Another pillar of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s junior heavyweight division has set an end date for his career. Tiger Mask IV announced on July 6, 2025, that he intends to retire from the ring in July 2026, which will mark the end of a 31-year career.
The announcement was made backstage at Korakuen Hall following his loss to the NJPW President, Hiroshi Tanahashi, at the “New Japan Soul” tour finale. The match held multiple layers of significance, as it was not only the final singles encounter between the two veterans but also took place on the 30th anniversary of Tiger Mask’s professional debut. Tanahashi, who is also set for his own retirement in January 2026, defeated his opponent with a High Fly Flow.
Yoshihiro Yamazaki, trained by the original Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, has portrayed the iconic character since 1995, making him the longest-tenured of the four men to don the mask. After joining NJPW in 2002, he became a cornerstone of the junior heavyweight scene.
His decorated career includes six reigns as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. He also cemented his status as one of the division’s elite by winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005.
