Shuhei Taniguchi has announced that he is retiring from in-ring action.
Over the weekend at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 VICTORY 2026 Finals, Taniguchi addressed the crowd and his future.
“Thank you very much for coming in such large numbers today. I am truly sorry for being absent for a long time since May and for not showing myself before you all. On a personal note, I, Shuhei Taniguchi, have decided to retire,” he explained.
He continued:
“During these roughly 21 years that I have walked as a professional wrestler in this NOAH ring there were many joyful times, frustrating times and painful times but looking back now I think every single moment was irreplaceable and the reason I was able to continue professional wrestling up to this point is thanks to the support of all the fans who cheered for me. Thank you so much for everything up until now. There will also be a retirement match so I will talk about the details in tomorrow’s press conference. Thank you very much!”.
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🎤谷口周平が代々木大会に登場！【引退を表明】‼️‼️
＼谷口周平「本日はたくさんのご来場ありがとうございます。5月から長らく欠場し、皆さんの前に姿を出さなかったこと、申し訳ありません。私事ですが、谷口周平は引退を決意いたしました。このNOAHのリングでプロレスラーとして歩んできた約21年間。嬉しいこと悔しいこと苦しいこともたくさんありましたが、今振り返ればすべてがかけがえのない時間だったと思います。そしてここまでプロレスを続けて来れたのも応援してくださったファンの皆様が支えてくださったおかげです。今まで本当にありがとうございました。引退試合もありますので詳しくは明日の会見でお話させていただきます。ありがとうございました！」
#noah_ghc
— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) October 4, 2026
Taniguchi made his debut for Pro Wrestling NOAH on December 24, 2005 and hasn’t signed to another company since. He was the only rookie in NOAH’s history to win his first match. In 2012, he stabbed Go Shiozaki in the back transformed into the masked Maybach Taniguchi and became a part of the No Mercy stable.
He would later become GHC Tag Team Champions with Kenta but would turn on him and joined NJPW’s CHAOS. He would later be part of Kenta Kobashi’s retirement match.
He has won the GHC Tag Team Championship six times and is married to fellow wrestler Mika Nishio.
It is not clear when his retirement match will be or who he will be facing.
