Tiger Mask has confirmed the date and location of his final appearance for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The longtime junior heavyweight star revealed, in an interview with Tokyo Sports, that following the Road to Sakura Genesis event, his last NJPW match will take place on July 7 at Korakuen Hall, the same venue where he made his debut in the role back in 1995.
Despite confirming the date, Tiger Mask admitted there is still uncertainty surrounding what his final appearance will look like, with no opponent currently set.
“I don’t even know if I’ll have a retirement match. It might just be a ceremony,” he said. “If someone I want to face comes along, I might be able to make an announcement at that time.”
He also noted that previously scheduled international dates could see him wrestle beyond his NJPW farewell, although July 7 will mark his final appearance for the promotion.
Tiger Mask IV’s History Under The Iconic Mask
The fourth incarnation of Tiger Mask, real name Yoshihiro Yamazaki, is the longest-serving wrestler to portray the character, following in the footsteps of names such as Satoru Sayama, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Koji Kanemoto. During his career, he captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship six times.
On Thursday’s show, Tiger Mask teamed with Shota Umino to defeat Kushida and Masatora Yasuda. He later returned to the ring to issue a challenge to Douki, signalling his desire to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship one more time before retirement.
While the future of the Tiger Mask character remains unclear, it was recently announced that Magnus will take on the “Black Tiger” persona, a historic rival role previously portrayed by names including Eddie Guerrero and Rocky Romero.
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