Tiger Mask IV Announces Retirement, Will Challenge for IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title One Last Time

By Noah Leatherland

Tiger Mask IV has announced that he is set to retire later this year. However, he is not riding off into the sunset just yet, declaring his intention to challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship one more time.

The man behind the mask made his debut 1995 and made the jump to NJPW in 2002. Since then, Tiger Mask has held the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title six times, the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Titles twice, the GHC Jr, Heavyweight Tag Titles twice, and most recently held the AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Title in 2022.

Tiger Mask teamed with Shota Umino on the Road to Sakura Genesis in Korakuen Hall, and made the announcement of his retirement after the match:

The date of my retirement has been set. On July 7th, right here at Korakuen Hall—the venue where I made my debut—I will be retiring! That leaves me with just three months, really. Three months—I intend to stay injury-free and put on some brilliant fights for all of you. Please do give me your support!

Later on in that show, DOUKI retained the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, and Tiger Mask confronted him in the aftermath. DOUKI scurried away, but Tiger Mask addressed the crowd one more time:

Hey! You! Do you really think the fans will be satisfied with a match like this, you bastard! Open your ears and listen carefully. Next time, I’ll be the one to do it! Listen up, you. I didn’t grow up in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but I’ll crush you with Satoru Sayama’s Strong Style, you bastard! And then! I’ll crush this guy and retire as champion!

Speaking backstage, DOUKI commented on his legendary challenger:

Tiger Mask, are you still at it? Hey, you—weren’t you supposed to be retiring? Fine then, I’ll put an end to Tiger Mask before your retirement match.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)