Tag: Njpw Battle In The Valley Results

NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: Kidd vs. Ishii, Takeshita vs. KUSHIDA

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW returns to San Jose for Battle in the Valley tonight, a show with five title bouts, plus a retirement match.

NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd is coming off a classic performance in the Tokyo Dome against Kenny Omega, but must defend his title tonight against Tomohiro Ishii.

Konosuke Takeshita defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA in a rare heavyweight versus junior heavyweight battle. New IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado puts his title on the line against Taiji Ishimori. World Class/West Coast Wrecking Crew Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs defend their NJPW Strong Tag Team titles against Rocky Romero and YOH.

Sumie Sakai’s retirement match is also set for the show, as Sakai teams with EVIL and SHO against Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani, and Yuka Sakazaki in a mixed trios bout.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. faces CMLL’s Hechicero in a non-title match.

An eight-woman elimination tag kicks off the main card at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

On the kickoff show, Shane Haste and Bad Dude Tito face Fred Rosser and Matt Vandagriff, plus Zane Jay faces Viento in a Strong Survivor match.

**********

Pre-show

Zane Jay defeated Viento

Jay’s rounded approach struggled against Viento’s speed and prowess in the earlier moments, but gained control with kicks to the corner. Viento struck a comeback through a Facebuster and continued with his signature velocity. The pair vied for momentum, trading barbs, but a Flying Elbow Drop and a Boston Crab combo gave Jay the victory.

Zane Jay and Matt Vandagriff have consistently told a compelling story through their rivalry on the U.S. pre-shows, but Viento’s skill is not to be denied. A fun bout to start the night. Speaking of Vandagriff…

TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) defeated Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff

TMDK ran roughshod over Rosser & Vandagriff, with the former stuck to suffer the abuse in the ring. Vandagriff tried to steal any sneaky offense he could for his partner, but was unsuccessful. Haste would even go so far as to attack Vandagriff on the apron during his ongoing assault to Rosser in the opposite turnbuckle.

Haste flew too close to the Sun, running the ropes to capitalized on his softened foe, to which Rosser countered with a surprise lariat. Vandagriff earned the hot tag, wiping out Haste and even Tito. Vandagriff downed Haste with a Pele Kick, to which Rosser followed by dropping the Aussie on his back to the apron. A miscommunication between Rosser & Vandagriff proved folly after the former accidentally hit the latter, however, as Haste planted him with a Tornado DDT.

Tito’s luck would’ve fared just as ill, had it not been for Vandagriff exiting the ring due to the earlier misunderstanding. TMDK took advantage of Rosser’s last stand by a combined offense. Escape as he might, Rosser was pinned courtesy of Tito’s Toss-Down Tornado. A bitter Vandagriff only watched.

TMDK’s tag team versatility no matter the combination is a marvel. Vandagriff is growing on me for sure. But seeing Rosser in tag team action without Filthy Tom Lawlor just doesn’t fit for me. That’s not to take away from Rosser’s in-ring ability, but their chemistry is immensely enjoyable.

Main Card

Gabe Kidd (c) versus Tomohiro Ishii for the Strong Openweight Championship ended in a time-limit draw (Kidd retains)

A test of might introduced this match, which Kidd passed with a Lariat. Kidd’s overall offense collapsed Ishii soundly, gloating each time to a booing San Jose audience. Ishii eventually powered out with a crushing elbow thudding on Kidd’s jaw. A prolonged chop spot was temporarily broken up when Kidd challenged Ishii outside of the ring, to which the Stone Pitbull demanded the war be settled on the mat. The crowd demanded both competitors with chants of “Chop Forever” to which they violently obliged.

A frenzy of suplexes soon brought both men tumbling to the mat in exhaustion. On the top turnbuckle, Kidd bit and choked Ishii back to the cerulean blue, but the stocky challenger fought his way back with a headbutt and a Vertical Drop from that same turnbuckle. A pair of knee strikes concluded a lariat spot, but only earned a 1-count for Kidd. Ishii received the same treatment after his own lariat. Kidd nearly won via a count-out over a prone Ishii, but he requested the count be stopped. The two nastily engaged in a war of headbutts, each one echoing loudly after the other.

Ishii threw much of his might behind a lariat, resulting in a close nearfall, and suffered a Powerdriver as a result. Bouncing off the ropes, Kidd splashed Ishii with a resounding lariat, to his own nearfall. Ishii’s might drained Kidd, and was ready to capitalize on his momentum and experience with a Vertical Drop, only for the time to run out, leaving no victor. Kidd remains the Strong Openweight Champion.

Unreal match. NJPW throwing this much time at Kidd cements the trust they have in him, and he delivered in spades. The post-Wrestle Kingdom momentum is burning bright, with Kidd’s impassioned character’s love for NJPW translates well, as he is transforming before our eyes. Pink with the pain on his flesh, Kidd’s tenacity keeps him a topic that fans will be having for some time.

West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) defeated Roppongi ReVice (Rocky Romero & YOH) for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship

Nelson immediately went to work on YOH, controlling his limbs and sending flurries his way. Romero and YOH then combined their efforts, twisting the arm of Nelson repeatedly. WCWC gained the upper-hand on their opponents toward the outside, stomping on Romero back on the mat. Isaacs had much control over Romero with his strength, but Romero’s use of lucha style saved him enough until YOH launched himself as a Double Cannonball to the WCWC. YOH followed with a shoulder to Nelson’s gut before dropping an elbow on him.

WCWC broke this momentum with holds, but Romero broke out of it by launching Isaacs to Nelson. Romero grasped for a victory with a pin, but Isaacs thwarted it by throwing himself at him. Hoping for an assisted Cutter on Romero, the sly veteran wriggled out of the way, leading Nelson to plant Isaacs on accident. Taking advantage of a distracted referee, Isaacs clanked his title across Romero’s face leading to a Popout Powerbomb, transitioned into Isaacs’s Fireman Carry onto Nelson’s knee. With this crushing maneuver, WCWC won via pinfall.

The perfect match to follow Kidd vs Ishii. WCWC has quietly been putting in some hard-hitting matches on the stateside shows, especially against Dirty Work. This thriller against ReVice had the drama to justify its existence on the card without trying to overshadow anything.

Viva Van & Empress Nexus Venus (Hanako, Maika, & Mina Shirakawa) defeated Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZM, & Johnnie Robbie

Adora and Hanako began the proceedings of this 8-woman tag match, but Van and ENV launched a united assault on her. Jay’s entry to the match fared equally as poorly, with Van’s sprinting and psychology rent her overwhelmed. Robbie, however, quickly gained control over Hanako. This lasted only briefly, with Hanako using her strength to eliminate her with a Brainbuster.

