NJPW Battle In The Valley 2023 Results (2/18): Mercedes Mone In-Ring Debut, Okada Vs. Tanahashi For The IWGP World Heavyweight Title

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New Japan Pro-Wrestling presents Battle in the Valley 2023 from the San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, California. The event will see Mercedes Mone – formerly Sasha Banks in WWE – make her in-ring debut for the promotion. The 31-year-old made her first appearance for the organization on the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 17 last month by confronting and attacking IWGP Women's Champion KAIRI. As a result, the pair will collide for the IWGP Women's Championship tonight in Mone's first match since May 2022. 

NJPW Battle in the Valley 2023 card

* Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

* KAIRI (c) vs. Mercedes Mone for the IWGP Women's Championship

* Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston in a Loser Leaves NJPW match

* Fred Rosser (c) vs. KENTA for the Strong Openweight Championship

* Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Clark Connors for the NJPW World Television Championship

* The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) (c) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship

* Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide in a Filthy Rules Fight 

* Máscara Dorada, Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, and Adrian Quest vs. Kushida, Volador Jr., Kevin Knight, and The DKC in an eight-man tag team match 

- The show was delayed over 40 minutes due to technical issues.

Máscara Dorada, Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, and Adrian Quest vs. Kushida, Volador Jr., Kevin Knight, and The DKC in an eight-man tag team match

Alexander and Kushida began the match as the legal men. Alexander took Kushida down with a waist lock. Kushida turned the tables and locked Alexander in a wrist lock on the mat. Kushida avoided Alexander's ankle lock attempt. Knight and Quest were tagged in. The pace of the bout picked up. Knight sent Quest down. Quest responded with several high-flying moves. 

Romero was tagged in. Romero tagged himself back out of the match when Volador Jr. entered the ring. Volador Jr. and Dorada went back and forth. Dorada took Volador Jr. down with a missile dropkick from the corner of the ring. Volador Jr. sent Romero to the floor after he tagged himself back into the match. Alexander and Kushida briefly became the legal men again. Kushida was kept away from his corner. 

Kushida eventually tagged in The DKC. DKC battled Dorada. DKC sent Dorada and Quest to the floor before diving through the ropes to wipe them out. The encounter broke down. Kushida had Quest on his shoulders as Knight connected with a high dropkick. Alexander and Kushida fought again in the ring. Kushida locked Alexander in a submission. Knight landed a pendulum DDT on Quest to pick up the victory for his team. 

Winners: Kushida, Volador Jr., Kevin Knight, and The DKC via pinfall

- After the match, Volador Jr. challenged Romero to put his hair on the line next month. 

Fred Rosser (c) vs. KENTA for the Strong Openweight Championship

Rosser backed KENTA into the corner of the ring. KENTA initially got the better of Rosser. KENTA repeatedly disrespected the champion. Rosser headed into the crowd and challenged KENTA to come and fight him. Rosser and KENTA went back and forth outside the ring. KENTA took control and delivered several kicks at ringside. KENTA landed a DDT on the apron.

Back in the ring, KENTA delivered a series of strikes in the corner. KENTA connected with a big kick to Rosser's spine. KENTA's disrespect continued. KENTA locked Rosser in a headlock on the mat. The champion eventually responded and sent KENTA into the corner. Rosser connected with a hip attack and followed up with two leg drops in the center of the ring. KENTA stopped Rosser in his tracks with a DDT. 

KENTA took Rosser down with a clothesline from the top. Rosser fought out of a waist lock. Rosser dropped KENTA on the apron with a back suplex. Rosser sent KENTA down with a big lariat. KENTA locked in the Game Over submission, but Rosser managed to get his hand on the bottom rope to break the hold. 

KENTA landed another DDT to take control. KENTA connected with a double stomp from the top turnbuckle. KENTA went for the Go To Sleep. Rosser countered into a chickenwing. KENTA and Rosser exchanged forearms in the center of the ring. Rosser attempted the Go To Sleep. The referee was knocked down. Rosser locked KENTA in the STF submission. KENTA tapped, but the referee didn't see it. Juice Robinson appeared and struck Rosser with a weapon. KENTA hit the GTS to win. 

Winner and NEW Strong Openweight Champion: KENTA via pinfall

The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley (c) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship

Nelson and Isaacs immediately went after Sabin and Shelley. Isaacs walked around the ring with Sabin hoisted in the air. Isaacs sent Sabin crashing down onto the apron while Nelson took care of Shelley in the ring. Isaacs kept Shelley grounded as he returned to the ring. Nelson was tagged in and locked Shelley in a headlock. Sabin remained wiped out on the floor. 

