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Fatu, however, was released by WWE on July 16, 2004, following repeated requests from WWE to lose weight
Fatu continued to wrestle on theindependent circuit.
In October 2005, he shortened his ring name to Kishi after being notified by WWE legal representatives that WWE owned a trademark on the name "Rikishi".
Fatu, as Kishi, would go on to work for Nu-Wrestling Evolution, a professional wrestling promotion based inItaly.[50]
On February 17, 2007, Fatu competed as
SUMO RIKISHI in a tag team contest at anAll Japan Pro Wrestlingevent, as he was brought in byKeiji Mutohto feud withAkebono.[51]On August 12, 2007,
Fatu competed in an 8-man tag, as Rikishi, atAAA's TripleMania event. On August 23,
Fatu competed in a Triple Threat match againstSamoa JoeandSterling James Keenanat Ballpark Brawl VIII inBuffalo,
New York. On November 17, wrestling as Rikishi once again, Fatu defeated Mike Rollins at a Heavy on Wrestling event inDuluth, Minnesota.
On the September 13, 2007 episode ofImpact!, Fatu debuted inTotal Nonstop
Action Wrestlingunder the ring name Junior Fatu. On the September 20 episode ofImpact!, Fatu lost toChristian Cagein his first match due to a distraction by
Christian's partnerA.J. Styles. On the October 4 episode ofImpact!, Fatu,Samoa JoeandThe Latin American Xchangedefeated Christian,
Styles,SenshiandChristopher Daniels. On the October 11 episode ofImpact!, Fatu and LAX lost a six-man tag team match
toKurt AngleandTeam 3D. AtBound for Glory, Fatu competed in the Fight for the
Right Reverse Battle Royal which was won byEric Young. On the October 25 episode
ofImpact!, Fatu defeatedRobert Roodein aFight for the Right Tournamentmatch
after interference by Samoa Joe. On
October 30, however, it was reported that Fatu had been released from TNA, due to
he and TNA management failing to reach an agreement about a pay raise.
