Shuhei Taniguchi has announced that he is preparing to retire from in-ring competition, bringing a professional wrestling career that has spanned 21 years toward its conclusion.

Taniguchi made the announcement during Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 Victory final event. The 49-year-old later addressed the decision in backstage comments, apologizing for his absence and confirming that retirement matches are being arranged.

“Out since May, I’m sorry I couldn’t show my face,” Taniguchi said. “I’ve decided to retire. 21 years in this ring — thank you all for the support. A retirement match is coming. More details tomorrow.”

The announcement represents a significant moment for Taniguchi, who has spent more than two decades working in Japanese professional wrestling. While he is now set to close the book on his active career, he made clear that he is not immediately finished competing.

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Taniguchi said that two retirement matches are planned. He also emphasized that he intends to remain prepared physically as he approaches those final appearances, rather than simply treating the announcement as an immediate departure from the ring.

“I’ve decided to retire, yes,” Taniguchi said. “Two retirement matches are planned, so until then I’m going to keep my conditioning right and keep going as a pro wrestler. Thank you for your support.”

Two Retirement Matches Planned

The most important detail from Taniguchi’s comments is that supporters will have more than one opportunity to see him wrestle before his retirement becomes official. At this stage, the dates, opponents, locations, and exact format of the two matches have not been announced.

Taniguchi said that additional information would be provided on October 5. That update should clarify how NOAH intends to honor his final stretch as an active wrestler and whether the two scheduled bouts will serve different purposes in marking the end of his career.

Retirement matches carry particular weight in professional wrestling, where a performer’s final appearances often become occasions to recognize the history of their career as much as the action inside the ring. Taniguchi’s statement indicates that he will have the chance to make a deliberate exit, with two matches still ahead rather than a sudden final bout occurring without advance notice.

For now, the central facts are clear: Taniguchi has chosen retirement after 21 years as a professional wrestler, he has two matches remaining on his announced path to that retirement, and he plans to maintain his conditioning until he has completed those commitments.

Taniguchi Has Been Absent Since May

In explaining his decision, Taniguchi acknowledged that he had been away since May and apologized to those who had not seen him during that time. His last match took place in April.

He did not offer a specific reason for the absence in the comments released from the N-1 Victory final event. As a result, there is no confirmed indication that a particular injury, medical issue, or other circumstance directly led to the retirement decision. Taniguchi’s announcement should be understood on its stated terms: he has decided that the time has come to conclude his in-ring career.

That distinction matters as more details are expected. Wrestlers retire for a range of personal and professional reasons, and Taniguchi did not attach a detailed explanation to his public statement. Instead, his comments centered on appreciation, his 21 years in the ring, and his determination to continue preparing for the retirement matches still to come.

The apology also underscored the personal nature of the announcement. Having been out of action for several months, Taniguchi addressed the gap directly before turning to the news of his future. His message was brief, but it was appreciative and straightforward.

A Career Closing on Taniguchi’s Terms

Taniguchi’s language suggests he intends to approach the final chapter of his active wrestling career with the same commitment expected of a working professional. Saying that he will keep his conditioning in order is an important point: even with retirement decided, he is focused on being ready to perform for the two matches that remain.

That outlook gives the upcoming events added meaning. These will not merely be ceremonial appearances following a retirement announcement. Taniguchi has said he will continue “as a pro wrestler” until those final obligations are fulfilled, making his final matches a continuation of his career rather than a departure from it.

His supporters now face a limited remaining window to see him compete. The retirement announcement naturally shifts attention toward each future appearance, from the opponent he is paired with to the setting chosen for the matches and the people who may be involved in honoring his time in wrestling.

None of those details have yet been confirmed. It would be premature to assume which wrestlers will stand across the ring from Taniguchi, whether either match will have special stipulations, or which event will be recognized as his definitive final match. The October 5 update is expected to provide the next concrete answers.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Unknown

As of Taniguchi’s announcement, several key elements have been established.

  • Shuhei Taniguchi has decided to retire from in-ring competition.
  • He described his career as lasting 21 years.
  • He made the announcement at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 Victory final event.
  • Taniguchi is 49 years old.
  • His most recent match took place in April.
  • He has been absent since May.
  • Two retirement matches are planned.
  • He intends to maintain his conditioning and continue as a professional wrestler until those matches take place.
  • Further information is expected on October 5.

At the same time, the major practical details surrounding the farewell remain unannounced. There is no confirmed timetable for either match beyond Taniguchi’s indication that plans are in place. There are also no announced opponents, venues, event names, or retirement-match order.

Those unknowns will shape the next stage of the story. A retirement announcement establishes the destination, but the final matches will determine how that destination is reached. The forthcoming information from NOAH should provide a clearer picture of the schedule and the plans surrounding Taniguchi’s sendoff.

Gratitude at the Center of the Announcement

Although the news concerns the end of an active career, Taniguchi’s comments were rooted in gratitude. He thanked supporters for their backing across 21 years in the ring, making it clear that he views the announcement not only as a personal decision but also as a moment shared with the people who followed his work.

His apology for being unable to show his face since May added another layer to that message. Rather than allowing the period away from competition to pass without comment, he used the retirement announcement to address it directly and thank those who remained supportive.

That tone is likely to carry into the remaining matches. With two retirement bouts planned, there will be time for NOAH audiences and Taniguchi’s peers to respond to the news before he officially steps away. The announcement has opened the door for a farewell period, not simply a retrospective after the fact.

For Taniguchi himself, the next task is clear. He has made the decision, informed the public, and stated his intention to remain in condition. The focus now turns to completing the two matches he has identified as part of his retirement plans.

Attention Turns to October 5

Taniguchi’s announcement has established one of the most notable pending stories for Pro Wrestling NOAH. The October 5 information will be important not because it will change his decision, but because it should reveal how his final in-ring chapter will be presented.

Until then, the announcement stands as a direct statement from a wrestler who has spent 21 years in the profession and has chosen to bring that run to an end. Taniguchi is not yet retired in the practical sense, as two matches remain. But the countdown to his departure from active competition has begun.

More information is expected soon regarding the dates and plans for those appearances. When Taniguchi does enter the ring for the final time, it will mark the end of a 21-year professional wrestling career and the close of a long chapter for one of NOAH’s veteran competitors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.