AZM avenged her partner with a La Mistica and an Azumi Sushi to trounce Hanako. Jay followed this by tapping Van. Alone, Shirakawa dropped Adora, Jay, and AZM with her flashy offset. Maika joined Shirakawa to dropkick Adora out of the ring, thus eliminating her. After an all out war, Shirakawa and AZM eliminated each other as they grappled over the apron to the outside. Back inside, Jay escaped doom after a top rope suplex by Maika, but wound up on the apron. Throwing clotheslines as Jay clung dearly to the ropes, Maika’s final strike sent the AEW star plummeting to the abyss, winning the match for her team.

Order of elimination: Johnnie Robbie, Hanako, Viva Van, Trish Adora, Shirakawa & AZM, Anna Jay

Massively entertaining, this unique stipulation added the right amount of intensity while highlighting the talents of each woman. Pulse-pounding action with the crowd fully behind it. Matches like these showcase the brilliance that is women’s pro wrestling.

El Phantasmo (c) versus Jeff Cobb for the NJPW World Television Championship ended in a Double Countout

Tackling each other, Cobb withstood Phantasmo’s attempts like a brick wall, while the champion absorbed the force that was his challenger like a sponge. Phantasmo resorted to using his acrobatic style to evade and blindside Cobb, but the size and power of the United Empire member quelled this swing. The cartoonish antics of Phantasmo got the better of Cobb, rendering him only able to rely on his muscle to power out of.

Phantasmo did the unthinkable—lifting Cobb over his shoulder for a Spinning DDT, but flew across the ring courtesy of the challenger’s dropkick. The champion landed a Suicida to Cobb on the outside to send him across the guardrails and followed it by soaring from the ring to Cobb, sending him into some chairs and ring crew. As Phantasmo fled back to the ring, his entry was barred by Cobb throwing a crew member into the champion to end the match in a Double Countout.

— Post-match: Phantasmo and Cobb demanded for another match at Windy City Riot on April 11.

Well, this was a jarring conclusion. A bit anticlimactic, really. The story was paced so well that the desire to see an outright winner drove the match. That said, incredible bout. Phantasmo and Cobb were on another level, nearly matching the efforts of Kidd and Ishii earlier. What’s more is that despite my criticism is that I’m invested in a Round Two between ELP and Cobb.

Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani, & Yuka Sakazaki defeated House of Torture (EVIL & SHO) & Sumie Sakai — Sumie Sakai Retirement Match

Sakai plead with her team as EVIL & SHO ganged up on a pummeled Takahashi, who pulled through with a Double Crossbody. Iwatai and Sakazaki combined their efforts to flatten the House of Torture members, with Sakai sadly looking on as Takahashi stood across from her. The LIJ member rallied the crowd to cheer for a tearful Sakai, before falling to a low-blow.

Seeking acrobatic grappling, Takahashi was surprised by technical trickery by Sakai. Refusing to cheat, Sakai instead stomped her opponent into oblivion while SHO dropped him on his back. As a follow-up, SHO slammed Sakai onto Takahashi. An interfering Sakazaki & Iwatani’s attempts to save their partner were thwarted by EVIL. Takahashi snared EVIL into a hold that extended to Sakazaki, Iwatani, Sakai, and the crowd itself. This was of course interrupted due to a chair shot by SHO.

Sakai crushed Sakazaki with a Sumie Twist, but slumped to the mat thanks to a dropkick by Iwatani. Sakai and SHO’s offense were countered by kicks from Iwatani & Sakazaki. Takahashi handled EVIL and nearly lost due to a Smashmouth by Sakai before SHO & EVIL betrayed her. Weakened, Sakai rose to her feat at the mercy of the opposing team. Fading, she made her last stand, striking every member of the other team. They urged her to keep throwing all she had until she had no more.

A Return to Sender from Takahashi almost sealed the deal, even with his teammates assisting him in covering Sakai, but she kicked out to a loud ovation from the crowd. A Time Bomb by Takahashi and another combined pin concluded the match, and thus Sumie Sakai’s storied career.

— Post-match: The locker room emptied to the arena as Sakazaki, Iwatani, and Takahashi said their goodbyes. With flowers in hand and Takahashi’s jacket in arm, Sakai bowed and bade farewell with a heartfelt speech.

Consider me moved greatly. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Sumie Sakai’s career and accomplishments, this match’s story will affect you if you let it. Overcoming her opponents as well as her own team, Sakai ended her run as a wrestler on a high note despite the loss. I legitimately watched in tears as she made her last stand and her opponents stood as friends urging her on. One last hurrah, and Sakai united wrestling for her twilight.

Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Kushida for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Takeshita’s staggering size and offense were more than a match for Kushida in the early goings, with a Takeshita Line flattening his humble challenger. Overwhelmed but not overdone, Kushida battled back by wrenching and controlling Takeshita’s arm.

The scars of war were becoming evident on Takeshita, with kicks and strikes flying from Kushida. This upward momentum spiraled down in a Blue Thunderbomb followed. Aiming for a finish, Takeshita dropped Kushida with a Bastard Driver to no avail. The challenger mounted his comeback on the outside floor, drawing a near count-out after throttling the champion’s lower limbs in a leglock. Putting so much of his heart into his efforts, Kushida inevitably fell to one last Blue Thunderbomb and a pinfall.

— Post-match: Takeshita issued a challenge to Hiroshi Takeshita at Windy City Riot on April 11.

It would have been difficult for anyone to follow up on the Sumie Sakai retirement match, but on its own, Takeshita vs Kushida was an enthralling bout. The towering and beefy Takeshita, with all of his smarts and prowess, found a problem in Kushida and his exhilarating offense. Takeshita’s 2025 is already off to a great start with his multiple contracts and it’s clear NJPW loves him.

Zack Sabre Jr defeated Hechicero

Upon the initial lockup, Hechicero came out in charge with a firm grasp on Sabre’s ankle. However, Sabre contorted his way around his opponent, wrenching his opponent’s left side with a Cross-Armbreaker. Hechicero’s legs held Sabre in woeful positions, but the champion was keen to return the favor. Blood rushed to the pinkened head of Sabre as Hechicero tied him up in an upside down position, leading the flushed champion to need a breather.

