Battle in the Valley (2024)

Last updated
Battle in the Valley
Battle in the Valley 2024 poster.jpg
Promotional poster featuring various NJPW wrestlers
Promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Brand(s) NJPW Strong
DateJanuary 13, 2024
City San Jose, California
Venue San Jose Civic
Attendance2,147
Event chronology
 Previous
New Year Dash!!
Next 
The New Beginning in Nagoya
Battle in the Valley chronology
 Previous
2023
Next 

Battle in the Valley was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on January 13, 2024, at San Jose Civic in San Jose, California. It is the third event under the Battle in the Valley chronology. The event features wrestlers from NJPW partner promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW), World Wonder Ring Stardom, Major League Wrestling (MLW), and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).

Contents

Eleven matches were contested at the event. In the main event, Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay. In other prominent matches, Shingo Takagi defeated Jon Moxley in a No Disqualification match and The Chosen Bros (Jeff Cobb and Matt Riddle) defeated TMDK (Bad Dude Tito and Zack Sabre Jr.)

The show was also notable for the unannounced NJPW debut of AEW performer Jack Perry, who had not appeared in a wrestling ring since his AEW suspension from his backstage brawl with CM Punk at All In 2023. At the event, he attacked Shota Umino following the main card's opening six-man tag team match; after laying Umino out, he tore up his AEW contract in the ring and donned an armband reading "scapegoat". [1]

Production

Background

In October 2019, NJPW announced their expansion into the United States with their new American division, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA). [2] On July 31, 2020, NJPW announced a new weekly series titled NJPW Strong ; the series would be produced by NJoA. [3] On January 30, 2023, NJPW announced that all of the promotion's future American events would be branded under the "Strong" name. Beginning with the inaugural Battle in the Valley event, NJoA PPVs have since aired under the NJPW Strong Live banner, and later re-aired as part of the NJPW Strong on Demand series. [4]

Tickets for the 2024 Battle in the Valley event went on sale October 6, 2023. [5]

Storylines

Battle in the Valley features professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. [6]

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes [7] [8]
1P Matt Vandagriff defeated Goldy by pinfall Strong Survivor match [9] 6:09
2P Stephanie Vaquer defeated Viva Van by pinfall Singles match to determine the #1 contender to the Strong Women's Championship [10] 9:55
3 Jacob Fatu, Fred Rosser, and Shota Umino defeated Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson, and Royce Isaacs) by pinfall Six-man tag team match [11] 8:59
4 Máscara Dorada and Volador Jr. defeated Rocky Romero and Soberano Jr. by pinfall Tag team match [12] 11:11
5 David Finlay defeated TJP by pinfall Singles match [13] 13:07
6 Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo) (c) defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin) by pinfall Tag team match for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship [14] 12:06
7 Giulia (c) defeated Trish Adora by pinfall Singles match for the Strong Women's Championship [15] 13:02
8The Chosen Bros (Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb) defeated TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. and Bad Dude Tito) by pinfall Tag team match [16] 11:45
9 Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Gabe Kidd ended in a double countout Singles match for the Continental Crown Championship
(Strong Openweight Championship, ROH World Championship, and the AEW Continental Championship) [17]
11:22
10 Jon Moxley defeated Shingo Takagi by pinfall No Disqualification match [18] 26:16
11 Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay by pinfall Singles match [19] 28:34
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Sabre Jr.</span> British professional wrestler (born 1987)

Luke James Uggles Eatwell, known by his ring name Zack Sabre Jr. and its abbreviated form ZSJ, is an English-born professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he is the current second leader of the group The Mighty Don't Kneel (TMDK) and is a former two-time and inaugural NJPW World Television Champion. He also makes sporadic appearances for partner promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Cobb</span> American professional wrestler

Jeffrey Cobb is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the United Empire stable and the current NJPW World Television Champion in his first reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Ospreay</span> English professional wrestler (born 1993)

William Peter Charles Ospreay is an English professional wrestler. As of November 2023, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the current AEW International Champion in his second reign. He is also known for his eight year tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he held various championships, including the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hikuleo (wrestler)</span> Tongan professional wrestler

Tautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He is best known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name Hikuleo, where he was a member of Bullet Club and Guerrillas of Destiny (GoD). In his tenure with NJPW, he was a former Strong Openweight Champion, a two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion, and a one time IWGP Tag Team Champion with partner El Phantasmo as part of a new incarnation of GoD. He is the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Tonga Fifita.

