Okada vs. Tanahashi set for IWGP title at Battle in the Valley

February 11, 2023 Neal Flanagan NEWS
Photo Courtesy: NJPW

Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi will face each other for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Battle in the Valley.

After successfully defending the title against Shingo Takagi at the New Beginning in Osaka event on Saturday, Okada issued the challenge to Tanahashi, who was on commentary duty.

Earlier in the evening, Tanahashi defeated KENTA.

Okada and Tanahashi have a storied rivalry but have not faced each other for the top prize in NJPW in five years.

Five title matches are now scheduled for Battle in the Valley, which takes place in San Jose, California on Saturday, February 18th.

Updated card for Battle in the Valley:

  • IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI (c) vs. Mercedes Mone
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser (c) vs. KENTA
  • NJPW Strong Tag Team Championships: Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. World Class Wrecking Crew
  • NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Clark Connors
  • Eddie Kingston vs. Jay White
  • ‘Filthy Rules’ Match: Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide
  • Mascara Dorada, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest & Rocky Romero vs. KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, Volador Jr. & The DKC
About Neal Flanagan 804 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.
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