Tetsuya Naito Beats Keiji Muto At Grand Final Pro-Wrestling 'Last' Love ～Hold Out～
Tetsuya Naito has retired the legendary Keiji Muto
After 39 glorious years, Keiji Muto has wrestled his last match, with the legendary Musketeer of 90s New Japan bowing out with defeat to Tetsuya Naito at Grand Final Pro-Wrestling 'Last' Love ～Hold Out～ in the Tokyo Dome.
A celebration of the best chapters of his career, Muto wound back the years whilst facing Naito hitting him with everything from the Shining Wizard to an Emerald Flowsion. Muto knew he needed to bust out one last moonsault to seal the win, but eventually Naito got the win with Destino, bringing the curtain down on Muto's history making career.
The first wrestler to have ever reigned as NWA, IWGP, GHC, and Triple Crown Champion, Muto took the mic after the match to give thanks, but he had one surprise left. In a shock to the live audience, Muto challenged his historic rival and fellow Musketeer Masahiro Chono to an impromptu match;
“But I can still walk to the back. I still have energy. I'm not a pile of ashes after all! So there's something I want to do! Chono! Fight me!” said Muto, as Chono accepted from his position at ringside.
In a sight no-one thought they'd see in 2023, Muto and Chono went at it one last time, with the iconic Tiger Hattori calling the action. Muto ended up doing the job for his friend, giving Chono the chance to go out on top after quietly retiring in 2014, with the multi-time G1 winner tapping Muto out with the STF.
As Muto made his way to the back, an image of Muto with deceased Musketeer Shinya Hashimoto, and the legendary Mitsuharu Misawa was shown on the big screen, signifying that one of the greatest chapters of wrestling history had officially come to an end.