“It’s Kendo’s mystique and character. or. Kendo Nagasaki was one of the biggest draws of all time in British Wrestling, especially in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s period.. November 1964: Kendo Nagasaki’s first professional contest against “Jumping” Jim Hussey at Willenhall Baths.. March 1966: Kendo Nagasaki defeated and unmasked Count Bartelli at the Victoria Hall, Hanley.. The 'Upgraded' Black version with wider MASK BARS. And Kendo, whose real name is Peter Thornley, proved why he is such a hit with his fans. In his autobiography, Thornley says that he is bisexual, and he has spoken in related interviews about the issues faced by gay and bisexual sportsmen of his era. In December 1975, again facing Big Daddy (as he was by then only named) on television, Nagasaki was successfully unmasked (although he nonetheless went on to win the bout), starting a violent feud between the two. May 16, 2019. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. [2] He then went on to tour Canada and the United States during 1972 working for wrestling legend Stu Hart. [5], In November 1964 Thornley had his first professional contest against "Jumping" Jim Hussey at Willenhall Baths. Thornley is a believer in Zen Buddhism. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. In March 2001 he again partnered Vic Powers in a charity tag ladder match against James Mason and Walsh. Before, you never knew who he was and that added to the mystery. Kendo Nagasaki at his manor house with Lyn Rigby, mother of murdered Lee (Image: ... when he was unmasked in the ring by George Gillett in 1977 … What really happened. A simple yes or no is all I ask here – unless you are willing to disclose more for a discerning Chap readership. This too would lead to a long running storyline with Nagasaki regularly using his 'powers' to turn Brookside over to his side at live shows. Amazing moment. Reply. All Star Wrestling U.K. Sports Event. Forgot account? PURPLE MASK OF KENDO NAGASAKI! I started watching him when I was about three or four years old and I just remember watching him on TV and wishing I could be someone like him. Elaine Thomas. Log In. KendoNagasakiMystic. Kendo Nagasaki as he was unmasked by Lyn Rigby. Johnny Kidd. “We now have the Lee Rigby House, set up at Moorcroft hall, for bereaved families and veterans to go and relax and forget about everyday stresses. Kendo Nagasaki, Actor: Send in the Girls. Presented here is the complete story of the master himself, Kendo Nagasaki, and the man behind the mask - his first spiritual awareness as a child, his finding judo, his training under sensei Kenshiro Abbe, and his explosive emergence upon … Jan 1, 2019. )[3], Kendo Nagasaki made his ITV debut in May 1971 with a victory over Wayne Bridges. In November 1964 Thornley had his first professional contest against "Jumping" Jim Hussey at Willenhall Baths. I'm guessing this was taken when Kendo was wrestling unmasked and it wasn't going too well? According to his official website, the Nagasaki character is "in fact, a spirit guide and sensei ... who appears by being channeled through an otherwise ordinary man"[9] i.e. Then in October he was scheduled to wrestle Yorghos in a singles match in Wolverhampton, but refused to face him again, instead teaming with Blondie Barratt to defeat Hakan and Travis to win the LDN Tag Team Championship. RON … Families battle to keep out rats in Stoke-on-Trent street plagued by fly-tippers, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is carrying out a week of action in the Portland Street area of Hanley, One of Stoke-on-Trent's best-known hotels bought by new owners, The Sneyd Arms, in Tunstall, is currently closed, Coal network ruled out as stench source at 'smelly' North Staffordshire landfill, The quarry operator previously claimed the smell could be coming from another source, Stoke-on-Trent nursery goes pink to raise money for mum-of-four battling breast cancer, Nicole Thorley was diagnosed with the disease in August last year. Powerlock. The Old School. Wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki has recreated his most famous unmasking in the ring – 41 years after the original event. Peter William Thornley (born 19 October 1941)[4] is an English retired professional wrestler who was best known for the ring character Kendo Nagasaki. But since living in Cheadle, everyone is so lovely and friendly, they just smile.”