CAN GRAPPLER KENDO BECOME THE COMEBACK KING?
- 06/03/2008 (9:59:03 am)
- Media
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GEORGE OLIVER
[email protected]
09:40 - 03 June 2008
Opponents beware - wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki has come out of retirement to settle some old scores.
The Potteries grappling hero is to make a dramatic return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs.
In 1966, the masked icon defeated Count Bartelli at Hanley's Victoria Hall after an epic battle.
The silent star's spokesman warned that Nagasaki - voted Wrestler Of The Millennium - still had what it takes more than four decades on.
Rob Cope said: "If you watch him you will see that he is still a force to be reckoned with. People who say that all this time has gone will see that he has still got it."
Mr Cope said Nagasaki had been concentrating on business interests since retiring in 2001. But the temptation to return to the ring had become overwhelming and the former judo champion re-emerged at an LDN Wrestling event in Essex last month.
The return coincided with a new spat with long-term enemy Robbie Brookside - a feud which is likely to bring the two stars face-to-face in Hanley on September 20.
Nagasaki, christened Peter Thornley, who has now signed up for further appearances, looks set to be teamed up with old ring ally 'Blondie' Bob Barrett at the Victoria Hall.
The event will be filmed and televised on the Fight Channel at a later date.
Mr Cope said: "LDN Wrestling has never done a show from Victoria Hall before, but Kendo was keen that they came and did a recording from the scene of his greatest triumphs.
"There is going to be a full bill of wrestling, but the focal point will be his return to Victoria Hall."
The spokesman assured fans that they would be seeing the same Kendo who debuted in 1964 - and offered a telltale giveaway that it was the real superstar.
He said: "All those people who say it is not the same Kendo are talking absolute rubbish. You know that it is Kendo Nagasaki, because he has only got half an index finger."
LDN Wrestling has received a massive boost since Nagasaki made a return, according to its managing director.
Sanjay Bagga said that the organisation held 20 events last year but was expecting to put on 120 next year.
And he said that there had been an explosion of interest since Nagasaki made his return.
He said: "He is one of the biggest names in British wrestling, if not the biggest, and in getting him back we have had some real ratings increases and a lot more interest from the older generation."
Mr Cope said that Nagasaki was one of the few household names of the hugely-popular British wrestling scene of the 60s, 70s and 80s to still be alive.
He added: "He is treated as a god in wrestling."
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