After nearly three decades, Sumie Sakai’s in-ring career has ended.
Sakai was defeated in her retirement match last night at NJPW Battle in the Valley. She teamed with EVIL and SHO against Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki on the show. The finish of the match saw Takahashi pin Sakai after a Timebomb.
After the match, the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Sumie,” as she was helped to her feet by Takahashi, Iwatani, and Sakazaki. Takahashi gifted Sakai his jacket, and the locker room emptied out to show their respect. Sakai then stood alone in the ring as a ten-bell salute rang out to honor her.
Sumie Sakai's final match was one full of memorable moments and high emotion as the wrestling world came out to wish the legend well!
Numerous people around the world of wrestling have been posting to social media to pay their respects to Sakai.
Veda Scott wrote: “We love you @SumieSakai. So humbled and honored that I got to commentate your retirement match. There wouldn’t be a Veda without a Sumie. Thank you for everything.
Stephanie Vaquer posted, “THANK YOU SUMIE SAN @SumieSakai It’s an honor to be your friend.”
CM Punk also posted a message to Sakai in honor of her retirement match to his Instagram Stories.
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.
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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.
It’s time for a Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live.
We’ll talk Friday’s WWE SmackDown and ask if WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is a heel that fans cheer or a “mean girl” babyface? Also, the talented Los Garzas finally won a match.
I will also preview tonight’s NJPW Battle in the Valley show.
The biggest star on WWE Raw Monday was Netflix. We’ll talk about “RAW Is SYNERGY!,” Vince McMahon being vague, and a title change in NOAH.
An eight-woman elimination tag team bout has been added to Saturday’s NJPW Battle in the Valley card featuring talent from NJPW, AEW, and Stardom.
As revealed Tuesday night in a social media post, Anna Jay will team with Trish Adora, AZM, and Johnnie Robbie against Mina Shirakawa, Viva Van, Hanako, and Maika in an elimination tag on the Saturday, January 11 Battle in the Valley event in San Jose.
Saturday’s show will stream on NJPW World for subscribers at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. The updated card:
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado defends against Taiji Ishimori
NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against KUSHIDA
NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo defends against Jeff Cobb
NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) defend against Rocky Romero & YOH
Sumie Sakai retirement match: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO vs. Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero
Elimination tag: Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZM, & Johnnie Robbie vs. Mina Shirakawa, Viva Van, Hanako, & Maika
Pre-show: Matt Vandagriff & Fred Rosser vs. TMDK’s Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito
Pre-show Strong Survivor match: Zane Jay vs. Viento
Two matches have been added to Saturday’s NJPW Battle in the Valley 2025.
NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita, defending against KUSHIDA, and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado, defending against Taiji Ishimori, have been added to the show.
Two big matches just made official for Battle in the Valley during New Year Dash!!
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship El Desperado vs Taiji Ishimori!
Takeshita is coming off a big week that saw him defeat Powerhouse Hobbs at AEW Worlds End on December 28, team with Jun Akiyama in a win over Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya for DDT on January 3, beat Shingo Takagi at Wrestle Kingdom, and then Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestle Dynasty. KUSHIDA is coming off having made KENTA tapout today at New Year’s Dash.
After this weekend one thing is not in dispute: Takeshita is the best wrestler on earth.
Ishimori issued a challenge to Desperado for a title match during today’s New Year’s Dash event. He’s coming off having won the Lucha Gauntlet match at Wrestle Dynasty. Desperado is coming off winning the IWGP Junior title over DOUKI at Wrestle Kingdom when the match had to be stopped early due to DOUKI suffering an injury.
NJPW Battle in the Valley (Saturday, January 11) —
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero
NJPW Strong Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
Sumie Sakai retirement match: Hiromu Takahashi, Yuka Sakazaki, and Mayu Iwatani vs. Sumie Sakai, EVIL, and SHO
New Japan Strong Tag Team titles: Jorel Nelson & Royce Issacs defend against Rocky Romero & YOH
Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado defends against Taiji Ishimori
NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against KUSHIDA
Team Hiromu has been finalized for Sumie Sakai’s retirement match set for NJPW Battle in the Valley on January 11.
Yuka Sakazaki has been announced as the third member of Team Hiromu for the mixed trios tag match at Battle in the Valley, joining Hiromu Takahashi, and Mayu Iwatani. They will face Sakai, and two male partners of Sakai’s choosing at the show in San Jose next month in what is being billed as the final match in Sakai’s career which spans three decades.
Hiromu made the announcement in an NJPW social media post Friday night:
Two matches are official for the January 11 event, with more likely to be added in the aftermath of Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty taking place in the Tokyo Dome on January 4 and January 5.
The announced card to this point for Battle in the Valley:
NJPW Battle in the Valley (Saturday, January 11) —
Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
Sumie Sakai’s retirement match: Team Sumie (Sumie Sakai, TBA & TBA) vs. Team Hiromu (Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki)
Hiromu Takahashi has revealed his first partner for NJPW Battle in the Valley 2025.
At the January 11 event, Takahashi and Sumie Sakai will be facing off in a six-person tag team bout. It’s Sakai’s retirement match and will feature her teaming with one male partner and one female partner against Takahashi and two female partners. He announced last night that Stardom ace Mayu Iwatani will be one of the members of Team Hiromu.
Sakai, 53, is stepping away from in-ring competition after a nearly three-decade international career. She’s best known for the time she spent in ROH, where she was involved in the promotion’s first-ever women’s match in 2002 and later became the inaugural ROH Women of Honor Champion in 2018.
