Former Ring of Honor World Champion Announces Return To Wrestling
A former Ring of Honor World Champion and 3x GHC Heavyweight Champion for Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced he is attempting a return to the ring. Takeshi Morishima retired on the advice of doctors in 2015. Morishima’s test results showed abnormally high levels of glycated hemoglobin, a likely indicator of diabetes.
Morishima’s return to the ring was announced at a show held earlier today and promoted by WON Hall-of-Famer, Riki Choshu. It was revealed Morishima is planning to return this October.
Check out footage of Morishima’s match with Bryan Danielson at Manhattan Mayhem in 2007 below. The match was awarded “Match of the Year” by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Takeshi Morishima held the Ring of Honor World Championship from February 17th, 2007 until October 6th, 2007. He defeated Homicide for the belt but eventually dropped it to current NXT color commentator, Nigel McGuiness. His 20 defenses of the championship are good for 7th in Ring of Honor history.
ROH World Champion Title Defenses
- Bryan Danielson – 38
- Nigel McGuiness – 38
- Austin Aries – 29
- Samoa Joe – 29
- Jay Lethal – 28
- Adam Cole – 22
- Takeshi Morishima – 20
- Kevin Steen – 18
- Jay Briscoe – 18
- Cody – 16
- Davey Richards – 10
Morishima is a 3x GHC Heavyweight Champion, 5x GHC Tag-Team Champion, and won the Global League in 2011. He won the Cauliflower Alley Club Future Legend Award in 2007.
His highest ranking ever achieved in the PWI 500 rankings was 10th in 2007. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter awarded him Most Improved Wrestler of the year honors in 2006 and two more awards the next year. In 2007, he won Match of the Year w/ Bryan Danielson at Manhattan Mayhem and also the “Best Brawler” award.