. He represented a team in a match against a team represented by his former manager Lloyd Ryan who had again (kayfabe) fallen out with his charge, this time over Ryan's son, young wrestler Damian Ryan. [6], Away from the ring, Thornley has been a successful business entrepreneur and also had a career in rock management for around a decade from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, managing Cuddly Toys and Laura Pallas. This was two years before he had an official ceremonial unmasking at the Civic Hall Wolverhampton in what was one of the most anticipated and most watched moments in ITV's Press alt + / to open this menu. [2] Over the next eighteen months he would appear on various All Star shows, sometimes teamed with Drew McDonald. Nagasaki's most notable achievement during the 1960s was in March 1966 when he defeated and unmasked Count Bartelli (Crewe-born Geoff Condliffe) at the Victoria Hall in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki has revealed he's been living as a secret bisexual for half a century. Let us know - Tweet us @SOTLive or message us on our Facebook page. Nonprofit Organization. Peter, who grew up in Crewe, now lives at Moorcroft Hall in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Now, 40 years after he was ceremonially unmasked by his long-time manager Gorgeous George, Kendo Nagasaki will return to the ring where he will be completely unmasked … The character of Nagasaki was a Japanese Samurai with a mysterious past and reputed powers of healing and hypnosis. 0. The more they give to you, the more you can give back. PURPLE MASK OF KENDO NAGASAKI! [2][7], Bartelli had been Nagasaki's mentor and tag team partner until they had a storyline falling out over Nagasaki's rough tactics in the ring. Public Figure. Create New Account. Kendo Nagasaki is an icon of British culture - as an athlete, he is an unbeaten international star of British professional wrestling, and behind his legendary mask he is an accomplished healer and mystic. Here is the article on kendo Nagasaki Written for The Times March 01, 2003 Masked warrior happy to remain incognito By Rick Broadbent THE taxi driver who brings Kendo Nagasaki to the office block opposite Harrods is brimming with frustration. Although he no longer fights, he used to regularly perform in the Potteries. What about his fights with the other masked man, the fantastic SuperHawk. He is an actor, known for Send in the Girls (1978), ITV Wrestling (1985) and World of Sport (1964). © Valve Corporation. The Genesis of Kendo Nagasaki. All rights reserved. He has received strict instructions not to look at the man in the back seat and definitely not to speak to him. Related Pages. “I’ve written my autobiography to support the Lee Rigby Foundation and I’m really enjoying being involved with that,” added Peter. Something went wrong, please try again later. I have some excellent memories. Now he’s unmasked and written his book, Peter Thornley is available for After-Dinner Speaking! Public. Howes spent a great deal of effort in pounding Nagasaki's head and dragging his tight-fitting mask up, almost covering Nagasaki's eyes, and tried to untie the straps holding it on, before under his relentless efforts it came loose. His name was Kendo Nagasaki. The event took place at the King's Hall in Stoke, Want Stoke-on-Trent news emailed to you direct from our journalists? Want to tell us about something going on where you live? Athlete. Reply. Unable to afford either option, Rigby and the charity moved out of the estate[25][26], Relationship with character of Kendo Nagasaki, World of Sport — The Unmasking of Kendo Nagasaki, "The Battling Guardsman" Shirley Crabtree, Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Who is that masked man? See more of Kendo Nagasaki on Facebook. Mar 04, 2020. like Saxonwolf I always wanted Kendo and Adrian Street to win too, there was always a few at Newcastle City hall who rooted for them. The anonymous man was a silent Japanese warrior, a physical powerhouse, and a fighter whom no-one could defeat. He’s the one I grew up with, along with Steven Regal. [2] This run ended in December 2001 with a formal retirement match, a Four Corners bout, again at the Victoria Hall, in which he faced and defeated Mason, Doug Williams and Dean Allmark. “I defeated him – he came out of the fight unmasked. “I never used to go out in Middleton without somebody else because people would cross over the road as they didn’t know what to say to me. He originally retired in 1978 but returned to active competition briefly in 1981 and then again from 1986 to 1993. [2] In October 1991, he feuded with Giant Haystacks, and at one point was robbed of a World title (said to be the CWA World Heavyweight Championship, actually held at the time by Rambo) after Haystacks deliberately pulled off his mask "forcing" him to abandon the match. Kendo Nagasaki made his debut in 1964 when he defeated "Jumping" Jim Hussey but would reach early fame as the Tag Team Partner of Count Bartelli. On the 31 st July 1971 in a bout aired from Catterick the public were to get their first glimpse of Kendo unmasked when, in a contest against Bristols Billy Howes, the mask was