Engaged in a double leglock, both men slapped each other across the face, snarling in each other’s faces. Sabre inflicted further damage on Hechicero’s arms by trapping the challenger’s arms with his legs on the ropes. An Inoki Stretch succeeded this. With further holds applied on him, Sabre wriggled out and delivered a thudding Penalty Kick to his opponent. A knee was Hechicero’s due rebuttal. In a tense moment, Sabre desperately tried to collect Hechicero’s limbs to crank, but the luchador reached the bottom rope in time to break the hold. Attempting an Inverted hold, Sabre escaped, leading to trading Cobra Twists and a dropkick spot. The pair maintained reversal pins until Sabre finally managed to bridge one at the last second for the pinfall.

Technical wrestling will always be my jam, but this match almost felt a bit long. Regardless, two of the best with submission holds pinkened each other and challenged the other to a suspenseful climax.

Main Event

El Desperado (c) defeated Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Desperado dominated early, evading a Cravat attempt by Ishimori, but was no match for his knees. Colliding the champion into the guardrails, Ishimori challenged the crowd with cruel taunts, and returned to it again after slinging Desperado into the turnbuckle. Throughout the match, Ishimori targeted Desperado’s arm with no remorse. The champion fought ack with a resounding Brainbuster, but found himself horizontal after a slam. Boasting his momentum, Ishimori missed a collision at the turnbuckle and ate a Dragon Screw Leg Whip for his troubles.

Torturing the champion on the rope, Ishimori punctuated his offense with a Sliding German Suplex. Missing a 450 Splash, Ishimori became ensnared with a hold. The Bullet Club’s residential Bone Soldier nearly won with a bridged pin, but Desperado kicked out. Trading signature moves, the match reached a high conclusion following a weak slap by Ishimori, to which Desperado rewarded with a Jay Driller and a Pinche Loco for the victory.

A less agile display, but a captivating one nevertheless. Ishimori threw every tactic, but Desperado’s heart won, adding to Desperado’s singles record. While not reaching the heights of the Strong Openweight Championship match or the Sumie Sakai Retirement Match, this fight still earned its main event spot.

Battle in the Valley this year held no surprises but delivered in quality as far as in-ring is concerned. The whole show is worth watching, and any match is deserving of your time. However, for those seeking the best of the best, then Gabe Kidd vs Tomohiro Ishii and the Sumie Sakai match will more than suffice. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight match is another fine addition to that.

NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: Okada vs. Ospreay, Moxley vs. Shingo

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay headlines NJPW Battle in the Valley 2024. 

Okada and Ospreay will square off for the tenth time in their careers on tonight’s show, but for the first time on American soil. 

In the semi-main, AEW’s Jon Moxley takes on former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi in a no DQ bout. 

AEW Continental Crown holder Eddie Kingston will defend his title against Gabe Kidd. 

Matt Riddle will make his NJPW debut with a mystery partner teaming against TMDK’s Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito. 

NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia will defend her title against Trish Adora. 

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo put their titles on the line against Cark Connors & Alex Coughlin of Bullet Club War Dogs. 

IWGP Global Champion David Finlay faces TJP in a non-title match. 

Volador Jr. & Mascara Dorada face Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr. in tag team action. 

Shota Umino, Fred Rosser, & Jacob Fatu face Team Filthy’s Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson, & Royce Isaacs in the main card opener.

The pay-per-view begins at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Kickoff Results

Matt Vandagriff defeated Goldy

Stephanie Vaquer defeated Viva Van

Fred Rosser, Jacob Fatu & Shota Umino defeated Team Filthy (Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor)

This was a solid opening match. Fatu went all out and made himself the star of this one.

Rosser and Lawlor opened the match with a back-and-forth that left both men on equal footing. When the match looked even, the rest of Team Filthy hit the ring, taking control by isolating Rosser.

Rosser escaped the isolation after a moment of inter-team conflict within Team Filthy. Fatu hit the ring and lit the match on fire, landing drops and dives before tagging out to Umino. Umino maintained this momentum until Team Filthy rushed the ring again.

Team Filthy dropped Umino with a triple powerbomb, forcing the babyfaces to make a save. They cleared the ring, leaving Isaacs and Umino alone in the ring. Both went back and forth, with Umino winning out. Umino landed a Deathrider and pinned Isaacs to win the match.

After the match, Team Filthy argued for a moment. Lawlor ignored the conflict, pushing his team to the side to shake Rosser’s hand.

As Umino was leaving the ring, a man jumped the barricade and attacked him. The mask was removed to reveal the former Jungle Boy, Jack Perry. Perry beat down Umino before pulling out an AEW contract, which he ripped in half. He then put on an armband reading “SCAPEGOAT”. This is his first appearance since his suspension following All In.

Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr. defeated Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr.

Rocky and Soberano opened the match slowly, trying to get their opponents to overextend early. Dorada took the bait, which they turned into a period of control.

The faces eventually bounced back, sending Rocky and Soberano to the floor for a double dive. In the ring, Rocky recovered for a moment, but a backbreaker from Volador left him back in the driver’s seat.

A back-to-belly piledriver from Rocky led to a double tag. Dorada and Soberano went back and forth in an athletic sequence. Soberano won out before tagging out to Rocky. With Soberano, Rocky gained control of the ring, but Dorada sneakily tagged out. Dorada took out Soberano with a dive to the floor, leaving Volador free to drop Rocky with a destroyer and win a match.

David Finlay defeated TJP

TJP started the match fast, taking out Finlay with a dive to the floor and a flurry on the outside. Finlay fired back with a suplex onto the entrance ramp. This barely slowed TJP down, who slammed Finlay into the ring post to keep himself in the match.

As the match returned to the ring, Finlay interrupted a dive from TJP, which turned into a period of Finlay control. After being thrown in and out of the ring, TJP responded with a quick kick. TJP’s follow-up included attacking the same arm he drove into the post earlier in the match. TJP continued his assault, landing dives and strikes to stay ahead of Finlay.

Finlay caught TJP with a backbreaker to retake control. Another Irish Curse and a Dominator scored Finlay a nearfall. Now desperate, Finlay grabbed his shillelagh. The referee took his weapon, distracting Finlay long enough for TJP to spray him with his new mist. The follow-up knee scored TJP a near fall.

TJP continued his attack, firing off on Finlay until being caught with a sudden piledriver; TJP kicked out. Finlay then hit his new fireman’s carry knee strike to win the match.

NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Title Championship: Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) (c) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors)

As expected, the War Dogs started the match by rushing the champion. GoD withstood the initial attack, but a brief pause in action allowed the Dogs to fire back with a vicious attack on Hikuleo’s legs. This left the Dogs free to control the ring, keeping Hikuleo grounded while preventing tags.

A double crossbody from ELP opened the door for a GoD comeback. ELP took out both of his opponents with a wide array of moves, giving Hikuleo time to recover.

