Tiger Mask IV announces retirement for July 2026
Tiger Mask IV has announced that the next 12 months will be the last of his in-ring career.
He wrestled Hiroshi Tanahashi today at NJPW’s New Japan Soul show at Korakuen Hall. The match came nearly 30 years to the day of his debut on July 15, 1995, also at Korakuen Hall, when he wrestled one of his trainers, The Great Sasuke.
Following his loss to Tanahashi, Tiger Mask told media backstage that he plans to retire in July 2026, according to Yusuke Okamoto of Tokyo Sports.
“Tiger Mask has announced his retirement from active wrestling in July 2026,” reads a translation of Okamoto’s post.
The current Tiger Mask, portrayed by Yoshihiro Yamazaki, has played the character far longer than any of the first three. Yamazaki was trained by Satoru Sayama, who was the original Tiger Mask from 1981 to 1984. After AJPW purchased the rights, Mitsuharu Misawa became the second Tiger Mask and performed under the mask until 1990. Koji Kanemoto took over as the third Tiger Mask in 1992 and continued until losing a mask vs. mask match to Jushin Liger in 1994.