Naito, then Masahiro Chono get hand raised as Muto takes final bow
After a legendary 39 year career, Keiji Muto wrestled his final bout on February 21 in the Tokyo Dome against Tetsuya Naito.
Naito would enter the ring with the message ‘gracias y adios’ on his gown before awaiting Muto for his final entrance, Shingo Takagi, SANADA and Hiromu Takahashi in the corner of El Ingobernable for the special bout. Muto would enter to a medley of his old themes, a capacity Tokyo Dome erupting in ‘Muto’ chants before the bell finally rang for the last time to start a Keiji Muto bout.
A snug lockup would see first contact, and though naito feigned a clean break, he quickly teased going for Muto’s weakened legs. Muto would gain the upper hand on the mat however, and without having to use the damaged base, was able to leverage his size and strength in a side headlock before Naito came up with a single leg. Muto would respond with a Flashing Elbow and an early attempt at the STF, but it would be Naito taking his opponent to the floor, and after a trademark tranquilo pose, landing a dropkick on the ramp.
Naito kept up the torture of Muto on the floor, wrenching his knee as the legend seemed close to the total defeat Naito had promised. Yet as El Ingobernable looked to maintain his assault back inside, he would be caught with a short dropkick and then a pair of Dragon Screws over the ropes and on the canvas, followed with the Figure Four that had earned him his famed Tokyo Dome victory 28 years earlier.
Naito found himself tortured in the same hold that had been long applied to him in their first meeting in 2012 in the Dome, and though he made the ropes, he would be caught again by Muto, having to go to the eyes to avoid another Dragon Screw and then follow with an enzuigiri. With Muto back down to size, Naito locked his leg Full Nelson, before the legend stood only to receive a barrage of back elbows. Yet the Wrestling Master had more tricks up his sleeve, and Shinya Hashimoto-esque overhand rights were followed by a DDT and a Misawa Emerald Flowsion for a near two.
Muto dropped Naito with a backbreaker, and made an emotional, painful ascent to the top rope, but decided against a Moonsault. Landing a Shining Wizard, Muto seemed instead to set Naito for a Frankensteiner, but would be stopped and drilled with Esperanza; Naito wanted a running Destino, but would be trapped again in the Figure Four in response. Naito resisted the pain from the punishing hold, but was met with a crushing Shining Wizard on its release, Muto closing in on victory with a second to the back of the head.
A third Shining Wizard drew the nearest of falls from the referee, and Muto seemed to look to the heavens for answers. They came with a backbreaker and another attempt at the Moonsault, but Muto couldn’t force his body to co-operate, and Naito would drill his foe with a Shining Wizard and Figure Four of his own. Now bloodied, Naito landed two more Shining Wizards for a near fall before holding his fist to the air and giving a love pose; Destino followed for the three.
Naito would leave in victory, but Muto was not finished. Declaring that he still had energy and wasn’t a ‘pile of ashes yet’, Muto commanded Masahiro Chono to enter the ring, and Tiger Hattori to referee. The bell rang for Chono to give Muto a Kenka Kick and the STF; Muto submitted for one more ‘match’ in a famous rivalry.
Originally posted at Read More