This match was set up following NJPW’s Strong Style Evolved event last weekend. Sakai approached Takahashi and asked him to be the opponent for her retirement bout. Takahashi said he’d be delighted, but he suggested a six-person tag instead of a singles match so more people could be involved. The other members of Team Sumie have not been confirmed yet.
Battle in the Valley is being held in San Jose, California and will include fallout from Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty. Two matches are now official for the show:
NJPW Battle in the Valley (Saturday, January 11) —
Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
Sumie Sakai’s retirement match: Team Sumie (Sumie Sakai, TBD & TBD) vs. Team Hiromu (Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & TBD)
NJPW has made the first match announcements for Battle in the Valley set for Saturday, January 11, 2025.
After throwing down the gauntlet at Strong Style Evolved Sunday, Gabe Kidd will in fact defend his Strong Openweight Championship against Tomohiro Ishii in San Jose on January 11.
Kidd is set to face Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome on January 5 in a non-title bout, while Ishii will challenge for the NEVER Openweight title at Wrestle Dynasty against either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita. If Takeshita still holds the AEW International title, that will also be on the line at Wrestle Dynasty.
Sumie Sakai’s retirement match is also official for Battle in the Valley.
After challenging Hiromu Takahashi to face her in her retirement match, NJPW has revealed that Sakai will team with one man and one woman against Hiromu and two female partners of his choosing. All of the participants will be revealed at a later date.
NJPW Battle in the Valley, Saturday, January 11 —
NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
Sumie Sakai retirement match: Sumie Sakai, TBA & TBA vs. Hiromu Takahashi, TBA & TBA
Also announced to appear at Battle in the Valley —
The card for Battle in the Valley started to shape up on Sunday.
After retaining the NJPW Strong Championship against Ryohei Oiwa at NJPW Strong Style Evolved, he cut a promo running down Kenny Omega before focusing on NJPW Battle in the Valley, which takes place on January 11. He singled out Tomohiro Ishii, calling him out for the San Jose event.
Kidd is set for a busy 2025, already taking on Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Ishii meanwhile is scheduled to face the winner between Shingo Takagi and Konosuke Takeshita the previous night at Wrestle Kingdom 19. If Takeshita remains champion up to January 4, the match would be for both the NEVER and AEW international titles.
Following the show, Sumie Sakai asked Hiromu Takahashi to be in her retirement match that will take place at Battle in the Valley. Takahashi agreed, but suggested a mixed tag match, with himself teaming with two women and Sakai teaming with one man and one woman.
Breaking@SumieSakai is set to retire at Battle in the Valley January 11- and will face @TIMEBOMB1105 in six person action for her last match!
Another title match was seemingly agreed to for Battle in the Valley earlier on Sunday. After Royce Issacs and Jorel Nelson captured the NJPW Strong Tag Team titles, they were met by Rocky Romero. He issued the challenge for next month, saying his former Roppongi 3K partner YOH would be teaming with him. The new champions responded by taking out Romero.
A slate of wrestlers are being advertised for NJPW Battle in the Valley, the promotion’s first United States event of 2025.
Battle in the Valley takes place from the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California on Saturday, January 11. NJPW has made its first talent announcements for the show with 17 wrestlers confirmed. They include IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and AEW star Konosuke Takeshita.
Here is the full list:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr.
NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd
AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita
Jeff Cobb
Tomohiro Ishii
El Desperado
AZM
Mina Shirakawa
Maika
Shane Haste
Bad Dude Tito
Rocky Romero
Royce Isaacs
Jorel Nelson
Tom Lawlor
Fred Rosser
HANAKO
The show is happening on the heels of Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty, which are being held at the Tokyo Dome on January 4-5. Before that, NJPW will be in Long Beach, California this Sunday (December 15) for Strong Style Evolved.
Battle in the Valley first took place in 2021 and is now an annual event for NJPW.
Just days after Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty next January, NJPW will make its return to San Jose, California.
The promotion announced today that Battle in the Valley 2025 will be held at the San Jose Civic on Saturday, January 11. Battle in the Valley first took place in 2021 and has now been an annual event for NJPW since 2023.
We're kicking off 2025 in the US HUGE in San Jose!
Tickets are going on sale to the general public this Friday (October 18).
While no match announcements have been made for Battle in the Valley yet, the show will feature the fallout from NJPW’s biggest events of the year. The Tokyo Dome is hosting Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4 and Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Wrestle Dynasty will feature talent from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH.
The main event of Battle in the Valley 2024 was Kazuchika Okada defeating Will Ospreay before both of those wrestlers joined AEW.
NJPW will also be in California for Strong Style Evolved 2024 this December. Long Beach is hosting that show on Sunday, December 15.
I am back with another Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live.
Saturday was a crazy night in wrestling as the newly-rebranded TNA ran its Hard to Kill pay-per-view in Las Vegas, NJPW had Battle in the Valley in San Jose, and AEW ran both Collision and Battle of the Belts IX in Norfolk, Virginia.
I break down the highlights from all these shows, including surprises from Jack Perry and Nic Nemeth who both showed up in new places.
Also, I give my thoughts about WWE SmackDown from Friday with the building tension between Bayley and her Damage CTRL teammates, and the latest on the Bloodline Saga which leads into the build to this year’s Royal Rumble which takes place in just two weeks.
Plus, I talk the latest on Mercedes Mone, the timeline of her next appearance, and whether she is still AEW-bound.
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.
KickoffResults
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.