Sabin eventually returned to the ring and took the West Coast Wrecking Crew down. Sabin sent Nelson down with a high crossbody. Nelson and Isaacs were taken out on the floor by Sabin. Back in the ring, Sabin and Shelley combined. A miscommunication between Shelley and Sabin allowed the West Coast Wrecking Crew to take advantage. 

Nelson and Isaacs delivered a double German suplex. Nelson connected with a cutter from the turnbuckles. Shelley and Sabin regained control. Sabin landed a cutter in the center of the ring. Shelley and Sabin planted Isaacs into the canvas to emerge victorious. 

Winners and STILL Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions: The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) via pinfall

Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston in a Loser Leaves NJPW match

It was announced prior to the match that Bullet Club would be banned from ringside. White headed to the floor and invited Kingston to join him. White eventually found an opening to take Kingston down inside the ring. Kingston responded with a series of headbutts. White later replied with a DDT. White flung Kingston into the corner after connecting with an uppercut. 

White went after Kingston's eyes in the center of the ring. Kingston got back to his feet and knocked White down with a lariat. Kingston struck White with several chops to the chest. White was sent to the floor. Kingston continued to control the bout upon White's return to the ring. White countered and connected with a DDT. White dropped Kingston with a German suplex. 

White and Kingston exchanged chops around the ring. White went for the Blade Runner. Kingston targeted White's eyes. White delivered a low blow while the referee's back was turned. White connected with the Blade Runner. Kingston rolled out of the ring to save his NJPW career. 

Kingston connected with a back fist upon returning to the ring. White kicked out of the cover that followed. Kingston hit a combination of moves. White got his shoulder up during a pin attempt. Kingston ended White's NJPW career after driving him into the canvas. 

Winner: Eddie Kingston via pinfall

- After the match, David Finlay struck White with a weapon. Finlay cut a passionate promo about taking charge of NJPW.

Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide in a Filthy Rules Fight 

The ring ropes were removed for this no-rules clash. Lawlor put on some fighting gloves. Homicide took Lawlor down with a lariat. Lawlor pushed Homicide out of the ring. Lawlor grabbed a trash can lid and smashed it over Homicide's head. Lawlor grabbed a trash can and hit Homicide with it. Homicide replied by throwing a chair at Lawlor's head. 

Back in the ring, Homicide sent Lawlor into the ring post. Homicide smashed baking trays over Lawlor's head. Homicide pulled out a ladder from underneath the ring. He also pulled out a kendo stick and hit Lawlor with it. Homicide pulled out a fork. Lawlor took Homicide down and locked him in a submission. Homicide stabbed at Lawlor's foot with the fork. Homicide landed a cutter. 

Lawlor sent Homicide into the ring post. Lawlor took off his fighting gloves and put on silver knuckles. Back in the ring, Lawlor put the hook of a turnbuckle into Homicide's mouth. Lawlor went to hit Homicide with the silver knuckles but missed and hit the ring post. Homicide pulled out a wooden door from underneath the ring. 

Lawlor dropped Homicide on a trash can in the center of the ring. Homicide managed to hit Three Amigos on Lawlor. Lawlor landed three German suplexes. Lawlor locked Homicide in a headlock. Homicide lifted Lawlor and sent him crashing through the door placed against the barricade. Homicide delivered a piledriver on a piece of the broken door. Lawlor dropped Homicide onto a ladder. Lawlor set up the ladder and landed a flying headbutt from the top. Lawlor locked in a chokehold to secure the victory. 

Winner: Tom Lawlor via submission

Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Clark Connors for the NJPW World Television Championship

Sabre Jr. and Connors locked up. Connors teased Sabre Jr. The champion responded with an uppercut, which prompted an explosive response from Connors. Connors took Sabre Jr. down with a shoulder tackle. Sabre Jr. opened his chest for Connors to hit it. Connors sent Sabre Jr. back down with a chop. Sabre Jr. replied by locking Connors in a submission hold. Sabre Jr. focused on Connors' legs. 

The champion continued to work over the challenger. Connors managed to send Sabre Jr. flying into the corner with a pounce. Sabre Jr. locked in another submission. Connors reversed with a Northern Lights suplex. Sabre Jr. and Connors traded strikes in the center of the ring. Connors planted Sabre Jr. with a brainbuster. Sabre Jr. locked in a series of submissions on the canvas. 