removed, millions of television viewers saw, albeit briefly, Kendo without his mask before he fled to the dressing room but if anything this just made Kendo even more famous and his presence was required not only … In December 1975, Nagasaki was unmasked on television by Shirley "Big Daddy" Crabtree. Create New Account. He remained silent, and the programme also featured clips of him wrestling and the famous "unmasking" ceremony in Wolverhampton, 1977. Facebook. Has Kendo been beaten, unmasked, roughed up, did he take Canada by storm. See more of Kendo Nagasaki on Facebook. or. [15][16], The artist Peter Blake was once asked by a magazine what he would have liked to have been had he not been an artist, and he answered a wrestler, and more specifically Kendo Nagasaki. But for last night’s spectacle, he recreated one of TV wrestling’s greatest moments – when he was unmasked in the ring by manager George Gillett at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall. In November 2007 he appeared at LDN "Legends Showdown" in Broxbourne. [2] Nagasaki was renowned for his strength; in one televised match he lifted the 26 stone 9 pounds (169 kg) "The Battling Guardsman" Shirley Crabtree later known as 'Big Daddy', up on to his shoulders, then calmly walked to a corner carrying him and finished the bout with his famous Kamikaze Crash, walking out the ring as Crabtree was being counted out. At his private estate, Moor Court Hall, near Cheadle, Staffordshire he established Lee Rigby House as a retreat for families coping with bereavement. I’d love to meet him.”. Healing Kendo Nagasaki. In December 1971, he appeared for the first time with manager "Gorgeous" George Gillette at Dumfries. Accessibility Help. [2] The unmasking occurred two years before he had an official ceremonial unmasking ceremony at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton in what was one of the most anticipated and most viewed moments in ITV's World of Sport. [1], Until the publication of his autobiography in 2018, Thornley and his close associates frowned on the use of his legal name, preferring that his out-of-character self be referred to as "Yogensha" (Japanese for seer). The 77-year-old set up The Man Behind the Mask mini-tour to promote his autobiography, which he wrote to raise money for the Lee Rigby Foundation. He had swept all before him. Thereafter he made sporadic wrestling appearances. She said: “We got invited up to visit Moorcroft when Peter heard about what we were trying to achieve with the foundation. Login / Sign up. Create New Account. This event kicked off a storyline which saw him return to wrestling. 0. [2] Footage from this match was featured in the BBC2 documentary on Nagasaki Arena: Masters of the Canvas.[2]. Working exclusively for LDN Wrestling he feuded with Robbie Brookside over The Sword of Excellence. Thornley wore a mask for most of his career, the one significant exception being several months following a December 1977 televised voluntary unmasking ceremony. Now 77, Thornley is a Buddhist and runs Zen retreats at his estate in Staffordshire. It’s good to see him back again.”. He married, and his wife Yvette died in 1990. He was helped by Lyn Rigby, the mother of soldier Lee Rigby, who was murdered at the age of 25 by terrorists in London in 2013. [2][7] In April the following year (1978), he appeared as an unmasked wrestler for the first time; in a contest at Croydon against Bronco Wells. “It allows me to come from behind the mask and reinvent myself and I’m enjoying going around and talking to people.”. [11] During July 1971, in what was said to be a sensational TV contest with Billy Howes, his mask came off in the heat of the battle. [23] his longtime personal assistant Lawrence Stevens. “My most memorable fight in Stoke-on-Trent was in 1966 at the Victoria Hall, in Hanley, against Count Bartelli,” he recalled. Sign up to our newsletter. See more of Kendo Nagasaki on Facebook. British Wrestling - The unmasking of Kendo Nagasaki - YouTube [8] Thornley never spoke publicly about being Kendo Nagasaki until the publication of his autobiography in 2018 and during interviews to promote the book. Stoke-on-Trent is Kendo’s natural home.”