Noah's former champion Takeshi Morishima, drunkenness and turbulence

16th November 2018
Yahoo Japan (FLASH)

Former Noah Champion Takeshi Morishima (40), was arrested on November 4th for refusing to pay a taxi fee of 18,000 yen, and punching the driver in the face.

In his active era he belonged to Pro Wrestling Noah, and was the giant who had shone as the GHC Heavyweight Champion, who could take advantage of having a 190 centimeter body.
"Mr. A", who knows Morishima well, said; "Regardless of the assault, I thought that one day there would be a trouble over the taxi fare. Previously he had been taking taxis to the venue, and doing it inexpensively by borrowing money from some of the wrestlers to pay the fee. So on that day when he was looking for someone to borrow the fare from while travelling around Tokyo, I wonder if the driver became impatient over the fee. When I was burdened with it, he said, "the bank is closed, can I come by taxi?" I told him to take the train, but he said, "my leg hurts". When he was in Noah, someone always paid for him, and he never got used to that not happening. I have noticed that nowadays he was borrowing 500 yen from young wrestlers..."

Morishima, who declined to retire in April 2015 due to diabetes, declared his sudden return in July 2018. On the 15th October, the return event at Korakuen Hall was decided, but had to be abandoned in September due to septic arthritis. Despite its cancellation, he himself showed willingness to return.
In the middle of this, the incident occurred.
So, what kind of life was Morishima (of address unknown) leading?
According to "Mr. A", he was living in Gifu until he decided to return to Tokyo. S.P. Advertising, the company who was planning to organize the return event, was looking after him for the time being.
"After retirement, Morishima was doing a variety of work, and the president of S.P. Advertising arranged an apartment for him. Yet, Morishima was drinking alcohol heedlessly, the president's was at the end of his patience with this. He called Morishima and told him, "please, get out". Morishima told him that if he wanted the keys, then he could come to Shinjuku where he was drinking to take them. It seems then he started lashing out".
After that, Morishima started living at the houses of acquaintances. He was witnessed drinking frequently in Golden Street of Kabukichō every day. 

Why would you drink each day, even though you have no income?
A bar owner in Kabukichō asked this question.
"He came into the bar a couple of times, but since he had no money, he usually only drank one or two cups*, but he still thought he was a star. He would say "if we drink together, can I have a cup?", and he demanded alcohol. He did it so often, that he was banned from several establishments.
After leaving Gifu to come to Tokyo, he got drunk and lost his cell phone three times. He could not make a new contract, and said that he did not have it at the time of the crime.

The former champion, who was aiming for a return to the ring, did not get a belt, instead he was given handcuffs.

*Sake

Please note the title in Japanese refers to what is known as "Gotcha Taishitsu" ~ "Granny Tendency". This is a sumo term which basically means the disapproval of general society, as it has no direct equivalent in English, I have omitted it.

Link to original article from Yahoo Japan