Peter Thornley

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Kendo Nagasaki (masked) with an unknown man.

Peter Thornley (born October 19, 1946 in Stoke-on-Trent, England) is a legendary British professional wrestler known as Kendo Nagasaki. Kendo Nagasaki was one of the biggest draws of all time in British Wrestling, especially in the mid-1970s to mid-80s period.

1 Career
- 1.1 Outside of wrestling
2 Profile
3 Championships and accomplishments
4 External links

[edit] Career

In November 1964 Kendo Nagasaki had his first professional contest against "Jumping" Jim Hussey at Willenhall Baths. Nagasaki's most notable achievement during the 60's was in March 1966 when Nagasaki defeated and unmasked Count Bartelli (Crewe born Geoff Condliffe) at the Victoria Hall, Hanley.

During July 1971 in what was said to be a sensational TV contest with Billy Howes, Nagasaki's mask came off in the heat of the battle causing confusion all around.

In December 1971 Kendo Nagasaki appeared for the first time with manager "Gorgeous" George Gillette at Dumfries.

Kendo Nagasaki went on to tour Canada and North America during 1972 working for wrestling legend Stu Hart. In December 1975, Kendo Nagasaki was unmasked on television by Big Daddy. This was two years before Kendo Nagasaki had an official Ceremonial unmasking ceremony at the Civic Hall Wolverhampton in what was one of the most anticipated and most watched moments in ITV's World of Sport.

It wasn't until April the next year (1978) that Nagasaki appeared as an unmasked wrestler for the first time; in a contest at Croydon against Bronco Wells. However, in September 1978, Nagasaki retired on doctors orders from the ring and began a new career in rock management, but returned in 1981-82 in a few appearances for Brian Dixon. By December 1986, Nagasaki made his masked return to the ring at the London Hippodrome in a ladder match with Clive Myers, and by September 1987 Nagasaki went on to become the WWA World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Wayne Bridges.

Starting in the early '80s, a new Kendo Nagasaki began appearing in the southern United States territories. This incarnation was actually performed by Kazuo Sakurada and looked vastly different to the original Nagasaki.

During 1990, George Gillett died and Lloyd Ryan officially became Kendo Nagasaki's new manager. In October 1991, Kendo Nagasaki feuded with Giant Haystacks, and at one point was robbed of a chance at the CWA World crown after Haystacks deliberately pulled off Nagasaki's mask forcing him to abandon the match.

Kendo Nagasaki retired once more in 1993 to concentrate on his role in commerce. He returned in May 2000 only to accept the Wrestler Of The Millennium trophy.

In March 2001 Kendo Nagasaki made one more appearance in the ring to partner Vic Powers in a charity tag ladder match against James Mason and Darren Walsh. Since then, Kendo Nagasaki is said to be looking for a young wrestler to pass his 'powers' on to.

[edit] Outside of wrestling

In November 1977 Nagasaki played the role of Death Angel in Brian Glover's TV play "The Wild Bunch" for Granada Television. He also appeared as guest on Big Daddy's This Is Your Life. Nagasaki made another TV appearance in January 1992 on BBC2's acclaimed Masters Of The Canvas documentary on Peter Blake's desire to paint Kendo's portrait. And he was the subject of an edition of the BBC's prestigious, arts-oriented documentary strand Arena. Other TV appearances followed including the Feel the sportsman section of the popular sports panel comedy They Think It's All Over. He also appeared on the Granada documentary "Everything Stopped At 4 O'Clock" and, in Paul Yates video "Images of Nagasaki". He also appeared on the video games TV show GamesMaster in which he played a wrestling video game against a young boy and lost.

Away from his wrestling gimmick, Thornley was the subject of a BBC news feature about a dispute at a care home of which he was owner/manager.

Since 2002, Nagasaki has been writing his autobiography, and wrote The Grapple Manual which was published in 2006 by Orion Books.

[edit] Profile

Height: 6 ft 2 in (187 cm)
Weight: 15 - 18 stone (95 - 114 kg)
Debut: November 1964
Finishing and signature moves: Kamikaze Krush (Rolling fireman's carry slam), Powers of hypnosis