Coughlin avoided a double-team attack from GoD. He then took out Hikuleo with a suplex and ELP with a driver. Connors then speared Hikuleo, setting up the hit and run for a nearfall. Hikuleo tried fighting back, but the damage to his legs proved to be too much. The top rope spear/suplex combination from the Dogs forced ELP to make the save.

ELP’s save brought Hikuleo enough time to land a power slam. A chokeslam to Coughlin left him laid out in the middle of the ring. GoD were then able to close with their tandem Thunder Kiss ’86.

NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Trish Adora

The match opened with a handshake that Giulia tried turning into a suplex. From here, a standoff turned into a typical feeling-out grappling sequence. Grappling turned to striking, favoring Adora.

Adora landed a pair of backbreakers and a suplex for a two-count early into her control. Adora returned to strikes after the kickout, which Giulia cut short with a takedown followed by an STF. The pair struggled for control, landing back-to-back suplexes, resetting the match.

A sit-down bomb allowed Adora to transition into cattle mutilation, forcing Giulia into the ropes. Now on the outside, Adora landed a powerslam on the floor, cementing her lead.

Adora then positioned Giulia on the top rope, but Giulia caught her, delivering a double underhook driver; Adora kicked out at one. The follow-up knee strike scored a near fall for Giulia but still failed to close the match. Ultimately, it was a Northern Lights bomb from Giulia that put Adora down for the count. Giulia is still New Japan Strong Women’s Champion.

Mustafa Ali Video Package

A video package played with Mustafa Ali giving a speech in the style of a presidential candidate. He called out Hiromu Takahashi for Windy City Riot on April 12th.

Jeff Cobb & Matt Riddle defeated TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Jeff Cobb, an old partner of Riddle, was revealed to be “X” before the match began. The Chosen Bros are reunited, at least for the night.

Riddle and ZSJ opened the match with a quick scurry on the mat before tagging out to Cobb and Tito. Tito and Cobb immediately traded strikes after entering the ring. Cobb won out and tagged back to Riddle, who worked to maintain this lead.

Tito forced Riddle into the corner, tagging out to ZSJ. ZSJ took Riddle to the mat and began working over Riddle’s legs, toes included. ZSJ and Tito worked together to control the ring, forcing a desperation tag into Cobb.

Cobb overwhelmed ZSJ as soon as he entered the match, forcing Tito to make the save. Cobb fought off Tito, but the distraction bought ZSJ enough time to dodge his follow-up. ZSJ tried for a lariat, but Cobb stuffed it. Cobb tried for Tour of the Islands, but ZSJ reversed into a stretch. A tornado DDT from ZSJ forced the double tag.

Riddle unloaded on Tito, but Tito held on, dropping Riddle with a suplex. This led to a strike exchange in the ring while ZSJ and Cobb fought on the outside. A blue thunder bomb from Tito scored him a nearfall, but a reckless toprope dive from Riddle kept him in the match.

A strike exchange between ZSJ and Riddle led to a match breakdown. Once the fog cleared, Riddle and Tito were alone in the ring. Riddle was able to close with a driver.

AEW Continental, NJPW STRONG Openweight, and ROH World Championships: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Gabe Kidd – Double Count Out

Kingston ate a boot from Kidd as he tried to enter the ring. On the outside, Kingston held his own, dropping Kidd on the floor before choking him with a shirt. Kingston propped Kidd against the barricade to continue his attack.

Kidd wasn’t totally outmatched on the outside. He eventually landed a suplex, which he followed by slamming Kingston into the ring post. He then threw Kingston into the ring, officially starting the match.

Once the bell rang, Eddie and Kidd traded chops. This extended strike-off ended with a suplex from Kingston. Kingston then worked Kidd into the corner, where he delivered a bunch of machine gun chops. Kidd bounced out the corner with strikes of his own before dropping Kingston with a suplex.

Kidd tried lifting Kingston up, but Kingston reversed into a half-and-half suplex followed by a spinning back fist; Kidd kicked out. Kidd stuffed Kingston’s attempt to follow up, landing a quick suplex in response. Kidd then planted Kingston with a piledriver for a nearfall.

Both men traded slaps on the mat before leveling up to headbutts. Once standing, Kidd spat in the face of Kingston, enraging the champion. Kingston unloaded on Kidd with slaps. Kidd tried to keep the pace but couldn’t. Kingston hit another spinning back fist, sending Kidd crashing to the floor.

The striking continued on the outside. As the count climbed, Kidd rushed Kingston, but Kingston reversed into a suplex. Kingston then tried to beat the count, but Kidd grabbed a microphone and asked, “Is that all you’ve got, you fat b*tch?”. Kingston responded by continuing his beatdown, leading to a double countout.

From here, both men brawled, with a ton of ring crew being used to keep the men apart. Kingston tried leaving the ring area, but Kidd grabbed his belts, baiting Kingston back into the fight. The War Dogs then hit the ring, taking out Kingston. Kidd then hit Kingston with a piledriver on the AEW Contential championship. Kidd then posed with the AEW belt before leaving with his faction mates.

No Disqualification: Jon Moxley defeated Shingo Takagi

Moxley and Shingo opened with a strike exchange that spilled onto the floor. On the outside, the pair dueled with kendo sticks. Moxley won out with the sticks, leaving him free to use a garbage can lid and a chain to continue his attack.

Back inside the ring, Shingo dropped Moxley with a suplex. After connecting with an array of regular moves, Shingo was again put on the backfoot by a trashcan lid shot from Moxley. Moxley then took the fight back to the floor, continuing the attack on a now-bleeding Shingo.

Moxley beat, slammed, and stabbed Shingo for quite a while before attempting a pin. Shingo fought back with some strikes and a lariat that sent Moxley to the floor. Shingo’s rally was interrupted by a bite, but Shingo destroyed Moxley’s follow-up dive attempt with a trashcan lid to the head, drawing blood from Moxley. Shingo then dropped Moxley with a superplex and some Daneilson-style elbows.

Moxley popped to his feet, prompting a headbutt-off. Both men then attempted lariats, but neither fell. Both men landed suplexes, but neither fell. Moxley hit Death Rider, but Shingo responded with a sliding lariat.

Now desperate, both men went to the outside and began to fill the ring with objects from the outside. They fought with chairs before Shingo delivered a lariat with a chain-wrapped arm. Shingo then hit Moxley with a stick before setting up a table, satisfying the cries from the fans.

Shingo tried grabbing Moxley, but Moxley slipped free and began choking him with a chain. Once the life had left Shingo, he placed him on the table and climbed to the top rope. Moxley then delivered an elbow drop from the top rope, through the table, and to the floor. Back in the ring, Shingo kicked out of Moxley’s pin attempt.

