Tiger Mask IV Reveals Diverticulitis Diagnosis and Upcoming Back Surgery Ahead of July 2026 Retirement

Tiger Mask IV is heading toward the end of a career spanning nearly three decades, and the legendary masked grappler is doing so while managing some significant health challenges. The veteran has publicly disclosed that he has been diagnosed with diverticulitis and is also facing back surgery in the lead-up to his scheduled retirement.

Despite those physical hurdles, Tiger Mask IV has a firm date on the calendar to close out his in-ring career: July 7, 2026, when he will take part in his retirement show. The fact that he is pressing forward under these circumstances speaks to the dedication he has shown throughout a run that has made him one of the most respected names in Japanese professional wrestling.

Tiger Mask IV has been a fixture in NJPW for the bulk of his career, carrying one of the most iconic masks in the history of the sport. The Tiger Mask lineage dates back to the early 1980s and the trailblazing work of Satoru Sayama, and IV has been the primary torchbearer of that legacy for the better part of three decades. His longevity alone sets him apart, but his continued commitment to performing while dealing with serious medical issues underscores just how much the business means to him.

With the retirement date now locked in and his health situation out in the open, fans of the New Japan scene will have a clear opportunity to pay their respects to a masked legend before he takes his final bow next summer.