On January 13, 1972, Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki created New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Japan’s largest and longest-running wrestling promotion—basically the WWE of Japan. This would make Inoki the Vince McMahon of Japan, and just like McMahon, Inoki even fought the Nature Boy himself, Ric Flair (wooo!). Unlike McMahon, Inoki also fought Muhammad Ali in 1976 in a show that proved he was more than just theatrics. Battle in the Valley is the promotion’s first US event of the year and features some of the best from Japan, the US and worldwide. (MW)
Sat, 7pm, $34.50–$304
San Jose Civic, San Jose
