Kendo Nagasaki - The Man Behind Kendo's Mask Presents Books at his Private Preview

On 21st November 2018, a Private Preview was held for some of Kendo Nagasaki's most ardent fans, who had attended his Retreat Events and pre-ordered his autobiography, written by the man behind the mask himself, Peter Thornley.
The evening began with the presentation of the books - having only encountered Kendo before, the audience didn't what to expect! Peter soon put them at their ease by showing them how approachable and entertaining he is, despite his fearsome alter-ego!
The event was videoed by Roland Platt and Jonathan Smeed - many thanks to them.
For info on the fascinating autobiography, see www.kendonagasakibook.com where you can also buy the book in paperback and hardback - ALL PROFITS FROM SALES OF THE BOOK WILL BE DONATED TO THE LEE RIGBY KNFOUNDATION.

[@bigtone1348]

A fantastic character. It took many years for him to come out from behind his creation.

[@KrowTheOmEgA777]

I would have cried meeting him. Kendo's presence amazed me as a child. I still love watching his matches today

[@mal_752]

I met him in 1972 at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. He arrived to wrestle in a blue MGB GT. And gave me a signed photo. Fabulous 🤗

[@cheaptoyman]

KENDO NAGASAKI BELONGS IN THE WRESTLING HALL OF FAME. He is the first man to defeat Andre the Giant/Jean Ferre in a one-on-one match. And even beat him more than once. Kendo also created an immortal character/gimmick that continues to inspire to this day. A TRUE LEGEND THAT GROWS as TIME GROWS!!!!

[@frank290862]

Kendo is a legend and Peter seems to be such a warm friendly man.

[@agnostic47]

If Kendo was on the bill you knew the hall would be full. One of the mainstays of British wrestling for years. Even as a man in his late 70s Peter Thornley still moves like Kendo. The Saturday afternoon wrestling was required viewing in our house. Bonus if Kendo was on.

[@vordman]

I used to be frightened and fascinated by him at the same time. Delighted to see what a great bloke he really is. I thought he would go to his grave and never show us who he really was. So this is absolutely brilliant. He looks amazing for his age too. Thanks Peter/Kendo.

[@francollins4036]

A lovely man.

[@petercartwright4321]

The greatest ever Wrestler. So honoured to have been there

[@nagolhayze9366]

Les Kellett was the greatest wrestler ever. End of story.

[@misterslats]

@@nagolhayze9366 Both of you are wrong. Tom Billington is the greatest to EVER lace up a pair of boots. Period.

[@nagolhayze9366]

@@misterslats Dude, I’ll put you in a Full Nelson if you persist with these mis -truths

[@misterslats]

@@nagolhayze9366 Oh Yawn. 🥱

[@MBIKES21]

Great bloke.

[@leenwctv1]

Superb, what a man. There’s a theatre tour here...

[@leoneddy1492]

My sister and i were fans (and still are) of Kendo , we always used to shout out for him in bouts at the Sheffield City Hall Cica early / mid 70''s (platform seats where you had a great view) this was always to the dismay at others in the audience ranting at us on the lines of "why you shouting for Kendo Nagasaki" to which we would reply "CUS WE LIKE HIM" . And so it was my 60th on 02/08 2020 , and among the many surprises one of my presents was the book Kendo Nagasaki and the Man Behind the Mask (and it's signed to me ) Many thanks Kendo /Peter (and me big sister) Many years have past and many memories forgotten , but many still live on, some as though they were yesterday , Kendo and George are some of my yesterday memories.

[@terrywrigley5988]

he is the best wrestler ever!

[@wayneuk9657]

I’ve never smiled so much to a KZbin video before. Nice to see a lot of the old team there & especially June getting to meet Peter brought a tear to my eye. She properly looked after me the first time I met Kendo & the team. FANTASTIC!!! Cheers Wayne

[@robertdickinson9838]

Met a very famous pro heavy weight wrestler who had some great matches with him and he told me he Kendo was a nice guy but didn't take no nonsense. This shows his judgement was right.

[@nick4733]

Wow, Peter. What an amazing life he has lead and a truly inspirational person. Now to be truly unmasked is to discover the human behind the mask. I watched kendo nagasaki wrestling a child with delight and this led me to the path of martial arts, the military, the police, teaching police personal safety tactics and to try to be content with life in general. I have so much gratitude to Peter for his gift of entertainment, enlightenment and honesty that I hope he goes onward to continuing health and prosperity. All the best Peter.

[@glentelfer3649]

I was a religious follower of World of Sport Wrestling when I was a little kid. I loved the bad guys and Kendo was my favourite. I saw him wrestle live a couple of times and he has always fascinated me as a masked enigma. The most memorable bad guy in the history of British pro wrestling, no one (including Haystacks) could touch him. Its nice to see he's such a nice guy behind the mask. But Kendo Nagasaki was my first obsession with a "super villain" my grandparents booed him but I always cheered him.

[@richardwaite5735]

Really the heels were the nicest guys while big daddy was apparently very arrogant in real life!

[@kiragrandad]

I always used to go watch the wrestling when it was on in my area and like Peter says there was always the special feeling in the hall when Kendo was on. I miss the Saturday afternoons watching the TV booing the villains and cheering the heroes..

[@JohnMcNallyJohnMac2014UK]

What An Absolute Fantastic Guy Peter Is, A True Legend Our British Wrestling Heritage. Some/All Of These Recent Interviews Are Great.

[@cryptohunt2552]

Wow, he's human after all. Seems like a nice bloke too.

[@glynroberts8832]

Peter is a truly amazing wonderful man. Wrestling would never have been the same without the great kendo Nagasaki. I want to thank Lawrence for his dedication to this man for so many years.

[@terrywrigley5988]

Every saterday I used to watch world of sport wrestling hoping somebody would unmask kendo till one day lee Bronson did !

[@andybuckley-taylor8334]

@@terrywrigley5988 Lee Bronson didn’t!

[@kevcatnip7589]

Loving the book its fantastic and maybe more opportunities to meet KENDO ??? Would like to buy merch too x

[@richardsharpe2966]

Is the autobiography still available please

[@KendoNagasaki101]

Yes you can buy at www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313573921462?hash=item49027652b6:g:GpsAAOSwydpd72NO Paperback or www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313573931929?epid=19046569195&hash=item4902767b99:g:irAAAOSwN1Fg0Fi5 for the Hardback.

[@richardsharpe2966]

@@KendoNagasaki101 thank you going to order the book ASAP Richard

[@michaelcrump6192]

LEGEND . I’m 54 . Such Lovely Memories Of Watching The Wrestling On ITV And Live With My Grandad Roy Down The Civic Hall , Wolverhampton . Kendo Was And Still Is A Legend. My Personal Favourite Though Was Fit Finley and His Wife The Princess Paula LOL Wot Wonderful Entertainers All Of Em. BRILLIANT . GOD BLESS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF EM !!!!!!!!!

[@michaelfirth1075]

A legend, a true legend.😊