NJPW Legend Announces Plans To Retire

Another NJPW star will call it a day in July 2026.

Back in October, Hiroshi Tanahashi announced that he’ll officially retire from in-ring action following Wrestle Kingdom on January 4, 2026.

The Ace trained at the famous NJPW dojo before making his debut in October 1999 and going on to become a permanent fixture in the main event, winning championship gold at every turn.

More recently, Tanahashi has served as the company president, leading the promotion into a new era as many of the stars from the previous decade have retired or moved on.

NJPW Star To Retire In 2026

Tanahashi won’t be the only star hanging up his boots in 2026, following the news that Tiger Mask IV is also planning to retire before the end of 2025. As reported by Yusuke Okamoto of Tokyo Sports, Tiger Mask has announced his intention to retire in July 2026.

The news came after the star’s defeat to Tanahashi on July 6.

“Tiger Mask has announced his retirement from active wrestling in July 2026,”

Yoshihiro Yamazaki took on the Tiger Mask name in 1995 and has performed under the moniker for longer than any of the previous three iterations. The original Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, wrestled under the mask from 1981 until 1984, before Mitsuharu Misawa kept the moniker until 1990.

Koji Kanemoto became the third Tiger Mask in 1992, but lost a Mask vs. Mask match to Jushin Liger in 1994.

After being trained by the Original Tiger Mask Sayama, Yamazaki went on to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship six times, while also winning the Junior Heavyweight Championship twice.