Major Free Agent Finishes Up With Home Promotion

Published: May 5, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: May 5, 2025 by Dave Adamson

Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.

WWE

A major international free agent has recently wrestled their final match under their NJPW contract after renewal negotiations fell through.

On April 16, NJPW revealed that they mutually agreed to not renew the contract of Tetsuya Naito.

Naito has now participated in his final match as an New Japan Pro-Wrestling star, with that bout taking place at Wrestling Dontaku on May 4.

The Fukuoka, Japan show saw Tetsuya Naito team with Hiromu Takahashi and Shingo Takagi and the also-departing BUSHI as Los Ingobernables de Japon.

Taking on the team of Just 4 Guys (Taichi & TAKA Michinoku), Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii, LIJ were victorious in the match.

Post-match, LIJ celebrated as the fans cheered for Naito, with the star’s music playing for one last time, as can be seen below this news story.

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio has previously stated that previously stated that money appears to have been behind the mutual decision to part ways between Naito and NJPW, writing:

“The impression I have gotten when it comes to Naito is simply that he wanted a lot more money than they were willing to pay him. Good chance this had been awhile in the making.”

As for Naito’s future plans, it was recently reported that he isn’t expected to make a move to AEW and previously was disinterested in joining WWE.

For the latest updates and news stories on Tetsuya Naito, click here.

.@s_d_naito & @BUSHI_njpw Gracias、Hasta Luego👋

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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) May 4, 2025