Sabre Jr. repeatedly slapped Connors in the face. Sabre Jr. connected with a full nelson suplex. Connors landed a spear and then a powerslam, but it wasn't enough to finish off the champion. Connors ate an uppercut as he charged into the corner. Sabre Jr. and Connors traded pinfall attempts. The challenger applied a chokehold. Connors attempted an ankle lock, but Sabre Jr. countered with an armbar variation to retain the gold. 

Winner and STILL NJPW World Television Champion: Zack Sabre Jr. via submission

KAIRI (c) vs. Mercedes Mone for the IWGP Women's Championship

Mone and KAIRI locked up to get the match underway. Mone came close to finishing the match early after applying the Bank Statement. KAIRI delivered headscissors to Mone and sent her out of the ring. The champion leaped off the apron to take Mone down on the floor. Back inside the ring, KAIRI connected with a chop to the chest. Mone responded with a flurry of chops in the corner. Mone delivered double knees and attempted a pin. 

Mone sent KAIRI out of the ring after dragging her against the steel holding up the middle turnbuckle. Mone slapped KAIRI in the face while trash-talking. Mone delivered a single-arm DDT in the center of the ring. The challenger applied an armbar. Mone continued to focus on the left arm of the champion. KAIRI briefly took control on the floor before Mone sent her into the ring post. 

Mone targeted KAIRI's left arm again upon returning to the ring. KAIRI drove Mone down with a double stomp from the top turnbuckle. The champion picked up the pace and speared Mone. KAIRI went up top again and connected with a flying forearm. KAIRI locked in a figure four on the neck. Mone and KAIRI fought on the apron. Mone took out KAIRI with double knees on the floor. 

Mone headed to the top turnbuckle and landed double knees in the center of the ring. KAIRI kicked out of the pinfall attempt that followed. Mone connected with a cutter and attempted another pin. KAIRI countered another double knee attempt to lock in a submission focusing on the knees. Mone reversed and applied the Bank Statement. KAIRI escaped. 

KAIRI lifted Mone and delivered an Alabama slam. KAIRI kicked Mone in the back of the neck while she was draped over the middle rope. Mone got back to her feet and connected with a belly-to-belly suplex. Mone went for the Three Amigos. KAIRI countered into a DDT. Strikes were exchanged in the center of the ring. Mone pulled the referee in the way of the action. KAIRI and Mone brawled on the entrance ramp. Mone pulled out a table next to the stage. KAIRI sent Mone through the table with a powerbomb. 

KAIRI grabbed Mone and sent her back into the ring. The champion went to the top turnbuckle and failed to connect with an elbow. KAIRI got her knees up to block Mone's frog splash attempt. Mone eventually landed the Mone Maker to win the title. 

Winner and NEW IWGP Women's Champion: Mercedes Mone via pinfall

Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Okada and Tanahashi exchanged wristlocks. Tanahashi managed to keep the champion grounded, but Okada reversed into a pinfall attempt. Tanahashi took Okada down with an arm drag. Okada sent Tanahashi to the floor with a dropkick. Okada sent the challenger into the barricade. The champion connected with a DDT on the entrance ramp. 

Okada continued to control the bout as the action returned to the ring. Okada delivered another DDT to Tanahashi in the center of the ring. Tanahashi attempted to fight back. The champion sent the challenger back down. Tanahashi eventually landed a big forearm and began to build momentum. Tanahashi sent Okada to the floor. Tanahashi leaped from the top turnbuckle to wipe out the champion on the floor.  

Okada flapjacked Tanahashi in the center of the ring. The challenger responded with a dropkick to the knees. Okada managed to turn the tables again and began to wear Tanahashi down. Tanahashi replied with a German suplex into a bridging pin. Tanahashi continued to rally and delivered a splash from the top, but the champion got his knees up to block a second attempt. 

Okada and Tanahashi traded forearms on their knees in the middle of the canvas. Both men got to their feet and continued to exchange blows. Okada sent Tanahashi down with a dropkick. The champion then delivered another dropkick. Tanahashi blocked Okada's Rainmaker attempt. Okada caught Tanahashi with a dropkick as the challenger leaped from the turnbuckle. Okada attempted a Rainmaker, but Tanahashi countered with a pin. Okada drove Tanahashi into the mat. Okada ultimately landed the Rainmaker to retain the gold. 

Winner and STILL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion: Kazuchika Okada via pinfall

 - Okada spoke on the microphone after the match about chasing after the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Mone came out and joined Okada in the ring. She thanked the fans in San Jose and said her dream came true tonight.  

- That's all for NJPW Battle in the Valley 2023!