Brenden McAleavey (born December 31, 1989), better known by his ring name Ninja Mack, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
He is best known for his time in the Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) promotion, where he is a former one-time GHC Hardcore Champion and a former one-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Early life[]
Born in Long Island, Mack was raised in Cypress, Texas. He has an athletic background, as he competed in amateur wrestling at Cypress Creek High School, and later worked as a gymnastics coach at Cypress Academy of Gymnastics. He also toured with Cirque du Soleil, as well as with other circuses in the United States, Mexico, Venezuela and Belgium.
Professional wrestling career[]
Early career[]
Mack was trained by Booker T, and debuted for Booker's promotion Reality of Wrestling (ROW) in December 2014 under the ring name Brendan Skye. He would continue to make appearances for the Houston promotion over the next two years. He initially wrestled on the independent circuit in Texas, featuring for promotions such as Promociones Martinez, Loko Wrestling, Pale Pro Wrestling and the Independent Wrestling Expo. He also took a extended break from wrestling, following the birth of his son.
Pro Wrestling NOAH (2022–2024)[]
On January 5, 2022 at Reboot, Noah teased the debut of Mack. He had intended to make his debut for the promotion the previous year as well as in February, but has been unable to enter the country due to Japan's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in cases stemming from the omicron variant. On April 8, Noah announced the return of Mack at Majestic on April 29. At the event, Mack made his official debut for the promotion, defeating Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf in a three-way elimination match. After impressing CyberFight's Naomichi Marufuji, he announced that Mack had signed an exclusive one year contract with Noah as regular foreign talent. On September 25, Mack challenged HAYATA to a title match for the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship, which he accepted. On October 30 at Ariake Triumph, Mack defeated HAYATA to become the new champion via stoppage, after he dislocated his left shoulder. He lost the title to Dante Leon on November 10 at Global Honored Crown.
On April 16, 2023, at Green Journey in Sendai, after HAYATA regained the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship, he nominated Mack as his next challenger for the title. On April 23, after defeating HAYATA in one of the pre-matches for the event, Mack taunted him with the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship belt before handing it back to him, stating that next time he would become the new champion. On May 4 at Majestic, Mack unsuccessfully challenged HAYATA for the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship. On November 27, Mack defeated Masato Tanaka and Super Crazy to win the GHC Hardcore Championship. He lost the title to Shuji Ishikawa on May 4 at Wrestle Magic. Later that month, Mack entered New Japan Pro Wrestling's month-long 2024 Best of the Super Juniors, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. On August 11, Mack announced that he would be leaving NOAH, after his contract with the promotion expired at the end of the month. The following day, on his farewell match, he teamed with AMAKUSA, Eita in a winning effort against HAYATA, Tadasuke and YO-HEY.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2024–Present)[]
Mack returned to NJPW in October 2024 to take part in the 2024 Super Jr. Tag League, alongside The DKC. They finished the tournament with a record of record two wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Ninja Bomb (Corkscrew senton)
- Phoenix 630º (Corkscrew 630° senton)
- Signature moves
- Crossface
- Deadlift german suplex
- Jumping knee strike
- Karate chop
- La Magistral (Arm wrench inside cradle)
- Multiple kick variations
- Drop
- Ninja Kick (Jumping corkscrew roundhouse)
- Super
- Ninja Special (Cartwheel over the top rope suicide corkscrew moonsault) – adopted from The Great Sasuke
- Ninja Splash (Tornado corkscrew shooting star press)
- Ninja Chop (Knife edge chop)
- Ninja Flip (Sunset flip powerbomb)
- Running uppercut
- Rear naked choke
- Springboard 450° splash
- Springboard lariat
- Tornado Kick (Double Stomp)
- Nicknames
- "American Ninja"
- "Kamikaze"
- Entrance themes
- "Sound of Ninja" by JSEL
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 99 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- GHC Hardcore Championship (1 time)