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Wrestling By The Numbers: Kamala

Posted: Nov 14th 2011 By: mikeiles

It has been announced that this past Monday the wrestling career of James ?Kamala? Harris ended after the former main event superstar had to have one of his feet amputated due to complications with high blood pressure and diabetes. Harris who also wrestled through his career as Big Jim Harris, Sugar Bear Harris, Ugly Bear Harris, Kimala and The Mississippi Mauler, had a career that spanned 37 years after first making his debut in back in 1974. He was trained primarily by Tiny Tim Hampton and his first matches were in the United Kingdom and Memphis territory.

From 1983 to 1986 The Ugandan Giant was a top heel headline wrestler competing in the WWE, NWA, WCCW and AWA. He wrestled against the Von Erich Family and other top Mid-South stars while in WCCW, had a series of battles against Andre the Giant in the WWE, fought Magnum T.A. while in the NWA and battled Sergeant Slaughter in the AWA. He then joined the WWE exclusively between 1986 and 1987 where he had notable feuds with Hulk Hogan and Jake Roberts before later forming a tag-team with The Wild Samoan Sika. Between 1991 to 1992 he became a multiple time World Champion in Jerry Jarrett?s USWA promotion where he had main event programs with both Jerry Lawler and Koko B. Ware.

Kamala then returned to the WWE from 1992 to 1993 where he was placed again in a top program this time with The Undertaker. Before again leaving the WWE Kamala had a brief face run with the Reverend Slick as his manager. After an extended break from the business Kamala made his return having a brief run with WCW in 1995 and then ECW in 1998. Over the last ten years Harris has continued working independent shows and made sporadic appearances with the WWE, TNA and ROH.

Throughout his long career Harris was known as one of the industry?s funniest characters backstage and is often brought up with Bobby Heenan as one of the industry?s comedic greats. The two were never paired together but Kamala?s long list of outstanding managers included General Skandor Akbar, Classy Freddie Blassie, Mr. Fuji, Kimchee, King Curtis Ieakea, Harvey Wippleman, Slick, J.J. Dillon, Jimmy Hart and Percy Pringle among others.

Below we look at some of the professional wrestling career of James ?Kamala? Harris by the numbers?

World Wrestling Entertainment:

* 3 Matches on WWE Pay-Per-View.

* 1 Match Managed on WWE Pay-Per-View.

* 2 Matches on WWE Saturday Night?s Main Event.

* 1 Main Event Match on WWE Saturday Night?s Main Event.

* 7 Matches on WWE Raw.

* 2 Main Event Matches on WWE Raw.

* 1 Match on WWE Smackdown.

* 32 Matches on WWE Superstars.

* 5 Main Event Matches on WWE Superstars.

* 16 Matches on WWE Prime Time Wrestling.

* 4 Main Event Matches on WWE Prime Time Wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling / Jim Crockett Promotions:

* 3 Matches on WCW Pay-Per-View.

* 1 Main Event Match on WCW Pay-Per-View.

* Competed in numerous matches on WCW Saturday Night.

Ring Of Honor:

* 1 Match on ROH Home Video Releases.