First matches announced for NJPW Battle in the Valley
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 —
- IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr.
- AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita
- Jeff Cobb
- El Desperado
- AZM
- Mina Shirakawa
- Maika
- Shane Haste
- Bad Dude Tito
- Rocky Romero
- Royce Isaacs
- Jorel Nelson
- Tom Lawlor
- Fred Rosser
- HANAKO