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OKADA VS. OSPREAY, GIULIA VS. ADORA, KINGSTON VS. KIDD & MORE: NJPW BATTLE IN THE VALLEY 2024 COVERAGE FROM SAN JOSE, CA

Welcome to PWInsider.com's ongoing (delayed) coverage for the 2024 New Japan Pro Wrestling Battle in the Valley from San Jose, CA.  The show is streaming on the former FITE, TrillerTV.

The Kickoff Show, which I could not view as I was watching TNA's PPV, saw Matt Vandagriff defeat Goldy from AppleTV+'s Monster Factory while Stephanie Vaquer defeated Viva Van.

They announced 2,147 in attendance as a sellout.

Shota Umino, Fred Rosser and Jacob Fatu vs. Tom Lawlor, Royce Isaacs, and Jorel Nelson.

Rosser and Lawlor started out and battled back and forth  Rosser was trapped and worked over for a long time as Lawlor's team kept him away from his partners.  Fatu was on FIRE when he got into the ring cleaning house and looking very much like a badass.  He hit some awesome dives and was wrestling like he wanted to BADLY work a Tokyo Dome show.  He was great here.  Umino tagged in but was worked over.  Team Lawlor drilled him with a Triad powerbomb.  His partners hit the ring to break up the pinfall.  The battle continued until Umino nailed Deathrider and scored the pin.

Your winners, Shota Umino, Fred Rosser and Jacob Fatu!

Lawlor showed Rosser, a longtime adversary, respect after.

A good match.  Fatu was the star here and represented MLW in a really great way.

A masked man attack Umino after hopping the rail, revealing himself to be Jungle Boy Jack Perry.  He ripped apart an "AEW contract" and the put an armband on that read "Scapegoat." Okay.

Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr. vs. Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr.

Lucha!  Some fun stuff here.  Romero and Soberano Jr. took their time early, trying to work over their opponents and keep them frustrated.  Volador and Dorada turned the tide of battle with a nice double tope suicida to the floor.  Voladar drilled Romero with a backbreaker.  Soberano Jr. and Dorada shined with some really nice action.  Rocky worked over Dorada.  Dorado nailed Soberano Jr with a big dive.  Volador nailed a flip piledriver and scored the pin on Romero.

Your winners, Mascara Dorada and Volador Jr.!

If you like this style, this was a fun back and forth bout.

IWGP Global Champion David Finlay vs. TJP

TJP attacked Finlay before the bell on the floor.  Finlay battled back and suplexed him onto the railing outside.  Finlay worked him over with TJP pinballing all over including a big bump out of the corner to the floor.  Finlay dragged him back in and nailed a big elbow for a two count.  He continued to maul TJP.    TJP snapped his throat across the top rope and attacked the shoulder, snapping it.   He worked over Finlay and hit a big dive off the turnbuckles to the floor.  Cali chanted for TJP.   They fought back and forth.  Finlay tried to use a shillelagh but it was taken away by the official.  TJP sprayed Finlay with the red mist.  He nailed a knee strike for a near fall.  He worked on Finlay until being cut off and nailed with a piledriver for a two count.  Finlay drilled him with the lift into a knee strike and scored the pin.

Your winner, Dave Finlay!

Good match.  Good fire from TJP and you can see Finlay evolving into a top singles star before your eyes.  

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions El Phantasmo and Hikuleo vs. Alex Coughlin and Clark Connors.

The challengers attacked before the bell.  The champs quickly rebounded but Hikuleo was caught by the ring post with his leg drilled against it.  Connors and Coughlin mauled him on the floor.  They worked over Hikuelo in their corner for a long time.  He was finally about to make the tag but Phantasmo was pulled from the apron.  Hikuleo busted loose with a double clothesline and tagged out to ELP.

El Phantasmo cleaned house with atomic drops and Side Russian Legsweeps.  He nailed a series of moonsaults and then whipped out a tornado DDT to the floor.  He nailed a second one on Coughlin in the ring.  The champs doubleteamed him, scoring a two count.  Coughlin nailed ELP with the Dreadnaught Driver.  Connors nailed a big spear.  They nailed the Midnight Express' Double Goozle.  Hikuleo tried to fight back but was attacked and his knee went out.  They nailed a double-team maneuever but Hikuleo kicked up at the last second.  Hikuleo's selling here was really good.  He came back with a nice scoop slam. He chokeslammed Coughlin.  ELP nailed a springboard splash off the ropes (and over his partner's shoulders), scoring the pinfall.

Your winners and still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions El Phantasmo and Hikuleo!

Enjoyable.  Hikuleo has improved quite a bit.  Coughlin and Connors were great as the ferocious challengers and ELP is always entertaining.  

Coverage continues on Page 2!

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