Real Name - Kazuo Sakurada
Birthdate - 9/26/48
6' 225 lbs. - Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan
Athletic Background - Sumo (Makashita)
Teacher(s) - Genichiro Tenryu
Professional Background - Japan Pro(`71-`7?), All Japan(`76), Puerto Rico, Canada, Florida(`81), Memphis(`82), Mid-South(`83), New Japan(`85), SWS(`90-`92), NOW(`92-`94), Big Japan(`95-`99)
Aliases - Midorimine, Mr. Sakurada, Chan Chung, The Black Ninja, Rambo Sakurada, Kazuo Sakurada
Groups - n/a
Peak Years - `80-`85
Finisher(s) -
- Green Mist
Favorites -
- Spinning Sidekick
- Mid Kick
- Chop
- Back Elbow
Ringwork Rating -
| Move Set | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Aerial | 0 |
| Power | ? |
| Strikes | 6 |
Intangibles Rating -
| Entertainment | 6 |
| Selling | 6 |
| Bumping | 5 |
| Carrying | 5 |
| Heat | 7 |
| Legacy | 5 |
Place in History - Kendo Nagasaki was one of the interesting gimmicked heels of puroresu's second wave, who really found greater "success" abroad. After working as Genichiro Tenryu's underling for a while and even going to the States with him, Kazuo Sakurada was fitted with the look and style that would make him a notable star. Wearing kendo gear to the ring and armed with a shinai - Kendo Nagasaki was born. Whether the gimmick was lifted from a popular 60s British heel or not is unknown, but his version was distinctly different. Nagasaki adopted to the Japanese heel style in the US quite effective with "karate kicks," "judo chops" and the like. Though it was inarguably a stereotyped gimmick, it was one that allowed Nagasaki to tour throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and achieve better pushes than he would have in Japan. His international success allowed him to return to Japan and enjoy several upper midcard runs. While he showed more ability in his homeland, Nagasaki was aging. When the ill-fated SWS was formed, Kendo Nagasaki, was brought in as he had several buddies in the company. Afterward, he became a major player on the indy scene by starting the NOW group himself and later becoming pivotal with the formation of Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Nagasaki was a gutsy type who even stepped in a Shooto ring as he closed in on fifty. There are a number of average Japanese talents who headed to America and took on fairly outlandish personas. While he was not as successful as the Great Kabuki or Killer Khan, Kendo Nagasaki certainly reached a level of success that he would not have reached otherwise. That achievement allowed him to establish himself in Japan and he unquestionably had a larger effect on the puroresu scene than either Kabuki or Khan as an independent wrestler and promoter.