Moxley grabbed another table, which he set up in the ring. Moxley then hoisted Shingo to the top rope, looking for a Death Rider from the top. Shingo stopped Moxley by spraying him with green mist and driving him through the table himself. Moxley returned to his feet, forcing Shingo to beat him with a shard of wood, a pumping bomber, and a powerbomb; Moxlet kicked out. Shingo hit Made in Japan; Moxley kicked out.

Moxley returned to his feet, leading to another strike exchange. After eating a headbutt, Moxley dropped Shingo with a cutter. Moxley then landed a curb stomp and a Death Rider; Shingo kicked out. Moxley leveled Shingo with elbows of his own before hitting a running knee, but Shingo kicked out at one. Moxley then hit another Death Rider, this time through a chair, finally winning the match.

After the match, Moxley cut a promo. He called out IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito, saying “the time has come”.

Once Moxley left the ring, a pair of graphics revealed Hiromu vs. Ali and Moxley vs. Naito were both indeed happening on April 12th at Windy City Riot.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay

The match opened with an extended staredown. Once they locked up, a period of mind games followed. Ospreay began chopping down Ospreay with some simple strikes, avoiding Okada’s offense long enough to send him to the floor. Ospreay tried for a plancha, but Okada sidestepped him and landed a DDT on the outside.

Back in the ring, Okada continued his advance, leveling Ospreay with strikes. Ospreay answered with a quick suplex to gain the upper hand. A handspring kick sent Okada back to the floor, leaving him free to attempt another plancha; this time, it landed.

Inside the ropes, Okada caught Ospreay with a flapjack to retake control. The air raid crash scored a nearfall, but Ospreay landed an enziguri moments later. Both men then tried for a while to land something but failed. This extended struggle ended with an OsCutter that scored Ospreay a two-count.

Ospreay rolled onto the apron to recover. Okada pulled him off, delivering a tombstone on the floor. Back inside, Okada hit a stunning elbow drop from the top rope before attempting the rainmaker for the first time. Ospreay fought it off and tried for an OsCutter. Okada reversed, trying for another rainmaker, but Ospreay reversed into the Spanish fly. Ospreay then hit a Styles Clash for a nearfall.

Ospreay tried for a hidden blade but was cut off by a dropkick, leading to an electric back and forth that ended with an Okada Storm Breaker. Once Ospreay kicked out, Okada hit him with a rainmaker, but again, Ospreay kicked out.

Okada tried for another dropkick, but Ospreay reversed into an insane powerbomb. After both men returned to their feet, a strike exchange followed. After rocking Ospreay, Okada took a step back only to eat a forearm, a dropkick, and a rainmaker. Okada kicked out.

Ospreay tried for Strombreaker, but Okada avoided it. A short exchange followed before Ospreay tried for Stormbreaker again, successfully this time; Okada kicked out. Ospreay then removed his elbow pad for a hidden blade, but Okada cut him off with a dropkick.

Okada established wrist control, but Ospreay escaped. With the end in sight, Okada dropped Ospreay from the fireman’s carry and pulled him back to his feet. Okada then hit Ospreay with another rainmaker, this time to win the match.

After the match, Okada and Ospreay embraced just in time for the War Dogs to attack. They cleared the ring of Okada and beat down Ospreay. United Empire hit the ring to help, as did Eddie Kingston. Together, they ran off the War Dogs.

Ospreay cut a show-ending promo. He thanked New Japan and Okada. He said he was grateful for the United Empire and was looking forward to getting to know the American audience. Before leaving, he plugged his final match in Osaka.

NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: KAIRI vs. Mercedes Mone

Posted on by Suit Williams

Mercedes Mone is set to make her in-ring NJPW debut at Battle in the Valley as part of the show’s double main event. 

Mone challenges KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship in one of the two top matches. KAIRI was crowned the inaugural title holder in November, then was confronted by Mone after making her first title defense at Wrestle Kingdom 17. 

Two of the greatest of all time square off in the other half of the double main event, as Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi. Okada holds a 7-5 career edge over Tana, and the two have also had three draws in their 15 career singles meetings. 

The rest of the card includes a Loser Leaves NJPW match between Jay White and Eddie Kingston, as well as three additional title matches: 

  • NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Clark Connors
  • Filthy Rules match: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide
  • Loser Leaves NJPW: Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship: Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser (c) vs. KENTA
  • Josh Alexander, Mascara Dorada, Adrian Quest & Rocky Romero vs. KUSHIDA, Volador Jr., Kevin Knight & The DKC

The kickoff show lineup: 

  • David Finlay vs. Bobby Fish
  • JR Kratos vs. Alex Coughlin

Our live coverage begins with the kickoff show at 9:20 p.m. Eastern time. 

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**Kickoff Show**

Alex Coughlin defeated JR Kratos

The match was well-structured, and once I could hear them, the crowd was well into this one. The problem is that on my Fite feed, there was no audio. I had to put the YouTube feed on to hear the crowd. The fact that New Japan and Fite continue to have issues with audio this far into their relationship is embarrassing. If I were New Japan, I would send my own crew to do the show. This is minor-league nonsense that can easily be remedied.

There’s no audio to start on my Fite feed. Kratos charged Coughlin with a shoulder block at what I assume was the bell. Kratos went for a big corner splash, but Coughlin caught him and drove shoulders into him in the corner. Coughlin brought Kratos to the top rope before sweeping his feet out and dropping him neck first on the top rope. Kratos cut Coughlin off by flinging him into the ropes before launching him with a suplex.

Kratos laid in the shots to Coughlin in the center of the ring, but Coughlin fought back with strikes of his own. A bodyslam attempt didn’t work, and Kratos soon cut Coughlin off with a lariat. A deadlift vertical suplex scored for Kratos for a nearfall. Coughlin cut off a charge to the corner before leapfrogging Kratos and trying for a German suplex. No luck there, but Coughlin did muscle Kratos up for a bridging fallaway slam for a nearfall.

Coughlin deadlifted Kratos for a gutwrench suplex to a large pop – a pop I heard on the YouTube feed for the pre-show. Coughlin laid in heavy palm strikes before dropping Kratos with a lariat. Kratos cut off another German attempt with a Pele kick. Both men recovered and had a strike exchange that Kratos won with a jumping knee and a lariat for a nearfall. Kratos hit a superman elbow in the corner before bringing Coughlin to the top rope. Coughlin escaped a superplex attempt before finally getting Kratos up and over for the German suplex for the win in just over ten minutes.

