Tiger Mask IV retires from NJPW after 31-year career

Tiger Mask IV NJPW retirement
Tiger Mask IV poses in front of NJPW logo. (Image credit: NJPW)

The longest-serving Tiger Mask went out with a victory on Tuesday as Yoshihiro Yamazaki ended his in-ring career.

After 31 years under the mask, Tiger Mask IV had his NJPW retirement show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. He wrestled twice in bouts that had five-minute time limits. The first of those ended in a draw as Tiger Mask battled “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington. As soon as that ended, Black Tiger (Rocky Romero) hit the ring and attacked both competitors. Billington responded by giving Tiger Mask an assist and dropping Black Tiger with a clothesline.

Tiger Mask vs. Black Tiger also ended in a draw, but Black Tiger demanded that they be given five more minutes. That request was granted, and Tiger Mask immediately used a tiger suplex for the victory.

All three of Tiger Mask, Black Tiger, and Billington then posed together, and Romero — who reprised his role as Black Tiger for one night only — showed respect for his longtime rival by handing over his mask to Tiger Mask.

Both matches were nods to the history of the Tiger Mask character. The original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) and Dynamite Kid (Billington’s uncle) helped innovate junior heavyweight wrestling in the 1980s. After Sayama, the gimmick would be adopted by Mitsuharu Misawa and Koji Kanemoto until Yamazaki became the fourth iteration in 1995. Yamazaki competed in Michinoku Pro and then NJPW, where he was a six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Romero was one of Yamazaki’s best rivals during the 2000s.

Tiger Mask IV retirement ceremony —

At the conclusion of today’s card, a retirement ceremony was held for Yamazaki. The NJPW roster and legendary figures from Japanese pro wrestling were brought out to honor him. That included Sayama — Yamazaki’s mentor — making an appearance. Yamazaki asked that they lock up one last time, and Sayama granted his request.

Jushin Thunder Liger was among the other legends who appeared. He joined in on commentary for the match, which included Kero Tanaka returning as ring announcer.

There was then a speech from Yamazaki, who spoke about how blessed he’s been to live the life he’s lived in the ring. He thanked the fans and assured them that the younger wrestlers in NJPW will continue to give them great action. It was noted that Yamazaki will remain involved with NJPW through the company’s dojo.

At the conclusion of the show, the bell rang for Yamazaki and he was announced as Tiger Mask for the final time. He bowed to the fans before the roster celebrated him.

This could be the end of the Tiger Mask gimmick, with commentator Chris Charlton noting that it’s undetermined whether the lineage will continue or if it will end with Yamazaki.

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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.