see explosive in ring confrontations, the debut of Matt Riddle in the cerulean blue and more.
Battle in the Valley January 13 TICKETS
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Main event: Will Ospreay vs Kazuchika Okada
Singles record: 7-2 Okada
As made official at New Year Dash, a massive main event is set for Battle in the Valley January 13!
Will Ospreay first issued a challenge to Kazuchika Okada in a pre-Wrestle Kingdom interview. Though the Aerial Assassin was able to score his first clean pinfall victory over Okada in the G1 Climax, he feels that there is plenty of unfinished business with the Rainmaker. Wanting to face Okada outside of a tournament setting on a big stage, NJPW has provided just that at Battle in the Valley. While Ospreay was fully confident that he would be heading to San Jose as the first ever IWGP Global Champion, such was not the case as David Finlay emerged victorious with the white and gold belt. His fortunes contrasted with those of the Rainmaker, who vanquished Bryan Danielson in a stunning semi main event.
Okada started Will Ospreay’s journey in NJPW, a singles match between the two in England back in 2015 spurring the Rianmaker to hand pick Ospreay to join CHAOS as its premier junior heavyweight. Though Ospreay would turn on Okada to form the United Empire, the competitive connection between the two was not lost, and from Tokyo Dome main events to a G1 final, the status of Okada as a seemingly unsurmountable wall to Ospreay persisted. G1 Climax 33 saw Ospreay finally get a clean victory over Okada, but the Aerial Assassin wants to end his full time journey with New Japan with a win outside of a tournament setting, with no complaints or controversies. In a battle of the world’s best in 2023 against the ‘last boss of professional wrestling,’ who will emerge victorious?
8th Match: No DQ-Shingo Takagi vs Jon Moxley
Singles record: 1-0 Moxley
Another special singles contest pits Shingo Takagi against Jon Moxley for the first time in four and a half years. Wrestle Kingdom did not end the way either man had hoped; Takagi lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Tama Tonga, while Jon Moxley was not part of the decision that rendered David Finlay the first ever IWGP Global Champion. At New Year Dash, Shingo would confront Moxley backstage with an idea for both of them to get back on track with a big match at San Jose; Moxley accepted only on the condition that it was no DQ.
Shingo and Mox did battle in both men’s first G1 Climax back in 2019, but after both men have had years of experience at the very top of the world, what happens when they collide in San Jose, in Jon Moxley’s specialty?
7th Match: AEW Continental Crown- Eddie Kingston vs Gabe Kidd
Singles record: 1-0 Kingston
After his victory in the AEW Continental Classic tournament, Eddie Kingston defends the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship, along with the ROH World and Continental titles as part of the promotion’s triple crown at Battle in the Valley. His opponent, a man who attacked Kingston at Lonestar Shootout in Texas, Gabe Kidd. Kidd and Kingston collided in one of the best matches of NJPW STRONG history in 2021, but a planned rematch was delayed due to an injury on the Mad King’s part. Now, Kidd couldn’t ask for better timing to take on Kingston, but is the War Ready War Dog championship ready as well?
6th Match: Matt Riddle & X vs TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr.)
A major surprise at New Year Dash saw Matt Riddle emerge to issue a challenge to Hiroshi Tanahashi for an as yet unspecified date. Before that though, Riddle will make his in ring NJPW debut against a man he knows well, but hasn’t wrestled since way back in 2018- Zack Sabre Jr. ZSJ will team up with Bad Dude Tito for this reunion, and a big match for Sabre ahead of his requested showdown with Bryan Danielson- but who does Riddle have in his own corner?
5th Match- STRONG Women’s Championship: Giulia vs Trish Adora
Having become the STRONG Women’s Champion July 5 at Independence Day, Giulia has put up impressive performances right the way through 2023, culminating in Ryogoku Sumo Hall on December 29 against Megan Bayne. Her first defence of the year will be against another imposing figure in Trish Adora. Adora confronted the Donna Del Mondo leader in Texas back in November- will she be the one to finally put Giulia away?
4th Match: NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships- Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors)
A winner take all tag team match with Bishamon on January 4 saw Hikuleo and El Phantasmo start the year in impressive form, becoming double IWGP and NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Champions. There was little time to celebrate for GoD though, as unfinished business awaits with BULLET CLUB War Dogs. In Texas last November the two were jumped by Connors and Coughlin; with Coughlin’s regular heavyweight partner Gabe Kidd gunning for Eddie Kingston, and with the STRONG belts an Openweight tag title, the challenge is on. The combination of one time LA Dojo training partners might be the perfect one to take down the speed and power combination of the champs, but will they get it done?
3rd Match TJP vs David Finlay
Wrestle Kingdom was a wild night from start to finish on January 4, with an early shock being the appearance of TJP, but not as we knew him. Taking on the form of the Filipino mystical being the Aswang, TJP and Francesco Akira were able to finally wreak vengeance on Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney. But the campaign for TJP against the BULLET CLUB War Dogs is far from done, and tonight sees the War Dogs’ leader David Finlay targeted. As United Empire and BULLET CLUB War Dogs are closing in on a February 11 showdown within a steel cage, who gets the upper hand tonight?
2nd Match: Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr vs Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr.
Second is a loaded preview of the upcoming Fantasticamania tour. The thrilling Mascara Dorada will combine with Volador Jr against a common thorn in their side through 2023 in the sneaky king Rocky Romero and freshly turned rudo, Soberano Jr. Strap in for a stunning display!
1st Match: Shota Umino, Fred Rosser & Jacob Fatu vs Team Filthy (Tom lawlor, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson)
Their singles match closing NJPW in America in 2023 ended in mutual respect, but you can’t start a new year for NJPW in the US without continuing the eternal rivalry between Fred Rosser and Tom Lawlor. Lawlor will bring Team Filthy backup in West Coast Wrecking Crew, while Rosser has assembled an exciting trio, with Shota Umino and a man with whom Lawlor is well familiar, MLW’s Jacob Fatu.
Kickoff match 2: Viva Van vs Stephanie Vaquer
A big kickoff bout ahead of the main card sees a big chance for two women. After coming through the NJPW Academy, and gaining experience in TJPW in Korakuen Hall in 2023, Viva Van will battle CMLL’s Stephanie Vaquer in a match sure to change the face of the women’s rankings. Vaquer came up just short both when it came to her quest to become the first STRONG Champion, and in her attempt to take IWGP gold from Mayu Iwatani in November. Will she get back on track, or will the up and coming Viva get the win?
Kickoff Match 1: STRONG Survivor powered by NJPW Academy- Matt Vandagriff vs Goldy
The first match of the Battle in the Valley kickoff sees Matt Vandagriff take on Goldy. Vandagriff won the first Strong Survivor bout in Las Vegas in October, and since defended his spot on the NJPW of America undercard with a win in Texas over Barrett Brown. Goldy first made his presence felt on the All Star Junior Festival USA card- will he take over from Vandagriff?