David Finlay defeated Bobby Fish

After a lockup exchange, Finlay got the first bit of offense with a dropkick for a quick cover. Fish took control of Finlay’s arm on the mat before transitioning into a headlock of his own. Fish laid in the knees, but Finlay slid out of the way of the inside-out senton. Finlay went to the floor after Fish, but Fish caught him with a dragon screw leg whip into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Fish got a nearfall off of a sliding lariat. A bodyslam and another dragon screw out of the corner for Fish. Fish did more work on the leg as the five-minute call was announced. A running elbow got a nearfall as Fish kept control. Fish locked in a single-leg crab in the center of the ring, but Finlay powered out and countered a single-leg takedown into a La Magistral cradle for two. Finlay caught Fish with a backbreaker but hurt his own knee in the process.

Finlay ducked a big roundhouse kick and dropped Fish with a lariat. Neckbreaker from Finlay scored a two count. Fish grabbed the hair to get out of a side suplex before hammering Finlay with shots, but Finlay took him down with an uppercut. Finlay hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall and tried to follow it with the Trash Panda, but his knee gave out. Fish hit a belly-to-belly suplex into the turnbuckle pad for a nearfall. Fish applied a sleeper hold, but Finlay rolled Fish in a pin to get out of it. Finlay transitioned a backslide into the Trash Panda for the win.

**Main Card**

After a 43-minute delay due to technical issues, the show begins. Ian Riccoboni and Matt Rehwoldt are on the call, with Scott D’Amore joining them for the opener.

Kushida, Kevin Knight, The DKC & Volador Jr. defeated Mascara Dorada, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest & Rocky Romero

This was a fun opener that got me back into the mood for wrestling after the delay. Knight continues to be an impressive prospect for New Japan, with his athleticism jumping off the page.

The DKC has personalized gear, signifying possible graduation from the dojo. Rocky Romero came out with the CMLL World Welterweight Championship that he and Volador have been feuding over. Alexander came out with the Impact World Title that Kushida will be challenging for over Wrestlemania Weekend at the Multiverse United show. D’Amore announced that the Multiverse United show has sold out, so a little breaking news there.

Kushida and Alexander started for their teams, trading submission hold attempts before they locked each other in ankle locks simultaneously. Knight and Quest tagged in for their teams, with Quest taking control with a springboard crossbody and a headscissors for a nearfall. Quest tagged in his mentor Romero, but Knight tagged Volador in. That sent Romero scurrying to the corner to tag Dorada, who engaged in a hot lucha encounter. Dorada walked the ropes to dropkick Volador. Romero blind-tagged his way in to lay the boots to Volador, but Volador took control and sent both men out of the ring. Kushida and Alexander tagged back in, with Alexander scoring a nearfall with a Northern Lights Suplex.

Kushida got caught in the wrong corner, getting worked on by team Alexander. Kushida hit a double handspring to Romero and Quest before tagging out to DKC. DKC laid in the chops to Quest and Dorada before taking them both out with a dive to the floor. DKC hit a flying kick to Quest for a nearfall. The match broke down into an eight-way before Kushida and Knight hit a doomsday dropkick – with Knight jumping from the mat – for a nearfall.

A string of dives left Kushida and Alexander in the ring. Kushida caught Alexander in the Hoverboard Lock, which allowed Knight to hit a pendulum DDT to DKC for the win. Volador and Romero got into a short brawl after the match, with Volador sending Romero to the floor. Volador challenged Romero to a future hair match.

STRONG Openweight Championship: Kenta defeated Fred Rosser to win the title

A hard-hitting battle with a finish that took a bit away from it. I get that they did it to give Rosser a new feud after a long title reign, but in a good match like this, I prefer to have a clean win.

Kenta paint-brushed Rosser while breaking an opening waistlock. Kenta gave Rosser some nonchalant kicks in the corner, so Rosser got out of the ring and challenged Kenta to a fight in the crowd. Kenta obliged, kicking Rosser hard before booting him over the barricade. Kenta laid in more kicks and laid Rosser out with a DDT on the apron.

Kenta and Rosser traded strikes in the corner before Kenta kicked Rosser square in the back for a two count. Kenta kept baiting Rosser in to take big shots, landing a DDT for another nearfall. Rosser fired up, carrying Kenta to the corner and dropping him with chops and hip attacks. Rosser landed a squisher for a nearfall. Kenta clawed at Rosser’s eyes before dropping him with another DDT. A lariat off the top rope scored another nearfall for Kenta. Kenta sent Rosser to the apron and landed a big boot, but Rosser grabbed Kenta and dropped him with a backbreaker on the apron. Rosser followed it with a seated senton to the floor. The clothesline in the ring from Rosser got another nearfall.

Kenta reversed an STF attempt into Game Over. Rosser got to the ropes, where Kenta promptly dropped him with the Green Killer hanging DDT. Kenta dropped Rosser with a running boot and a shotgun dropkick, before landing the double stomp for a nearfall. With CM Punk in the crowd, Kenta went for the Go To Sleep, but Rosser slipped out and locked on the Crossface Chickenwing. Kenta grabbed the ref and pulled him into the pile to force Rosser to break the hold. Rosser won a strike exchange with a rolling elbow for a nearfall.

Kenta sent Rosser into the referee. Rosser forced Kenta to submit with the STF, but the referee was still down. Juice Robinson made his way to ringside and knocked Rosser out with a roll of quarters. Kenta then grabbed Rosser and hit Go To Sleep to win the match and the title.

STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) © defeated West Coast Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson) to retain

This was a solid match for its spot on the card. It’s always a welcome sight to see the Machine Guns, and the Wrecking Crew accounted for themselves well in this spot.

The Wrecking Crew jumped the Guns to start, but the Guns sent them out of the ring. The Guns followed them, but Isaacs carried Sabin a full lap around the ring in a delayed vertical suplex before dropping him on the apron. Nelson had suplexed Shelley in the ring, and they both worked on Shelley’s knee while Sabin was down. Nelson made his way to the top rope, but Sabin shoved him to the mat. Shelley fought them both off before tagging out to Sabin.

Sabin was a house of fire, taking out both men before hitting a top-rope crossbody on Nelson for a nearfall. After Shelley helped send both Isaacs and Nelson to the floor, Shelley held open the ropes for a Sabin dive to the floor. A missile dropkick sent Nelson into a Sabin facebuster for a nearfall. Sabin booted Shelley by accident, allowing Nelson to hit a top rope elbow to Shelley. A Spicolli Driver into Nelson’s knees got Isaacs a nearfall. Isaacs dropped Sabin with a German suplex, with Nelson following with a cutter for a nearfall. Sabin escapes a double team, which allowed the Guns to hit the Dream Sequence on Isaacs. The Guns hit their double team Made In Japan for the win.

