Tiger Mask IV Reveals ‘Life-Threatening’ 2020 Diverticulitis Diagnosis as Key Factor in Retirement Decision

Tiger Mask IV is opening up about the serious health scare that ultimately helped push him toward retirement. In an extensive interview published on NJPW1972.com ahead of his retirement show on July 7th, the legendary masked grappler discussed why he has decided to step away from in-ring competition — and a major part of that answer involves a diagnosis he had kept private until now.

Tiger Mask revealed that he was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 2020, a condition he described as life-threatening, and that the subsequent operation played a significant role in his decision to hang up the mask. Diverticulitis is a serious gastrointestinal condition in which small pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected; severe cases can require surgery and carry genuine risk to a patient’s life.

The fact that Tiger Mask kept the diagnosis and surgery in-house at the time speaks to his dedication to keeping the focus on his work rather than his personal circumstances. Now, with retirement on the horizon, he’s chosen to share the full picture with fans who have followed his career.

Tiger Mask IV has been a cornerstone of NJPW for decades, carrying one of the most iconic identities in the history of professional wrestling. His July 7th retirement show will mark the end of a long and storied run that spanned multiple eras of the promotion. For fans looking to get the full story in his own words, the complete interview is available on NJPW1972.com.