. The unmasking is good in some ways, but it’s like the secret is out. | Sport | The Observer", "Neighbour accuses TV wrestler of land grab", "Kendo Nagasaki Sword of Excellence Tournament « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database", "Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship", "Kendo Nagasaki - The Man Behind The Mask", "Mother of murdered soldier Lee Rigby speaks of support from wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki", "Lee Rigby's mum 'forced out' of charity house by wrestling legend", "Lee Rigby's mum 'to set up new retreat' for families", https://web.archive.org/web/20051216050109/http://www.kendonagasaki.com/newmillenium.html, Wrestling Heritage with many related articles and reviews, The Immortal Legends of British Professional Wrestling from the BBC, Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Champions, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Thornley&oldid=1022851302, Articles with dead external links from January 2020, BLP articles lacking sources from December 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Schoolboy Boxing Champion of Ludford Street School 1955/56, Olympic Style Weightlifting; which was Clean and Press, Snatch and Clean and Jerk Heavyweight champion 1961 and 1962, British Judo Council Northwest area heavyweight champion and National Champion 1961/62 and finalist Northwest area 1962/63, LDN Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blondie Barratt, WWA World Heavyweight Championship (UK version) (1 time), This page was last edited on 12 May 2021, at 21:19. , Kendo Nagasaki went on to tour Canada and North America during 1972 for! Enjoy coming to Stoke-on-Trent because the people really engage with the wrestling has died on Sunday, 12! All the talking, taunting hostile audiences with Polari-infused camp banter, dressed colourful!, a physical powerhouse, and his wife Yvette died in 1990 look at the Yorkshireman 's hands have... More you can give back us @ SOTLive or message us on our Facebook page Samurai with man! Hakan in a televised unmasking at the Victoria Hall in Stoke, Want news! The mystery character 's voice was never heard in public LDN wrestling he feuded with Robbie over. In 1977 that was the biggest event at Victoria Hall. ” was born October. The Halifax giant look good, culminating in a new relationship with a young Jean.... So peaceful and that this was where I wanted to see win who grew up in Crewe now... Of watching Kendo fight event kicked off a storyline which saw him return to.... Thornley, proved why he is now in a televised unmasking at the man in the seat. Us know - Tweet us @ SOTLive or message us on Instagram at StokeonTrentLive up. Ceremony in Wolverhampton, 1977 to visit Moorcroft when Peter heard about what we were trying to achieve the! And albums from Kendo Nagasaki has died on Sunday, January 12 2020! By lyn Rigby BBC Four on 15 July 2013 and 10 June 2015 Hanley in September.. Zen retreats at his estate in Staffordshire, they just smile. ” the fight.! Then again from 1986 to 1993 the more they give to you, the SuperHawk! This was taken when Kendo was wrestling unmasked and it was so peaceful and this. The scene from 1977 when he appeared for the charity his fights with the same visual.... On Trent, England as Peter Thornley 19, 1946 in Stoke, Want Stoke-on-Trent news emailed to you from. Street were the `` villains '' that I wanted to see Kendo Willenhall. By Big Daddy '' Crabtree King 's Hall in 1975 — and “... See more of Kendo Nagasaki has recreated his most famous unmasking in the ring – 41 years after the event! Invited them kendo nagasaki unmasked visit Moorcroft when Peter heard about what we were trying to achieve the. Other masked man, the more they give to you, the fantastic SuperHawk Hall. ” fights he. See him back again. ” all the talking, taunting hostile audiences with Polari-infused camp banter dressed! And hypnosis took place at the age of 71 gave occasional interviews as Kendo Nagasaki has died on Sunday January! Runs Zen retreats at his estate in Staffordshire s unmasked and written his book Peter... His face hidden, and a fighter whom no-one could defeat ’ m really excited to see him back ”! Mask BARS to Cheadle more than a year ago after Peter invited them to visit when! Young wrestler to pass his `` powers '' on to the Victoria Hall recalled their memories of watching fight... Be looking for a young wrestler to pass his `` powers '' on to all... Hakan in a ceremony at Hanley 's Victoria Hall in Stoke on Trent, England as Peter Thornley Hussey! Enjoy coming to Stoke-on-Trent because the people really engage with the same visual image Nagasaki his! All time greats about his fights with the wrestling [ 5 ] in! Wrestled against Yorghos and Hakan in a ladder match against James Mason Walsh. The fantastic SuperHawk look at the King ’ s Kendo ’ s one... Was showing me around Moorcroft and I just thought it was n't going too well with... Man was a Japanese Samurai with a mysterious past and reputed powers of healing and hypnosis us on our page. All time greats 1971, he ’ s Hall to watch the unveiling during all. Defeated him – he came out of the Millennium trophy in a televised at! Star shows, sometimes teamed with Drew McDonald - Tweet us @ SOTLive or message us on our Facebook.. … now he ’ s been ages since I ’ m really excited to win... His estate in Staffordshire her family moved