Loser Leaves New Japan: Eddie Kingston defeated Jay White

A stellar contest that got the emotion and fire you would want in a Loser Leaves Town match. Jay White’s New Japan career had incredibly high highs, and disappointing lows, but this was one hell of a match to end it with.

After Juice Robinson’s interference in the Strong Openweight Title match, Bullet Club has been banned from ringside or else White will be automatically disqualified.

White stalled early on, baiting Kingston in to drop his neck on the ropes, but Kingston countered with a heavy chop that sent White to the floor. White came back in and dropped Kingston with a chop of his own before driving him into the corner. Kingston took another heavy chop but fired back with a big STO. Kingston clubbered on White, repeatedly dropping him with heavy chops. White got back in control with a DDT and a suplex into the corner. White hit the Blade Buster for a nearfall.

White started toying with Kingston, but Kingston fired back quickly before White clawed at Kingston’s eyes. Kingston fought out of a uranage and hit an exploder suplex and a short-arm clothesline for a two count. Kingston laid more chops into White, sending him out of the ring with one as the crowd chanted Kingston’s name. White kept walking into chops with a smile on his face before landing in the corner and taking more chops. White leaned into more chops, but baited Kingston into a Backfist attempt that he ducked. White dropped Kingston with a facebuster and a disgusting high-angle German suplex, before scoring a nearfall with a lariat.

White hit a nasty uranage for a nearfall. White set up for the half-and-half suplex, but Kingston fought out with chops. They battled with chops in the center of the ring before Kingston sent White into the corner and hammered him with the machine gun chops in the corner. White took Kingston into the corner and hit his own machine gun chops, but Kingston just kept chopping White. White had enough and clawed at Kingston’s eyes before dropping him with the half-and-half suplex. White went for the Blade Runner, but Kingston clawed at White’s eyes. Kingston shoved the ref away, allowing White to hit a low blow. White hit the Blade Runner, but the momentum sent Kingston rolling to the floor to a massive pop.

White dragged Kingston back into the ring, but only got a nearfall. After arguing with the referee, White walked into a backfist from Kingston for a close nearfall. Kingston offered White a fist bump, but White spat on him instead. Kingston hit a second and a third backfist, a half-and-half suplex, a fourth backfist, and a Northern Lights Driver for…White to kick out at two to a huge reaction. Kingston brought White up, gave him a hug, and hit another Northern Lights Driver to win and end Jay White’s New Japan Pro Wrestling career.

After the match, as White was getting “Thank You Jay” chants, White’s longtime rival David Finlay slid into the ring and drilled White with the shillelagh. Finlay cursed White for wasting the opportunity that he had and lamented that he was an outsider no matter where he went in the world. He warned the rest of New Japan that he belonged in the ring as a fourth-generation wrestler and that he was coming to take over the wrestling world.

Filthy Rules: Tom Lawlor defeated Homicide

This was long and was full of a lot of plunder. The right guy won.

Filthy Rules is a no-disqualification match with the ropes taken down.

Lawlor spent a comical amount of time getting ready, taking off a full gi and putting on fight gloves before Homicide hit a lariat for a quick nearfall. Lawlor sent Homicide to the floor and hit a kick from the ring before hitting Homicide with a trash can lid. Lawlor went for a big run down the ramp, but Homicide caught him with a chair to the face. In the ring, Homicide hit an exploder suplex for a nearfall before sending Lawlor into the ring post.

Homicide hit Lawlor with baking trays and a DDT before grabbing plunder from under the ring. He pulled out a ladder, a kendo stick, and several forks. Lawlor recovered and locked Homicide in a cloverleaf, but Homicide stabbed Lawlor in the feet with the fork to get out. Homicide hit a cutter for a nearfall. Lawlor reversed a throw and sent Homicide into the ring post before diving onto Homicide on the floor. Lawlor grabbed a set of silver knuckles and hit several body shots before putting Homicide back in the ring.

Lawlor fish-hooked Homicide with one of the turnbuckles, before missing a Superman Punch into the ring post. Homicide dropped Lawlor with a neckbreaker for a nearfall, but Lawlor dumped Homicide onto a trash can for a nearfall of his own. Lawlor teased a move into a door at ringside, but Homicide hit a pair of vertical suplexes. They traded suplexes for a while before Lawlor hit an enzuigiri and a set of knees. Lawlor locked on a choke, but Homicide picked him up and drove him through the door with a Death Valley Driver.

Homicide hit a piledriver onto the door for a nearfall. Homicide went for the Cop Killa, but Lawlor rolled out and eventually backdropped Homicide into a ladder. A chair to the face followed by a Penalty Kick got a nearfall for Lawlor. Lawlor hit Homicide with assorted plunder before hitting a diving headbutt off of a ladder onto a chair on Homicide’s head. That only got a two-count, so Lawlor hit the NKOTB and locked on a rear-naked choke for the win.

NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. © defeated Clark Connors to retain

This didn’t have the energy I was hoping for from these TV Title matches. There was a lack of urgency, and the crowd wasn’t into this one until the closing minutes. The last few minutes were very good, and the challenge made afterward leads to a match that I am looking forward to.

A 15-minute time limit for this match, the case for all TV Title matches.

After Connors gave a clean break, the two traded uppercuts. Connors took Sabre down with a shoulder block. Sabre opened himself up for chops from Connors, who obliged with a heavy shot. After more strikes, Sabre countered a hip toss into a Cobra Twist. He transitioned into a neck crank, then took his time transitioning into a sideways surfboard before Connors got to the ropes. Connors fought back with more chops before Sabre dropped him with a boot at the five-minute call.

Sabre laid on more arm work, but Connors was able to gain some momentum and hit a pounce. Connors hit a spear in the corner, but Sabre came back with a flying front facelock. Connors hit a Northern Lights throw to get out of it before booting Sabre in the face for a nearfall. Sabre took a wristlock and quickly dropped Connors to the mat by his arm. Sabre cut off a strike exchange with a kick to the arm, but Connors came back with a brainbuster for a nearfall. Connors lined Sabre up for a spear, but Sabre hooked Connors’ arm for a Fujiwara armbar. Sabre continued to transition, but Connors got to the ropes at the ten-minute call.

Connors caught a Penalty Kick, taking several slaps from Sabre before hitting a headbutt. Sabre countered a strike with a big suplex for a nearfall. Sabre hit heavy kicks, but Connors caught him with a spear and a powerslam for a nearfall. Three minutes left, as Connors countered a running European uppercut with a backslide for two. A powerbomb from Connors got another nearfall.