Ren Narita is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and its sub-group House of Torture. He is a former NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shota Umino</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Shota Umino is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Perry</span> American professional wrestler (born 1997)

Jack Perry is an American professional wrestler. As of January 2019, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Elite stable and is the current AEW TNT Champion in his first reign. He is also a former one-time FTW Champion and a former one-time AEW World Tag Team Champion. He previously performed under the ring names Jungle Boy and "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry. He also makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and its sub-group House of Torture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Empire</span> Professional wrestling stable

United Empire, originally The Empire, is a professional wrestling faction currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The faction is led by TJP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Openweight Championship</span> Japanese pro wrestling championship

The Strong Openweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned and promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The title was officially announced on April 2, 2021, and the inaugural champion was Tom Lawlor. The current champion is Gabe Kidd, who is in his first reign. He won the title on May 11, 2024 by defeating Eddie Kingston at Resurgence in Ontario, California, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Fletcher</span> Australian professional wrestler (born 1998)

Kyle Fletcher is an Australian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Don Callis Family stable. He also performs in its sister company Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former one-time ROH World Tag Team Champion and ROH World Television Championship. Fletcher was previously signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a former IWGP Tag Team Champion and inaugural and record-setting two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion. He also made appearances for British promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where he was a two-time Undisputed British Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbidden Door (2022)</span> All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2022 Forbidden Door was the inaugural Forbidden Door professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow co-produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the Japan-based New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on June 26, 2022, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and was the first AEW/NJPW co-promoted event. It was the first professional wrestling pay-per-view held at this venue since Spring Stampede in 2000, which was produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Davis (wrestler)</span> Professional wrestler

Davis Passfield, better known by his in-ring name Mark Davis, is an Australian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He also appears in its sister company Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former one-time ROH World Tag Team Champion. He also appears for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, and record-setting and inaugural two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion and Revolution Pro Wrestling, where he is a former two-time Undisputed British Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aussie Open (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling tag team

Aussie Open were an Australian professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher. They are currently signed, as individuals, to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and also wrestle for AEW’s sister company Ring of Honor (ROH), where they are former ROH World Tag Team Champions. The team is currently on hiatus after Davis suffered a wrist injury in October 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrestle Kingdom 17</span> 2023 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event

Wrestle Kingdom 17 was a two-day professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event co-produced by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) promotions. The first day of the event took place on January 4, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan and the second day of the event took place on January 21, 2023, at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. It is the 32nd January 4 Tokyo Dome Show and the 17th promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name. The event was held in honor of the NJPW founder Antonio Inoki, who died on October 1, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle in the Valley (2023)</span> New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event

Battle in the Valley was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on February 18, 2023, at San Jose Civic in San Jose, California. It was the second event under the Battle in the Valley chronology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbidden Door (2023)</span> All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2023 Forbidden Door was the second annual Forbidden Door professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow co-produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the Japan-based New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on June 25, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was AEW's first PPV to be held outside of the United States and NJPW's first traditional PPV to be held in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Collision (2023)</span> 2023 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Capital Collision (2023) was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on April 15, 2023, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. Wrestlers from NJPW's partner promotions, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact Wrestling, also appeared on the card. This was the second event to be held under the Capital Collision name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Resurgence (2023)</span> 2023 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Resurgence (2023) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on May 21, 2023, at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. It is the second event under the Resurgence name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrestle Kingdom 18</span> 2024 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event

Wrestle Kingdom 18 was a professional wrestling event promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on January 4, 2024, at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan. It was the 33rd January 4 Tokyo Dome Show and the 18th promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name. Wrestlers from NJPW partner promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) were featured at the event. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom event to feature Hiroshi Tanahashi as the new president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom since Wrestle Kingdom 13 to have a one-night format, as the previous Wrestle Kingdoms had been held across multiple nights in a row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windy City Riot (2024)</span> 2024 New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling event

Windy City Riot (2024) was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on April 12, 2024, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It was the second event under the Windy City Riot chronology.

References

  1. Lambert, Jeremy (January 13, 2024). "Jack Perry Rips Up AEW Contract At NJPW Battle In The Valley". Fightful.
  2. "NJPW ANNOUNCES NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING OF AMERICA SUBSIDIARY". f4wonline. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. "New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Bushiroad . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  4. "NJPW of America, STRONG transform in 2023 【NJoA】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. "2024.01.13 Battle in the Valley | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  6. Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications . Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  7. Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle In The Valley 2024 Kickoff". cagematch.net. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle In The Valley 2024". cagematch.net. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  9. Daly, Wayne (January 8, 2024). "Full Card Announced For NJPW Battle In The Valley On January 13th". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  10. Daly, Wayne (January 8, 2024). "Full Card Announced For NJPW Battle In The Valley On January 13th". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  11. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Matt Riddle And More Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  12. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Matt Riddle And More Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  13. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Matt Riddle And More Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  14. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Matt Riddle And More Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  15. Lambert, Jeremy (December 29, 2024). "Trish Adora Appears At Stardom Dream Queendom, Challenges Giulia For NJPW Strong Women's Title". Fightful. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  16. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Matt Riddle And More Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  17. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Gabe Kidd Challenges Eddie Kingston To Face Him At NJPW Battle In The Valley". Fightful. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  18. Tessier, Colin (January 5, 2024). "Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi, Okada vs. Ospreay Set For NJPW Battle In The Valley". Wrestlezone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  19. Renner, Ethan (January 5, 2024). "Okada vs. Ospreay official for NJPW Battle in the Valley". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved January 10, 2024.