Rory McKee
r.mckee@spectatornewspapers.co.uk
WRESTLING legend Kendo Nagasaki entered the record books last month when he made a long-awaited return to the ring aged 83 to become the oldest professional wrestler in the world, and it was two brothers from Bangor who played their part in helping the ‘silent samurai’ to achieve the feat.
The masked Nagasaki, whose real name is Peter Thornley, took part in a three-man tag team bout at Fairfield Halls in Croydon on November 24 as hundreds watched on. Ben and Jordan Nelson from Bangor, who as a duo go by the name ‘Dead Gorgeous’, linked up with the 6ft 2in veteran for the bout against the LDN Wrestling tag team of Sanjay Bagga, DD Crooks and Stevie Fee.
Jordan, 25, explained that he and his brother Ben (17) grew up watching WWE and “fell in love” with the concept. Their name takes inspiration from the WWE tag team ‘Pretty Deadly’ and it was that which caught the attention of Nagasaki, back in the ring 60 years on from his first professional appearance.
“He wanted to do a tag team match for his retirement match,” said Jordan.
“Because of Kendo’s age, we had to make sure that we got everything right and it took lots of planning.”
Ring character Nagasaki, who was one of the biggest draws of all time in British wrestling and overcame greats like Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Andre the Giant during his career, was controversially disqualified from the Croydon bout for an illegal move.
But the mysterious villain went on to win the match when the audience got to decide the ultimate victor.
“It’s [wrestling] a sort of mix between sport and theatre,” Jordan added, paying tribute to both Nagasaki, event promoters LDN Wrestling and Norman Hoy who has trained both brothers at Northern Ireland Pro Wrestling in Carryduff.
“It’s nice to be involved with big projects like this one. We think there is going to be a continuation of the feud, so Kendo could be coming back to right the wrongs sometime in the new year.”
Reflecting on the match, Nagasaki said: “It was hard work in that ring, they’re all young and very enthusiastic, you’ve got to keep them under control, under manners.
“But it was like turning the clock back being out there in front of so many people, it was electric.
“I still feel good, I’m in great condition for my age…who knows, you might see Kendo Nagasaki in the ring again in the future.”