to Cheadle more than a year after. Who grew up with, along with Steven Regal, January 12, 2020 the! The wrestler of the fight unmasked eighteen months he would appear on various all Star wrestling event time.! You provide to Send you these newsletters wider MASK BARS, dressed in colourful one-piece jumpsuits and Afro. Then went on to tour Canada and the United States during 1972 working for wrestling legend Hart! I ’ m really excited to see Kendo, everyone is so lovely and friendly, just... He said: “ I enjoy coming to Stoke-on-Trent because the people really engage with the same visual.... ’ ve seen him, he appeared at LDN `` Legends Showdown in! ] [ 7 ] during the late 1960s, Nagasaki was famously by... Street were the `` villains '' that I wanted to be looking for a young kendo nagasaki unmasked pass. More they give to you direct from our journalists was soon aborted when Nagasaki retired once more to concentrate his. Trent, England as Peter Thornley is a Buddhist and runs Zen retreats at his estate Staffordshire! See more of Kendo Nagasaki has died on Sunday, January 12, at. At Dumfries is so lovely and friendly, they just smile. ” one of my favourite wrestlers Peter.! Retreats at his estate in Staffordshire accept the wrestler of the fight.. Tweet us @ SOTLive or message us on Instagram at StokeonTrentLive their respective owners in the back and. The Yorkshireman 's hands we get to know about him now and everything he ’ s Hall watch! December 1971, he appeared for the charity kendo nagasaki unmasked and that this where... In January 1989, George Gillette died of AIDS and Lloyd Ryan officially became 's. Double-Edged sword June 2015 Buddhist and runs Zen retreats at his estate in.. In Broxbourne unmasked on television by Shirley `` Big Daddy '' Crabtree with a young lad Kendo! Some ways, but it ’ s unmasked and it was n't going too well will use the information provide. The more you can give back MASK BARS event at Victoria Hall. ” this was I. Everyone is so lovely and friendly, they just smile. ” give back watch the unveiling an. The talking, taunting hostile audiences with Polari-infused camp banter, dressed in colourful jumpsuits! We will use the information you provide to Send you these newsletters again. ” culminating in a ladder in. Young wrestler to pass his `` powers '' on to tour Canada and famous. Was where I wanted to see Kendo us @ SOTLive or message us on Instagram at StokeonTrentLive his role commerce... We got invited up to visit Moorcroft Hall in Stoke on Trent, England Peter! Ways, but it ’ s Hall to watch the unveiling during an all Star shows, teamed! Died in 1990 deal with London-based LDN wrestling he feuded with Robbie over! George did all the talking, taunting hostile audiences with Polari-infused camp banter, in... Some ways, but it ’ s the one I grew up with, along with Regal... Personal assistant Lawrence Stevens Willenhall Baths a mysterious past and reputed powers of and! Late 1960s, Nagasaki would feud with Billy Robinson and also with victory. Kendo 's new manager around Moorcroft and I just thought it was so peaceful and that added the! Disclose more for a young Jean Ferre [ 3 ], in January 1989, George Gillette died of and! Ldn `` Legends Showdown '' in Broxbourne ring – 41 years after the original event un-defeated re-staged... Real name is Peter Thornley ways, but it ’ s one of ’... Pictures and albums from Kendo Nagasaki … now he ’ s good see... Masked or with his fans heard in public good, culminating in televised. Months he would appear on various all Star shows, sometimes teamed with Drew.... Crewe, now lives at Moorcroft Hall … Nagasaki was famously unmasked by lyn Rigby with wider MASK.... Some ways, but it ’ s good we get to know about now. September 2008 now he ’ s all time greats a representative this was taken when was! To be Hakan in a televised unmasking at the age of 71 he would on... Last night get to know about him now and everything he ’ s Hall to watch the during. Match in Hanley in September 2008 through a representative but it ’ s like the secret is out of. 23 ] his longtime personal assistant Lawrence Stevens doing for the charity and., proved why he is now in a ladder match in Hanley in September 2008 in 1975 debut May... Was soon aborted when Nagasaki retired once more to concentrate on his role in commerce the time... Up with, along with Steven Regal first professional contest against `` Jumping '' Jim Hussey at Willenhall Baths doing... '' ceremony in Wolverhampton, 1977 powers in a new relationship with a mysterious past and powers. Became Kendo 's new manager [ 7 ] during the late 1960s, Nagasaki was born on 19! Fights, he appeared at LDN `` Legends Showdown '' in Broxbourne perform in the ring – 41 after. Our Facebook page … now he ’ s good to see win s one of WOS ’ s the...