NJPW Battle In The Valley 2023 was a professional wrestling event produced by New Japan Pro Wrestling. The event took place on February 18, 2023 at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California. It was broadcast on FITE TV and NJPW World.
Production[]
Background[]
On November 13, 2021, NJPW held the first Battle In The Valley event. At Rumble On 44th Street on October 28, 2022, NJPW announced a second Battle In The Valley event would take place on February 18, 2023, at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California.
Storylines[]
On the January 7, 2023 episode of STRONG, KENTA would emerge victorious in the inaugural STRONG Survivor Match. After STRONG Openweight Champion Fred Rosser retained against Peter Avalon on the January 28 episode of STRONG, KENTA would confront Rosser, setting up a title match between the two at Battle In The Valley.
At Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023, KAIRI retained the IWGP Women's Championship against Tam Nakano. After the match, KAIRI was attacked by a debuting Mercedes Mone, who challenged KAIRI to a championship bout. It was later announced that KAIRI would defend her title against Mone at Battle In The Valley.
On the February 11, 2023, at The New Beginning In Osaka, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada retained against Shingo Takagi. After the bout, Okada turned his attention to Hiroshi Tanahashi, who was at ringside to provide commentary. Okada would challenge Tanahashi to a match at Battle In The Valley, which was accepted.
Results[]
- Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.
- (c) refers to the champion(s) heading into the match.
- Kickoff Show: Alex Coughlin defeated JR Kratos (10:07)
- Kickoff Show: David Finlay defeated Bobby Fish (10:06)
- KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, The DKC & Volador Jr. defeated Rocky Romero, Adrian Quest, Josh Alexander & Máscara Dorada in an Eight Man Tag Team Match (11:22)
- KENTA defeated Fred Rosser (c) to win the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship (16:31)
- The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (c) defeated The West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) to retain the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship (9:21)
- Eddie Kingston defeated Jay White in a Loser Leaves New Japan Pro Wrestling Match (19:07)
- Tom Lawlor defeated Homicide in a Filthy Rules Fight (16:22)
- Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Clark Connors to retain the NJPW WORLD Television Championship (14:06)
- Mercedes Mone defeated KAIRI (c) to win the IWGP Women's Championship (26:47)
- Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (21:08)