Two minutes left as Sabre went for the European Clutch, but Connors caught Sabre in a choke. Both men transitioned submissions, with Connors locking on an Ankle Lock with one minute remaining. But as soon as the call came, Sabre pulled Connors into a disgusting armbar for the immediate tapout.

After the match, Kevin Knight confronted Sabre and seemed to make a challenge for the title.

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone defeated Kairi © to win the title

A match that earned its position on the card. These two were treated like legitimate superstars, with the crowd alive for this one from the pre-match video package. This was hard-hitting and vicious from the jump, and they never lost the crowd in this twenty-five-minute battle. An excellent match, and an excellent start to Mercedes Mone’s post-WWE career. Mone summarily and professionally walked into San Jose and put on a true superstar performance. Highly recommend this one.

Mone came out in Hana Kimura-inspired gear to the biggest reaction of the night. Dueling chants as the bell rang for this one, as the energy returned to the building in full. Mone quickly springboarded into the Bank Statement, but Kairi escaped. After a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, Kairi caught Mone with a headscissors that sent her to the outside. Kairi followed with a running forearm before sending Mone back into the ring and hammering her with a chop. Mone countered with a flurry of chops and a lucha armdrag. Mone hit a Meteora in the corner for a nearfall.

Mone went for another armdrag, but Kairi cut her off on the top rope and set her down in the Tree of Woe. Kairi went to the top rope, but Mone cut her off and did a handstand out of the Tree of Woe. Mone sent Kairi into the post before dropping her chin-first on the buckle. Another post shot from Mone got a nearfall once they got back into the ring. Mone talked trash before slapping Kairi in the face. Mone dropped Kairi with a DDT for a nearfall, holding onto the arm on the kickout. Kairi got a rollup for two, but Mone cut her off with a clothesline. Mone stood on Kairi as she was hung over the ropes before dropping the arm over her knees for a nearfall.

Mone sat Kairi in the Tree of Woe and repeatedly kicked her in the chest. Mone went to send Kairi into the post again, but Kairi pulled Mone into the post instead. Kairi dumped Mone into the post again but got greedy and got sent into the post herself. We got a countout tease, before Mone dropped Kairi down by the arm again. Mone sent Kairi to the top rope, but Kairi cut her off and hit a double stomp to Mone’s chest.

Kairi hit a running neckbreaker and the Interceptor spear before hitting the basement forearm. Kairi hit the forearm off the top rope for a nearfall. Kairi locked on a submission that forced Mone to the ropes. At the fifteen-minute call, Mone booted Kairi off the apron and hit a Meteora to the floor. Mone hit another Meteora in the ring, but only got a two count to her shock. A Bank Statement attempt got countered into a pair of pinfall attempts before Kairi caught Mone in The Anchor submission hold. Mone rolled Kairi through into the Bank Statement, but Kairi got to the ropes. Mone hit the ropes and ran right into a Cutlass from Kairi for a nearfall.

Kairi hit the Alabama Slam to set up the Insane Elbow, but Mone grabbed Kairi’s leg and rolled out to the apron. Kairi hit the ropes, but Mone rolled through and hit a belly-to-Bayley for a nearfall to Bayley chants. Mone hit two of the Three Amigos, but Kairi countered the third into a DDT. A strike exchange ended in the referee getting hit with a Cutlass. They brawled onto the stage, with Mone rolling off of the stage. Kairi went for a running forearm, but Mone caught her and dropped her onto a speaker near the stage. Mone pulled out a table from under the stage and set Kairi up for a suplex off of the speaker, but Kairi slipped under and powerbombed Mone through the table to a huge pop.

At the twenty-five-minute call, Kairi went to the top rope for the Insane Elbow, but flew into the boots of Mone. Mone went to the top herself for a frog splash but caught the knees of Kairi. Kairi locked on a crossface, which forced Mone to bite her way out. Mone got Kairi in position for the Mone Maker, and hit the DDT clean for the win and the title.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada © defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain

Okada/Tanahashi is like a fine wine. It always ages well. This wasn’t the most spectacular of their encounters, but an average Okada/Tanahashi match is still a fantastic main event.

After the opening exchange, Tanahashi caught Okada with the dragon screw out of the corner. Okada came back by getting Tanahashi to the top rope and hitting the big dropkick. Okada sent Tanahashi into the barricade and into the apron with charges. Tanahashi caught Okada with strikes, but Okada dropped Tanahashi with a DDT on the ramp. Another DDT from Okada in the ring got a nearfall. Go Ace chants rained down as Okada dropped Tanahashi with a neckbreaker. Okada posed over Tanahashi to boos.

Tanahashi came back with a running forearm and strikes before hitting the senton off the second rope. Tanahashi countered an Okada boot with a Dragon Screw that sent Okada to the floor. Tanahashi hit the Aces High from the top rope to the floor, taking both men out. Tanahashi brought Okada back into the ring but got caught with a flapjack from Okada. Okada charged Tanahashi in the corner, but Tanahashi dropkicked the leg out from under him. Okada caught Tanahashi with the neckbreaker over the knee, and after shaking out the knee, he hit the elbow off the top rope. Rainmaker pose, but Tanahashi fought out of the hold. Okada locked Tanahashi in the Money Clip – which the announcers didn’t seem to realize was a big move – before Tanahashi got to the ropes.

Tanahashi ducked a clothesline and hit a straight jacket German for a nearfall. Tanahashi hit the Slingblade for another nearfall. He hit the High Fly Flow to the back, but a second one to the front caught knees from Okada. A strike exchange saw both men rise to their feet before Tanahashi caught Okada with a shot that staggered him. Okada fought back with a shotgun dropkick, but Tanahashi came back with a slap. Tanahashi hit the ropes but got caught with a picture-perfect dropkick that brought the fans to their feet.

Okada hit the Landslide, but Tanahashi fought the Rainmaker off before countering it with a Slingblade. Tanahashi went to the top rope for a High Fly Flow, but Okada dropkicked him out of the air. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Tanahashi caught him with a small package for a close nearfall. Okada hit the enzuigiri and the Cobra Flowsion before finally landing the Rainmaker to retain.

After the match, Okada thanked the crowd for the support before suggesting that he and Tanahashi reform their dream tag team and challenge for the IWGP Tag Team Titles, a suggestion that got a huge pop from the crowd. Mercedes Mone came out to thank the crowd before suggesting that she and Okada make their own dream team. They posed for the photo op to close the show.