Dorchester native, Pete Doherty wrestled for the WWF (now WWE) as the Duke of Dorchester for over twenty years. Know for his blond hair, missing teeth and wild ways, the Duke was considered a “heel jobber” in the biz and had many matches including ones against Andre the Giant, Junkyard Dog, and King Kong Bundy.
According to Cape News, the Duke earned his wrestling name when he showed up late to a match in New York. Chief Jay Strongbow said, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the friggin’ Duke of Dorchester. It’s about time you got here.”
In 1997, the Duke retired from wrestling but made occasional appearances at local events including the WWF’s final event at the old Boston Garden.
Doherty was inducted into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame back in 2010. He currently lives on the cape!
Were you lucky enough to see him wrestle? Let us know in the comments!
Image via WWE
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
In the old days before the then-WWWF really exploded, on a small show in ‘79 or so wrestled at the high school gym in my hometown of Manchester, Connecticut. I especially loved it because of anyone on the card, he was chosen to wrestle first under a mask and the second time as himself. He was totally hilarious both in the ring and on the stick. I always thought it was a great shame that he didn’t get a bigger opportunity, I thought he could’ve been as big as Captain Lou Albano given his wide range of talent