Hiroyoshi Tenzan Announces Retirement, Final Match Set For NJPW G1 Climax Show On August 15th

Tenzan is calling it a career.

There was a press conference held featuring NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi and four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Tenzan announced that he’ll be retiring from in-ring competition and his final match will take place on August 15th at NJPW’s G1 Climax show. Tenzan will remain with NJPW behind the scenes.

The following is from NJPW1972.com:

At a special press conference on August 15, three time G1 Climax winner, four time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and 12 time IWGP Tag Team Champion Hiroyoshi Tenzan announced his retirement on August 15 of this year.

President Hiroshi Tanahashi made the official announcement of Tenzan’s decision. While Tenzan had worked to rehab knee and lower back injuries, Tanahashi explained, a full return to the ring was not realistic and Tenzan ultimately made the decision to retire, with one more match in Ryogoku Sumo Hall on August 15, the night of the G1 Climax 36 semifinals. Tanahashi also commented that after retirement, Tenzan would continue to be active with New Japan Pro-Wrestling behind the scenes.

Tenzan then delivered the following statement:

Thank you for coming today. It’s been 35 years for me in wrestling, but on August 15, I will officially retire. I don’t know whether it’s been a long 35 years or if it’s gone by in a flash, but I know that I’ve had so much support from so many people, and I’m so very thankful. I came into this business not knowing right from left, but to come as far as I did, and to have lived as a pro-wrestler is something that I’m truly grateful for. If there’s anything that I can do after i retire to help NJPW in any way then I would appreciate the chance.

On questioning from the media, Tenzan opened up about the reasons for his retirement, going in depth on surgery he had last year for lower back damage that had caused numbness and tingling in his legs. Tenzan stated that he had recovered ‘to an extent, but it’s still not quite there,’ adding that he ‘didn’t feel able to meet the minimum standard’ in the ring and that he wanted to ‘use these last three months to get as close as possible to my best shape’. Tenzan and Tanahashi shared stories of their past G1 Climax final in 2004 with Tenzan remarking that ‘you remember the G1s, the title wins, and most of all the support from the fans. I can still hear and feel those hot crowds, so I wanted my last match to be in Ryogoku’. 

Pressed on what form the match would take, Tenzan said that ‘there are all sorts of options. Of course, tagging was a big part of my career, a six man would be fine as well, but I want to go on my own terms in a singles match, even if it’s a short exhibition’. Tenzan half joked about bringing Tanahashi out of retirement for one night, before being somewhat coy about a prospective opponent, but said that ‘there is one guy, you can’t talk about Tenzan without talking about him. I won’t say his name, but I think we can “go for it”‘.

With trademark good humour, Tenzan reminisced about those who helped him from his official start in the Dojo, ‘which happened to be May 11 1990 I think, 36 years ago today’. Tenzan said that Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami were harsh masters and laughed that Shinya Hashimoto ‘put me through the ringer’ before saying that all these figures and more had helped him immensely. Tenzan said he hoped for his family to lend him their support one more time, and for former tag partner and mentor Masahiro Chono to be present for his retirement as well. 

With regards to a vision post retirement, Tenzan said that he was willing to help in any way he could, from announcing to behind the scenes. Tanahashi said that his mind would be invaluable in giving advice to younger wrestlers before some light hearted conversation about the physical effects of retirement. 

‘I get hot when people talk about me losing weight,’ Tenzan smiled, ‘it’s OK to lose weight!’ He followed, leaving Tanahashi to quickly add ‘I got really fat.’ Tanahashi admitted to having gained 13kg since his retirement match leaving Tenzan to suppose that ‘maybe I can enjoy life a little bit and eat what I want after my last match’.

Tenzan is wrapping up his in-ring career at 55 years of age.