NJPW Rumble on 44th Street notes: Title change, Ken Shamrock, Battle in the Valley

The Motor City Machine Guns are the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. 

MCMG’s Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley defeated Aussie Open, and Kevin Knight and The DKC in a triple threat match at Friday’s Rumble on 44th Street pay-per-view to capture the titles, dethroning Aussie Open. 

Other notes from Friday’s show: 

  • Ken Shamrock made a surprise appearance, cornering Clark Connors in his match against Minoru Suzuki. 

  • NJPW announced Battle in the Valley for San Jose, California on Saturday, February 18, 2023. 
  • Lio Rush returned to the promotion, aligning with YOH in an angle after the opening match. 
  • Our full report on the show can be found here. 

Results: 

  • Jay White & Juice Robinson defeated Kazuchika Okada & Eddie Kingston
  • KOPW 2022 New York City Street Fight: Shingo Takagi defeated El Phantasmo to retain
  • SWA World Championship: Mayu Iwatani defeated KiLynn King to retain
  • Minoru Suzuki defeated Clark Connors (w/Ken Shamrock)
  • Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & Homicide defeated Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser defeated Jonathan Gresham to retain
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship: Motor City Machine Guns defeated Aussie Open, & Kevin Knight & The DKC to win the titles
  • Yujiro Takahashi & SHO defeated YOH & Rocky Romero
  • Kylie Rae & Tiara James defeated Waka Tsukiyama & Mina Shirakawa