Takeshi Morishima Set To Make His In-Ring Return After A Three-Year Hiatus

A remarkable return to the ring.

The 6’3 big man Takeshi Morishima has been in the pro wrestling game for nearly 20 years competing against a number of notable names in Japan and in the United States. The former 3-time GHC Heavyweight Champion had battles against current NXT commentator Nigel McGuinness, Hideo Itami, and during his reign as ROH World Champion Morishima battled Daniel Bryan, Roderick Strong, Austin Aries, current WWE producer Adam Pearce and many others.

In April of 2015 Morishima was pulled from Pro Wrestling NOAH’s yearly tag team tournament because of an injury. Later that month it was revealed by NOAH that a blood test showed that Morishima developed diabetes. Per doctors recommendation Morishima decided to retire from the sport of pro wrestling. At the end of 2015 Takeshi was supposed to have his retirement match and ceremony but that never came to fruition. Three years later he will be getting that match as he shared during a recent interview with ‘Yahoo! Japan’ that he will be returning to the squared circle. His return was made official during the ‘Riki Choshu Produce’ show this past Tuesday where Morishima was announced to be returning at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s ‘Genesis’ event on October 15th.

Morishima stated to Yahoo! Japan that the diabetes was not the reason for him having to retire but he placed the blame on his poor spiritual state at the time.

“Actually the disease was not the real reason. I was spiritually in a state of barely before my physical condition.” Morishima said. “I have opened a hole in a game etc. and still people with concern are filled with feelings of sorrow. After that I experienced pizza store clerks, bartenders, security guards in the concert venue in Tokyo. For two years the condition without wrestling continued. Last summer, in order to help a nursing home caregiver in Gifu Prefecture, sponsors transferred the residence and acquired qualification for nursing care. At the same time I was asked for a coach from a local Indy organization. At that time, the passion for the pro-wrestling that was asleep was rekindled.”

Another star who will be returning to NOAH this fall is former 3-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion Hideo Itami. Itami will be taking on his former partner and rival Naomichi Marofuji at Marofuji’s 20th anniversary show on September 1st.