NJPW’s Tomoaki Honma To Retire In 2027

Tomoaki Honma is going to be stepping away from the ring.

At the start of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s July 4th show, Tomoaki Honma came out in front of his hometown crowd and announced that he is planning to retire from the ring.

Honma added that he’s aiming to get himself in a condition where he can have a retirement match in 2027 in his hometown.

Below is NJPW’s write-up:

“Saturday July 4’s non televised event in Yamagata started off with Tomoaki Honma greeting his home town crowd. 

The 29 year veteran, who underwent a phenomenal recovery from a devastating spinal injury that left him temporarily paralysed in 2017, announced that after recent physical examinations raised more concerns about his neck and that he has taken the decision to retire. Honma said that he would work to improve his condition enough for a retirement match in his home town next year, ending his career at 30 years in the business.”

Honma started his in-ring career in 1997 and has been with New Japan full-time since 2007. He is a one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion.