Hiroyoshi Tenzan professional wrestling retirement

Professional wrestler Hiroyoshi Tenzan officially retired from active competition in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on August 15 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. His career spanned 35 years and 3,316 matches, during which he became a four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a 12-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a three-time G1 Climax winner.

In his final match, held during the G1 Climax tournament, the 55-year-old faced longtime ally and rival Satoshi Kojima. While originally scheduled as a five-minute exhibition, Tenzan requested no time limit, a proposal accepted by NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi. The bout featured signature moves such as the Mongolian Chop and Anaconda Vice, before Kojima secured the victory via a lariat after 9 minutes and 22 seconds.

Following the match, Tenzan was honored by a large gathering of wrestling peers and former adversaries. The retirement ceremony included a significant emotional reconciliation with Takashi Iizuka, who famously betrayed Tenzan in 2008. After an initial confrontation, the two embraced and shook hands, resolving an 18-year storyline tension. Following his retirement from the ring, Tenzan intends to remain with NJPW to pursue activities within the entertainment industry.