This NJPW legend is all set to hang up his wrestling boots.
Enjoying a successful and three-decade-long pro-wrestling career, New Japan Pro Wrestling legend Tiger Mask IV has finally announced his retirement. At 54 years old, Yoshihiro Yamazaki recently revealed his retirement plans and final match date.
Wrestling Hiroshi Tanahashi at the New Japan Soul show at Korakuen Hall, after nearly exactly 30 years following his debut at the same venue on 15th July, 1995. However, following his loss today, Yamazaki announced his plans to retire in the next 12 months in July 2026.
According to a translation from Yusuke Okamoto of Tokyo Sports’ page,
“Tiger Mask has announced his retirement from active wrestling in July 2026.”
The end of an era next July- Tiger Mask is set to retire in one more year- check out his announcement:#njpw#njsoulpic.twitter.com/rEjqSqWgVG
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) July 7, 2025
Yoshihiro Yamazaki portrays the current Tiger Mask persona and has played the gimmick far longer than all of his first three predecessors. Yamazaki was trained by the first Tiger Mask Satoru Sayama.
WWE Hall Of Famer Reveals Why This NJPW Legend Never Got Over In The USA
Last year, while speaking on his Kliq This podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash responded to fan about Scott Norton’s WCW career, and why the veteran never got over in the USA-based promotion. Despite his soaring popularity in Japan, Norton got the same response in the USA.
“He was a top guy in Japan all through that period. I don’t know why it didn’t translate, he was a stud. My first tour, it was him, Vader, and Tony Halme. If you guys want to look at some classic New Japan matches, Norton and Bam Bam had a series of tag matches with the Steiners that are really some great matches. Norton worked super strong, but Bam Bam was so athletic and, of course, the Steiners are just incredible.”
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