Mercedes Mone wins IWGP Women’s title at NJPW Battle in the Valley

Mercedes Mone is the new IWGP Women’s Champion.

In her first NJPW match, Mone defeated KAIRI by pinfall to capture the IWGP Women’s title at the Battle in the Valley pay-per-view. Mone scored the win in 26:47 with her new Mone Maker finisher.

Decked out in gear inspired by the late Hana Kimura’s ring attire, Mone won the title after a back and forth battle that saw her use her old Bank Statement finisher, as well as Bayley’s trademark Bayley-to-Belly move en route to the victory.

Mone vs. KAIRI was the first half of a double main event at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, going on next to last.

In the show’s closing bout, Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight title in the 16th career singles meeting between the two.

After defeating Tanahashi, Okada cut a promo asking Tanahashi to reform their “dream team” to go after the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles. Mone then entered and pointed out the similarities between herself and Okada, teasing a future pairing of Okada and Mone in a mixed tag team bout.

Earlier on the card, KENTA defeated Fred Rosser to win the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, with an assist coming from Bullet Club’s Juice Robinson.

In the evening’s other title bouts, Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Clark Connors to retain the NJPW World Television title, and Motor City Machine Guns defeated West Coast Wrecking Crew to retain the Strong Openweight Tag titles.

The Battle in the Valley pay-per-view on FITE TV was marred by technical issues that forced a 43 minute delay in the start of the the main card.